Meet the BBS Graduate Student Society
The BBSGSS is the coordinating student body charged with representing all students enrolled in the BBS PhD program. We monitor issues of importance to the graduate student community, represent the concerns of graduate students to BBS Program administration, and advocate for changes to enhance the quality of graduate education. We also sponsor academic and social events of interest to the graduate student community.
This organization is a registered student organization of Cornell University.
Zahra Baninameh - President
Email: zb79@cornell.edu
I am passionate about facilitating students' academic progress and well-being, as well as fostering a sense of belonging. I strive to contribute to an inclusive and diverse environment within our BBS program and enjoy bringing students together so we can benefit from each other's wisdom, lived experiences, and good company. I strongly believe that all students deserve proper support and the opportunity to achieve their goals while maintaining a good work-life balance. I am a member of Schaffer-Nishimura lab, and my scientific interests revolve around understanding the aging process and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of school, I enjoy a good book with a cup of tea and the sounds of a rainy day and spending quality time with my family and friends! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email if you have any BBS related questions or would like to get involved with our BBS GSS, we welcome members from all experiences and backgrounds.
Abbey Kalay - Vice President
Email: abk236@cornell.edu
My name is Abbey and I am a PhD student in Dr. Marla Lujan’s lab in the Division of Nutritional Sciences. I study ovulatory and endocrine disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome and my interests span nutrition, reproduction, and endocrinology. I am originally from Georgia but moved to New York to pursue higher education, where I received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Rochester in 2023. Outside of research, I love to rock climb, write novels, and play with my cats!
Anastasia (Stasha) Rup- Peer Mentor Coordinator
Email: ar725@cornell.edu
My name is Anastasia (Stasha) Rup and I am a student in Andrew Flyak's lab. For my research I am interested in further characterizing B cells that generate broadly neutralizing antibodies in response to vaccines. I grew up in Vermont before moving to Rochester to complete my B.S. in Biology from Rochester Institute of Technology. Outside of the lab I love to ride horses, ski, paddle board, paint, and spend time with my two dogs.
Katelyn Raney-Plourde - Treasurer
Email: ker239@cornell.edu
My name is Katelyn Raney-Plourde and I am a PhD student in Dr. Andrew Flyak's Lab. I am originally from Ventura County, California and completed my Bachelors at the University of California, San Diego in Microbiology, where I studied peroxisome generation in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. After undergrad, I shifted my focus to the intersection of cancer immunology and virology. Our lab studies Hepatitis C virus (HCV) from structural and immunological standpoints in vitro and in vivo models. Particularly, I am interested in how viruses, such as HCV, can induce or exacerbate conditions that lead to mutagenesis and promote cancer development. In my spare time, I sing, garden, crochet, and read with my four cats. I am also starting to explore a new passion in indoor rock climbing.
Emma Kosmeder - Co-Historian
Email: epk38@cornell.edu
Hi everyone! I'm Emma and I am a PhD student in Dr. Meng Wang's lab, where I study glucose metabolism in the context of formaldehyde genotoxicity. I'm particularly interested in cancer metabolism, and how we can use these insights to develop future therapeutics. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and moved to upstate NY for undergrad, where I completed my B.A. in Molecular Biology at Colgate University. I'm happy to be back in the area, since in my free time I love to hike, swim, canoe, and go horseback riding (outside when the weather cooperates!).
Jooyoung Park - Co-Historian
Email: jp2626@cornell.edu
My name is Jooyoung Park, and I am a PhD student in Iwijn De Vlaminck’s lab. My current research focuses on applying spatial transcriptomics to understand diverse biological processes in different tissues. Outside the lab, you’ll probably find me cooking (mostly Korean food), working out at the gym, or just happily lying in my lovely bed.
Clare Wang- Combined DVM-PhD Representative
Email: cjw287@cornell.edu
Hi everyone! I'm a combined DVM-PhD student in the Kurpios Lab studying the development of the intestinal lymphatic system. As a dual-degree student, I'm interested in translational medicine both from the lab to the clinics and from animal to human. My projects center on the mechanism of lacteal morphogenesis and how its dysfunction underlies various digestive diseases in both dogs and humans. I grew up in Newbury Park, California then moved north to attend University of California - Berkeley, where I received a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology. I'm a student technician assistant at Cornell's wildlife hospital and enjoy bird watching in my free time!
Brandon James - D&I Council Representative
Email: btj33@cornell.edu
Hi! My name is Brandon James, and I am a BBS PhD Student in Dr. Meng Wang's lab. We are interested in investigating the endogenous sources of formaldehyde in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Outside of lab, I love to paint, paddleboard, and play with my cats Noodles and Franklin!