Template:VirginiaTeam
Meet the Virginia iGEM 2017 team
Some sentence about how fabulous we are.
Vikram Seshadri:
Team Captain
2nd year: Biomedical Engineering
"Lately in my free time I've been working to create the Philosopher's Stone. Why? IDK, immortality seems pretty cool."
After leading last year's inaugural iGEM team to a gold award last year, Iowis returned this year to further grow the team.
David Johanson:
Lab Manager
3rd year: Biology, Entrepreneurship minor
"In my free time? It's been too long... maybe I used to golf. But I lost my golf magic back in high school. What's my favorite Netflix show? Movies. I have my favorite quote though: 'lost in the sauce.'"
Steph is a senior at the University of Maryland researching mechanosensitive channels in bacteria. When she's not in the lab, you can find her wandering organic farms trying to find her spirit animal or exploring the rocky paths of the local Billy Goat Trail. After earning a Ph.D. in molecular/evolutionary genetics, Steph hopes to head a lab at a research institution.
Christia Aspili Human Resources & Graphic Design
3rd year: Neuroscience
"I spend my free time trying to grow out my hair. I hope to have Rapunzel length hair soon so I can go in a tower and have my true love come rescue me."
Standing at 190 cm, Kevin is the tallest Asian on the team. He joined iGEM because of its fast-paced, multidisciplinary, problem solving nature, as well as its connections to entrepreneurship. He is the founder of SuperScore Inc., and serves on the national board of Kids Are Scientists Too. He hopes to attain a MD/MBA someday. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys boxing, parkour, and reading.
Lauren Harkins CFO & Competition Coordinator
2nd year: Biomedical engineering
"My goal in life is to become a mermaid. I've spent countless hours in the pool hoping my legs slowly morph into a tail. So far I've been unsuccessful."
Rob is currently a junior Bioengineering major. He joined iGEM because of its innovative, creative nature and how it addresses so many different aspects of synthetic biology. Outside of the iGEM lab and our human practices efforts, he enjoys reading about virtually anything, learning about vegetarian cooking recipes, being out in nature, exploring his new found hobby of SCUBA diving with the Maryland Terrafins, exploring, learning about issues in Bioethics, and spending time with his wonderful friends.
Eric Wang: Lab Manager & Wiki Creator
2nd year: Biochemistry
"My creator has not programmed me with a backstory. I would like one though. Can someone please download one for me?"
Aditya is a senior at the University of Maryland who is studying Bioengineering. Aditya brings five years of wet lab research experience including one prior year with Maryland's iGEM team. This year, Aditya's main foci are the design of an inexpensive and effective PCR machine and modeling metabolic pathways of engineered E.coli. In his free time, Aditya enjoys the movies, making food for the team, and visiting cows.
Steven Scherping: Presentation Creator
4th year: Biology, Bioethics minor
"I was the first flutist in the New York Symphony Orchestra. I traveled the world playing my flute. I was the youngest flutist to play in the Sydney Opera House, and the first flutist in fifty years."
Hailing from Singapore and Australia, Chun Mun's strong interest in genetic engineering prompted him to join iGEM. He hopes to conduct research in this field after attaining an MD/PhD. Outside of school, he is a self proclaimed piano prodigy, having won consecutive local competitions and finalizing in international ones. He can solve a Rubik's cube in a very slow average of 17 seconds and is an avid video gamer. He is actually not a weeaboo as some aspects of his profile may suggest.
Ilya Andreev: Modeling Manager
3rd year: Mathematics & Physics
"When I was back in Russia, I got arrested for having a grandma yell at me. Weird experience."
Kimia is a sophomore majoring in Physiology & Neurobiology and on the pre-med track. She is considering pursuing obstetrics in the future. She would like to travel and apply her knowledge to developing countries or disaster relief. Beyond that, she has interests in nutrition and business. Kimia is a student photographer for the Honors College and plays on the Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team. Her favorite way to spend her free time is staying active in nature, such as jogging or doing adventure courses.
Caity Embly Human resources & Presentation Creator
4th year: Chemistry
"'My favorite mythical creature is someone who loves me for who I am.' - Eden Dranger"
Adam is a senior Physiology & Neurobiology major at the University of Maryland. This is his first research experience and exposure to synthetic biology. In the future he hopes to attend medical school and pursue more research opportunities. Outside of the lab, he is a huge news junkie and loves following politics. He also enjoys traveling, weight lifting, and browsing reddit.
