TEAM MEMBERS
We proudly present this year’s Waterloo iGEM team! We have three subteams: lab & design, human practices, and math & modelling. Our fantastic members are from a variety of years, faculties, and cities (scroll to the bottom of the page to see a map of where everyone lived this year). Get to know what our members’ biggest life goal is, what lab equipment they would be, what superpower they would have to improve our project, and more below!
LAB & DESIGN
Alex Chan
Biomedical Engineering, Year 2
Member
ENTJ - Commander
Biomedical Engineering, Year 2
Member
ENTJ - Commander
Alina Arvisais
Biochemistry Co-op, Year 4
Lead
ENFP - Campaigner
Biochemistry Co-op, Year 4
Lead
ENFP - Campaigner
Anthony Dang
Biochemistry, Year 2
Member
INTJ - Architect
Biochemistry, Year 2
Member
INTJ - Architect
Braeden MacDougall
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 2
Member
INTJ - Architect
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 2
Member
INTJ - Architect
What's your biggest life goal?
Travelling the world
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Protein design!
Travelling the world
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Protein design!
What's your biggest life goal?
To have a happy cat family :)
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
Vortex mixer because I feel we both have the same chaotic energy.
To have a happy cat family :)
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
Vortex mixer because I feel we both have the same chaotic energy.
What's your biggest life goal?
Oh there's no character limit on this? Sweet. You ever just dream of settling down and having a little family in a cozy home and maybe every now and then you'll cruise down an open country road with the sunset sky on fire all around you, or chill in a field with your special someone as you watch the night sky twinkle and talk about how we're spinning furiously through space on a tiny big rock and nothing matters in the end but everything matters in the moment? And how maybe one day you might even tr
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
A scoopula, probably. How else would I shovel yeast extract into my mouth? God that stuff is so good
Oh there's no character limit on this? Sweet. You ever just dream of settling down and having a little family in a cozy home and maybe every now and then you'll cruise down an open country road with the sunset sky on fire all around you, or chill in a field with your special someone as you watch the night sky twinkle and talk about how we're spinning furiously through space on a tiny big rock and nothing matters in the end but everything matters in the moment? And how maybe one day you might even tr
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
A scoopula, probably. How else would I shovel yeast extract into my mouth? God that stuff is so good
Fun fact about yourself?
I was part of a team that won editor's choice at the NYC World Maker Faire 2018 for designing and producing portable lights for students.
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
I've learned that hyper-specific memes are a great way to communicate information during meetings, and definitely make content more memorable.
I was part of a team that won editor's choice at the NYC World Maker Faire 2018 for designing and producing portable lights for students.
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
I've learned that hyper-specific memes are a great way to communicate information during meetings, and definitely make content more memorable.
Fatima Anwar
Biomedical Science, Year 3
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Biomedical Science, Year 3
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Genevieve Belford
Biochemistry, Year 4
Member
INFP - Mediator
Biochemistry, Year 4
Member
INFP - Mediator
Jeriann Hsiao
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 3
Lead
INFJ - Advocate
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 3
Lead
INFJ - Advocate
Joshua Hanneson
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 3
Member
ENFP - Campaigner
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 3
Member
ENFP - Campaigner
Fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I can wiggle my ears! Although... most of you will never get to witness that under my hijab but hey, at least you know it's true.
What's your biggest life goal?
My biggest goal in life is to live my life in happiness and positivity, and to find little ways to share those sentiments with other people.
A fun fact about me is that I can wiggle my ears! Although... most of you will never get to witness that under my hijab but hey, at least you know it's true.
What's your biggest life goal?
My biggest goal in life is to live my life in happiness and positivity, and to find little ways to share those sentiments with other people.
Fun fact about yourself?
I traveled to France in 2017 for the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.
What's your biggest life goal?
I want to work in a field where I can help people, either directly through mentor-ship, or indirectly through science and discovery.
I traveled to France in 2017 for the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.
What's your biggest life goal?
I want to work in a field where I can help people, either directly through mentor-ship, or indirectly through science and discovery.
Fun fact about yourself?
I can sing all parts of "One Day More" from Les Misérables no problem
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I would be paraffin film because I try to keep things together and I'm working towards being flexible both mentally and physically
I can sing all parts of "One Day More" from Les Misérables no problem
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I would be paraffin film because I try to keep things together and I'm working towards being flexible both mentally and physically
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I'd be the sand under the round-bottom flask trying to keep it from tipping over. I say this since I'm always looking for new ways to prop up a project and give people support!
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
downloading the literature from the internet directly into my brain... so that I can quickly sort through the information and figure out what would be useful :)
I'd be the sand under the round-bottom flask trying to keep it from tipping over. I say this since I'm always looking for new ways to prop up a project and give people support!
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
downloading the literature from the internet directly into my brain... so that I can quickly sort through the information and figure out what would be useful :)
Katie Walker
Honours Biology, Year 4
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Honours Biology, Year 4
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Lorenzo Perez
Chemical Engineering, Year 2
Member
INFJ - Advocate
Chemical Engineering, Year 2
Member
INFJ - Advocate
Michael Lam
Biomedical Engineering, Year 3
Member
INTP - Logician
Biomedical Engineering, Year 3
Member
INTP - Logician
Morgan Cordell
Medicinal Chemistry, Year 4
Member
ISTP - Virtuoso
Medicinal Chemistry, Year 4
Member
ISTP - Virtuoso
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
The tiny silicone potholder/beaker holder, because it is adorable but terribly impractical
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Stopping the pandemic so we could work in the lab this year
The tiny silicone potholder/beaker holder, because it is adorable but terribly impractical
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Stopping the pandemic so we could work in the lab this year
Fun fact about yourself?
I am currently obsessed with planting seeds from the produce I buy. My kitchen countertop is filled with lemon seedlings and avocado pits.
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I'd probably be an autoclave since I am a cleanliness and order freak. (:
I am currently obsessed with planting seeds from the produce I buy. My kitchen countertop is filled with lemon seedlings and avocado pits.
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I'd probably be an autoclave since I am a cleanliness and order freak. (:
What's your biggest life goal?
To find a permanent job.
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
A centrifuge so I can spin you right round.
To find a permanent job.
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
A centrifuge so I can spin you right round.
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I would be a freezer so I could just chill
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Impervious immune system so I could actually work in a lab
I would be a freezer so I could just chill
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Impervious immune system so I could actually work in a lab
Renessa Gomes
Biochemistry, Year 4
Member
ESFJ - Consul
Biochemistry, Year 4
Member
ESFJ - Consul
Riley Henderson
Biochemistry, Year 4
Member
INTJ - Architect
Biochemistry, Year 4
Member
INTJ - Architect
Sarah Hardy
Biology, Year 2
Member
ISTJ - Logistician
Biology, Year 2
Member
ISTJ - Logistician
Shiv Naik
Biology, Year 4
Member
ENFP - Campaigner
Biology, Year 4
Member
ENFP - Campaigner
Fun fact about yourself?
I can lick my elbow (supposedly impossible? 🤔)
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I would probably want to be a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. They seem to always be the reliable, versatile, sturdy bois in the lab, so basically what I hope I can be one day.
I can lick my elbow (supposedly impossible? 🤔)
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I would probably want to be a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. They seem to always be the reliable, versatile, sturdy bois in the lab, so basically what I hope I can be one day.
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I'd be a centrifuge because I'm always unbalanced
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
I would want to be able to talk to proteins because understanding nickel/copper binding hurts my brain :(
I'd be a centrifuge because I'm always unbalanced
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
I would want to be able to talk to proteins because understanding nickel/copper binding hurts my brain :(
Fun fact about yourself?
I broke my nose in grade 12.
What's your biggest life goal?
To travel and explore the world!
I broke my nose in grade 12.
What's your biggest life goal?
To travel and explore the world!
Fun fact about yourself?
I have a twin brother
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
Round bottom flask, really gotta help me stand straight in the lab.
I have a twin brother
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
Round bottom flask, really gotta help me stand straight in the lab.
Tarun Sharma
Biomedical Sciences, Year 4
Member
ESFJ - Consul
Biomedical Sciences, Year 4
Member
ESFJ - Consul
What's your biggest life goal?
To earn an MD/PhD and become Neurosurgeon!
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I'd like to be a Bunsen burner because I'd be an aseptic technique GOD.
To earn an MD/PhD and become Neurosurgeon!
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I'd like to be a Bunsen burner because I'd be an aseptic technique GOD.
HUMAN PRACTICES
Alisha D'souza
Life Sciences (Psychology), Year 2
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Life Sciences (Psychology), Year 2
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Ana Fernandez
Biochemistry, Year 3
Member
INFJ - Advocate
Biochemistry, Year 3
Member
INFJ - Advocate
Christian Singh
Biomedical Sciences, Year 4
Lead
ENFJ - Protagonist
Biomedical Sciences, Year 4
Lead
ENFJ - Protagonist
Clare Reid
Biochemistry (with co-op), Year 4
Lead
ISFJ - Defender
Biochemistry (with co-op), Year 4
Lead
ISFJ - Defender
What's your biggest life goal?
My biggest life goal is to work with kids and families that are going through the same things as mine; I have a sibling who's been sick for a decade and a half. That's a long time, and it's tough on everyone involved, so I really want to be in a position of providing support, hope, and reassurance to them!
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I would be an Erlenmeyer flask because there's fun stuff inside, endless possibilities of what experiment you could be doing, AND you get to hold the sauce :) What more could a gal want?
My biggest life goal is to work with kids and families that are going through the same things as mine; I have a sibling who's been sick for a decade and a half. That's a long time, and it's tough on everyone involved, so I really want to be in a position of providing support, hope, and reassurance to them!
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I would be an Erlenmeyer flask because there's fun stuff inside, endless possibilities of what experiment you could be doing, AND you get to hold the sauce :) What more could a gal want?
Fun fact about yourself?
I once ran into Nobel laureate Donna Strickland in the hallway of the physics building while I was wearing a tutu, a bucket hat and a pink feather boa.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
My ideal superpower would be creating proteins that don't die in highly acidic conditions... that would have saved us all quite a few headaches :)
I once ran into Nobel laureate Donna Strickland in the hallway of the physics building while I was wearing a tutu, a bucket hat and a pink feather boa.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
My ideal superpower would be creating proteins that don't die in highly acidic conditions... that would have saved us all quite a few headaches :)
Fun fact about yourself?
Clare R. and I share a single brain cell but we rock the HECK out of it. When we form complete and coherent sentences together... beware.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Probably mind control, which sounds very villainy, but I'd simply have all of the stakeholders we've reached out to reply to our emails! That, or whatever superpower allows me to make our system indestructible, so we don't have to change industries... again.
Clare R. and I share a single brain cell but we rock the HECK out of it. When we form complete and coherent sentences together... beware.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Probably mind control, which sounds very villainy, but I'd simply have all of the stakeholders we've reached out to reply to our emails! That, or whatever superpower allows me to make our system indestructible, so we don't have to change industries... again.
What's your biggest life goal?
Financial stability with extra money to travel at least once a year.
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
You'd be absolutely astounded at how unnecessarily complicated industries make recycling documentation (and we wonder why the average consumer doesn't understand how to properly recycle!).
Financial stability with extra money to travel at least once a year.
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
You'd be absolutely astounded at how unnecessarily complicated industries make recycling documentation (and we wonder why the average consumer doesn't understand how to properly recycle!).
Clare Wei
Biomedical Engineering, Year 2
Member
ESTJ - Executive
Biomedical Engineering, Year 2
Member
ESTJ - Executive
James Stapleton
Biotechnology/Economics, Year 2
Member
ESTP - Entrepreneur
Biotechnology/Economics, Year 2
Member
ESTP - Entrepreneur
Patrick Thomas
Materials and Nanoscience, Year 2
Member
INFP - Mediator
Materials and Nanoscience, Year 2
Member
INFP - Mediator
Taran Layal
Speech Communication and Business, Year 4
Member
INFP - Mediator
Speech Communication and Business, Year 4
Member
INFP - Mediator
What's your biggest life goal?
To experience the world through fried chicken.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
My project super power would be speed reading to power through all those papers and legislation!
To experience the world through fried chicken.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
My project super power would be speed reading to power through all those papers and legislation!
What's your biggest life goal?
Work at a job that doesn’t require me to set an alarm in the morning
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Scientific innovation is HEAVILY regulated- it takes a lot of communication between innovators and stakeholders to actually make a product successful
Work at a job that doesn’t require me to set an alarm in the morning
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Scientific innovation is HEAVILY regulated- it takes a lot of communication between innovators and stakeholders to actually make a product successful
Fun fact about yourself?
I was shanked at birth during a cesarean section.
What's your biggest life goal?
I want to be able to look back on my life and think, "Well that was fun. Glad that I did it that way."
I was shanked at birth during a cesarean section.
What's your biggest life goal?
I want to be able to look back on my life and think, "Well that was fun. Glad that I did it that way."
Fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy learning new skills, I am currently learning how to play the piano, do a handstand, and make my own espresso
What's your biggest life goal?
To advocate for those in need by removing barriers and promoting access to equality and health
I enjoy learning new skills, I am currently learning how to play the piano, do a handstand, and make my own espresso
What's your biggest life goal?
To advocate for those in need by removing barriers and promoting access to equality and health
MATH & MODELLING
Ananya Muralidharan
Chemical Engineering, Year 2
Member
INFP - Mediator
Chemical Engineering, Year 2
Member
INFP - Mediator
Annie Zou
Systems Design Engineering, Year 3
Member
INTP - Logician
Systems Design Engineering, Year 3
Member
INTP - Logician
Daniel Matlin
Computer Science, Year 2
Member
Computer Science, Year 2
Member
Dylan Perera
Honours Biochemistry, Year 4
Lead
INTJ - Architect
Honours Biochemistry, Year 4
Lead
INTJ - Architect
Fun fact about yourself?
I eat pizza slices crust first
What's your biggest life goal?
I want to move to hawaii and become a millionaire
I eat pizza slices crust first
What's your biggest life goal?
I want to move to hawaii and become a millionaire
Fun fact about yourself?
Knows the name and location of all 50 states and their capitals
What's your biggest life goal?
To travel to every continent (except Antarctica)
Knows the name and location of all 50 states and their capitals
What's your biggest life goal?
To travel to every continent (except Antarctica)
Fun fact about yourself?
I'm a twin!
What's your biggest life goal?
Never stop learning new interesting things.
I'm a twin!
What's your biggest life goal?
Never stop learning new interesting things.
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Bioinorganic chemistry is complicated :(((
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Always knowing everyone's availability when scheduling meetings to avoid the endless whenisgood polls
Bioinorganic chemistry is complicated :(((
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Always knowing everyone's availability when scheduling meetings to avoid the endless whenisgood polls
François-Guillaume Lemesre
Mathematical Physics, Year 4
Member
Mathematical Physics, Year 4
Member
Gerald Lee
BMath (Computer Science), Year 2
Member
INTP - Logician
BMath (Computer Science), Year 2
Member
INTP - Logician
Helen Engelhardt
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 2
Member
INTJ - Architect
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 2
Member
INTJ - Architect
Jessica Zhang
Computer Science (Joint Chemistry), Year 4
Member
INTJ - Architect
Computer Science (Joint Chemistry), Year 4
Member
INTJ - Architect
What's your biggest life goal?
Living.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Not needing to sleep - it's pretty self-explanatory.
Living.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Not needing to sleep - it's pretty self-explanatory.
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
I'd be someone's lunch, because I have no business being in a lab.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Stop time so I have more time to work.
I'd be someone's lunch, because I have no business being in a lab.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Stop time so I have more time to work.
Fun fact about yourself?
I love violin, whitewater kayaking, and crafting
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
If my brain were a supercomputer, it would be a lot more efficient to process equations and models!
I love violin, whitewater kayaking, and crafting
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
If my brain were a supercomputer, it would be a lot more efficient to process equations and models!
What's your biggest life goal?
To create a standard, streamlined procedure for drug development against any disease using a mix of computer technology and biochemical theories! Or, more realistically, find a lab where I can both write code and do experiments. :)
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
A rotary evaporator. Seemingly unremarkable, or at least not as flashy as the larger apparatus, but fast and efficient at its job.
To create a standard, streamlined procedure for drug development against any disease using a mix of computer technology and biochemical theories! Or, more realistically, find a lab where I can both write code and do experiments. :)
If you were to be a lab equipment, what would you be and why?
A rotary evaporator. Seemingly unremarkable, or at least not as flashy as the larger apparatus, but fast and efficient at its job.
Jessy Song
Biomedical Engineering, Year 3
Member
INTJ - Architect
Biomedical Engineering, Year 3
Member
INTJ - Architect
Kingsley Wong
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 4
Member
INFJ - Advocate
Nanotechnology Engineering, Year 4
Member
INFJ - Advocate
Michael Astwood
Mathematical Physics and Pure Mathematics, Year 4
Lead
INTP - Logician
Mathematical Physics and Pure Mathematics, Year 4
Lead
INTP - Logician
Sergiu Pocol
Computer Science, Year 3
Member
Computer Science, Year 3
Member
What's your biggest life goal?
Take a food-themed trip 😋
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Exploring different software tools for protein design!
Take a food-themed trip 😋
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Exploring different software tools for protein design!
Fun fact about yourself?
Outside of school, I am an avid musician and enjoy learning new instruments.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Imagine if we had the power to travel to a different dimension (ideally one without COVID-19)? Then we could have gotten experimental data in the lab to determine binding constants. That would have been nice.
Outside of school, I am an avid musician and enjoy learning new instruments.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Imagine if we had the power to travel to a different dimension (ideally one without COVID-19)? Then we could have gotten experimental data in the lab to determine binding constants. That would have been nice.
What's your biggest life goal?
To become a very large frog
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
please can people measure kinetic parameters for the protein they are studying )"":
To become a very large frog
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
please can people measure kinetic parameters for the protein they are studying )"":
What's something interesting you've learned through working on this project?
Teeny ions are so hard to model 😩
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Omniscience, I’d know every fold our protein makes
Teeny ions are so hard to model 😩
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Omniscience, I’d know every fold our protein makes
Teodora Vujovic
Applied Math, Year 3
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Applied Math, Year 3
Member
ENFJ - Protagonist
Fun fact about yourself?
I can name every country in the world on the map!
I can name every country in the world on the map!
WIKI
Hillary Leung
Arts and Business, Legal Studies & Digital Arts, Year 3
UX/UI Designer
ENFP - Campaigner
Arts and Business, Legal Studies & Digital Arts, Year 3
UX/UI Designer
ENFP - Campaigner
Serena Hacker
Software Engineering, Year 3
Web Developer
ISFJ - Defender
Software Engineering, Year 3
Web Developer
ISFJ - Defender
Fun fact about yourself?
I can tie my shoes in less than 3 seconds and tie up my hair with a chopstick or pencil.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Imagination manifestation. Then any cool designs/animations I imagine for the wiki can be magically brought into existence without limitations or constraints.
I can tie my shoes in less than 3 seconds and tie up my hair with a chopstick or pencil.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Imagination manifestation. Then any cool designs/animations I imagine for the wiki can be magically brought into existence without limitations or constraints.
Fun fact about yourself?
I love ice cream, and my goal is to try every ice cream shop in Toronto.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Super speed coding, so I could instantly bring to life design ideas for the wiki.
I love ice cream, and my goal is to try every ice cream shop in Toronto.
If you could have one superpower to improve our 2020 iGEM project, what would it be and why?
Super speed coding, so I could instantly bring to life design ideas for the wiki.
Map of where our members have lived during this iGEM season!