Calvin is a pre-medical student at MSU Denver, and he will be graduating spring of 2022 with a Bachelor’s in biology with minors in chemistry and nutrition. Calvin was born and raised in Denver Colorado; during this time he competed as a USGA gymnast from the age of 7 throughout high-school and became a coach leading into college. His time in athletics led Calvin to become interested in sports medicine; however, as he gained more exposure to the field his interest shifted to purely medicine. His interest in research comes from the excitement of not only understanding biology but also understanding how that knowledge is discovered. After graduating Calvin hopes to attend medical school and eventually be involved with public health and medical education. In his time off, Calvin enjoys cycling, weight training, and keeping up with science fiction (both TV and books).

Daniel is a senior biology major and dual chemistry/environmental science minor who has always had an immense interest in all kinds of sciences. After high school, Daniel received an associate degree in Laboratory Science Technology and worked as an Organic Analyst. After working at that position for a year, he started a career in sales with a large technology company. However, even after eight years of being a top producer and receiving multiple promotions, a career in science is all he could think about, and he decided to change careers during the pandemic. Daniel left an executive level software sales position and is excited about his opportunity with Musselman lab. He has a passion for subjects where science, technology and medicine intersect and is especially interested in structure and function of biomolecules as well as epigenetics. After graduation, Daniel plans on attending graduate school and hopes to utilize his prior corporate work experience, interpersonal skills, and education to excel in a career in either genetics, pharmacology, or biotechnology.

Audelia is a student at MSU Denver majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. She plans to graduate with a bachelor’s in biology in the Spring of 2022. She is the first generation in her family to attend college and her ultimate goal is to go to dental school. Research was first introduced to her by an amazing professor at MSU who is passionate about science and research. This is her first research experience and she hopes to gain knowledge to continue research. She is originally from California and moved to Colorado about 14 years ago and she enjoys the great outdoor activities that this state has to offer.

Hector is majoring in biochemistry with a minor in mathematics at Metropolitan Statue University of Denver. Hector is studying RNA and protein clearance in the maternal-to-zygotic transition in the Rissland Lab. Hector has volunteered at Denver Health, Casa De Paz, Kavod Senior Life, and the PFFWCF Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth. This volunteer work has fostered a love of community and spurred on his efforts to attend medical school. When he is not in school, at the lab, or volunteering, Hector enjoys backpacking, climbing fourteeners, riding bicycles, and reading everything he can get his hands on. He has a cat named Jon Hamm, and a very very old chihuahua-terrier mix named Frida.

Sami is an undergraduate at MSU Denver, and is planning to graduate in Spring 2022 with a degree in biology with a chemistry minor. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a certification in medical laboratory technology. She is thoroughly enjoying participating in telomere research at the Cooper lab, and is excited to have the opportunity to get hands on laboratory experience. In her spare time, she enjoys making art and spending time with her family and friends.

Hannah is a senior-level biology major at MSU Denver, where her passion for healthcare innovation led her to become involved in scientific research. Working as an undergraduate intern in Dr. Catherine Musselman’s research lab has been an invaluable experience for Hannah, where she is able to contribute to research that may have implications in potential therapies and treatments of chronic illnesses. Upon her graduation from MSU Denver, Hannah wants to attend the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine after which she plans to work in public healthcare and serve the communities of Colorado in a tangible way.

Olivia is currently a student at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado. She will graduate in the fall of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and minor in chemistry. Prior to this experience she studied abroad twice with the help of State Department scholarships, once at Gaziantep, Turkey and once at Baku, Azerbaijan. She also held a short career as a hairstylist. She was selected for the inaugural AMC MSU research program and will take part in research in the Ramachandran lab for 15 months. Olivia’s passion for research stemmed from working with hundreds of special needs cats at a high-needs cat shelter in Lakewood, Colorado as well as caring for many special needs pets of her own. Moving forward she is looking to apply to both medical and vet schools in the hopes of going into biomedical research and clinical practice. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her numerous animals (of which include a cat, dog, axolotl, hissing cockroaches, and one very angry crayfish), painting, playing video games, and traveling when COVID allows.

Ana is a first generation undergraduate student at MSU Denver and is majoring in biology and double minoring in chemistry and spanish. Her goal after graduating is to pursue an MD or PhD in the near future. She has been inspired by many teachers and professors throughout my life, that pursuing a career in biology/biochemistry is something she is passionate about. She continues to learn and be inspired by amazing mentors and hope to apply everything she has learned from them in her future career. During her free time, she enjoys reading or spending time outdoors with her dog.

Irma is a first-generation undergraduate student at Metropolitan State University of Denver double majoring in Exercise Science and Biology with a minor in nutrition. Irma anticipates graduating in the Spring of 2022 and plans to pursue an MD soon after. She was selected over a number of candidates to participate in the AMC-MSU undergraduate research program. This program was developed to provide meaningful and beneficial research experience to undergraduate students. As a member of the Ramachandran lab now she is excited to dive into a research regarding the RNA polymerase II and its effects on nucelosomal intermediates. When Irma is not working or going to school, she enjoys spending time with her family.