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Apprentice (Second-year) Scholars

Gary Arner

Gary Arner is pursuing a Data Science and Machine Learning Major with minors in Math and Computer Science. He previously attended Northern Arizona University and worked as a teaching assistant for multiple Computer Science classes before coming back to Colorado and transferring to Â鶹ԭ´´ in the Fall of 2024. When not focused on school and work, he loves to spend time rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing, or doing just about anything in the mountains.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Davidson
Rotation 2 with Dr. Dashnow
Rotation 3 with Dr. Cruz Martin
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Dashnow

Sierra Bainbridge-Bowman

Sierra Bainbridge-Bowman is in her senior year at Â鶹ԭ´´ Denver, pursuing a B.A in Chemistry, with a biology minor. She is excited to be a part of the Path-GREU program and learn about the field of research and bioinformatics. She is enjoying studying the metabolomics of the drug, methyldopa, and its possible protective effect on the development of type 1 diabetes.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Johnson
Rotation 2 with Dr. Shaikh
Rotation 3 with Dr. Claw
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Johnson

Byron Brown

Byron Brown is a senior majoring in Biochemistry. He is looking forward to learning lab and analytical techniques in bioinformatics. When he is not working towards his Biochemistry B.S., he is working on models and spending time with family.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Nichols
Rotation 2 with Dr. Santos Cortez
Rotation 3 with Dr. Breuss
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Nichols

Ashley Espinoza

Ashley Espinoza is currently a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Pre-Health. She was actively involved on campus as a teaching assistant and as the Vice President of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). During her first research rotation, she worked in the Cole Lab investigating genetic associations with food avoidance. Ashley is grateful for the opportunities GREU has provided and for the people she has met along the way. Outside of academics, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and creating new experiences.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Cole
Rotation 2 with Dr. Julian
Rotation 3 with Dr. Shaikh
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Shaikh

Andy Gonzalez

Andy Gonzalez is a Senior majoring in Biology.

 

Rotation 1 with Dr. Cruz Martin
Rotation 2 with Dr. Johnson
Rotation 3 with Dr. Yang
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Julian

Clay Griffin-Derr

Clay is a Data Science and Machine Learning major with a minor in Computer Science. As a tutor for the Computer Science department, he is dedicated to helping students build confidence in their technical skills. Clay is particularly enthusiastic about his upcoming work in bioinformatics at CU Anschutz, where he plans to explore the application of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to genomics. Outside of his academic and research interests, he enjoys watching movies, grilling steaks, and attending concerts.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Ravi
Rotation 2 with Dr. Cruz Martin
Rotation 3 with Dr. Cole
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Ravi

Molly Helms

Molly Helms is pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry. She is passionate about bettering patient education within medical genetics. Outside of class and research, she enjoys cultivating her houseplant collection, going on road trips, and spending time with her dogs.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Dashnow
Rotation 2 with Dr. Yang
Rotation 3 with Dr. Claw
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Claw

Elizabeth Kistler

Elizabeth Kistler is a senior Applied Math major at Â鶹ԭ´´ Denver with a growing interest in computational biology and bioinformatics. She is especially excited about using math and data science to answer real biological questions including modeling gene expression, and identifying mutations and/or structural variants. A desire to understand transgenerational trauma stems from family history, including her grandmother’s experiences with the Indian residential school system. This opportunity to learn from passionate researchers and explore future directions in the field is invaluable.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Yang
Rotation 2 with Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 3 with Dr. Kechris
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Kechris

Imrane Mariami

Imrane is a Computer Science student at Â鶹ԭ´´ Denver. He has interests in computational biology, bioinformatics, and data processing/analysis. Within the GREU program, he hopes to gain experience in the intersection between scientific research and computer science through his rotations at CU Anschutz. His background includes building software ranging from data-driven web apps to algorithmic engines, and he is very excited to be able to apply these skills to genomics research. Beyond coding, he has hobbies in audio engineering and digital design.

After graduation, Imrane plans to pursue graduate research in scientific data analysis, hoping to work with both cutting-edge computer science and scientific discovery.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 2 with Dr. Ravi
Rotation 3 with Dr. Santos-Cortez
Long-term Rotation with Santos-Cortez

Nieve Yepez

Nieve is a senior at Â鶹ԭ´´ Denver pursuing a BS degree in biochemistry and psychology with a minor in biology. Nieve also worked under Dr. Sujatha Jagannathan in the MAP program working on NMD factor evolution in yeast, which the GREU program has given her an opportunity to return to the Jagannathan lab in her second rotation. She is enjoying learning new skills and can’t wait to see where the GREU program takes her.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 2 with Dr. Jagannathan
Rotation 3 with Dr. Santos-Cortez
Long-term Rotation with Dr. Santos-Cortez

Michelle Zhang

Michelle Zhang is majoring in Biology. With her experience, she has taken high school concurrent enrollment classes for 2 years, both junior and senior year of high school, with AP statistics through senior year of high school, too. Michelle attended the Health Occupations Students of America State Leadership Conference (HOSA-SLC) for 2 years through concurrent enrollment. During her last semester of concurrent enrollment, she did Work-Based Learning (WBL) job shadowing at an ER in Intermountain Health. The Path GREU program helps Michelle prepare for future careers and graduate school by gaining professional experience. Michelle is considering pursuing a master’s degree in the future.

Rotation 1 with Dr. Shaikh
Rotation 2 with Dr. Hendricks
Rotation 3 with Dr. Julian

Novice (First-Year) scholar