2025 Stupka Symposium

Dr. Aadel Chaudhuri, MD, PhD, is Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Translational Research in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is also Co-Director of the Cancer Individualized Medicine Office across the Mayo Clinic enterprise. Dr. Chaudhuri’s research focuses on cancer genomics and the development and application of liquid biopsy technologies. His laboratory is funded by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the Children’s Discovery Institute, the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and the Melanoma Research Alliance…

My scientific career began with my undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies in Barbados. I completed graduate studies at Yale University and post-doctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley. I joined the Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as an Assistant Professor and then was promoted to Associate Professor. I am currently an Associate Member and Principal Investigator at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri…

Jacqueline is a 5th year PhD student in the Kawate lab at Cornell University. She is investigating the structural biology of membrane proteins, something she became interested in by researching in Olga Zabotina’s lab, being trained by Al Culbertson, and taking Eric Underbakke’s class on biomembranes. In her four years in Olga’s lab, she worked on the catalytic mechanism, kinetics, and substrate specificity of the xyloglucan synthesizing enzyme, Xyloglucan Xylosyltransferase 1 (XXT1). Jacqueline eagerly presented her findings at Stupka each year…

Carly is a senior majoring in biochemistry. She is an undergraduate teaching assistant for BBMB 102, the general manager of Iowa State’s student-run radio station, 88.5 KURE Ames Alternative, and a member of the Iowa State Singers. She has worked in Dr. Reuben Peters lab as an undergraduate researcher since her sophomore year. Her project studies the evolution of conifer resin synthases, enzymes that produce certain compounds used as defense mechanisms in trees. Her hobbies include crocheting, discovering new music, and spending time with her friends and her cat. After graduating from Iowa State, she plans to attend graduate school to obtain her PhD in biochemistry. 

Anna is a senior majoring in biochemistry with a minor in genetics. She is currently the president of the Biochemistry club, a peer mentor in the Biochemistry Learning Community, and a teaching assistant for the BBMB 1020 Lab. She has been an undergraduate research assistant at Gustavo MacIntosh’s Lab, which studies the role of LAMP1 in lipid transport for fruit flies. Outside of BBMB, Anna enjoys crocheting, playing the piano, and sketching. Anna plans to gain industry experience before applying to a genetic counseling program.  

Tim is a Senior studying biochemistry. He is co-chair of the Stupka Planning Committee. He has worked in Dr. Marna Yandeau-Nelson’s lab since his junior year. Over the summer, he worked in the field, studying the role of maize genes in cuticle structure and function. As he works towards his M.S. in biochemistry, Tim has transitioned to working with E. coli in the generation of trifunctional fatty acids. Outside of the lab, Tim enjoys intramural sports and sewing. 

Anna is a senior majoring in biochemistry with a minor in genetics. She is currently the president of the Biochemistry club, a peer mentor in the Biochemistry Learning Community, and a teaching assistant for the BBMB 1020 Lab. She has been an undergraduate research assistant at Gustavo MacIntosh’s Lab, which studies the role of LAMP1 in lipid transport for fruit flies. Outside of BBMB, Anna enjoys crocheting, playing the piano, and sketching. Anna plans to gain industry experience before applying to a genetic counseling program.  

Tim is a Senior studying biochemistry. He is co-chair of the Stupka Planning Committee. He has worked in Dr. Marna Yandeau-Nelson’s lab since his junior year. Over the summer, he worked in the field, studying the role of maize genes in cuticle structure and function. As he works towards his M.S. in biochemistry, Tim has transitioned to working with E. coli in the generation of trifunctional fatty acids. Outside of the lab, Tim enjoys intramural sports and sewing. 

• Biochemistry Club: Member since year 1, Intramural Chair years 2-3, Secretary year 4
• Stupka Symposium: Member since year 1, Treasurer Understudy year 2, Speaker Chair years 3-4
• Program of Study: B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in German.
• Plans After Graduation: I plan to continue doing research within the biotech industry.

• Biochemistry Club: Member since year 2, Interim secretary, CALS Council Representative 2 years
• Stupka Symposium: Member since year 2, Alumni understudy 1 year, Co-chair 1 year (2024-2025)
• Program of Study: B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Agronomy.
• Plans After Graduation: Working in the biotech industry with plans to attend graduate school.