Team

Advisor: Sean Curran, Ph.D.
Sean Curran is an assistant professor in Gerontology at the USC Davis School of Gerontology with joint appointments in Molecular and Computational Biology (USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Keck School of Medicine of USC). He studies molecular genetics of exceptional longevity. In his free time, Sean loves to watch NCAA sports, experiment in the kitchen, swim, and watch movies.
Graduate Student Advisor: Percy Genyk
Megan Bernstein: Megan is a junior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in News Media. In addition to iGEM, she directs USC’s Xpressions Dance Company and is a board member for USC Global Medical Brigades. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, teaching science to 3rd graders, making crafts and baking!
Rachel Kohan: Rachel is a senior from Salt Lake City, UT studying biomedical engineering. In addition to iGEM, she coordinates an on-campus discussion group. In her free time she likes to draw, hike, and ski.
Ellen Park: Ellen Park is a senior Biology major at USC. Although she is a science major, she loves writing, singing, and art. Ellen is not only part of iGEM but is also the President of Overflow acappella, a small group leader in Korean Campus Missions, a member of USC pre-pharmacy society, and a research volunteer in the Curran lab.
Stephan Genyk: Stephan Genyk is senior at USC studying kinesiology and psychology. During his spare time, he enjoys swimming, cycling, playing chess, or just listening to his favorite genre of music, classical and electronic. Stephan knew that he wanted to join iGEM after writing an essay on synthetic biology sparked his passion.
Eric Siryj: Eric Siryj is junior from Los Angeles studying biomedical engineering with an emphasis in mechanical engineering. In addition to iGEM, Eric researches crack propagation in USC’s “shock wave lab.” In his free time, he loves playing guitar and leads a Christian worship band on campus. He also loves all sports, especially basketball!
Luke Quinto: Luke is a freshmen (Bio)Chemical Engineering major as well as a brother of the Theta Xi social fraternity. He works for Marshall Technology Support over at the school of business and when he’s not working or studying he’s usually either sleeping or eating. Aside from these, he also enjoys ultimate frisbee, swimming, skiing, orienteering, and just about anything else that gets him outside or off campus for a while.
Rebecca Gao: Rebecca Gao is a junior from Fremont, CA majoring in Global Health and Biological Sciences. She is the co-Editor-in-Chief of Trojan Health Connection and works as a research intern for Drs. Tower, Samet, and Charuzi. Rebecca enjoys sleeping and running in her free time.