Welcome to BE @ UPenn

Hi guys! My name is Momo (short for Mohammed) and I'm a first year PhD student in PICSL and FTDC. I am working on brain MRI and trying to use deep learning methods to identify cortical layers and find biomarkers for disease in different cortical layers. I am co-mentored by Drs. Sandy Das and Corey McMillan. 

I enjoy video games, giving my cat head scratchies, cooking food in my instant pot, and advocacy. I also enjoy podcasts and audiobooks, and I've gotten into Wikipedia edit wars. 

previous institution: 

B.S. Georgia Institute of Technology

msaqib3@seas.upenn.edu

Hi all! My name is Madison and I am a first year PhD student in Sydney Shaffer's lab after spending two years working as a postbaccalaureate reasearch fellow at the NIH. My project will utilize organoid models to learn about the contributions of stromal and immune cells to cell plasticity in Barrett's Esophagus and esophageal cancer. 

Outside of lab, you can find me eating my way around Philadelphia, watching college football, reading fantasy novels, or playing board games. Feel free to ask me for food and drink recs, about rotating at Penn BE, or transitioning to grad school!

previous institution: 

B.S.E. University of Michigan

wahlsten@seas.upenn.edu 

Hi! My name is Xiangyi and I'm a third year PhD student in Arjun Raj's lab. My research focuses on single-cell multi-omics and molecular imaging. Before starting at Penn, I was a member of the William & Mary iGEM team, and have been involved in the iGEM community ever since. Outside of lab, I enjoy cooking, rollerblading, and karaoke. I'm also a member of the Penn Band Drumline; you can often find me cadencing down Spruce Street during game seasons. I almost exclusively rely on my bike to get around (I bike everywhere!); feel free to ask me about bike routes/bike lanes/bike shops/traffic situations in the city. 

previous institution: 

B.S. William & Mary

xfang01@seas.upenn.edu

Hey everyone, my name's Stephen and I'm a first year student in Juan Alvarez's lab. My current research interests include understanding how RNA processing impacts functional maturation of pancreatic islets and identifying novel regulators of islet development via genome-wide screens. Before matriculating at Penn, I spent six years in academic and industry labs, primarily in the molecular engineering space. Outside lab, I love cooking (in the company of my stalwart feline, Katsu), live music (mainly experimental rock), and exploring the city. I'm also active in student government (GAPSA) if you're interested in that. Looking forward to meeting you all!

previous institution: 

B.Eng. Vanderbilt University

sjlee1@seas.upenn.edu

Hi, everyone! My name is Jenny Smith, and I am a first year PhD student in Shinjae Chung's lab. Before starting the PhD program, I was a research tech at Penn for 3 years and studied the role of  glutatmatergic neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus in stress-induced sleep fragmentation.  As a grad student, I am hoping to study the role of sleep in immune cell infiltration leading to neurodegeneration. Outside of lab, I spend a lot of time with my husband and  our two cats, Zuko and Lottie, or going on thrifting/antiquing adventures. I look forward to meeting everyone and am happy to help in any way I can if you have any questions!

previous institution: 

B.S. UNC Chapel Hill

jenny.smith@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Hello! My name is Carlos and I am a first year PhD student in Golnaz Vahedi's lab. I research T cells, specifically trying to understand how intrinsically disordered regions of transcription factors facilitate T cell development and function, with an eye to how said regions can be engineered to modulate said cells. When not in lab I can be found baking, playing video games (currently obsessed with Baldur's Gate 3) or curled up reading sci-fi and mythology books. I am excited to meet all of the recruits and happy to give my insights on Penn, the community, moving process (I moved from SoCal) and more!

previous institution: 

B.S. University of California, San Diego 

cpondevi@seas.upenn.edu

Hello everyone! My name is Yi Qi, and I am a third year PhD student in Laura Vella's lab. My current research is focused on using multi-modal single cell analysis to understand the transcriptomic and epigenetic features of HIV infected cells, with a special focus on T follicular helper cells. Outside of lab.,  I enjoy cooking, podcasts, hiking, skiing, playing tennis, and watching sports. I am excited to meet the prospective new cohorts and love to share my experience with everyone, especially about rotation!

previous institution: 

B.S. William & Mary

yqi01@seas.upenn.edu

Hola! My name is Mistica and I am a first year student in Dr. Ottman Tertuliano's Lab. My current research focuses on fluid flow mechanics and the effect on cell growth in a 3D constuct. Besides research, I also enjoy playing switch games (currently playing Hollow Knight), and exploring random places in Pennsylvania (favorite spot is currently definitely Longwood Gardens). Can't wait to see everyone during recruitment weeks! Welcome!!

previous institution: 

B.S. University of Texas at San Antonio 

mistica@seas.upenn.edu

https://gabe.seas.upenn.edu/