Team:Alma/Team
Alma iGEM operates out of Alma College,a small liberal arts college in Alma, Michigan, and was founded two seasons ago . This year, We continued our two year porject. unconventional in and have coninued to perservere through COVID-19. We 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.
Abbey Killian || President, Human Practices Lead
My name is Abbey, and I am a senior this year and am majoring in biology in hopes to go to medical
school to become a physician that specializes in women's health. This year, I am the President of the Alma iGEM team and oversee Human Practices.
My role has been to coordinate meetings with the experts that we have talked to. I have been the
liaison responsible for the science communication that we do and have helped implement the advice
we have received in the directionality of our project.
Connor Arens || Vice President, Wet Lab Lead
My name is Connor, and I'm a junior this year. I'm majoring in Integrative Physiology and Health Science, and plan to go to medical school
to be an emergency room physician. I am the Vice-president of Alma iGEM and was in charge of the lab side of the team.
I oversaw the experiments and research being done this season and over the summer, and designed the circuit that we have built for our biosensor.
Ruby Lovasz || Secretary, Wet Lab senior investigator
I love to hike, read, play basketball, and watch comedy movies.
I am majoring in IPHS with a pre-PA track and a minor in chemistry.
My friend Connor told me about iGEM and the topic of synthetic biology intrigued me.
I was also motivated by our project because of its positive environmental impact.
I really feel like I'm helping make a difference during a time when our planet needs a lot of help.
Madison Hibbs || Treasurer
Maddie is a Senior and is majoring in biochemistry. After college she plans on attending grad school for epidemiology or pharmacology. She joined iGEM 3 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.
Gary Carter || Wiki Lead
Gary is a 3rd year biology major. His goal since the start of his undergrade is to attend medical school to be an opthalmologist.
Being a part of the Alma iGEM Team this season was to help better the community surrounding Alma College.
Sam Smith || Graphic Designer
Sam is a senior doubling majoring in Art and New Media Studies.
Originally from Waterford Michigan, she joined the Alma College
iGEM team to gain experience in a design-related field before graduating.
Her main choice of medium is painting, but got into graphic design work after
taking a class at Alma. She hopes to pursue a career in graphic design or
film/tv production after she graduates in 2022.
Reneigh Sandmann ||
I am a freshman and I just joined iGEM very recently, therefore I have not participated in anything besides
showing up to the weekly meetings and talking to my advisor about joining the iGEM course during the second semester.
Outside of iGEM, I am on the softball team, apart of Gamma Phi Beta and I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends.
I am on the pre-med track with a major in nueroscience, looking to later going into orthopeadic surgery. I joined the
iGEM team becasue in high school I participated in a program called the math and science center, where we did multiple
research projects, and I really loved it. IGEM seemed to be a great way to get involved with the community while doing
something I enjoy.
Paige Lamoreaux || Math Modeling, Wet Lab
Paige is a sophomore who is majoring in Biochemistry.
She hopes with her education and iGEM experience to enter into research. This is Paige's
second year in iGEM and she was responsible for the math modeling for the lab. 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.
Isabelle Banks || Human Practices
I acted in our informational video. In my free time, I can be
found Rock climbing and Scottish highland dancing, but I predominately am a biochemistry
major, aspiring to be a clinical researcher. Synthetic biology is an interest of mine and
the experience and exposure gained from iGEM has already helped me in my short and long
term career goals.
Kylah Fischer || Wet Lab
My name is Kylah Fischer, and I am a member is the wet lab division of the Alma iGem team.
I love singing, hiking, and painting in my free time. I am majoring in integrative physiology
and health science with a pre-medicine focus, as I prepare to pursue a career in obstetrics
and gynecology. I was motivated to join the iGem team by the love that I have for hands on lab work.
I very much enjoy being in a lab setting and gaining more experience with various lab techniques.
Being a member of this team has allowed me to do just that.
George Amoako|| Wet Lab, Dry Lab
My name is George G. Amoako. You can simply call me KinGeorge. My main contribution to Alma
iGEM has been in the wet lab but I also consider myself as part of dry lab. I like to watch
European soccer. I am a fan of FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi. I am planning to Major in
Biochemistry with the focus of becoming a cardiologist. iGEM is a great avenue to get
experience to the world of research. Opportunities like iGEM are what I look for and
I am grateful to find it here at Alma College.
Maxim Kraniak || Wet Lab, wiki
I am interacted with the wet-lab and wiki divisions of Alma’s iGEM team.
I enjoy spending my free time outdoors or with friends. I am a Biochemistry
major. I was motivated to join the team for its immense research opportunities.
I have wanted to do lab-based research for a long time, and the team felt like
a great place for me to spread my wings.
Isabelle Conn (Izzy) || Wet Lab
My name is Isabelle Conn but I go by Izzy! I am on the wet lab division of iGEM.
In my free time I love to workout and be around my friends and family.
I am a thrower on the Alma Track and Field team and a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
My major is Integrative Physiology and Health Science and I intend on having a career as a
Physician's Assistant! My motivation to participate in iGEM is the hands on research and team
experience of coming together to build something that will better our community around us.
Jack Veverka || Wiki, Wet Lab
As a freshman, this is Jack's first year with Alma iGEM.
He is pursuing a major in Environmental Studies and decided
to join the team after being introduced to the organization
at orientation. On a typical day, Jack can be found enjoying a
bike ride or playing the drums. He is excited for the years to
come as a member of the team!
Christina Harbin ||Dry Lab, Wet Lab
Hello! My name is Christina Harbin and I am a sophomore majoring in Integrative
Physiology and Heath Sciences. I work mostly in the dry lab and a little in the
wet lab. Working in the lab and helping the community is what motivated me to
participate in the Alma iGEM team. My hobbies include biking, hiking, and playing
cards and sports with my friends.
Benjamin Schall || Wiki
I like to go Hiking, watching children's animation shows, video games, cooking in my free time.
I am interested in further studying Biology and chemistry. I like scientific research, especially when I get to collaborate toward a large single goal.
Alexa Dekorte (Lexy) || Wet Lab, Human Practices
My name is Lexy DeKorte, I'm a sophomore biochemistry major here at Alma College.
My role on the team was completing a few different exploratory tasks in the wet lab as well as research
for the human practices aspect of our project. I joined the iGEM team because I was so
inspired by the creativity and versatility of synthetic biology in solving modern problems
in the scientific community. Outside of iGEM, I really enjoy taking care of plants and
spending time in nature.
Rhianna Haynes || Wet Lab
I am a Senior Investigator in the wet lab division and was one of the two CORE
researchers this summer. I am majoring in Biochemistry with a Pre-medicine focus.
I enjoy being outdoors, hunting, and fishing, which are also my main reasons for
joining iGEM. I grew up not too far from Alma, so the ecosystem and the surrounding
environment are especially important to me.
Joseph Cosentino || Wet Lab
Some of my hobbies include playing piano and French horn, as well as composing music. I plan to major in neuroscience.
I wanted to join IGem for research opportunities, and to have experience in my college career for research.
Kaissidy Homolka || Human Practices, Podcast
My name is Kaissidy Homolka and I am a senior. I work with human practices.
This year my roles for the team have included editing audio for the podcast,
creating pages for the wiki, and my main role was helping to create a children's
book for education in another area. During my spare time I participate in Fashion
Club and Choir, I also like to read and do crafts. I am an anthropology major with
a minor in women and gender studies. I joined iGEM my second year at Alma, I heard
about it through at the time current team members and decided to join because of my
interest in public views about genetic engineering and how impacts us as a culture.
Jordan Prielipp || Human Practices
In my free time I enjoy twirling baton with the dance team as well as competing.
I am a biology and biochemistry major with interests in medical microbiology.
I was drawn to alma iGEM by our president Abbey, on my tour of Alma College we
got on the topic and she recommended I join.
Victoria Lecureux || Wet Lab
My name is Victoria LeCureux. I am a new member who is exploring the different divisions of
the team. I am specifically more interested in wet lab work for iGEM currently. My intended
major is Neuroscience. I was motivated to participate in the Alma iGEM team because of
everyone who spoke so highly of it at Alma. It seemed interesting and like everyone who
I talked to has had a great time with it.
Syrine Ben Driss || Dry Lab, Wiki
Hello, world! My name is Syrine Ben Driss! I'm working on math models with the DryLab.
I'm majoring in engineering and computer science. I'm thrilled to be a member of this team
and to help address and solve our modern problems.
Marwa Assiad ||
My name is Marwa Assiad, and I am a member of the Alma iGem team.
I love reading and hiking in my free time. I am majoring in computer
science and health science with a pre-medicine focus, as I prepare to
pursue a career in radiology. I was motivated to join the iGEM team by
the love of working on projects related to my fields of interest and
doing research as I am a hands-on learner.
Matthew Hanson || Wet Lab
My name is Matt Hanson. I am on the IGEM wet lab team. I love to hunt, fish, and play sports.
My major in college is biochemistry with an intention to minor in business. What motivated
me to do IGEM was my passion for the sciences and me just wanting to be in the lab more often
and to experience more.
Gale Shrewbury ||
No Bio Provided
Hallie Sage ||
No Bio Provided
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. When he isn't teaching or in the lab, he is probably spending time with his wife and 6 year
old daughter, or playing chess.
Kaleb Leenknegt || Podcast
I am a Junior at Alma college. My major is biology, and I am minoring in chemistry for Pre-PA.
Other than the iGEM team, I am a part of Pre-Med club and ski club on campus. I will soon be a
CNA at a local nursing home. I joined the iGEM team just this year because I am in love With biology,
and I saw iGEM as an opportunity to get more involved With biology. since joining, IGEM is has become
one of my favorite clubs at Alma and I am so glad I joined even though it is 2 years late!
Madion O'Deay || Podcast
I am a Junior at Alma College. I am majoring in Biology and am interested in pursuing a
career in Women' health. I am currently a CNA at a nursing home. I also run cross country
here at the college. I am a part of Pre-Med club and ski club. I joined iGem because I
love biology and Was interested in doing more With it.
