Senior Leadership Committee
Abigail Abikoye
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: aabikoye@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences/ Minors in Poverty Studies and Anthropology
Research: Schafer Lab- We study the mechanisms by which cancer cells are able to survive in ECM detachment, and my project focuses specifically on those related to ferroptosis.
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Physiology
Extracurriculars: RCLC Volunteer, Scientia, Biology Club, Intro Bio Lab TA, Dance Africa
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: You will be okay! It's really easy to get caught up in the rigors of being an ND student and a science major but take all shortcomings as learning experiences and opportunities to grow. Make connections with your professors and get to know faculty members as well. There are so many encouraging and supportive people in the department and across the COS who want to see you succeed and are willing to help you navigate your journey here at ND. But also remember to enjoy your time as a student, finding things you love all over campus outside of academia. It's much more fun than trying to check boxes. :)
Gretchen Andreasen
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: mandrea1@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology Major, Ecology and Environmental Track / German Minor
Research: Wild deer mice, skeleton articulation
Post-Graduate Plans: Veterinary or PhD
Favorite Biology/ES course: Mammalogy
Extracurriculars: Scientia, Veg@ND, Biology Club
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Go to bed THEN get that bread. Sleep is more important than you'd think.
Christopher Archer
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: carcher2@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Major/ Theology Minor
Research: NPC Disease in Dr. Vaughan's Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Tumor Cell Biology
Extracurriculars: Glynn Family Honors Program, Tutor at Robinson Center, Interhall Basketball (Pre-pandemic)
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Take courses that interest you even if you have heard that they are difficult. It's so much better to be in a challenging class that is engaging than an easier class that you do not enjoy as much. Also, branch out and take some classes that may be out of your comfort zone. I only really learned what I really liked by taking a variety of courses.
Matty Aubourg
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: maubourg@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences/Sustainability
Research: Lobo Lab - Malaria vector control and interventions
Post-Graduate Plans: Masters in Public Health and eventually work with NGO
Favorite Biology/ES course: General Ecology Lab
Extracurriculars: Center for Social Concerns Seminars Core Team, VP of the Multicultural Pre-Health Society, Biological Sciences Honors Program, Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program, Building Bridges Mentor, Frontline ND, BIOS Inclusive Excellence Committee
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't be afraid to ask questions and meet new people! You're at an amazing school with so many opportunities and you should do all you can to make the most of them. And always stay open-minded; you never know who or what may cross your path to help you grow!
Joey Baca
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: jbaca1@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology/Spanish
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Army ROTC, Alumni Hall RA, Genetics Lab TA
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don’t be afraid to try different tracks and reach out to upperclassmen for advice!
Brianna Brown
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: bbrown14@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Science, prevet, history minor
Research: McLachlan lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Vet School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Planet Earth
Extracurriculars:
Pre-vet committee, tour guide, class council
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors:
Go to office hours! The professors are excited and willing to help you.
Jonathan Couri
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: jcouri2@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Science, Technology, and Values
Research: Ravosa Lab -- Effects of various feeding modalities on cranial ontogeny
Post-Graduate Plans: Dental School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Cell Biology
Extracurriculars: Notre Dame Cheerleading, Global Partners in Care, UPLIFT, Matriculate, Pre-Dental Society, Admissions Tour Guide, Global Medical Brigades, Gender Relations Center FireStarter
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Every experience is valuable, so don’t limit yourself to a strategic plan. You will have a lot more fun and a better story in the end!
Joshua L. Davis
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: jdavis29@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Major Science Technology and Values Minor
Research: Cancer Research in Zhang Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: In addition to Research, I volunteer at Saint Joseph Hospital, I tutor through the Learning Resource Center, and am a TA for Genetics Lab.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: You are going to learn a lot of information your first two years which can feel overwhelming. Just take it one day, one class at a time and you will get through it and develop into a better student and learner because of it.
Eva Deegan
Graduation Year: 2023
Email Address: edeegan2@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences
Research: Jones Lab
Favorite Biology/ES course: Biology I: Big Questions
Extracurriculars: I'm on the Mock Trial Team and I'm the Sustainability Commissioner for Lewis
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Get involved within the major and get to the know the professors!
Matthew Donahue
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: mdonahu4@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology (Ecology/Environment and Evolution/Genetics tracks), Theology (Supplemental), Glynn Honors Program
Research: I work in the Pfrender lab, which studies phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary responses to environmental changes. In the Pfrender lab, I'm working on a thesis investigating how TTX resistance arouse in caddisflies, and whether it has a relationship with widespread pesticide applications.
Post-Graduate Plans: Probably grad school?
Favorite Biology/ES course: Vertebrate Biology (with Dr. Filchak)
Extracurriculars: Band of the Fighting Irish, Knights of Columbus, MICL's Catechist Academy
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't be afraid to reach out to professors. They love talking about science and are very willing to help you out. Also, be brave and follow your own course in the biology major. The sample curriculum is just a sample, so you can do whatever you want. Oh, and get sleep! You need it way more than you think you do.
Jack Garcia
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: jgarci24@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences/Biomedical Sciences/Theology
Research: Transposon screen to study the ESX-1 secretion system in M. marinum
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Medical Molecular Genetics
Extracurriculars: Biology Club, Uplift, Museum of Biodiversity Lab Tech, Introductory Bio Lab TA, Robinson Community Learning Center
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Leisure is best when it is earned. It's important to stay on top of your studies, but don't forget to find time for fun!
Joe Gentine
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: jgentin2@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences, Economics
Research: Lamberti Lab (Stream and wetland ecology)
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Dynamic modeling in biological systems
Extracurriculars: Folk Choir, Museum of Biodiversity, SLC
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Keep an open mind.
Luke Giannetta
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: lgiannet@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology and Sociology Double Major
Research: Flores-Mireles Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Introductory Biology with Dr. Filchak
Extracurriculars: Intramural Sports, Dillon Hall Big Red Bag Food Drive
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't be afraid to reach out to other Biology or ES majors. Study groups can be a lifesaver, and upperclassmen can often answer a lot of questions that you may have.
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 sports, previous 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: Biological Sciences, Minors in International Development Studies and Glynn
Research: Stack Lab in Harper Cancer Research Institute
Post-Graduate Plans: Gap year to EMT, then Med school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Medical Microbiology
Extracurriculars: Robinson Community Learning Center, Timmy Global Health
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Put yourself out there and reach out to people! That includes professors and your peers!
Owen Ivan
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: oivan@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences (Honors Research Program, Cell and Developmental Biology Track), Minoring in Data Science and Glynn Family Honors Program
Research: Huber Lab: I study nervous system development using Xenopus laevis. Specifically, I study transcriptomic and proteomic changes throughout early embryogenesis and how these changes pertain to the development of the early nervous system.
Post-Graduate Plans: Either medical school or graduate school (studying microbiology and infectious disease)
Favorite Biology/ES course: Vertebrate Physiology
Extracurriculars: I'm serving as an RA in O'Neill Family Hall as well as the Biology Club President. I also enjoy playing golf with my friends!
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Study more than you think you should and get involved earlier rather than later!
Davin Lee
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: dlee27@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology Major and Anthropology Minor
Research: Archie Lab. Social behavior and relatedness to health and disease in wild baboons.
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Physiology
Extracurriculars: In addition to SLC, I am involved in the Red Cross Club and Uplift. Previously, I was also involved in hall council and interhall sports.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Study groups can give you best friends.
Joe Lee
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: jlee73@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Major/Sociology Minor
Post-Graduate Plans: Gap Year, then Med School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Cell Bio with Dr. Vaughan
Extracurriculars: FAST, Multicultural Premed Society, AAA
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Reach out to many different people for advice during your time here. You can learn a lot from their different stories and can use it to guide your own experiences.
Michael Lee
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: mlee44@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology, International Development Studies
Research: Summer research in Boston with cryopreservation and malaria
Post-Graduate Plans: Med School (possibly with a dual degree in policy)
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Asian American Association; Uplift; Keenan Hall Council; College Mentors for Kids
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: There's no "right way" to do things. You will wander a lot before you find the right path for you, and it's all right if that takes a while.
Casey Leimbach
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: cleimbac@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences/Theology
Research: Schafer Lab- Cancer Cell Metabolism
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School and Research
Favorite Biology/ES course: Classical and Molecular Genetics or Cell Biology Lab
Extracurriculars: Big Questions TA, LRC tutoring, Uplift mentor, Center for Social Concerns seminars, Walsh Hall Council, PEMCo, Club Softball, Catechist at St. Pius
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Try to get involved in things that interest you, biology or otherwise. Be open to new opportunities and activities- you'll make a lot of connections with people all over campus and make new friends!
Kara Linder
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: klinder2@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Science and Anthropology
Research: Tank Lab/ Museum of Biodiversity
Post-Graduate Plans: Vet school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Entomology
Extracurriculars: Fencing team, pre-vet club, Rosenthal Leadership Academy, and student gardening.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don’t limit yourself, explore things you are interested in.
Katie Lucenko
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: klucenko@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Double major in Biological Sciences and Theology
Post-Graduate Plans: ACE and Medical school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics with Dr. Hyde
Extracurriculars: Notre Dame Right to Life, Compassionate Care in Medicine Club, Sorin Fellowship with the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, Pasquerilla East liturgical ministry, genetics lab TA
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Your education at Notre Dame is about so much more than getting good grades and learning a lot about a particular subject; it's just as much about discovering who you are, refining your gifts and passions, and searching for what motivates you and gives you life: "The mind shall not be cultivated at the expense of the heart." Notre Dame is a really special place filled with incredible people, so take the time to develop meaningful relationships with your peers and professors, and don't ever be afraid to ask for help if you need it!
Matt Millado
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: mmillado@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences, Sustainability
Research: Aquatic ecology in the Jones and Lamberti Labs
Post-Graduate Plans: Volunteer with JVC Northwest or Americorps
Favorite Biology/ES course: Environmental Economics
Extracurriculars: Outing Club, Jumprope Club, GreeND, Scientia
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Literally everyone here is invested in your success. Reach out to upperclassmen (us!), professors, alumni, etc. – you will pretty much always get a positive response.
Caroline Myers
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: cmyers22@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences with a track in biomedical sciences and supplemental major in PLS
Research: Zhang Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Hockey manager, CSC seminars core team, McNeill Fellow, Gen Chem 1 Lab TA, Uplift co-coordinator
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't be afraid to reach out to upperclassmen for advice!
Shannon Steines
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: ssteines@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences (Cell & Developmental Biology Track) and Spanish Major; Glynn and Compassionate Care in Medicine Minor
Research: Worked in Dr. Richard Dahl's lab at Harper Cancer Research Institute; Now, I am an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Hyde's lab studying the role of Notch signaling in retinal regeneration.
Post-Graduate Plans: Either graduate school or medical school; likely a gap year/or two for teaching first :)
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Genetics Course TA, Genetics Lab TA, Baraka Bouts, Model United Nations Exec Board, American Medical Women's Association Exec Board. Jewish Club VP, former secretary of Howard Hall, Compassionate Care Club, CSC (SSLP, ISSLP, and Appalachia seminar participant), intramural soccer, Bio Graduation Planning Committee, Bio UPLIFT, Tour Guide, Orgo 1 Tutor, a Rosie Place Volunteer.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Make friends with your Bio classmates- they will be your biggest source of info, solidarity, fun, and (only at times) mutual suffering. I met some of my best friends in the bio major, and I am so grateful!
Calla Sullivan
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: csulli24@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Anthropology
Research: O'Tousa Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Intro Bio Modules
Extracurriculars: Biology club secretary, Uplift mentor, Notre Dame Dance Company co-secretary, DanceCo Juniors volunteer, spring Intro Bio Lab TA, Howard hall clerk, Glynn Family Honors Program, Poland summer study abroad
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Try not to compare yourself to other bio majors! Do things that genuinely interest you according to your own timeline.
Brian Villa
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: bvilla@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biology/CCIM
Research: Sulfur redox biochemistry- sulfur as a signaling molecule in antioxidant pathways with Dr. Olson at IUSB
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: The intro bio lab series
Extracurriculars: Uplift. Research. Dorm commissioner. CCIM club.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Get involved and meet as many people as possible in your dorms, meet your profs, and go to the football games. Try to reach out and get advice from upperclassmen in the Bio dept. Oh, and join uplift!
Abigail White
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: awhite20@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Evironmental Sciences, Theology minor
Research: I have done various research projects on aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans
Post-Graduate Plans: I am interested in science communication but I’m not sure where that will lead me yet
Favorite Biology/ES course: General Entomology
Extracurriculars: I am working on making a virtual tour of the museum of biodiversity on campus
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Always take opportunities to get more outdoor field experience! Also, try to get to know others in the major.
Yun Xing
Graduation Year: 2022
Email Address: yxing2@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Science & Design
Research: Dr.McLachlan's Lab on marsh plants and global climate change
Post-Graduate Plans: Work in the industry / Go to graduate school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Bio1 CRISPR module, Planet Earth
Extracurriculars: I enjoy karaoke, painting, or just playing with photoshop collages in my free time. I also love just lay down and listen to music for a whole day.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Enjoy your time in labs! There may be complains at the very beginning but in the end you would learn a lot and love it. Also explore classes at other departments as much as you can. Many classes at ND can be super fun!
Grace Zhang
Graduation Year: 2021
Email Address: gzhang6@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences Major; International Development Studies Minor
Research: Formerly retinal regeneration research in Hyde Lab; currently global surgery research in Fiji through Kellogg
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School and Public Policy
Favorite Biology/ES course: Dr. Vaughan's Cell Bio
Extracurriculars: SLC co-chair, Memorial Hospital Volunteering, Sorin Scholars, ISI Christian Fellowship
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.