Akshay Sethi

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Hey guys, my name is Akshay Sethi and I am a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This is my first year participating in iGEM and I have since taken a great interest into synthetic biology and its importance in the near future. I aspire to attend medical school, and to furthermore pursue a career in medicine or health care management. When I am not working in lab, I enjoy volunteering at a student-run clinic for the underserved and also staying active through tennis and basketball.

Christine Olson

Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior

RAHH (You have to imagine this in a pterodactyl voice, if you have ever heard one before)! My name’s Christine Olson. I am a fourth year neurobiology, physiology, and behavior major. Basically, that means that I am able to find something amazingly funny about anything you say or do. Actually, about anything that happens! I think the best thing in the world is a neuron. I mean, they look like trees! On my free time, I love biking out to huge fields of sunflowers and taking pictures. I also adore the farmers’ market here in Davis. After college, I plan on working in the biotechnology industry and then returning to a graduate school. Fun fact: I am an underground rapper. Real talk.

Colin Deniston

Biological Sciences: Molecular & Cell Biology

I go by many names: Cookie D, Ser Keith, and even, on occasion, Colin Deniston. I’m a drifter, a roaming scholar. I jump from iGEM team to iGEM team, imparting my knowledge, only to disappear in the night soon after. I’ve out titrated bears, ran gels faster than lions, and done more minipreps than the gods themselves. Who are you, many have asked. What are you, even more have pondered. The answer has always been simple for those who can see it:
I’m a fifth year Biological Sciences major at UC Davis. I joined iGEM due to my interest in learning how to manage a realistically scaled research project, as well as, to increase my knowledge of in lab protocol and technique. On the iGEM team I work on the protein engineering and mutant creation/screening protocols. I hope to continue on to graduate school and eventually become a professor. On my free time I’m an avid video game enthusiast of all game types. I also enjoy reading books, manga, and spending time with friends.

Deborah Park

Biological Sciences

I'm a fourth year and I love brains! I love all things related to science, but neurobiology is something I would love to study more after graduation! I like to draw, play the violin, and listen to my favorite band, the ______! I love animals, so I like to help out at a ranch to take care of horses and dogs! I also like exclamation points!!!

Mattan Hamou

Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior

I am an undergraduate student at the University of California, Davis. As an undeclared Life Science major at UC Davis I am currently exploring all the opportunities available to me in the college of biological sciences. I am currently debating between cell biology and neurobiology, physiology and behavior. Both majors provide the material necessary to pursue a career in the medical field, whether research or practice. To me service is the highest cause someone can pursue. This mindset has led me to dream of a career in medicine. Through my Emergency Medical Technician training, I obtained a stronger sense of what life in the emergency medical world entails. After learning on a deeper level the value of genetic engineering this past year I wanted to shift to the laboratory spectrum of the medical field. My intention in joining iGEM was to research possible solutions to medical problems which would allow me to combine both of my aspirations of research in a practical medical field. My main interests in research are in cell functions and how they interact with one another, particularly in immunology and oncology, biomedical devices, and bioremediation. I hope to understand more of the global issues and find innovative ways to solve them by applying myself inside and outside the lab. To me iGEM is a gateway to pursuing my dreams of tackling real world problems by working with peers to help others as an undergraduate. Outside of the lab I am involved in many student run organizations on campus. As treasurer of The Triple Helix (a science and society journal), Outreach Assembly member, Garamendi for Congress volunteer, and brother of AEPi I am an active member of the UC Davis student body. In my spare time I play the saxophone, video games, sports, and watch a lot of movies. My favorite superhero is Batman :).

Dr. Marc Facciotti

Ph.D. in Biophysics

Position: Primary Investigator. The Boss.
Department: Biomedical Engineering
Facciotti Lab Wesbite

Dr. Ilias Tagkopoulos

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Position: Co-Primary Investigator
Department: Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science
Tagkopoulos Lab Website

Graduate Student