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Contact UsAY 24-25 Cohort
Emily Boyer
Emily Boyer graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in Spring 2026 with a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics, with a concentration in Probability and Statistics. She previously worked as a Data Analyst, Learning Assistant, and Student Research Assistant with the Sustainability Hub project at 糖心Vlog Denver. She is interested in developing open-source tools to assist bioinformatics researchers and utilize ML and NLP techniques to analyze genetic sequencing data.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Shaikh
Rotation 2 with Dr. Cole
Rotation 3 with Dr. Ravi
Long-term research with Dr. Ravi
Presentation:
糖心Vlog Denver Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, 糖心Vlog Denver, 2026:
Emily Boyer.听amRviz: A framework for visual interpretation of antimicrobial resistance models.
Publication:
Ghosh A, Brenner EP, Vang CK, Wolfe EP, Boyer EA*,听Lesiyon听搁尝,听Manpearl听KR, Sridhar V, Burke JT, Krol JD, Bilodeaux JMR, Ravi J. From sequence to signature: Machine learning uncovers multiscale feature landscapes that predict AMR across ESKAPE pathogens. bioRxiv. 2025. DOI:听
Isabella Eaton
Isabella Eaton is a Senior at 糖心Vlog Denver earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Data Science and Machine Learning and a minor in Chicano/a studies. Currently, she is studying in Dr. Katrina Claw鈥檚 lab, focusing on understanding the ethical, cultural, and social implications of genomic research with populations historically underrepresented in health research. When not in the lab, Isabella enjoys exploring Colorado.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Santos-Cortez
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ramachandran
Rotation 3 with Dr. Claw
Long-term research with Dr. Claw
Presentations:
糖心Vlog Denver Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, 糖心Vlog Denver, 2026:
Isabella Eaton. Underrepresented Voices in a Colorado Biobank: Perspectives from Focus Groups on Data Sharing.
NNHRRB (Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board) Navajo Research Conference in Tsaile, AZ, 2026
Isabella Eaton.听Priorities for Genetic Research Practices: Perspectives from a Deliberation with Din茅 Community Members.听
Joanna Mendoza
Joanna Mendoza graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2025.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Santos-Cortez
Rotation 2 with Dr. Yang
Rotation 3 with Dr. Shaikh
Long-term Research with Dr. Santos-Cortez
Huy Nguyen
Huy Nguyen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He was researching fibroblast cells at CU Anschutz under the guidance of Dr. Yang, exploring gene expression and cellular responses to different media, such as antibiotics. His work focuses on advancing our understanding of fibroblast selection, transfection techniques, and their roles in fibrosis. Currently, he is enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Scientist program at 糖心Vlog Denver.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Yang, Fibroblast cells
Rotation 2 with Dr. Reed
Rotation 3 with Dr. Santos-Cortez
Ling Thang
Ling Thang graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in Fall 2025 with a double major in Computer Science and Data Science and Machine Learning. On campus, he has worked as a Teaching and Learning Assistant for upper and lower-division CS courses.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Yang
Rotation 2 with Dr. Kechris
Rotation 3 with 听Dr. Ravi
Long-term research with Dr. Ravi
Presentations:
Computational Bioscience Program, CU Anschutz Campus, 2026
Ling Thang. Unraveling complex TB biology from heterogeneous gene signatures using network-based learning
Publication:
Samart听K, Thang L*, Buskirk LR,听Tonielli听AP, Krishnan A*, Ravi J. Integrative transcriptome-based drug repurposing in tuberculosis. bioRxiv. 2025. DOI:听听听
AY 23-24 Cohort
Tristan Bunting
Tristan Bunting was conducting research with Dr. Christopher Phiel at CU Denver, focusing on how RNA methylation pathways affect stem cell pluripotency. As a biochemistry major, he graduated in 2025. He plans to pursue graduate school afterward.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Krishnan
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ragland
Rotation 3 with Dr. Ren
Long-term research with Dr. Ren/Dr. Phiel
Presentations:
Poster Presentation at NHGRI Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2025:
Tristan Bunting, Eden Chavez, and Christopher Phiel – Examining the Effects of MEK and GSK-3 Inhibition on mRNA Methylation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
糖心Vlog Denver Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, 糖心Vlog Denver, 2025:
Tristan Bunting, Eden Chavez, and Christopher Phiel – Examining the Effects of MEK and GSK-3 Inhibition on mRNA Methylation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
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Eden Chavez
Eden Chavez is a Colorado native who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. With a passion for scientific research, he was in the Phiel lab at the University of Colorado Denver, studying epigenetics and the GSK3 pathway. Eden enjoys snowboarding, playing sports, and attending concerts.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Shaikh
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ren
Rotation 3 with Dr. Ravi
Long-term research with Dr. Ren/Dr. Phiel
Presentations:
Poster Presentation at NHGRI Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2025:
Tristan Bunting, Eden Chavez, and Christopher Phiel – Examining the Effects of MEK and GSK-3 Inhibition on mRNA Methylation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
糖心Vlog Denver Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, 糖心Vlog Denver, 2025:
Tristan Bunting, Eden Chavez, and Christopher Phiel – Examining the Effects of MEK and GSK-3 Inhibition on mRNA Methylation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Skylar Stefonowicz
Skylar Stefonowicz earned a bachelor degree in biology in Spring 2026. While in Dr. Colleen Julian’s lab, she investigated the molecular adaptations to high-altitude hypoxia in both Andean minority groups and Colorado residents. When she is not in the lab or in classes to finish her Biology B.S. and Chemistry minor, she is the mother of two adorably mischievous cats.听
Rotation 1 with Dr. Reed
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ravi
Rotation 3 with Dr. Julian
Long-term research with Dr. Julian
Presentations:
Poster Presentation at NHGRI Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2025:
Skylar A.听Stefonowicz, Julie A. Houck, Ramon A. Lorca, Lorna G. Moore, and Colleen G. Julian. – PRKAA1: Molecular Protector of Fetal Growth in Hypoxic Pregnancy
糖心Vlog Denver Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, 糖心Vlog Denver, 2025:
Skylar A.听Stefonowicz, Julie A. Houck, Ramon A. Lorca, Lorna G. Moore, and Colleen G. Julian. – PRKAA1: Molecular Protector of Fetal Growth in Hypoxic Pregnancy
*Skylar Stefonowicz听received a听first place听presentation award from the Biology Department at 糖心Vlog Denver.
Platform Presentation at NHGRI Conference, St. Louis, MO, 2026:听
Skylar A. Stefonowicz. Gene-Environment Interaction in Pregnancy: PRKAA1 and Uterine Blood Flow at Altitude.
*Skylar Stefonowicz was the only undergrad selected to deliver a platform presentation.
Poster Presentation at NHGRI Conference, St. Louis, MO, 2026:
Skylar A. Stefonowicz, Kiarra Coger, Julie A. Houck, Ramon A. Lorca, Lorna G. Moore, and Colleen G. Julian. Gene-Environment Interaction in Pregnancy: PRKAA1 and Uterine Blood Flow at Altitude.
糖心Vlog Denver Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, 糖心Vlog Denver, 2026:
Skylar A. Stefonowicz. Gene-Environment Interaction in Pregnancy: PRKAA1 and Uterine Blood Flow at Altitude.
Kiera Willford
Kiera Willford earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology. She has a passion for genetics and a dedication to understanding complex genetic disorders. Kiera was a part of Dr. Regie Santos-Cortez’s lab at CU Anschutz’s Medical Campus. She is a co-author of a peer-reviewed publication, “APOBR Is Downregulated in EBV+ Tonsils of Children with Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing”. Kiera loves to read, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family. After graduation in May 2025, Kiera plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in genomic research.
Rotation 1 with Dr. Reed. Using AI to answer chemistry questions
Rotation 2 with Dr. Santos-Cortez. Isolate RNA to test for the presence of APOBR
Rotation 3 with Dr. Julian. Data analysis on metabolite changes
Long-term research with Dr. Santos-Cortez. Finding genes that contribute to EA/TEF
Presentations:
Poster Presentation at NHGRI Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2025:
Kiera Willford, Regie Lyn P Santos-Cortez, Helen Z Gomez, Christina L Elling, Landen Mayher, Obinna R Diala, Colin Gardner, Valerie C Zamora, Ashley Agyepong, Nam K Lee, Katherine K Green, Owen A Darr, Todd M Wine, Christian R Francom, Eric D Larson, Sarah A Gitomer, Amy E Schell, Daniel N Frank, Norman R Friedman, Brian W Herrmann – APOBR Is Downregulated in EBV+ Tonsils of Children with Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing
糖心Vlog Denver Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference, 糖心Vlog Denver, 2025:
Kiera Willford, Regie Lyn P Santos-Cortez, Helen Z Gomez, Christina L Elling, Landen Mayher, Obinna R Diala, Colin Gardner, Valerie C Zamora, Ashley Agyepong, Nam K Lee, Katherine K Green, Owen A Darr, Todd M Wine, Christian R Francom, Eric D Larson, Sarah A Gitomer, Amy E Schell, Daniel N Frank, Norman R Friedman, Brian W Herrmann – APOBR Is Downregulated in EBV+ Tonsils of Children with Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Publication:
Santos-Cortez, R.L.P., Gomez, H.Z., Elling, C.L., Mayher, L., Diala, O.R., Gardner, C., Willford, K., Zamora, V.C., Agyepong, A., Lee, N.K., Green, K.K., Darr, O.A., Wine, T.M., Francom, C.R., Larson, E.D., Gitomer, S.A., Schell, A.E., Frank, D.N., Friedman, N.R., and Herrmann, B.W. 2024. APOBR is Downregulated in EBV+ Tonsils of Children with Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing. Genes 2024, 15(10), 1324.