Ph.D. Student - Dr. Amandine Gamble

Hello! I’m Dina, a third-year combined DVM–PhD student in Dr. Amandine Gamble’s lab. My research focuses on disease transmission dynamics in wildlife, and I conduct fieldwork in New York and the Falkland Islands. I grew up in New Jersey and earned my B.S. in neuroscience from the University of Vermont. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, playing board games, and doting on my many pets. I’m excited to meet you—please feel free to reach out anytime!

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Chris Schaffer

I’m a second year PhD student in Schaffer-Nishimura lab. I’m the President, and the Peer-Mentor Program Coordinator of the Biomedical & Biological Sciences Graduate Student Society (BBS GSS). Together with 20+ other peer-mentors we support the cohort of incoming first year PhD students each year. I am passionate about mentoring students and leading our program to foster an inclusive environment for all to grow to their best potential while enjoying learning through their PhD life. I am happy to help you connect to more than one peer mentor, so please do not hesitate to reach out seeking advice, help or any conversations related to your academic progress in the BBS program. I’m obtaining a minor in neuroscience and my scientific interests revolve around understanding the aging process and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on brain physiology and vasculature. Prior to Cornell, I conducted full-time research at the Department of Neuroscience at the Mayo Clinic in Florida for almost three years. In my free time, you find me in the bookstores or in restaurants around town with my family and friends! 

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Tobias Dörr

Hey, I am Upasana. I am a sixth-year PhD student in Dr. Tobias Dörr's lab. I have completed BS-MS in Biological Sciences from IISER Bhopal India. Before joining Cornell, I worked on my master thesis in Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, studying the regulation of motility in Myxococcus xanthus. In the Dörr lab, I study physiological roles and regulation of autolysins or peptidoglycan hydrolases in gram-negative bacteria like Vibrio cholerae. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my friends, going to restaurants/wineries/cider bars, watching movies, going to parks during sunset (Ithaca is gorgeous), and cooking! I have been a part of BBS since quite sometime now, and it has been truly wonderful to be surrounded with such supportive and friendly people. Please feel free to reach out if you need anything or chat in general! 

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Deborah Fowell

I am a third-year PhD candidate in Deborah Fowell’s lab. My research focuses on the spatial positioning of Th1 cells and their cross-regulation with IL-4 in the context of immune defense. My thesis aims to understand how Th1 cells are organized within tissues and how their interactions with type 2 cytokine signals shape effective immunity. Through this work, I seek to uncover how immune responses are balanced to promote host protection while limiting immunopathology. I received my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and M.S. in Biomedical Science (Immunology and Infectious Diseases) in South Korea, where I studied neutrophil-mediated inflammation and gained experience in histology and in vivo imaging techniques. Outside the lab, I enjoy swimming and going on road trips to explore small towns in the area.

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Andrew White

I grew up in China and immigrated to the United States with my family during my high school years. I obtained my bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. In May 2023, I became a member of Dr. Andrew White's lab in the Biomedical Science department. I am thrilled to delve into the study of resistance development in melanoma from targeted therapy. As a first-generation immigrant and college student, I aspire to inspire individuals with similar backgrounds to pursue research opportunities. Therefore, I also engage in the Diversity & Inclusion Council as well.

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Laura Goodman

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, I am a second-year PhD student in Dr. Laura Goodman’s lab at the Baker Institute of Animal Health. I benefitted greatly from the unique and flexible rotation model of the BBS program and have formed wonderful relationships across campus. I am grateful for the fellowship support from the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health, which enables me to develop an integrative, One Health-based dissertation at the intersection of biodiversity and genomics. Prior to coming to Cornell, I worked at the NIH and USGS, and completed several pre-doctoral fellowships. I identify as an older non-traditional graduate student, enjoy engaging with all fields of science, and am happy to support you as you transition to Cornell!

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Colleen Lau

Hi! I'm a second year PhD student who recently joined Dr. Colleen Lau's lab. Our lab utilizes multi-omic approaches to help leverage the ability of NK cells to acquire adaptive features so we can explore immune memory in the context of classic antigen-dependent and more unconventional antigen-independent memory responses. I'm originally from the Bay Area in California and received my B.S. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, watching tv, and trying to improve my cooking and baking skills.

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Meng Wang

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!). 

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Marcus Smolka

I'm currently a rising 4th year PhD candidate in the Smolka lab studying DNA damage response in cancer. I'm from upstate NY and completed my undergrad in Biology, Anthropology and Sociology at Elmira College, and my Masters in Biomedical Anthropology at Binghamton University. Before attending Cornell, I worked as a Research Technician at Binghamton University School of Pharmacy for two and a half years studying cancer cell migration and DNA damage. Outside of the lab, my interests are reading, watching TV shows (Fringe, The X-Files and Bones are some of my favorites) and painting. A fun fact about me is that I excavated at the Cradle of Humankind in both South Africa and Kenya!

Ph.D. Student

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Rafael Kroon Campos

Hello! My name is Ana Alice, and I am a 2nd-year PhD student at the Kroon Campos Lab! I was born and raised in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where I got my DVM from Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). At the Kroon Campos Lab, I study virus-host interactions, focusing on emerging zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses. In my free time, I enjoy reading, working out, and finding good restaurants in Ithaca. I am happy to talk or answer questions about PhD life or the BBS program. Please, do not hesitate to reach out!

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Alireza Abbaspourrad

Hi I’m Zoe, I'm currently a third-year PhD student in Dr. Alireza Abbaspourrad’s lab. I grew up in South Korea and received my BS in Biotechnology from Korea University. Outside of lab, I enjoy playing tennis, running, weightlifting training, and doing zero-sugar keto-friendly baking 

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Natasza Kurpios

Hi everyone! I'm a 2nd year combined DVM-PhD student in the Kurpios Lab studying the development of the intestinal lymphatic system. 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 also a student technician assistant at Cornell's wildlife hospital and enjoy bird watching in my free time!