Apprentice Scholars

Emily Boyer

Emily Boyer is a Computer Science and Math major with a concentration in Probability and Statistics. She has previously worked as a Data Analyst, Learning Assistant, and Student Research Assistant with the Sustainability Hub project at MSU Denver. She has completed lab rotations at CU Anschutz with Dr. Tamim Shaikh, Dr. Joanne Cole, and Dr. Janani Ravi. She is interested in developing open-source tools to assist bioinformatics researchers and utilize ML and NLP techniques to analyze genetic sequencing data. She is incredibly thankful to be a part of the GREU program as it has provided an incredible opportunity to work with top researchers at CU Anschutz!

Rotation 1 with Dr. Shaikh
Rotation 2 with Dr. Cole
Rotation 3 with Dr. Ravi
Current research with Dr. Ravi

Isabella Eaton

Isabella Eaton is a second-year Path-GREU scholar and a Senior at MSU Denver, where she is earning a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a concentration in Probability & Statistics and a minor in Chicano/a studies. Currently, she is studying in Dr. Katrina Claw’s 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. Isabella thanks the GREU program for supporting students and providing incredible research experiences within genomic topics at CU Anschutz.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Santos-Cortez
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ramachandran
Rotation 3 with Dr. Claw
Current research with Dr. Claw

Ling Thang

Ling Thang is double majoring 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. Ling is grateful to the GRUE Program for providing world-class research experience in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at CU Anschutz!

Rotation 1 with Dr. Yang
Rotation 2 with Dr. Kechris
Rotation 3 with Dr. Ravi
Current research with Dr. Ravi

Novice Scholars

Gary Arner

Gary Arner is pursuing a Data Science and Machine Learning Major with minors in Math and Computer Science. He previously attended Northern Arizona University and worked as a teaching assistant for multiple Computer Science classes before coming back to Colorado and transferring to MSU in the Fall of 2024. When not focused on school and work, he loves to spend time rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing, or doing just about anything in the mountains.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Davidson
Rotation 2 with Dr. Dashnow
Rotation 3 with Dr. Cruz Martin

Sierra Bainbridge-Bowman

Sierra Bainbridge-Bowman is in her junior year at MSU, pursuing a B.A in Chemistry, with a biology minor. She is excited to be a part of the Path-GREU program and learn about the field of research and bioinformatics. She is doing lab rotations at CU Anschutz with Dr. Johnson, Dr. Shaikh, and Dr. Claw. She is enjoying studying the metabolomics of the drug, methyldopa, and its possible protective effect on the development of type 1 diabetes.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Johnson
Rotation 2 with Dr. Shaikh
Rotation 3 with Dr. Claw

Byron Brown

Byron Brown is a Junior majoring in Biochemistry and a first-year GREU scholar. He is looking forward to learning lab and analytical techniques in bioinformatics. When he is not working towards his Biochemistry B.S., he is working on models and spending time with family.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Nichols
Rotation 2 with Dr. Santos Cortez
Rotation 3 with Dr. Breuss

Ashley Espinoza

Ashley Espinoza is currently a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Pre-Health. She is actively involved on campus as a teaching assistant and as the Vice President of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). During her first research rotation, she worked in the Cole Lab investigating genetic associations with food avoidance. Ashley is grateful for the opportunities GREU has provided and for the people she has met along the way. Outside of academics, she enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and creating new experiences

Rotation 1 with Dr. Cole
Rotation 2 with Dr. Julian
Rotation 3 with Dr. Shaikh

Andy Gonzalez

Andy Gonzalez is a Junior majoring in Biology and a first-year GREU scholar.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Cruz Martin
Rotation 2 with Dr. Johnson
Rotation 3 with Dr. Yang

Clay Griffin-Derr

Clay is a third-year Data Science and Machine Learning major with a minor in Computer Science. As a tutor for the Computer Science department, he is dedicated to helping students build confidence in their technical skills. Clay is particularly enthusiastic about his upcoming work in bioinformatics at CU Anschutz, where he plans to explore the application of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to genomics. Outside of his academic and research interests, he enjoys watching movies, grilling steaks, and attending concerts.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Ravi
Rotation 2 with Dr. Cruz Martin
Rotation 3 with Dr. Cole

Molly Helms

Molly Helms is a first-year PATH-GREU scholar pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry. She is passionate about bettering patient education within medical genetics. She thanks the GREU program for providing undergraduate students with incredible research opportunities within the field of genomics. Outside of class and research, she enjoys cultivating her houseplant collection, going on road trips, and spending time with her dogs.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Dashnow
Rotation 2 with Dr. Yang
Rotation 3 with Dr. Claw

Elizabeth Kistler

Elizabeth Kistler is a junior Applied Math major at MSU Denver with a growing interest in computational biology and bioinformatics. She is especially excited about using math and data science to answer real biological questions including modeling gene expression, and identifying mutations and/or structural variants. A desire to understand transgenerational trauma stems from family history, including her grandmother’s experiences with the Indian residential school system. This opportunity to learn from passionate researchers and explore future directions in the field is invaluable, and she is incredibly grateful to be part of the GREU program.

Rotation 1: Dr. Yang
Rotation 2: Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 3: Dr. Kechris.

Imrane Mariami

Imrane is a Computer Science student at MSU Denver. He has interests in computational biology, bioinformatics, and data processing/analysis. Within the GREU program, he hopes to gain experience in the intersection between scientific research and computer science through his rotations at CU Anschutz. His background includes building software ranging from data-driven web apps to algorithmic engines, and he is very excited to be able to apply these skills to genomics research. Beyond coding, he has hobbies in audio engineering and digital design.

After graduation, Imrane plans to pursue graduate research in scientific data analysis, hoping to work with both cutting-edge computer science and scientific discovery.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ravi
Rotation 3 with Dr. Santos-Cortes

Nieve Yepez

Nieve is a junior at MSU Denver pursuing a BS degree in biochemistry and psychology with a minor in biology. She is currently working for Dr. Hendricks in the Biomedical Informatics Department, where she is focusing on poly-genetics risk scores (PGS) in the All Of Us project. Nieve previously worked under Dr. Sujatha Jagannathan in the MAP program working on NMD factor evolution in yeast, which the GREU program has given her an opportunity to return to the Jagannathan lab in my second rotation. She is enjoying learning new skills and can’t wait to see where the GREU program takes her.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 2 with Dr. Jagannathan
Rotation 3 with Dr. Cortez

Michelle Zhang

Michelle Zhang is a sophomore majoring in Biology and a first-year GREU scholar. With her experience, she has taken high school concurrent enrollment classes for 2 years, both junior and senior year of high school, with AP statistics through senior year of high school, too. Michelle attended the Health Occupations Students of America State Leadership Conference (HOSA-SLC) for 2 years through concurrent enrollment. During her last semester of concurrent enrollment, she did Work-Based Learning (WBL) job shadowing at an ER in Intermountain Health. The Path GREU program helps Michelle prepare for future careers and graduate school by gaining professional experience. Michelle is willing to pursue a master’s degree in the future.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Shaikh
Rotation 2 with Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 3 with Dr. Julian

Alumni Scholars

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. Phiel

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

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. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/10/1324

Skylar Stefonowicz

Skylar Stefonowicz is a Senior majoring in Biology and a second-year GREU scholar. Currently, she is taking a break from the GREU program to study abroad in South Korea. 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.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Reed
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ravi
Rotation 3 with Dr. Julian
Long-term research with Dr. Julian

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. Phiel

Joanna Mendoza

Joanna Mendoza graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

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 MSU Denver.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Yang, Fibroblast cells
Rotation 2 with Dr. Reed
Rotation 3 with Dr. Santos-Cortez

GREU Scholar Bios