Education: B.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), 2021

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Research interests: Kidney immunity, gene and drug delivery, microphysiological systems development, iPSC-resident immune cell differentiation, regenerative medicine

Project topic: Developing immune-competent kidney organoids for disease modeling and drug toxicity test

Other interests: Table tennis, work out at the gym, and watching movies(occasionally)

Contact: ampon020@umn.edu

Education: B.S. Biomolecular Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Hometown: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Research Interests: Biomaterials, drug delivery, and molecular engineering (with focus on solutions at the intersection of synthetic biology and molecular engineering)

Project description: I am exploring optogenetic transmembrane pumps and their integration into liposomal membranes for controlled molecular transport. My work focuses on developing strategies to ensure these pumps orient uniformly, enabling light-activated transport with high efficiency. By leveraging optogenetics, I aim to create a platform for precise, external control of molecular movement, with potential applications in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and drug delivery. My research combines protein engineering, membrane biophysics, and recombinant expression techniques to optimize pump integration and function. Through experimental validation using calcium transport assays, I am working toward a proof-of-concept system that could be expanded for broader biomedical applications. Ultimately, my goal is to establish foundational technologies that enable new tools for controlled molecular transport, paving the way for future innovations in bioengineering.

Other interests: History, Philosophy, Near Eastern Studies, and esotericism, Typography, and Artificial Intelligence

Contact: schm5433@umn.edu

Education: BSc. Biochemistry and Chemistry, South Dakota State University

Hometown: Twin-Cities, Minnesota

Research: Lymphatic system and primary cilia in a biochemistry lab (past), microglia and their interactions with glioblastoma (current). Goal is to elucidate novel processes for therapeutic targeting

Project topic: Developing cerebral organoids to study the glioblastoma microenvironment

Other interests: Hiking, camping, mountain biking, playing board and video games with friends

Contact: knut0776@umn.edu

Education: B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech),

Hometown:

Research interests: Synthetic biology, particulary with interactions within synthetic gene circuits

Project topic: Enhancing sensitivity and selectivity of macrophage-based anti-cancer immunotherapy

Other interests: Anime, video games

Contact: wan02176@umn.edu