Matt Cook*^ is a senior double-majoring in biochemistry and genetics with minors in Spanish and mathematics. He has worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Olga Zabotina’s lab since the spring of 2015 studying enzymes involved in plant cell wall synthesis. He is the Vice President of the BBMB Club, the Sponsorship Chair of the Stupka Symposium Planning Committee, and an instructional associate for BBMB 102. Matt plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in structural biology after graduating this spring.
Drew Tonsager* is a fifth year Iowa State student pursuing concurrent Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biochemistry. 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. After graduating from Iowa State, Drew plans to continue his education and pursue a doctorate in biochemistry.
Jena Gilbertson is currently a senior at Iowa State pursuing a major in biochemistry and a minor in Spanish. She is currently researching in Dr. Basil Nikolau’s laboratory studying the spatial distribution of metabolites in mutant forms of Arabidopsis thaliana flowers using mass spectrometry imaging. Jena is a piccolo section guide in the marching band, and has been a member for four years. She is also involved in pep band and her sorority. After graduation, Jena plans on attending optometry school.
* Denotes Stupka Scholar
^ Denotes Linder Scholar