Applicants, SPA

Madelyn Shelby

I am currently a PhD student in the Bioengineering Department at the University of Washington. My research focuses on using high throughput methods and single cell assays to decipher and model cell type-specific gene expression and alternative splicing. Before beginning graduate school I worked at both Abbvie and Regeneron working in process development for monoclonal antibodies. As a undergraduate, I worked on developing low-cost bacterial biosensors for micronutrient detection at Georgia Tech.

Samuel Hayford Ayensu

I am a PhD student with a research focus on computational and metabolic modeling. I explore techniques like Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) and Flux Variability Analysis (FVA) to study the metabolism of biological systems. I have experience in curating genome-scale metabolic models, addressing deficiencies in fatty acid metabolism, mass balancing, and metadata. I am passionate about teaching and mentoring in bioengineering.

Leah Anderson

I am a 5th year graduate student at UW studying genomics in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with a focus on experimental evolution. Before grad school, I investigated genotype-phenotype interactions in mouse cells infected by the infectious yeast Candida albicans, and completed my undergraduate thesis on neurogenetics in Drosophila melanogaster at The Ohio State University. Beyond the lab, I participate in several science outreach/education projects, and outside of science, I enjoy playing violin, dancing, and hiking.

Applicants, SPA

Madelyn Shelby

Samuel Hayford Ayensu

Karl Anderson

I’m a second year Molecular Engineering PhD Student at University of Washington. I am developing methods for engineering bacteria with sensing and bioproduction capabilities for therapeutic applications. Previously I’ve worked on building advanced CAR-T cell therapies at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Joseph Vath

Leah Anderson