Board and Senate Structure.
The Executive Board
PRESIDENT
Celestina Agyemang-Dua
Cel is a 2nd year PhD student, going into her 3rd year of her program in the the Center for Molecular Genetics and Genomics (CMMG) Department. She investigates the role of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DIO3OS in regulating endothelial cell responses during cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Outside of lab she loves cooking, baking, trying new restaurants in Detroit and also staying active by going on long walks.
Contact: c.agyemangdua@wayne.edu
VICE PRESIDENT
Kristen Tran
Kristen is a 2nd year PhD Student going into 3rd year in the Center for Molecular Genetics and Genomics (CMMG) Department. Her research interests are DNA repair and genome editing. Outside of lab, she likes to explore Detroit and bake!
Contact: ktran@wayne.edu
TREASURER
Lucien Taylor
Lucien is a first-year masters student in the Cancer Biology department. His hobbies are working out, reading, and trying new food places.
Contact: ic4214@wayne.edu
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Yasmeen Berry
Yasmeen is a current MD/PhD student in her PhD years, and rising G2 in the Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences. Her research focuses on the mechanisms underlying PFHxS-induced neurobehavioral and visual system dysfunction. Outside of lab, she enjoys volunteering at a local student-run free health clinic, spending time with family and friends, training for half-marathons, and drawing.
Contact: yasmeen.berry2@med.wayne.edu
DEI REPRESENTATIVE
Sirjana Singh
Sirjana is a current Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Master's student in the Kim Lab and her research interests include biochemistry, cancer biology, and drug design. Her current research project involves characterizing the mechanism of a bivalent small molecule that targets protein aggregates for degradation by autophagy as a potential cancer therapy. Outside of the lab, she loves reading any genre of books, hiking, going to the gym, and listening to music.
Contact: sirjana.singh@med.wayne.edu
SECRETARY
Nina Aitas
Nina is a 1st Year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD student. She is interested in studying protein-protein interactions in metabolic and cell signaling pathways, including epigenetic regulation of these pathways. Outside of lab, she likes to travel and is interested in interior design.
Contact: hg5405@wayne.edu
ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
Shalini Suman
Shalini is a 1st year PhD student. She is interested in techniques of biochemistry currently working on viral protease inhibitors. Her hobbies outside of lab include long walks, writing, cooking, music.
Contact :hu5821@wayne.edu
The Senate (2025 - 2026)
Anatomy and Cell Biology (ACB) Representatives
Jude Nnaka
Jude is 2nd year PhD student. His research interests involve mitochondria biology and neuroscience. He plays soccer, works out, is learning how to swim, and spends most of his time watching Christian apologetics debates on YouTube.
Contact: nnakajude@wayne.edu
Malak Azab
Malak Azab is a second-year Master's student in Anatomy and Cell Biology. She is engaged in both virtual microscopy and human cadaveric dissection as part of her Master's program.Outside of academia, Malak enjoys reading dystopian novels to prepare for the inevitable apocalypse, baking with a success rate that is still a work in progress, and binge-watching TV shows (her current record is an entire season in one sitting... don’t judge).
Contact: azabmalak@wayne.edu
Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology (BMI) Representatives
Abiola Abolade
Abiola is a second year PhD Student in the Pilsner Lab. His research focuses on using bioinformatic approaches to investigate how preconception environmental exposures alter seminal plasma metabolome and influence male fertility and fecundability. Outside of the lab, he enjoys going to the gym, playing video games, and trying out new food recipes.
Contact: abiola.abolade@wayne.edu
Felicia is a first year PhD student. Interest in infectious diseases and host-pathogen interaction research. Outside the lab, she likes to watch movies and go site-seeing.
Contact: hs6782@wayne.edu
Felicia Pokuaah Dwomoh
Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Representatives
Vidhi Vyas
Vidhi is a first-year master’s student interested in maternal and child health and aspiring to become a physician-researcher. She’s passionate about research, and outside of academics enjoys crocheting and adventure sports.
Contact: fz4320@wayne.edu
Open
Cancer Biology (CB) Representatives
Could be you!
Cydnie Martin
Cyndie is a PhD student who just finished their first year. Her research interests include cancer genetics, epigenetics and health disparities, outside the lab she enjoys crocheting and weaving in my loom!
Contact: hx6639@wayne.edu
Position Filled
Pathology Representatives
Open
Could be you!
Open
Could be you!
Translational Neuroscience Program (TNP) Representatives
Manessa Riser
Manessa Riser is a fourth-year PhD candidate enrolled in the Translational Neuroscience Program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience from Wayne State University. Manessa is interested in the neurobiology of trauma, specifically in children and adolescents. Her current research investigates how trauma exposure during childhood impacts inhibitory control and the significance of caregiver behaviors in mitigating adverse mental health outcomes during adolescence. During her free time, she enjoys photography, reading, visiting art museums, nature walks and learning new songs on the ukulele.
Contact: manessariser@wayne.edu
Position Filled
Genetics Counseling Representatives
Open
Could be you!
Open
Genetics and Genomics (CMMG) Representatives
Could be you!
Open
Could be you!
Open
Could be you!
Physiology Representatives
Open
Open
Could be you!
Public Health (MPH) Representatives
Open
Could be you!
Open
Could be you!
Medical Physics Representatives
Open
Could be you!
Open
Could be you!
Pharmacology Representatives
Daniel Ehrheart
Daniel is a 2nd year PhD student studying how local translation within neurons is involved in memory formation and neurodegenerative disease. Outside of the lab, he enjoys camping, hiking, and cycling.
Contact: hu2639@wayne.edu
Julia Fitzgerald
Julia is a first year PhD student in the Pharmacology department. She is interested in learning about the mechanism of action behind neuronal lipid droplet dysregulation in tau pathology disease, such as in Alzheimers disease. Outside of lab she likes to crochet and golf!
Contact: hw8092@wayne.edu