Stanford Science Penpals
Meet the Team
Co-President
I am a first-gen PhD student studying the human gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi! I am specifically researching how many bacteria live in our gut and interact with our immune system. Outside of school, I love to figure skate, garden and play with my pup Winnie.
Mai Dvorak
Co-President
My research is focused on the dynamics and rheology of very dense colloidal suspensions and glasses. The ultimate goal of my work is to understand the role of glassy behavior in regulating metabolism in bacteria cells. I was on TV twice as an undergrad when they panned the crowd of Michigan football games. Go Blue!
Maggie Braunreuther
Recruitment
I'm a Ph.D. student working on ultrasound imaging research. My projects focus on improving ultrasound image reconstruction and obtaining quantitative metrics from scans to facilitate disease diagnosis. In my free time, I like to play video games, cook new foods, and paint.
Louise Zhuang
Financials
I am a first gen PhD student in Developmental Biology. I use fruit fly testis as a model system for adult stemcell linage. I am particulary focusing on the role of alternative mRNA isoforms. How do stemcells decide which isoform to express? Do these cell-type specific isoform confers unique cell-type specific behaviors?
Eric Wong
School Liaisons
I use stickleback fish as a model system for studying evolution. Specifically, I'm interested in how fragile DNA regions (DNA sequences that break and mutate at high rates) contribute to adaptive traits in sticklebacks. A fun fact about me is that I like doing art and recently taught myself how to crochet!
Alyssa Benjamin
I’m a first gen, fourth year student in the Neurosciences program. My research is focused on understanding the sex-specific impacts of early life stress on anxiety, addiction, and sleep in adulthood. Outside of lab, I love going on road trips, playing tennis, reading on the beach, and attempting to garden!
Allison Morningstar
Originally from New Jersey, I am a PhD student studying Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine. I have worked for years in gene editing and anti-cancer drugs, and now, focus on understanding how our bodies maintain their tissues, specifically, the blood. Outside of the lab, I love playing flute, perform with several orchestras, and am directing a production of Mary Poppins this Spring!
Andrew Burden