Elizabeth Aguilera, PhDPresident (2021-2022)Elizabeth is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Lenz Lab. She is interested in innate immune responses to human pathogens. Currently, she is focused on the role of NK cells during influenza and secondary bacterial infections (i.e. S. pneumoniae). Elizabeth obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) in Dallas, Texas following her B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Throughout her academic career, she continues to be a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Her favorite hobbies include spending time with her fiancé, Zach, and their two German Shepherds outdoors. She also enjoys playing board games and puzzles. She identifies as she/her and as a Latina.
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Raisa BailonVice President (2021-2022)Raisa is a PhD student in the Molecular Biology Program. She studies appendage development, particularly the migration and establishment of the cells that make the dorsal fin in zebrafish. Raisa was raised in Ecuador until she was 17 then moved to Florida to earn a B.S in Molecular Biology from Stetson University. Outside of science, she loves biking and writing. Raisa identifies as Latina and Ecuadorian.
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Arely Viridiana DiazSecretary (2021-2022)Arely is a PhD candidate in the Molecular Biology Program. Arely completed her B.S in Microbiology at the University of Texas at El Paso. Currently, she is in the lab of Dr. Tânia Reis where she studies fat storage regulation by RNA-binding proteins using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. She is also interested in understanding the sexual dimorphism of these regulatory mechanisms. Outside of lab, Arely enjoys hanging out with her best friends, playing indoor and outdoor soccer, yoga, and trying out the best food spots in the Denver Metro. She is a native of the El Paso- Cd Juarez, US-MX border and identifies as Latina and Mexican-American.
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Luuli TranTreasurer (2021-2022)Luuli is a Molecular Biology PhD student at the University of Colorado- Anschutz. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Luuli is in the lab of Dr. Santos Franco where she is interested in understanding the gene regulatory networks and molecular mechanisms that drive neural progenitors in the dorsal forebrain towards an oligodendrocyte fate. Luuli loves Colorado and living an active lifestyle. She goes hiking and mushroom hunting in the Rocky Mountains on most weekends, and she also loves to cook. Outside of lab, she enjoys mentoring high school and undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in STEM. Luuli identifies as Southeast Asian American and Vietnamese.
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Meagan ChriswellNative American Affairs Officer (2021-2022)Meagan is a MD, PhD student in the Immunology Program. Meagan completed her B.S. in Biomedical Science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Currently, she is in Dr. Kristi Kuhn’s lab studying the effects of specific microbial species on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Outside of lab, Meagan enjoys spending time with friends and family, rock climbing and mountaineering, and playing music. She is an enrolled tribal member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
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Xander BradeenNational Liaison (2021-2022)Xander is a Professional Research Assistant in the Davila/ Haverkos Lab. His work is focused on identifying novel chemotherapeutic treatments for T-Cell lymphomas, and how they might augment their killing by cytotoxic T cells. He obtained a B.A. in both Neuroscience and Molecular Biology, from the University of Colorado – Boulder in 2020. His career goals are to obtain his MD/ PhD and enter the field of oncology. Besides science, Xander enjoys singing and is an alum of the CU Buffoons, the oldest a capella group on the Boulder campus. Xander identifies as Latino and Nicaraguan.
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Chapter AdvisorCarlos Enrique Catalano, PharmD, PhD
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Past Board Members
Taylor Mills, PhD Candidate
Native American Affairs Officer (2017-2019), Secretary (2019-2020)
Arely Diaz, PhD Candidate
Treasurer (2018-2019), President (2019-2020)
Raisa Bailon, PhD Candidate
National Liaison (2018-2020)
Elizabeth Aguilera, PhD
Post doctoral fellow
Vice-President (2018-2019), Treasurer (2019-2020)
Kyetiil Vicenti, M.S. Student
Native American Affairs Officer (2019-2020)
Native American Affairs Officer (2019-2020)