Email: khakhar@colostate.edu

Bio: I am passionate about fighting global hunger and malnutrition. My major hobbies are cooking, making art, and reading. Science fiction is my favorite genre and I love that my job gives me the opportunity to bring some of the things I have read about closer to reality. I grew up in Mumbai, India and have been working in the field of synthetic biology since 2015. 

Email: tawni.bull@colostate.edu

Bio: I was born and raised on the Western Slope in Colorado where I helped with our family farm. Seeing the difficulties of farming first-hand, I became passionate about improving agricultural crops and practices to help benefit farmers. I received my PhD from UC Davis in Horticulture and Agronomy studying the genetic loci important for in vitro regeneration and developing methods for improved regeneration in lettuce. I love to read thriller/suspense novels and to go on weekend adventures with my husband and our two corgis, Kya and Luna.

Email: madison.furnish@colostate.edu

Bio: I received my PhD from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Pharmacology where I examined how mitochondrial signaling drives aggressive prostate cancer. After working in biotech and pharma, I decided that I wanted to research climate change solutions. I’m excited to apply high throughput screening techniques to optimize control systems and discover mechanisms that regulate nuclear receptors. My hobbies include seeing live music, painting, sewing, and collecting plants. 

Email: vadthya.lokya@colostate.edu

Bio: I hold a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry, proteomics, and molecular biology from the University of Hyderabad, India, where my research highlighted the potential of Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitors (BBIs) from groundnuts as anti-coagulant and insecticidal agents, employing advanced biochemical and proteomic techniques. My postdoctoral research at National Agri-Food Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Institute, Mohali, India focused on enhancing pro-vitamin A content in Grand Naine banana through biotechnological interventions, addressing vitamin A deficiency and contributing to combating hidden hunger. I have played a key role in the molecular analysis of transgenic banana events, regulatory approvals, and field trials for agronomic characterization. At Colorado State University, my research goal is to develop high-throughput screens to identify variants of plant signalling proteins, advancing our understanding of plant biology and its application to sustainable agriculture.

Email: bjorn.thune-larsen@colostate.edu

Bio: I am a passionate and excited researcher, dedicating my studies and exploration to symbiotic relationships between biological kingdoms. The twists and turns of life have led me through a bachelors degree in controlled environment horticulture and research regarding concepts from fungal bioremediation to agrivoltaics to coral bleaching. I seek to be the most well versed scientist I can be and right now I hope to contribute to world problems through synthetic biology.

Email: jrdvnblr@gmail.com

Bio: I grew up in the magnificent PNW region and have been fascinated by hidden mechanisms of biology my whole life. I fell in love with plant physiology and genetics as an undergrad and I’m excited to use emerging technology to answer fundamental questions about plant form and function. When not otherwise engaged, I enjoy wandering around in the mountains, climbing rocks, cooking, and glassblowing.

Email: lauren.farina@colostate.edu

Bio: I am interested in the improvement of agricultural crops and systems. After working in plant breeding for agriculture, I look forward to approaching such topics from a synthetic biology perspective. I grew up in the Midwest in Wisconsin and Minnesota and am excited to be close to the mountains because I love skiing and hiking. 

Email: max.combest@colostate.edu

Bio: I am fascinated by all things in biology, but my curiosity has led me to focus on plants and their viruses. I want to learn how to use viruses as tools to study plant biology and develop technologies that can be used to address pressing issues facing humanity, particularly malnutrition. My undergraduate studies were in biochemistry at the University of Kansas, and I received a Master’s in botany and plant pathology from Oregon State. I believe that synthetic biology has the transformative potential to bring novel developments to biotechnology and agriculture, and I’m more than excited to be involved with this lab. 

Email: Dylan.Moss2@colostate.edu

Bio: I became interested in synthetic biology while taking a seminar course with Professor Jennifer Doudna at the University of California, Berkeley, where I completed my undergrad in Integrative Biology. This seminar made me very excited about the potential of CRISPR-Cas-based tools, and I subsequently became involved at Steven Jacobsen's Lab at UCLA where I worked on developing tools to manipulate DNA methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Prior to this experience I worked at UCSF's Children's Hospital of Oakland Research Institute with UCB Emeritus Bruce Ames where I studied the epigenetic effects of Vitamin D. I am very excited about the unique opportunities that synthetic biology provides for us to manipulate genomes and gene expression, and am thrilled to be working at Arjun's Lab. 

Email: noah.hoglund@colostate.edu

Bio: After working in the military for the better part of a decade, I pursued a career change focused on synthetic biology. My research is oriented around becoming an expert in studying how to engineer living organisms to achieve a targeted outcome. My intent is to encourage others to go after what may be perceived as impossible, while simultaneously working toward my lifelong goal of becoming an astronaut and researching on the international space station.

Email: sam.sutton@colostate.edu

Bio: I am an undergraduate student at Colorado State University studying biology. I have always wanted to drive science forward and help make the world a better place. The Arjun Lab feels like a great place to do these things. For my future I am considering going to graduate school or going into professional research. My interests include skiing and playing Dungeons and Dragons. Working on genetic modification feels like using transmutation magic and I think that is super cool. 

Email: victoria.silva@colostate.edu

Bio: I'm a biochemistry undergraduate earning minors in chemistry, microbiology, and anthropology. I am interested in pursuing a medical career that integrates scientific advances with a quality patient experience and equitability toward traditionally underserved communities. Puzzles and problem solving have always been a passion of mine and I love applying that curiosity in the lab. I do hair and makeup as a cosmetologist outside of school and am grateful to have the creative outlet. In my free time I enjoy my cats, video and board games,  astronomy, watching anime, and DIY house projects.

Email: sophia.seib@colostate.edu

Bio: I am an undergraduate studying Biochemistry here at CSU! I am a Colorado native so I love being here in Fort Collins. My dream is to advance my knowledge of genetic engineering and be able to apply those skills to climate change solutions. I have always been passionate about genetics and climate change so I am thrilled I get to combine these by working in the Arjun Lab! In the future I am thinking about getting my PhD and trying to combine potential biofuels and genetic engineering. When I’m not in the lab you can find me; thrifting, sewing, hiking, and watching movies!

Email: sophia.seib@colostate.edu

Bio: I am a biology student at Colorado State with a passion for environmental remediation and ecosystem restoration. I hope to one day use plants and fungi to mitigate the effects of climate change and remove contaminants from areas with high industrial activity and plastic pollution. In doing so, I aim to increase equitable access to nature and agriculture in regions that face environmental inequality. I am very excited to be part of the lab, as I’ve always dreamed of studying plants and fungi for my career. In my free time I enjoy sewing, gardening, watching horror movies, hiking, and rock climbing.

Email: josh.conlin@colostate.edu

Bio: I am an undergraduate pursuing a major in biological sciences with a botany concentration and minors in both chemistry and horticulture. My goal is to go straight into graduate school after getting my diploma to further my comprehension of synthetic biology. I am very grateful to have been able to get into research early on in my academic career at CSU as it has allowed me to grow, learn, and get hands on experience for something I think is really fascinating. When not in lab or studying for classes, I'm usually found figuring out how to climb rocks, sitting and enjoying live music events, or tinkering around on the piano at home.

Email: lilly.palmer@colostate.edu

Bio: I am an undergraduate student here at CSU studying Biology. My specific interests are in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and pathology. I’ve always had a passion for science and human health. My goal is to pursue graduate studies focusing on using synthetic biology to address the mystery of diseases . Outside of lab and school I love hiking with my dog Sailor, and fishing with my friends. I am also passionate about the arts, particularly live theatre, dance, music and various forms of visual art. 

Email: bella.plath@colostate.edu

Bio: I’m an undergraduate pursuing a dual degree in Biomedical Engineering and Chemical + Biological Engineering. My interest in biological research was fueled after going on a research field trip to study leafcutter ant antibiotics in Costa Rica. I’m excited to apply this interest to work towards finding solutions to global hunger and food insecurity. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, pickleball, tennis, and spikeball. 

Email: hayley.howell@colostate.edu

Bio: I am a chemical and biological engineering undergraduate student here at Colorado State University. I enjoy science because there is always something new to learn. Although I haven’t decided quite yet what I want my career to look like after graduation, my ultimate goal is to help people and the planet. Outside the realm of science, I also enjoy reading, yoga, spending time outdoors, and snowboarding. 

Email: eacarlsen03@gmail.com

Bio: I am an undergraduate studying Biology with a minor in Bioinformatics here at CSU. I hope to go to graduate school to further pursue genetic engineering, and then work in industry. The field of genetics, especially genetic editing has been fascinating to me since high school - a newer scientific field that means we can change the code to life itself? Sign me up! Being able to explore this interest in the Arjun Lab has been invaluable, and being able to contribute to possible climate change adaptations in crops is the cherry on top. When I am not at the lab or in class, I love to rock climb, snowshoe, hike, and go thrifting. 

Email: samuel.waggoner@colostate.edu

Bio: I’m an undergraduate student currently studying biology. I really love nature and all the diverse interactions within it, especially at the smallest scale. I am really interested in studying mycology and its potential role in one day helping to address ideas such as plastic waste pollution  and biomaterial production. I hope to one day obtain my phd and have a research lab of my own! Outside the lab I’m usually reading, jamming, or hanging with an animal.

Email: mary.nater@colostate.edu

Bio: I grew up in Florida where I received a B.S. in International Affairs from FSU and am currently pursuing a second bachelor's in Biochemistry at CSU. I'm passionate about nutrition, plants, and climate change, I aim to leverage synthetic biology to bring these fields together. I'm excited to develop my scientific skills in this lab and contribute to innovative research. In my free time I love to hike, skateboard and spend time with my dog, Leia.

Email: hadley.colwell@colostate.edu

Bio: I am an undergraduate researcher at Colorado State University studying biology with a minor in horticulture. I have a passion for genome editing and CRISPR. The Arjun Lab has enabled me to explore this area of research in pursuit of understanding more about plants and ways to create more sustainability through DNA. After graduation, I will be pursuing a Ph.D in this area. Outside of lab, I love to run, spend time outdoors with friends, read and crochet!

Email: ethan.thevarajah@colostate.edu

Bio: I'm an Undergraduate researcher majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. As a scientist, I feel a responsibility to use my knowledge and skills to contribute to something larger than myself. The goals that ArjunLab has align with my hopes for humanity, so it's a great place to utilize and build upon the knowledge I've gained at CSU! I'm looking forward to pursuing another degree after I graduate! In my free time I like visiting National Parks, fishing, traveling, and playing video games!

Email: morgan.boisen@colostate.edu

Bio: I am an undergraduate at Colorado State University studying biochemistry with a health and medical sciences concentration. I am interested in a career in the medical field regarding clinical pathology with interdisciplinary interests in pathobiology and molecular pathology. Although I am unaware of what my career path will look like, my goal is to engage scientific innovations with preventative medicine. Outside of scientific pursuits I like reading, watching movies, skiing, and spending time with friends and family.  

Email: Elisa.piira@colostate.edu

Bio: I am an undergraduate at Colorado State University majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Anatomy and Physiology. My specific interests are medical research, biotechnology, and genetic engineering. My passion for biomedical sciences is driven by the desire to improve human health and well-being. I am particularly fascinated by how the human body functions and how innovative biotechnological solutions can address complex medical challenges.