2017 Stupka Symposium

Dr. Joaquín Espinosa is the Associate Director for Science at the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. He is also a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, the co-Leader of the Molecular Oncology program at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, and the founding Director of the Functional Genomics Facility at the University of Colorado.

Samson Condon is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 2009 and began attending Iowa State University in the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology that fall. Samson joined the Nikolau Group as an undergraduate researcher in 2010 under the mentorship of Dr. Marna Yandeau-Nelson.

Morgan is a senior undergraduate student double majoring in Biochemistry and Genetics.Throughout her time at Iowa State, she has been actively involved in the BBMB Undergraduate Club, the Learning Community as a Peer Mentor, and the Stupka Symposium Planning Committee where she is currently Co-Chair. She has also worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Eric Underbakke’s lab since spring 2014. After graduating from Iowa State this spring, Morgan plans on pursuing further education in forensic science with the ultimate goal of working as a DNA analyst/criminalist.

Lauran is currently a senior at Iowa State pursuing a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Nutrition. She currently is researching in Dr. Olga Zabotina’s laboratory studying the addition of hydrolases to the plant cell wall and their effects on plant fitness. Lauran is the president of the Biochemistry Biophysics and Molecular Biology Club, Operations Chair of the Stupka Symposium Planning Committee, and is a volunteer at LifeServe Blood Center of Des Moines. After graduation, she plans on attending medical school.

Cody is a senior at Iowa State University concurrently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Microbiology. Cody conducts research on Class II diterpene cyclases in the Laboratory of Reuben Peters. He was admitted to Iowa State University as a transfer student from the College of Lake County and is also currently the Vice President of the Gymnastics Club.

Lauran is currently a senior at Iowa State pursuing a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Nutrition. She currently is researching in Dr. Olga Zabotina’s laboratory studying the addition of hydrolases to the plant cell wall and their effects on plant fitness. Lauran is the president of the Biochemistry Biophysics and Molecular Biology Club, Operations Chair of the Stupka Symposium Planning Committee, and is a volunteer at LifeServe Blood Center of Des Moines. After graduation, she plans on attending medical school.

Alex is a junior at ISU pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry and minors in genetics, philosophy, and astronomy. He is a research assistant in Dr. Marit Nilsen-Hamilton’s lab, where he studies the dynamics of small RNA and DNA molecules (aptamers) and their use in biosensors. Alex is also an active member in both the BBMB Undergraduate Club and the Stupka Committee; he serves as the secretary and LAS representatives for the Club and as the Treasurer for the Committee. Outside of school, he is an amateur astronomer and a professional Trekkie.

Drew is a 4th year Iowa State student pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biochemistry as well as a minor in Mathematics. He currently works with the Campbell/Nikolau lab group, where he investigates the Arabidopsis Qua-Quinine-Starch gene and its impact on carbon-nitrogen partitioning in yeast. Aside from his research, Drew is involved in the Biochemistry department on campus as a volunteer in the Stupka Symposium planning committee. Additionally, Drew is in his third year as a peer mentor for the BBMB Learning Community. After graduating from Iowa State, Drew plans to continue his education and pursue a doctorate in Biochemistry.