Sponsor Dr. Galyna Kufryk-MS in Microbiology
-PhD in Plant Physiology and Genetics -Professor and Head of the Microbial Biotechnology Division, CSET -Member of the American Society for Microbiology, American Chemical Society, and the International Society of Photosynthesis Research -Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Plant Physiology and Genetics, and the Journal of Transdisciplinary Computational Sciences -Research interests: physiology and genetics of photosynthetic prokaryotes, genetic engineering of cyanobacteria -Teaching: Microbiology, Genetics, Advanced Genetics. |
Dr. Ghazal EbadzadsahraiDr. Ghazal Ebadzadsahrai is a lab instructor at GCU and also a course instructor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She finished her post-doc in a microbiology lab at Midwestern University in 2020. Her research focuses on using bacterial volatile compounds for biological control of fungal diseases.
Dr. Ebadzadsahrai is a member of ASM, and served for two years as the American Society for Microbiology Ambassador for the state of Arizona. In this role she brought awareness about microbiology to the public, to students, and medical professionals with a need for current knowledge of the microbial world. Her work has also been recognized by the International and national Congresses and she has gained regional, national and international recognition for her research, her organizational skills, and for being able to make the microbial world understandable to people with all sorts of backgrounds. |
President Brittany BoatwrightBrittany Boatwright is a senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a Minor in Psychology. After graduation, Brittany wants to get involved in pathology and bacterial drug resistance or stem cell research. These areas interest her due to their multiple variables and the ground breaking research that can be discovered. Brittany hopes to help create a space for students on campus to explore microbiology and gain lab experience, while also encouraging new students to pursue a career in the biological sciences. Currently involved in GCU's Research and Design Program Brittany's goal is to increase hydrogen production in Cyanobacteria to mass produce hydrogen biofuel.
Treasurer Martina Ysabel MirandaMartina Miranda is a Junior in the Biology Pre-Medicine program at GCU. Martina is interested in microbial genetics for the genetic manipulation of prokaryotes for the creation of transgenic bacteria. This is because it opens many avenues for the clinical research of therapeutic drugs. This year, Martina will be the treasurer for GCU's chapter and will be working in and out of the lab to conduct research on cyanobacterial uptake hydrogenase. Last summer, Martina had the privilege of being a TGen Virtual Helios Scholar and hopes to reapply to the program this next cycle.
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Vice President Joseph RiceJoseph is a Sophomore in the Biology for Secondary Education program. His research interests are in the genetic components of Host-Microbe associations and Microbe-Virus interactions.. Joseph's primary focus as a club officer is to make science and microbiology more accessible to students (K-12, university, and continuing learners) as well as the general public. Joseph has worked in a microbiology-genetics lab with the United States Department of Agriculture for four years where they study the physiology of plant cells in relation to lipid formation on the organism Arabidopsis thaliana.
Secretary Matthew CorreaMatthew Correa is a Junior majoring in Biology Pre-Medicine with a minor in Psychology. Matthew's specific research interest is in the developmentof a third and fourth generation biofuel. Matthew thinks the bidirectional hydrogenase enzyme in cyanobacteria is the key to opening up a reliable and bountiful biofuel through hydrogen. Matthew hopes to get the club into a stable place and to provide students on campus with further opportunities to explore and investigate microbiology.
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Public Relations
Vianna MulhollandVianna Mulholland is a Sophomore at Grand Canyon University majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Vianna lived in Zürich, Switzerland with her grandparents between the ages of 10-12 and was able to learn about the
power of microorganisms from her aunt who received a Master of Science in Immunology and Microbiology from ETH, Zürich. During this time, Vianna also realized the importance of protecting the planet through her explorations of the meadows and forests near her apartment there. Vianna will be using her passion for microorganisms and the planet to encourage others to join the club. |
Oliwia WlodekOliwia Wlodek and Is originally from Poland and moved to Chicago at a young age. She is a senior majoring in biology Pre- medicine with a minor in psychology. Oliwia first got the idea of entering the field of biology while joining her grandmother in class while she taught anatomy and biology to college students in Poland. She first started to gain an interest in microbiology when multiplying and cloning bacteria in microbiology lab which led to curiosity in the field of microbiology research when she learned that hydrogen can be used as an alternative fuel source to decrease fossil fuel usage and our carbon footprint.She hopes to use her degree to further her education in hopes of being a laboratory pathologist in the future! Her focus as a club officer is public outreach and helping promote our organization.
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Markie BallardMarkie Ballard is a Junior Biology major with an emphasis in Pre-Physicians Assistance. Markie is always looking to expand her knowledge in general, however the world of microbiology has sparked a particular interest due to a member of her family specializing in rare disease studies.Markie hopes to contribute to the world of medicine in disease treatment and vaccine development. As a club officer, Markie wants to help others in the club in any way possible. Markie has had experience working with microbiology researchers in the summer of
2019, assisting them in looking up and inputting information into a variety of data bases, as well as taking notes and researching to help a physician publish a flu vaccine study. |