I am a sophomore studying chemical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering at Cooper Union. This summer was not my first time working in a research lab, but it was my first time participating on an igem team. I am primarily interested in genetic engineering and biochemistry which is why I worked mainly on the wetware component of this project.
Tushar Nichakawade
When I was a young boy, my parents decided it would be a good opportunity to meet our source of life and energy: the sun. I thought this great ball of flaming glory in the heavens would bring me peace and love. Instead, it just made me overly tanned. Sometimes I’m glad I chose this path, so I can resolve dermal ailments such as when Chris gets sunburnt.
Hua Joe Fung
I am a Junior Chemical Engineer at The Cooper Union minoring in Biomedical Engineering. You can find me walking around the lab, asking everyone what they're up to and making sure everything is moving along smoothly. I enjoy rowing quite a great deal (I am an officer in Cooper's Rowing Club), and try and go visit my "family" in France any chance I get. I am the best in lab - don't let Shoshana or Alexa tell you otherwise. I also have the best hair ever.
Lily Lin
I am a Sophomore Chemical Engineer at The Cooper Union. Aside from being my group's math adviser, I also flex my linguistic muscles by helping Dionne learn Spanish. Speaking of languages, I love learning them and am often found repeating Italian, Arabic, or Korean phrases that I've just discovered. I'm also Sara's partner-in-crime in CSA, and I exercise my eloquent oral skills in Toastmasters. *eats toast* It sure does smell like yeast in here... Also, I'm surprisingly the tallest member of the group despite the fact that I've been told that I'm short by a good number of people.
Jae Ho Jang
I am a Senior Civil Engineer, formally Chemical Engineer, at The Cooper Union. People like to say my full name really rapidly, for what reason, I don't know. I enjoy long walks with spiders, living in subtropical apartments, and getting my sinuses fixed. When I cough, it resonates throughout all 9 floors of the school building. I do not limit myself to traditional waking/resting schedule, instead, I sleep when I need to and wake when ready. I'm the shortest guy in my group...but that's only because I'm the only guy in the group...so technically I'm also the tallest.
Devora Najjar
I am a Junior Chemical Engineer at The Cooper Union, minoring in Biomedical Engineering. I have the honour and distinct privilege of being the very first student trustee of this institution. I am also thrilled that there is a kosher Dunkin' Donuts two buildings away. If you need a pick-me-up, I'm your person. As the first member of the Cooper Union iGEM team, I hold the final authoritarian say on who gets to perform which biological dance.
Alexa Orrico
I am a Junior Chemical Engineering at The Cooper Union minoring in Biomedical Engineering. Every evening before I go home I clean and organize the lab, but somehow every morning when I come back it has reverted back into a state of chaos. I do copious amounts of reading while I am waiting for my experiments to complete. I miss playing on the volleyball team at Cooper, but am excited to get a chance to lead the team as the coach! I am the best in lab - don't let Joe or Shoshana tell you otherwise.
Karlin Yeh
I am a Freshman Mechanical Engineer at The Cooper Union. I'm new to synthetic biology, but have been competing in robotics competitions for 8 years. My main role in the lab is designing hardware for the team's various experiments and the occasional repair. When not working on iGEM hardware, you can find me tinkering with my 3D printers or trying to grow Mara de Bois strawberries and Chocolate Habaneros hydroponically.
Dionne Lutz, Technician
♫ Do you want to run your gel now? / Don’t pierce it all the way! / It’s true, you can’t load anymore / Really, no more! / Power on! Now okay… / You have some time before you / What can you do? / Did you update your notebook? / Do you want to run your gel now? / Okay, fine, go take lunch now. ♫
Oliver Medvedik, PhD
I am the mastermind behind iGEM at Cooper Union. I do everything at once. I prefer to spend at much time in the lab as humanly possible, and encourage my students to join me. There are times when I will set up an experiment that will be done at 2 AM, and that is completely acceptable to me. The students have lovingly re-named my cat Misha to Oligo. I am very interested in all things Bio, but the aging process in particular. I am the co-founder of GenSpace, which is the first community biohacking lab and is based in Brooklyn.