Team:Alma/Team
Meet the Team!
Alma iGEM was founded last season
and operates out of
Alma College, a small liberal arts college in Alma, Michigan.
This year, although unconventional in its format, we're perservered through COVID-19 and have successfully
completed human practices, collaborated with other iGEM teams, and launched a podcast while meeting almost exclusively in virtual spaces.
We were also able to conduct research in the lab with minimal personnel while following Alma College and Center for Diesease Control (CDC) guidelines.
We're proud to present the results of our efforts over the past several months and we look forward to continuing this project through the next season.
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Devin Camenares || Team Advisor
Dr. C, as he is known by the students, is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry and iGEM coordinator at Alma College.
He is passionate about synthetic biology and iGEM, especially in how it can empower students to see themselves as able to develop new technologies and solve problems.
If started, he will only stop talking about iGEM just long enough to take a sip of coffee.
When he isn't teaching or in the lab, he is probably spending time with his wife and 5 year old daughter, or playing chess.
Lauren Woolbright || Graphic Design & Podcast Advisor
Dr. Woolbright is a professor of Communication and New Media Studies at Alma College and
specializes in media design, social media, and environmental communication.
Kaleb Ramon || President, Wet Lab Lead
Kaleb is a senior majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry.
Post-graduation he will be attending Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
This year is his second year on the team, where he is serving as president of the club after his first year as a general student member.
He is a big fan of the entire iGEM dynamic, especially the interdisciplinary nature of the competition.
Outside of iGEM he enjoys playing hockey and keeping up with his aquarium hobby.
Abbey Killian || Vice President, Human Practices Lead, Podcast Lead
Abbey is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology, in the pursuit of genetic counseling.
This is Abbey’s first year actively participating on the iGEM team with sparse participation in last year’s competition.
Outside of iGEM activities, Abbey enjoys doing yoga and bullet journalling.
Aryaan Misra || Treasurer, Podcast Lead, Wet Lab
Aryaan is a sophomore at Alma this year. His interests lie mostly in Astrobiology and Evolution,
and he loves the multidisciplinary nature of iGEM. His hobbies include jumping rope and poetry.
Madison Hibbs || Secretary, Wet Lab
Maddie is a junior and is majoring in biochemistry. After college she plans on attending grad school for
epidemiology or pharmacology. She joined iGEM 2 years ago because she enjoyed the atmosphere at the Jamboree
and because she wanted to help make a difference in her community. Outside of iGEM, she enjoys writing poetry, playing DND, and sailing.
Connor Arens || Wet Lab, Podcast, Wiki
Connor is a sophomore majoring in Integrative Physiology and Health Science.
After graduating, he plans to go to medical school. This is Connor's first year on the team,
and he joined the wiki team first and eventually joined the wet lab and podcast team.
Outside of iGEM he enjoys reading and hiking.
Gary Carter || Wiki
Gary is a 2nd year, Biology major, and by building the team wiki, Gary is hoping to gain additional
skill sets to work in a more efficient manner. He also wishes to better understand a world that is dependent on technology.
Elizabeth Elliott-Redlin || Wet Lab, Human Practices
Elizabeth is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry. She plans to major in biochemistry and
work in vaccine research post-Alma. This is Elizabeth's first year with iGEM, which she joined
due to her passion for science. Outside of iGEM, she can usually be found reading or playing DOOM with friends.
Paul Fischer || Wiki, Podcast
Paul is a sophomore interested in a Computer Science major.
This is his first year on the iGEM team, and he is excited to put his knowledge of both coding and science to the test.
Outside of iGEM, he enjoys playing the cello and guitar, and is a member of the Alma College Esports team.
Pedro Granja || Dry Lab, Modeling
Pedro Granja Berrios is a senior at Alma College. He is majoring in Neuroscience,
and he is currently working on an independent research about Parkinson’s disease and
its link with other neurodegenerative illnesses. Pedro was interested in the wet lab portion of the team, but due to travel restrictions, made dry-lab and modeling contributions this year.
Pedro joined the Alma College's iGEM team in 2018,
when it was initially created. He joined iGEM because he considered that our modern scientific
society needs to implement bioengineered organisms to find a solution to multiple conundrums in
the human health and ecosystem field through creativity and innovation.
Rhianna Haynes || Wet Lab, Human Practices
Rhianna is a junior majoring in Biochemistry for the pre-medicine track.
Post-graduation she plans on going to medical school to become a dermatologist.
This has been her dream job since before high school. Dr. Pimple Popper is her idol.
This is Rhianna’s first year in iGEM.
Kaissidy Homolka || Podcast
Kaissidy is a second year who is majoring in anthropology.
This is her first year on the team and she joined because of her
interest genetic engineering and the effects it has on the world.
In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, making music, reading,
and of course hanging with friends.
Paige Lamoreaux || Human Practices, Podcast
Paige is a freshman who plans to major in Biochemistry and possibly minor in Genetics.
She hopes with her education and iGEM experience to enter into research.
This is Paige's first year in iGEM and she currently helps with human practices and podcast editing.
She joined originally to gain experience, but after she met the team and found how
beautiful the cause was, it became an important passion for her. She also enjoys music,
trombone, volunteering, gardening, sewing, and poetry.
Ruby Lovasz || Wet Lab
Ruby is a junior majoring in Integrative Physiology and Health Sciences.
She aspires to go to PA school when she graduates and hopes to work in pediatrics.
This is Ruby's first year in iGEM, which she joined after hearing about the project from a close friend.
Ruby also participates in chemistry club, pre-PA club, the rock climbing club, and the swing dance club.
Outside of her clubs and academics, Ruby enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, coloring, and watching Friends.
Marleigh Matthews || Graphic Design
Marleigh is the graphic designer for the 2020 Alma iGEM. She chose to participate in the team
mainly for the learning experience. Marleigh is an Alma College Class of 2021 Art student pursuing a
BFA in graphic design and illustration. She has been making art ever since she was little, first starting
off as self-taught until her senior year of high school. She hopes to pursue a career in graphic design or
illustration in large industries such as Google, Disney, DreamWorks, Microsoft, etc.
Another goal for Marleigh is to create graphic novels that can then be published for many people to enjoy.
Izzy Oakley || Human Practices
Izzy is a junior at Alma College this year, majoring in psychology.
Originally from Trenton, Michigan.
Tatym Plath || Social Media Lead, Wet Lab, Podcast
Tatym Plath and is a current Junior at Alma College.
She is pursuing a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.
After Alma College, Tatym plans a career as a Pediatric Oncologist.
She is involved in the wet lab, and has been helping out with human practices and the podcast.
Tatym also runs the Alma iGEM social media accounts.
This is her first year in iGEM and she joined because she was interested in synthetic biology and its vast potential.
Outside of iGEM she enjoys reading, listening to music, and anything outside (especially kayaking and hiking)!
Gavin Swiecicki || Modeling
Gavin is a sophomore planning on majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Mathematics.
This is Gavin's first year on the team and he decided to learn how to design a math model for the team's
two-year project and is in the process of creating it. When not working on iGEM or classwork,
he participates in Alma's marching and jazz bands. He also enjoys playing on his Nintendo Switch.
Kelsey Taylor || Wiki Lead, Podcast Editing Lead, Human Practices
Kelsey is a senior majoring in Multimedia Journalism with a concentration in Biology.
Post-graduation, she plans to write or copy edit for a science & technology publication.
This is Kelsey's second year in iGEM -- although she joined last year primarily to help with wiki formatting,
she stayed on for this season because of the cause and her teammates.
Outside of iGEM, she enjoys reading, writing, and playing Pokémon and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.