Email: lauren.onweller@duke.edu

Lauren is a fourth-year PhD student in the Reker lab. In her research, she aims to use machine learning to engineer nanoparticles for combination therapy applications. Her primary role as President is to help represent BME students within the department and organize the BEPSA E-board. Her goal is to build a strong sense of community within the department and work collaboratively with the other members of BEPSA. Outside of work, she enjoys running, hiking, crocheting, and spending time with her orange tabby cats.

Email: trina.nguyentu@duke.edu

Trina is a third-year PhD student in Z. Josh Huang's lab. Her research focuses on developing RNA-based tools to monitor and manipulate brain cell types, with the goal of streamlining germline engineering for precise, programmable, and cross-species genetic access. As Vice President of BEPSA, Trina aims to serve as a point of contact for students, facilitating communication between them and faculty, and representing the needs of the community. She is excited about strengthening connections among peers, fostering engagement, and helping to build the supportive, collaborative environment that makes BME so special. Outside the lab, she enjoys rock climbing, reading, cooking, and spending time with her dog and friends.

Email: nirvika.rastogi@duke.edu

Nirvika Rastogi is a 2nd year PhD student in the Velmeshev lab. I am happy to support my peers and if nothing, be a friendly face! Her research focuses on finding functional epigenomic targets for Down Syndrome in neural organoids. Her primary duty as CFO is to aid the rest of the executive board and the committee chairs in realizing their goals by acquiring and approving funding. In the moments I’m not chronically online, I enjoy dancing, wine tastings, yoga and volunteering for communities close to my heart.

Email: noah.s.campbell@duke.edu

Noah is a second-year PhD student in Dr. Tatiana Segura’s lab. Their research primarily focuses on the development of anti-inflammatory biomaterials for regenerative medicine and sustained gene delivery in wound healing. Noah was previously a first-year representative for BEPSA and now both serves on the Outreach Committee and works as the Chief Technical Officer to best communicate and reflect BEPSA’s activities and events. Outside of work, Noah enjoys event and street photography, longboarding, and live music.

Email: sophie.shi@duke.edu

Sophie is a third-year PhD student in T.Dunn Lab. Her research focuses on behavioral study in motor-related neural diseases. She uses deep-learning tools to quantitatively assess behavioral deficits in stroke, enabling sensitive and high-throughput investigation of preclinical treatment. Her role as an event co-chairs is to hold fun events and help organize the recruitment for the department. Outside of work, she really enjoys rock-climbing, crafting, baking, making vlogs, exploring good food… – anything that is fun and refreshing!

Email: kate.katsouleas@duke.edu

Kate is a second-year PhD student in the Gerecht Lab studying vascular tissue engineering. Her research involves the use of vascular micro physiological systems (MPS) to investigate molecular mechanisms driving ECM dysregulation in arterial disease. As events chair of BEPSA, she is excited to organize events that serve the BME community, both socially and professionally, and foster opportunities to for greater interaction among BME peers. Outside of lab, she loves attending bar trivia, watching movies, hiking, and grabbing coffee.

Email: kathryn.turk@duke.edu

Kat is a third-year PhD student in the Grill Lab, studying peripheral nerve stimulation. Her research includes human, animal and computational studies to understand on and off target tradeoffs and design more effective therapies. Her role as outreach chair involves organizing community-centered events including blood drives, collaboration with local community centers, and educational opportunities with local educational groups. When not in the lab, she enjoys gardening, camping, live music and knitting.

Email: sophia.colmenares@duke.edu

Sophia is a second-year PhD student in Daniel Reker's lab. Her research focuses on applying machine learning to investigate how molecular interactions influence drug metabolism. In her free time, she likes to try new sports, taste new caffeinated beverages, and play with her two cats.

Email: alexander.armstrong@duke.edu

Alexander is a first-year PhD student in John Hickey's lab. His research focuses on tissue engineering using a novel screening platform that incorporates biomaterials and spatial proteomics technologies. As 1st-year representative, Alexander coordinates events for his cohort to grow comfortable and confident in their new life as a PhD student at Duke BME. Outside of lab, Alexander enjoys playing soccer, enjoying time with friends, and cooking.

Email: emilie.jacobus@duke.edu

Emilie is a first-year student in the Gersbach Lab. Her research aims to develop a CRISPR-based epigenetic therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome. Her role as one of the first-year reps is to plan events for her cohort, including the Adulting 101 series. In her free time she enjoys seeing live music, cooking, and hiking.