Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INTP

Major: Biology

Year: 4th

Anders Nelson

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ESFP

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Year: 2nd

Dan Katz

The catalytic event that inspired Dan to pursue a career synthetic biology was comically simple. In seventh grade he watched a video on synthetic biology hosted by SciShow, a scientific YouTube channel. Dan became incredibly interested in the topic from this video, and from then on made it his goal to participate in this type of research. Coming to UVa in his first year, Dan already had plans to join the iGEM team and saw these plans come to fruition. One look at Dan and you would assume he’s into modeling – this is true, but not the kind you might think. Don’t be surprised if you find him locked into a late night battle with docking software, optimizing every possible configuration. His software battles can also be recreational; Dan is a skilled videogame player and an online force to be reckoned with. Dan’s knowledge of keys extends beyond his computer. With eight years of trumpet experience and a seat in the UVa orchestra, Dan supplements his scientific endeavors with a love for music. He remains involved in music opportunities in Charlottesville, including the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra, the First Year Players musical, and small groups in the area. Dan is an exemplar renaissance man with further interests in cats, cooking, fiction-writing, and countless other pursuits; a character as multi-dimensional as the conceivable universe.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ISTJ

Major: Neuroscience

Year: 3rd

Sarah Shan

Sarah has been interested in medicine from the earliest days she can remember. Sarah grew up with a close relative who had a serious medical condition. This event left her countless questions about disease and the human body. Sarah embarked on a lifelong quest to understand and improve upon the human system through the practice of medicine. Sarah is propelled by her medical ambitions, but has many interests outside of academics. If you ever have the fortune of tasting one of Sarah’s baked goods, you will find yourself among a blessed few – she is a true chemistry whiz both in the lab and the kitchen. Her favorite animal is the Quokka (Google them – we promise it will be worth your time). With a strong background in cheerleading, Sarah excels at keeping the team motivated and enthusiastic through even the most grueling hours in the lab. Whether through medicine, motivation, or a delicious pastry experience, Sarah finds no greater joy than improving the lives of others.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INFP

Major: Chemical Engineering

Year: 3rd

Kelli Green

From a young age Kelli struggled with the choice of pursuing a career in either mathematics or physical science. An avid reader in her youth, Kelli was particularly inspired by one book. Ayn Rand’s “Anthem” sparked Kelli’s passion for benevolent invention. She determined that through engineering, she can pursue a career that involves both science and mathematics, guided by the principles of innovative design and optimization. Behind this calculating engineer is an adventurer with global ambitions. Whether its playing volleyball, walking forest trails with her dog, or enduring the frustrations of Pictionary with close friends, Kelli values fun, novelty, and the freedom to explore the natural world… just don't ask her to play contact sports. She hopes to take her career overseas and lead international collaborations in the field of chemical engineering. Wherever Kelli’s journeys lead her, the road will be paved with a healthy balance of IR-spectra, MSDS sheets, and good humor.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ENFP

Major: Neuroscience

Year: 3rd

Nivedha Kannapadi

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INTJ

Major: Biochemistry and Statistics

Year: 4th

Mark Bernard

“As a paradigm, science surpasses any contemporary or antecedent model for explaining the universe.” ~ Mark Bernard

As with other great scientists from history, (looking at you, Sir Isaac), Mark’s inspiration for inquiry began with an apple tree. In his youth, Mark was always fascinated by the seasonal changes of his favorite backyard apple tree. Mark wanted to know where the tree came from, why it was always changing, and how it “knew” when to change. This curiosity lead him on a quest for knowledge that later turned into plans for a career in biochemistry.

Mark is highly dedicated to his work and conveys a genuine, unyielding enthusiasm for physical science. Also, he provides strong leadership and guidance to our team. This is not surprising, considering that along with Raquel and Madeleine, Mark completes our triumvirate of INTJ masterminds.

Outside of the lab, you will likely find Mark climbing epic rock faces while simultaneously reading his favorite Nietzsche novel. Although a member of the Virginia iGEM team, Mark’s interest in machines reaches beyond those that are genetically engineered – he enjoys working on his car during his free time. When searching for inspiration, Mark turns to his favorite sci-fi movies like Jurassic Park – the inspiration for this year’s project – to find new ideas. Guided by an imperative to improve the quality of human life, Mark tweaks scientific fantasies into feasible realities.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INTJ

Major: Biochemistry

Year: 4th

Madeleine Stone

Hailing from Massachusetts, Madeleine brings a unique New England flair to the iGEM team. Through her studies in biochemistry, Madeleine uses glass beakers to break glass ceilings. In high school, she was inspired by an article about women leading the life sciences movement. Madeleine plans to pursue his passions for life science and become an example of strong female leadership in commercial biotechnology. If you need a new Spotify playlist, look no further. Madeleine is an expert in all things music. From elegant French restaurants to Swedish night clubs, she can curate sonic ambiance for any occasion. When she’s not studying H2O crystals in the lab, you can bet she’s studying them on the slopes. Madeleine is an veteraned skier and an active member of VASST, UVa’s competitive ski and snowboard team. Before establishing plans for a career in science, Madeleine considered the life of a cosmetologist. She enjoys dying and styling hair as a form of artistic expression – don’t be surprised if this fashion-forward chemist comes to lab rocking a colorful new do. With a strong attitude of independence and competence in her work, Madeleine will undoubtedly make great strides for women in all fields of biological science.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INTJ

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Year: 3rd

Raquel Moya

Did you just lose five games of Bananagrams in a row? Then you probably played against Raquel Moya. Raquel is a determined mastermind who never backs down from an intellectual challenge. Raquel was born deep in the New Mexico wilderness, surrounded by mountains and trees, and parents with a passion for all things science. This combination inevitably instilled a strong capacity for big-picture thinking. Raquel sees the world as a “factual and fantastic puzzle” ready to be pieced together. Where others might feel overwhelmed, Raquel is excited by the grandiose mysteries of our planet. The contemporary Meriwether Lewis of our iGEM team, Raquel can be found climbing treacherous rock faces and surmounting epic hikes. She also enjoys exploring the literary world by delving deep into her favorite Steinbeck novels. Be careful, if you challenge Raquel at one of her favorite board games, grapes’ will not be the only wrath you experience. Raquel’s grand-scale thinking, coupled with strong ambition, promises important and lasting changes for the future of humanity. She has long term plans of improving our health system; through her relentless optimistic outlook, these plans will surely come to fruition.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: N/A

Major: Biochemistry

Year: 2nd

Chris Li

Chris entered his first year at UVa intent on pursuing a career in medicine. Since childhood, Chris has always wanted to study biological science. Refusing to compromise between the roles of physician and research scientist, Chris has ambitiously set his sights on an MD/PhD program. Chris hopes to improve people’s lives on the micro level through one-on-one patient interactions while conducting research to create permanent, macro-scale change. Chris maintains group motivation in the lab and carries a contagious optimism toward problem solving. When the team hits a bump in the road, Chris is ready and excited to find creative solutions. Chris’s desire for success only begins with his work in biological science. If you have the misfortune of playing against him in soccer, chess, or monopoly, you will likely find yourself swiftly bested by a ruthless competitor. Behind this determined scientist is a heart of gold with genuine care for improving the quality of human life. If you’re lucky, he might be your doctor some day.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: “I believe labeling yourself can hold you back from being you, just be happy, don't rely on a label to justify how you act or when you feel comfortable in the future, people change, let it happen.”

Major: Nano-Medicine

Year: 3rd

Austin Rivera

Austin is a natural builder. While others might watch TV or follow a favorite sports team, Austin can sit in room with Lego’s and be thoroughly entertained for a week. “In kindergarten, we went around the room and said what we wanted to be when we grew up, and I honestly said I wanted to be an Engineer. Everyone thought I meant to be a train conductor, but I knew what I was saying I just didn't know how to explain it.” Austin consistently has a busy schedule. He enjoys working on things he is passionate about including engineering lab work and his freelance professional graphic designs. To maintain balance with his heavy workload, Austin rigorously practices yoga, greeting the sunrise every morning. His long-term goals include acquiring a PHD in nano-medicine; Austin wants to make groundbreaking discoveries and teach others how to follow his work and build upon it. Austin’s long-term goals have always centered around using his type of thinking to help people in the best way possible; he found a career in science to be the most suitable path. Driven by genuine, compassionate, humanitarian values, Austin will be content wherever life takes him – all he wants is an opportunity to design a better world through invention and care for every human as if they were a member of his personal family.