Senior Leadership Committee
Matt McGoldrick
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: mmcgoldr@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences and English, Biomedical Sciences Track
Research: Zhang Lab; Characterization of the role of microglial cells in brain tumor metastases
Post-Graduate Plans: Gap year and a combined medical degree program
Favorite Biology/ES course:Medical Molecular Genetics
Extracurriculars: Biology Club, Scientia, Uplift, Social Justice in American Medicine
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Your undergraduate career will be filled with unique opportunities. Take courses that interest you, find research that inspires you, be a leader in clubs that you believe in, and find mentors and role models that you admire. Don't be discouraged when things get tough. Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.
Lillian Spatz
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: lspatz@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences
Research: Vaughan Lab: Analysis of novel combinatorial drug treatments for breast cancer
Post-Graduate Plans: I plan to attend graduate school with the ultimate goal of working as either a researcher in a clinical trials setting or a genetic counselor.
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Interhall Sports, Liturgical Commissioning, Biology Club
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Seek help if you need it. Free tutoring is a blessing, and your professors love when you come to office hours, so take advantage of these resources. Everyone wants you to succeed!
Sam Arroyo
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: sarroyo@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences and Spanish
Research: Dr. Xin Lu's Lab; Prostate cancer research
Post-Graduate Plans: MD and work in medical research
Favorite Biology/ES course:Physiology
Extracurriculars:Interhall sports, Volunteer at Sr. Maura Brannick Health Center, American Cancer Society Club, Biology Club
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors:I believe that working in a research lab is an important experience for Biology Majors. It combines many of the important values of a scholar and applies many of the concepts that you learn in class.
Katheryn Barnhart
Graduation Year: 2019
Email Address: kbarnha1@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences, Anthropology minor
Research: Hellenthal Lab; Identifying Lepidoptera from different biomes and looking at color variation/convergent evolution amongst species in these biomes
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate School in either biology, environmental science, or archaeology/paleontology
Favorite Biology/ES course: Planet Earth, Biostatistics, General Ecology
Extracurriculars: I work as a program assistant for the Eck Institute of Global Health, am a graduate of UNDERC, and am involved in Uplift
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't get discouraged if the first year is difficult. First year deals with a lot of covering the basics- gen chem, orgo, bio, and math, and it can get overwhelming. However, if you stick with it, it is really rewarding and you'll be able to take classes that are more specific to what you really love- classes you wouldn't be able to thoroughly understand without the basics. I struggled, but am so happy I kept with it and I know you will be, too.
Maggie Brecker
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: mbrecker@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences and Sociology
Research:Hyde Lab; I am currently working on my senior thesis project, which examines the role of developmental commitment markers in cell-fate determination of progenitor cells in the regenerating zebrafish retina.
Post-Graduate Plans: I am taking a gap year to do research in Cystic Fibrosis at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, during which I will apply to MSTP programs. I ultimately aim to work as a physician scientist in pediatrics.
Favorite Biology/ES course:My top three favorite classes were Immunology, Stem Cell Biology, and Genetics
Extracurriculars:Outside of SLC, I am the president of the Make-a-Wish Foundation club here at Notre Dame, I TA, am an Uplift Mentor, and am involved in GlobeMed.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: 1-Stick with the major. It's worth it. If you want to go into medicine, you get a better biology education than other preprofessional students and have a stronger foundation for the MCAT and medical school. If you hope to go into research, the Bio Major provides more opportunities to get involved in fulfilling undergraduate research, than any other major.
2-Do things that get you fired up and passionate, as well as things that make you happy. Dotting i's and crossing t's for your application is important, but overall your happiness and passion is what will shine through to cap off an application.
Melissa Budicini
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: mbudicin@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Poverty Studies minor, Biomedical Sciences Track
Research: Stalin Lab; Investigating protein-lipid interactions in Ebola Virus
Post-Graduate Plans: PhD in Biomedical Science
Favorite Biology/ES course: Medical Molecular Genetics, Topics in Infectious Disease
Extracurriculars: Irish Dance Team, Uplift Lab Shadowing Coordinator and Mentor, Running
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Try to get to know your Professors outside of class. Not only will it help you gain more insight into course material but they also have excellent knowledge about science and research in general. Also don’t be afraid of hard classes, they are usually the most rewarding and there are always resources to help!
Karen Chen
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: kchen7@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences and Asian Studies, Biomedical Sciences Track
Research: Zebrafish kidney development in Dr. Wingert's Lab
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Uplift, Marching Band/Concert Band, Volunteer at Memorial Hospital, traveling
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Take a deep breath! It might all seem overwhelming and a lot to handle at first but if you slowly work through things and ask for help when you need it, it will all be fine. Take advantage of office hours, other students, and upperclassmen here at Notre Dame--there are many people willing to lend a helping hand!
Arturo J Perez Dolores
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: aperezdo@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences
Research: Vaughan Lab - StARD9 Motor Domain Phosphorylation
Post-Graduate Plans: MD/PhD, PhD, or MD
Favorite Biology/ES courses: Genetics
Extracurriculars: Marching Band, Soccer, Running, Basketball, and Football
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Explore all areas of biology to find your greatest specific interest.
Annie Lentino
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: alentino@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Anthology minor, Cell and Developmental Biology Track
Research: Hyde lab; investigation of the role of TNFa in retinal regeneration in zebrafish
Post-Graduate Plans: Gap Year, then Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course:Genetics with Dr. Hyde, The Biology of Stem Cells and the Emerging Field of Regenerative Medicine with Dr. Wingert
Extracurriculars: RA in Lyons Hall, GlobeMed, Uplift mentor
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Focus on what interests you rather that what you feel you're "supposed" to do. If you love what you're doing, it's much easier to tackle the challenges, and it will lead you to the next step that's right for you, both academically and in life generally!
Anna Levesque
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: alevesqu@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Biomedical Track
Research: Wingert Lab; investigation of genetics involved in kidney development through Zebrafish
Post-Graduate Plans: Hopefully entering medical school
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics and Cell Research Lab
Extracurriculars: I am very involved in the Uplift Vertical Mentoring program, and I tutor at the Learning Resource Center. Along with being a member of the Irish dance team, I also am a Academic commissioner for my dorm as well being a trivia/reading enthusiast.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Really get involved in the Bio community; there's lot of great opportunities to get connected. They form great support systems to get through tough classes, make career decisions, or just to share your love of Bio.
Catherine Moseley
Graduation Year: 2019
Email Address: cmoseley@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences
Research: Dr. Adrian Rocha's Lab; Characterizing the effects of wildfire on climate forcing and vegetation recovery on the northern slope of Alaska
Post-Graduate Plans: Veterinary School
Favorite Biology/ES course: Ecology, Biostatistics, and Genetics
Extracurriculars: Interhall flag football/basketball/tennis, GreeND, and hiking
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Have an open mind! The umbrella that envelopes biology is huge, so have patience in knowing that not all topics will be your primary interest and that there will be a course/lecture/module that will spark a pursuit in your academic career here at ND!
Gabrielle Mungcal
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: gmungcal@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Science, Technology, and Values minor, Biomedical Sciences Track
Research:Hill Lab; Investigation of the role of GRP78 mechanisms in PDAC
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School (hopefully!)
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genetics with Dr. Hyde; however, I'm currently in Medical Molecular Genetics and Medical Microbiology, both of which are phenomenal courses.
Extracurriculars: I'm one of the co-coordinators of Uplift, the vertical mentoring program within the Biological Sciences community, as well as a fervent volunteer and advocate for the South Bend Center for Hospice.
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: From experience, being in Notre Dame Biology can sometimes make you feel some INSANE amounts of imposter syndrome... But regardless, never be afraid to ask for help! Collaborate with your peers, talk to your professors, engage in all that Notre Dame and the department have to offer. We're a strong community, and would love to help you get through it all.
Candice Park
Graduation Year: 2018
Email Address: cpark7@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Anthropology and Glynn Family Honors Program minors
Research: Directed Readings in the Department of Anthropology with Professors Mark Schurr and Vania Smith-Oka - focus on Stable Isotope Analysis and Diet in New Delhi, India
Post-Graduate Plans: Medical School
Favorite Biology/ES course: History of Life with Dr. Feder or Genetics with Dr. Hyde
Extracurriculars: Scientia, Biology Club, Kellogg Student Advisory Board, work as a Student Events Assistant for Kellogg Institute for International Studies
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Don't be afraid to ask questions to upperclassmen, professors, classmates, etc! Also, try to apply material you're learning within the Biology major to your other classes - this will help you retain information better in the long-run.
Henry Perillo
Graduation Year: 2019
Email Address: hperillo@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Environmental Sciences and Italian Majors
Research: Pfrender Lab; Environmental DNA and Meta Genomic Research
Post-Graduate Plans: Graduate Degree in Environmental/Global Health
Favorite Biology/ES course: Biostatistics, Cell Biology
Extracurriculars: Freshman Bio Lab Undergrad TA, Men's Club Boxing Member, WVFI Student Radio DJ
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Determination. This one word is the key to success because not everything always goes our way. As you've already been told, science isn't easy; sometimes, we don't ace an exam, or receive the praise for our research we deserve, or get great internship positions. But don't despair–go fail again. I have found that a little humility and a lot of determination go a long way into building character that not only prepares you to be an insightful scientist, but a great person overall. And in my opinion, that's what truly matters.
Kieran Phelan
Graduation Year: 2019
Email Address: hperillo@nd.edu
Major(s)/Minor(s)/Track: Biological Sciences, Cell and Developmental Biology Track
Research: Yin Lab (Cincinnati Children's), Utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 to develop a zebrafish model of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis
Post-Graduate Plans: MD or MD/PhD programs
Favorite Biology/ES course: Genomics, AIDS, and Cell Biology
Extracurriculars: Interhall Soccer and Lacrosse, Uplift Mentoring, Medical Scribe
Advice for Freshmen Biology Majors: Becoming a biology major allows you to delve into the processes which regulate the living world around us, whether it be at the cellular or ecological level. Don't be afraid to ask numerous questions or approach your professors, you'll learn that they love teaching and guiding aspiring researchers and physicians. There are also many resources within the major which can help you find interesting opportunities to apply the concepts you are learning in new ways. But most of all, fall in love with everything biology has to offer. Many of the current issues with disease and public health can be addressed using the principles of research and discovery you are about to spend four years mastering. It is truly an exciting and fulfilling experience.