Team:WLC-Milwaukee/Team

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Our Team

2019 WLC iGem Team

The WLC-Milwaukee iGEM Team is made up of individuals from numerous backgrounds with varying levels of research experience all dedicated to improving scientific involvement and communication with the community and contributing to the wider body of scientific research!

Laura Sanford - Team President - Chemistry ‘21


This is my third year on the iGEM team and my second year as team president. I coordinate most of what goes on within our team, especially putting together human practices events and wiki content. Outside of iGEM, I primarily work on nanoscience-related projects such as studying silver nanoparticle stability in biological media and creating plasmonically active catalysts for CO2 reduction. I plan to attend graduate school to prepare for a career in research. All science aside, I enjoy eating dark chocolate, watching Chuck, and spending time with my friends, family, and pets.
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Benjamin Bateman - Web Lab Lead - Biology ‘22


This is my first full year with the iGEM team. I am the treasurer and the lab lead for the team, and did most of the research this summer. I am majoring in biology, with plans to attend medical school and work as a pediatrician. I am interested in research in genetics, specifically genomic medicine. Aside from the sciences, I enjoy skiing and playing tennis, racquetball, and ice hockey.
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Connor Boinski - iGEM Team - Biology ‘22


This is my second year on the team and most of my work has consisted of doing whatever Laura tells me to do. I am currently a sophomore studying Biology in hopes of becoming a dentist one day. I spend a lot of my free time attempting to play tennis, and/or complaining about how I never have any free time.
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Alyssa Leitzke - iGEM Team - Neuroscience ‘21


This is my second full year on the WLC iGEM team and I mainly assist with lab work and human practices. I love being a part of my team because of the comradery, humor, and opportunities it provides, ensuring there is never a dull moment. In my free time I enjoy golfing, playing ping pong, and watching “The Office”.
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Emma Guld - Social Media Lead - Biology ‘22


This is my second year on the iGEM team, and I specialize in social media and photography. I run the team instagram(@wlcmilwaukee, small but necessary plug), write, and participate in the wiki design process. Outside of iGEM, I maintain a lovely little mosquito colony and do research on the reproduction processes of mosquitoes. In my spare time, I love to run, weightlift, and teach swim lessons at the local athletic club.
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Ashley Pimentel - Human Practices Lead - Chemistry ‘21


I am a chemistry major and this is my second year on iGEM. I am the secretary and help with various human practices, especially the grade school science exploration day event and arranging lab activities with students from local high schools. This year I have also helped a bit more with lab work. Besides school and science, I spend a lot of time running on the cross country team, playing the bass, and drawing.
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Erika Yanke - Graphic Design Lead - Graphic Design ‘21


This is my second year on the WLC iGem team. I am majoring in Graphic Design, and am assisting as the lead Graphic Designer this year. I have enjoyed working with everyone so far and look forward to future years of teamwork. When I am not helping with graphics, I enjoy working on my own art projects, whether that is drawing, painting, or ceramics.
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Jenna Bishop - iGEM Team - Biochemistry ‘23


This is my first time being in a science club, and one of the first organizations that compete with others in the same club. I am majoring in biochemistry and I plan on becoming a forensic toxicologist. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, singing, reading and anything that involves painting or drawing.
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Jacob Zoerb - iGEM Team - Physics and Engineering ‘23


Jacob is a first-year member of the WLC-iGEM team. He spends his free time working with technology, figuring out the perfect cup of coffee, and playing various instruments. Jacob loves working with molecular science and is very excited to be a part of the iGEM team this year
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Mandy Abernathy - iGEM Team - Mathematics and Biology ‘21


This is my first year on the iGEM team, but I am very excited to learn and work with an enthusiastic team! I’m interested in using math to model physiological systems and better understand biological processes. When I’m not engrossed in a math problem, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends, and playing Dance Dance Revolution on my Wii.
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Xander Neuwirth - Wiki Lead - Computer Science ‘22 (Milwaukee School of Engineering)


This is my first year on the team, helping to translate design ideas into wiki stylings and giving computer science input whenever needed. Outside of helping with this team, I serve as president of MSOE's AI club, work as a software engineer intern, and run my own IT consulting business. When I'm not programming, I love playing trumpet, talking about philosophy and theology at 3 AM, and picking up random skills like Morse code and origami.
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Dr. John Werner - Advisor - Associate Professor of Biology


Dr. John Werner received his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Arizona State University and performed postdoctoral research at Princeton University. His responsibilities at Wisconsin Lutheran College include independent research and teaching courses in Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Dr. Werner's research focuses on mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and developing methods for characterization and use of bacteriophages.
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Dr. Dan Ebeling - Advisor - Professor of Chemistry


Dr. Daniel Ebeling is a Professor of Chemistry at Wisconsin Lutheran College. He is a 1998 graduate of the program and then received a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Ebeling’s research focuses on air and water quality. He has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications with his undergraduate researchers, and enjoys an active collaboration with KWJ Engineering in Califorinia’s Silicon Valley. Dr. Ebeling enjoys biking, learning Chinese, and exploring.
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