Senior Leadership Committee
Amanda Addiego
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: aaddiego@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology and Economics majors
Research: I investigate the genetics of multiciliated cell development in the kidney using a zebrafish model in Dr. Wingert's lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Classical and Molecular Genetics
Extracurriculars: Irish Fighting for St. Jude's Kids, SUB representative, Uplift, Biology Club, LRC tutoring, Right to Life Babysitting, Genetics lab TA
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Explore your interests! Finding a research lab, club, or other activity that you truly enjoy not only helps you stay well-rounded but makes your day-to-day more fun. Stay connected! Always reach out to peers, professors, and upperclassmen who will be more than willing to help you learn and want you to succeed.
Madeleine Andreas
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: mandreas@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences (Integrative Biology Track) and Anthropology
Research: Triple-negative breast cancer biology (Honors); Prosperi Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Extracurriculars: Sorin Scholars, Compassionate Care in Medicine (CCIM) Club Co-President, A Rosie Place Hospital Volunteer, Academic Services for Student Athletes (ASSA) Tutor, McWell GROW Peer Wellness Mentor, Notre Dame Symphony Orchestra (NDSO) Second Violinist
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: There is no one way to go through this major (or life, for that matter), so resist the urge to compare your path with anyone else’s.
Gretchen Andreasen
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: mandrea1@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Ecology & Environment / German Minor / Linguistics Minorrs
Research: Deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) behavior and decision making / Multituberculate (Multituberculata) identification and remains
Post-Graduate Plans: PhD Program in Wildlife, Conservation Biology or DVM
Favorite Biology/ES course: Mammalogy or Genetics (Hyde)
Extracurriculars: Scientia Editor, Pre-Vet Club, Biology Club
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Not knowing what you want to do is okay. Try everything, find your passions, and give them your all. Talk to your professors and be honest with them - they'll be your friends eventually I promise
Joseph Baca
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: jbaca1@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences/Spanish
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics with Dr. Hyde
Extracurriculars: Army ROTC, Genetics Lab TA, F.A.S.T Men's Basketball Coordinator, Intramural Flag Football
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't be afraid to take challenging courses and be open to all of the resources that the department offers. Get to know your fellow Biology/ES majors as well as your professors. The majors are a very tight knit community and you can have a great time being a STEM major if you take the right approach!
Brianna Brown
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: bbrown14@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Science
Research: McLachlan lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Vet School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Planet Earth
Extracurriculars:
Pre-vet club, junior class council, dorm council, tour guide
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors:
Make sure to balance your science classes with university requirements. It gives you a nice break from science because science all the time can be draining.
Abigail Brunory
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: abrunory@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences
Research: Formerly breast cancer-brain metastasis research in Zhang Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Lab teching during my gap year followed by medical school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics, Biostatistics
Extracurriculars: Bio Club, Cell Bio Lab and Genetics Lab TA, Client Advocate at RiverBend Cancer Services, SLC, Uplift Mentor,
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Everyone is on their own path and has their own timeline. Do not compare what you are doing to what everyone else is doing.
Matthew Donahue
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: mdonahu4@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology (Ecology and Environment track) and Theology
Research: I work in the Pfrender lab studying transcriptome and phenotypic responses to environmental stresses
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Ecology lab
Extracurriculars: Band, Knights of Columbus, Catechist at St. Adalbert's Church
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Talk with your professors! They love to talk about science, so they'll be happy to help you with any questions you may have, either about class or your future. And learn how to say "no" to things, even if they seem fun.
Francie Fink
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: afink1@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Science major, Constitutional Studies Minor
Research: Jones Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Jesuit Volunteer Corps
Favorite Biology/ES course: Classical and Molecular Genetics
Extracurriculars: Center for Social Concerns seminars, Irish Dance, Sunrise Movement
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Join a research lab! So many of my closest friends I've made through the Jones Lab.
Luke Giannetta
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: lgiannet@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Sociology
Research: Hyde Lab - Traumatic Brain Injury in Zebrafish
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Introductory Bio with Dr. Filchak
Extracurriculars: Global Public Health Brigades, Urban Plunge, Dillon Hall Big Red Bag, Intramural Sports
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Seek advice from older Bio/ES majors
Melissa Gozun
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: mgozun@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology Major; Japanese Minor
Research: Drug Development Research in the Chang Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics/Physiology/Microbiology
Extracurriculars: Hawai'i Club; Pasquerilla West Hall Council; Uplift; Sorin Scholars; Volunteering and Shadowing
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Whether it's your professor, classmates, or one of us, don't be afraid to ask questions. The biology major, and science, in general, is super collaborative, and asking questions is a required skill to succeed in biology. Plus, most professors love talking about their work and are more than happy to talk!
Amelia Grose
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: agrose1@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences, Sustainability minor
Research: I work in the Tank Lab on the influence of groundwater on conservation practices in agricultural streams.
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate school in freshwater ecology
Favorite Biology/ES course: Stream Ecology
Extracurriculars: GreeND, Fossil Free ND, Ecology Lab TA, Aquatic Entomology TA
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Talk to older students in the major about what they have done– they will love to chat with you about their experiences and you can get ideas about opportunities to look out for!
Elizabeth Heidenreich
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: eheidenr@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology major (Biomedical Sciences track), Poverty Studies minor
Research: Investigating signaling among various clinical isolates of P. falciparum in Ferdig Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics Lab
Extracurriculars: Uplift, Folk Choir, Orchestra, Special Olympics, intramural soccer/sand volleyball, Genetics TA
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Take time to explore all of the opportunities on campus and find what brings you joy! Notre Dame is a great place to engage in interdisciplinary innovation, so try everything you can and you will meet a lot of great people along the way.
Kallin Hermann
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: khermann@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology Major and International Development Studies Minor
Research: Stack Lab at Harper Cancer Research Institute
Post-Graduate Plans: Undecided
Favorite Biology/ES course: Medical Microbiology
Extracurriculars: Timmy Global Health, Robinson Community Learning Center
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't be afraid to ask questions!
Firas Houssein
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: fhoussei@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences
Research: Lamberti Lab (Stream and Wetland Ecology)
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Resident Assistant in Dillon Hall, Volunteer at Memorial Hospital South Bend
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Take advantage of the many resources offered in the Department, like tutoring and Uplift!
Owen Ivan
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: oivan@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Major (Biomedical Sciences Track) / Glynn Family Honors Program, Data Science Minor
Research: I work in Dr. Huber's lab on nervous system development in Xenopus.
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Vertebrate Physiology
Extracurriculars: Student Government, Dorm Government, and volunteering with FoodShare ND
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Learn to study early and often for exams. Reach out to upperclassmen, TAs, and professors during their office hours. Everyone at Notre Dame is more than willing to share advice and help you with whatever you may need. Find research that you enjoy!
Jacob Kalathoor
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: jkalatho@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences with a minor in Science, Technology, and Values
Research: Retinal Regeneration Research - Hyde Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Gap Year, then Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Cellular Neurobiology
Extracurriculars: UPLIFT, Keenan Hall RA, Interhall Football, Basketball
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Stick with it! You will grow so much through the struggles. Get to know the people in your major, you'll be seeing them a lot!
Davin Lee
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: dlee27@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Major; Anthropology Minor
Research: Archie Lab - behavior and infection in wild baboons
Post-Graduate Plans: Undecided
Favorite Biology/ES course: Vertebrate Physiology
Extracurriculars: Welsh Fam VP, Red Cross Club, Club Basketball
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Get a study group! You will learn more and make friends
Yanting (Raven) Luo
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: yluo3@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Japanese (minor)
Research: Dr. Xin Lu's lab, Metabolic Vulnerability by UQCRH Methylation in Kidney and Ovarian Cancer
Post-Graduate Plans: PhD with the ultimate goal of academia or industry
Favorite Biology/ES course: Introduction to Biocomputing
Extracurriculars: Association of Women in Science (AWIS), Biology Club, Scientia, Genetics Lab TA, Intro Bio Tutor, CSLC Japanese Tutor, App Club, Kung Fu Club
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: There is so much to Biology! I realized this when I took more and more biology classes and am now looking at PhD programs. From ecology to cancer and neuroscience and immunology and biocomputing, every area is fascinating by itself and interconnected. Try everything out and see what you like (research, classes, summer programs, etc.) - it may be different from what you thought you would like coming in. Enjoy biology!!
Matt Millado
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: mmillado@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences
Research: Aquatic ecology in the Jones Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Work for a conservation-oriented federal or non-profit organization
Favorite Biology/ES course: Biostats
Extracurriculars: Jumprope club, Outing Club, Scientia, GreeND
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Talk to alumni! They are so friendly and can point you to some great resources.
Love Osunnuga
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: losunnug@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciencs and Honors Mathematics/Biomedical Sciences track
Research: D'Souza-Schorey lab: I'm researching VHL disease, specifically how the VHL gene is involved in cell invasion.
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Dr. Hyde's Genetics
Extracurriculars: Biology Club, Honors Math bunker tutoring, Piano accompanist
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Get involved in the biology department at some level. Whether that's researching in a lab, joining biology club, or just getting to know your professors really well. The biology major is great if you're willing to take advantage of the resources!
David Pribyl Pierdinock
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: dpribylp@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences
Post-Graduate Plans: Undecided
Favorite Biology/ES course: Dynamic Models of Biological Systems
Extracurriculars: Climbing Club
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Take a lot of electives
Michael Sokolowski
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: msokolow@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences; Glynn Family Honors Program
Research: Cancer Research - Investigating the role of SGK1 mediated ATP generation in cellular survival of ECM detachment.
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Cell Biology
Extracurriculars: Biology Club, Scientia, Timmy Global Health, Scholastic Magazine
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: The sooner you learn to balance your time, the better off you will be. It can become quite easy to become overwhelmed with commitments and academic work if you let it pile up. Try to get to know as many people in the department and the College of Science as possible! There are a lot of great people and this network can help you immensely.
Helen Streff
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: hstreff@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Major- Biology Track- Computational Biology Minors- Glynn, Bioengineering, STV
Research: Prosperi Lab- Breast Cancer Chemoresistance
Post-Graduate Plans: PhD Program in Genetics
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics Lab
Extracurriculars: RA in Badin, Uplift, Mercy Works Volunteering, RTL Babysitting, Basilica Lector
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Try to do an REU one summer! They're super fun and teach you a lot about your research interests.
Jane Warshaw
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: jwarshaw@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences (Biomedical Track) and Spanish Supplementary Major
Research: Panopoulos Lab - stem cell biology and reprogramming
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics lab
Extracurriculars: Uplift, Cell Bio lab TA, Pasquerilla West Hall Council, One Direction enthusiast
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Get to know the people around you! You are surrounded by a lot of smart, caring, like-minded people - take advantage of that. Get to know each other and take care of each other.
Abigail White
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: awhite20@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences and Theology (Supplemental)
Research: Investigating the impact of humans on populations of benthic macroinvertebrates in streams with the Tank lab.
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Aquatic Insects
Extracurriculars: Sustainability commissioner for Lyons Hall, work in Museum of Biodiversity, research in Tank Lab
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Take advantage of field trip opportunities! Also try to figure out your research interests and give them a try, don't worry if you might change your mind later.
Abigail Zellmer
Graduation Year: 2020
Email Address: azellmer@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences / Science, Technology, and Values
Research: Smith Lab - nervous system development and regeneration
Post-Graduate Plans: service-based gap year followed by graduate school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Medical Molecular Genetics
Extracurriculars: Active Minds, GlobeMed, SUB (Student Union Board), Genetics Lab TA, Uplift Mentor, and accidentally adopting puppies without telling my roommate
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't feel like you need to immediately join a research lab freshman year, it's okay to get settled into college life and wait to find a lab you're really going to enjoy.
Grace Zhang
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: gzhang6@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Major; International Development Studies Minor
Research: I did research in the Hyde Lab on retinal regeneration in the zebrafish
Post-Graduate Plans: Global Health and Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Dr. Vaughan's Cell Bio
Extracurriculars: Sorin Scholars (Admissions Committee), Uplift Co-coordinator, Memorial Hospital Volunteering, ISI Christian Fellowship, Building Bridges
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Your time in college is precious and goes by fast! Don't waste time doing things for your resume. Be selective with your activities and do what you really love! Don't be afraid to change career paths and explore outside your comfort zone.