Ph.D. Student - Dr. Goodman and Dr. Cazer

Hello! I am a third-year combined DVM/PhD student and started my PhD in January 2024 in Casey Cazer and Laura Goodman’s labs. My current research projects are on developing methods for detecting antimicrobial resistance and resistant organisms in livestock, and I am broadly interested in diagnostic development, epidemiology, genomics, and machine learning techniques. I grew up in Pittsburgh and completed my undergraduate degree at Penn State. In my free time, I like to read, watch movies and sports, dance Bharatanatyam, and bake (more so eat).

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Dongre

Hi there! My name is Kimaya Bakhle and I am a 3^rd year DVM-PhD student in the Dongre Lab! I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio and I went to Purdue University for undergrad to study biochemistry. After graduating, I spent a year doing research in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine before joining the Combined DVM-PhD program at Cornell. In the Dongre Lab, I am studying how heterogeneous breast tumors become resistant to immunotherapies. In the future, I am interested in working in comparative oncology research to improve outcomes for humans and animals with cancer. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors, working out, and trying new recipes!

Ph.D. Student - Dr. 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, Mentor - Dr. Lee

Hey everyone, I am a rising second-year graduate student in the program. I am originally from northern Mexico, but I grew up in Florida. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and then worked as a laboratory technician at Harvard Medical School where I developed an interest in angiogenesis and cancer research. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy playing video games and watching movies. During warmer weather, I love to play soccer and tennis.

Ph.D. Student, Mentor - Dr. 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, Mentor - Dr. 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

Hi all! My name is Brianna Knode, and I am currently a rising second-year PhD student in the BBS program. I grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and completed my undergraduate degrees in genetics and chemistry at Washington State University. I have a passion for translational disease research, specifically in the context of cancer and regeneration. Some of my favorite things to do outside of work include reading, arts/crafts, climbing and playing soccer, cooking/baking, and spending time with my cats!

Ph.D. Student- Dr. McGeachy

Hi everyone! My name is Haven and I'm a second year in McGeachy lab where I study vaccine strategies and immune training. I am originally from South Korea and finished my undergrad there where I developed interest in Immunology research. Outside the lab I enjoy listening to band music, watching shows, and finding good restaurants in the area.

Ph.D. Student- Dr. Fowell

My name is Marinel Ocasio-Rivera, a third-year graduate student at the Fowell lab minoring in Immunology and Infectious Diseases. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology with a concentration in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico – Ponce. I am currently studying the motility, positioning, and function of Th17 in Psoriasis. Outside of lab I like to cook, bake, do weightlifting training, and watch reality TV shows.

Ph.D. Student

Hi I’m Sunmi, I’m a second year PhD Student in the Lau lab. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, then did my undergrad at Minerva University in San Francisco. Outside of lab, I am almost always *attempting* or watching gymnastics (I am indisputably Simone Biles’s biggest fan). I also enjoy traveling, reading and playing board games with friends.

Ph.D. Student - Dr. Flyak

My name is Katelyn Raney-Plourde, and I am a second year 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.

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. Tumbar

Hello everyone,
My name is Mohammad Amin Tavallaei, and I am a second-year graduate student in the lab of Dr. Tudorita Tumbar. I study skin and use mouse as the model and my project focuses on understanding the role of vasculature, blood and lymphatics, in controlling how the epidermis is organized and the resident stem cells function. Outside of the lab I love to hang out with my friends and go on hikes and walks around town. I enjoy staying active by running and playing soccer and one of my favorite ways to relax is to cook, I spend a lot of my time at home cooking and I’ve been told my cooking is a cure hahaha. If I can help in anyway, please don’t hesitate to reach out!