Mark Bernard

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INTJ
Major: Biochemistry and Statistics
Year: 4th

“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.

Kelli Green

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INFP
Major: Chemical Engineering
Year: 3rd

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 it’s 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 journey leads her, the road will be paved with a healthy balance of IR-spectra, MSDS sheets, and good humor.

Nivedha Kannapadi

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ENFP
Major: Neuroscience
Year: 3rd

Nivedha is one of the few remaining descendants of the revered Kannapadi bloodline. Growing up in the American South, she quickly developed an affinity for country music. As her musical ambitions progressed, Nivedha realized she could use her growing popularity to instigate cultural change. Nivedha is an advocate for vegetarian diets. She believes in sourcing food through sustainable, local channels. She recently released her first studio LP titled “The Key of Vitamin C”. The album includes tracks such as: “Spuds on the Run”, “Ode to Celery”, and “Orange You Glad You Bought My Album?”. Aside from her musical prose, Nivedha finds inspiration in the little things. During lab days, she will often walk around the UVa grounds, finding inspiration in mundane phenomena. She once returned to lab infatuated with an empty carton of orange juice. She progressed to draw beautiful analogies between the carton and a tRNA synthetase enzyme. She uses a delicate speech cadence that presents itself as unintended poetry. Her long-term goal is to become an MD with an emphasis on women’s health. Nivedha will lead global efforts to improve women’s health, inspiring and enlisting followers to develop a healthier world.

Dan Katz

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ESFP
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Year: 2nd

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 video game 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 multidimensional as the conceivable universe.

Christopher Li

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Undetermined
Major: Biochemistry
Year: 2nd

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.

Raquel Moya

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INTJ
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Year: 3rd

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.

Anders Nelson

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ENTP
Major: Biology
Year: 4th

If there is a single character trait that truly defines Anders Nelson, it is optimism. It doesn’t matter whether it’s raining cats and dogs outside, or whether an experiment succeeded or failed, or whether some small object is stuck in the headphone jack of his phone. Anders always shows up to lab with a spring in his step, a smile on his face, and a contagious sense of optimism. Once in the lab, Anders is the consummate (albeit accident-prone) scientist, toiling away on his laptop or performing experiments and other lab work. His desire to change the world through scientific research is motivated by his primary goal in life: to make the world a happier place. Outside of the lab, Anders enjoys outdoorsy and outgoing types of activities, including hiking, gardening, listening to music, and cooking. A master of puns, he will rapidly bring a smile to the face of anyone fortunate enough to meet him. Anders is an irreplaceable member of the VGEM 2016 team, and if you are lucky, then someday you may also have the pleasure of working with him.

Austin Rivera

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: Nanomedicine
Year: 3rd

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 nanomedicine; 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.

Sarah Shan

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: ISTJ
Major: Neuroscience
Year: 3rd

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.

Madeleine Stone

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: INTJ
Major: Biochemistry
Year: 4th

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.