Board and Senate Structure.
The Executive Board
PRESIDENT
Kailee Hartway
Kailee Hartway is a 2nd year PhD student in pathology and obtained a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Michigan State University (Go Green!). She is working in Dr. Nina Steele's lab in the Henry Ford Pancreatic Cancer Center studying rare T cells in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis.
In Kailee’s spare time, you can find her watching or talking about football—she is a diehard Lion’s fan. She also enjoys lifting weights, going for walks and bike rides, playing pickleball and golf.
Contact: Kailee.Hartway@med.wayne.edu
VICE PRESIDENT
Michael Flynn is a second year PhD student in pharmacology. He obtained his B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University in 2021. He currently conducts research in Dr. Karin List's Lab where his project focuses on how cell surface serine proteases are involved in corneal barrier function and wound repair. When Michael is not in the lab, he enjoys rock climbing, biking, and watching movies with his cats.
Contact: hj2581@wayne.edu
Michael Flynn
TREASURER
Istri Ndoja is a 3rd year PhD candidate in the Cancer Biology program. Before joining WSU, he attended Oakland University where he obtained both his bachelor's degree in cellular and molecular biology in 2020 and his master's degree in biology in 2022. Istri is currently doing research in Dr. Steve Patrick's lab where his project focuses on uncovering the mechanisms of platinum resistance in DNA repair-deficient lung cancer and using combinational therapies to overcome this resistance.
In his spare time, Istri is an avid powerlifter in the gym. He also likes to spend a lot of time with his friends and loves to listen to music from a variety of different genres.
Contact: indoja@wayne.edu
Istri Ndoja
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Jillian M. Eichstaedt is a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in the Translational Neuroscience Program. She previously received bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience and Human Biology from Michigan State University in 2020. She works with Dr. Jeff Stanley, studying behavior, self-report measures, and neurochemical changes related to inhibitory control and the ability to maintain weight loss in obesity treatment. In Jillian’s spare time, she enjoys reading, particularly sci-fi or fantasy, cooking and baking, or singing in local choirs. She is an avid Detroit sports fan, always happy to talk Lions’ football, Tigers’ baseball, and Red Wings’ hockey.
Contact: hh9892@wayne.edu
Jillian M. Eichstaedt
DEI REPRESENTATIVE
Celestina Agyemang-Dua is a first year PhD student in Genetics and Genomics. She has earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in medical laboratory science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Celestina is currently doing her first-year rotations before she selects a lab at the end of her first year. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the scientific and healthcare community.
In her leisure time, Celestina enjoys experimenting with new cooking recipes that she encourages her husband to try, as well as baking treats that she shares with her friends. She also enjoys trying local restaurants and business that are unique to Detroit.
Contact: hu3160@wayne.edu
Celestina Agyemang-Dua
SECRETARY
Jenna Thibodeau is a second-year PhD student in the Cancer Biology Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. Jenna conducts her research in Dr. Yubin Ge’s lab, focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance and developing targeted therapies for relapsed/refractory myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome.
Outside the lab, Jenna enjoys hiking, practicing aerial silks, and baking a variety of sourdough-inspired treats!
Contact: gw4062@wayne.edu
Jenna Thibodeau
ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
Danial Naqvi is a third year PhD student in anatomy and cell biology and obtained his B.S. in biological sciences from Wayne State University in 2022. He is working in Dr. Avril Genene Holt’s lab, studying changes in neuronal plasticity within central vestibular pathways after vestibular trauma. In Danial’s free time, he enjoys going to concerts, going out with friends, and playing video games.
Contact: gn8431@wayne.edu
Danial Naqvi
The Senate (2024 - 2025)
Anatomy and Cell Biology (ACB) Representatives
Ehimenmen Sarah Ataman is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences Department. She obtained her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Benin, Nigeria. Ehimenmen currently works in Dr. Bruce Berkowitz’s lab, focusing on the early detection of retinal degenerative conditions using Optical Coherence Tomography.
In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and spending quality time with friends.
Contact: ehi.ataman@wayne.edu.
Ehimenmen Sarah Ataman
Malak Azab
Malak Azab is a first-year Master's student in Anatomy and Cell Biology. She earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University in 2023. Following graduation, she spent a year conducting research at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she contributed to the development of novel CNS drugs for the treatment of neuro-disorders, including Parkinson's disease. Currently, 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).
Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology (BMI) Representatives
Pelumi Oladipo
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Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Representatives
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Cancer Biology (CB) Representatives
Sanjeev Ganesh is a first year PhD student in Cancer Biology. He finished his B.Tech Biotechnology at SRM Institute of Science and Technology in India before getting his M.S Cancer Biology degree from Wayne State University. Currently, Sanjeev is doing his first-year lab rotations and will choose a lab by the end of the first year.
Outside the lab, Sanjeev loves to cook different vegetarian Indian dishes and drink coffee. He is also a big soccer fan and loves playing pickleball.
Sanjeev Ganesh
Sai Prakash is a first-year M.S. student in Cancer Biology at Wayne State University. He earned a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & A.H.) degree in India and worked as a small animal veterinarian for approximately three years. His experience with cancer cases in dogs and cats led him to transition into cancer research. Currently, he works in Dr. Qing-Sheng Mi's lab at Henry Ford Health.
Beyond his academic pursuits, he enjoys gaming, watching anime, and playing volleyball.
Sai Prakash Reddy Pathepuram
Genetics Counseling Representatives
Susie Darwish
Susie Darwish (she/her) is a first-year Genetic Counseling Master’s student at Wayne State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Biology and Psychology Education from the University of Michigan (Go Blue). Her research interests include the role of genetic heterozygosity and variants of unknown significance in cancer onset and outcomes within a Detroit-based cohort.
Outside of academia, she enjoys seeking adventure (especially hiking and backpacking), creating art (with skills rivaling those of an elementary school student), and drinking coffee (a lot of coffee).
Open
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Genetics and Genomics (CMMG) Representatives
Oladejo Ahmodu
Oladejo Ahmodu is a second year PhD student in Molecular Genetics and Genomics program. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Lagos State University. Oladejo conducts his research in Dr. Adi Tarca's lab, focusing on evaluation and development of statistical and machine learning methods for biological data analysis. When he is not occupied with data, he loves to write poems or watch movies.
contact: hp1933@wayne.edu
Kristen Tran
Kristen Tran is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Genomics (CMMG). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Genomics and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University. Kristen is currently doing lab rotations before selecting her mentor at the end of her first year. Her primary research interests include disease therapies and bioinformatics. Outside of the lab, Kristen will likely be at The Red Hook in Midtown or binging trashy TV shows.
Pathology Representatives
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Pharmacology Representatives
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Rasa Borhan
Rasa Borhan is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Pharmacology. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine. Rasa is currently completing lab rotations and will select his mentor at the end of his first year. His primary research interests lie in exploring biomarker diagnostics and advancing therapeutic approaches for complex diseases, with a particular focus on sickle cell disease. Outside the lab, Rasa enjoys cooking, playing video games, watching movies, exploring local restaurants, and spending time with friends.
Matthew Prifti
Physiology Representatives
Mike Ravn
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Public Health (MPH) Representatives
Klea Kojku is the Operations Manager at the Community Health Worker Academy (CHWA), at Wayne State University. She plays a pivotal role in networking with regional healthcare, public health, and community-based organizations to coordinate CHW certification programs and oversee process improvements. With expertise in data analytics and visualization using tools like Tableau, SPSS, and R, Klea also contributes to program evaluation and research publications. Klea will graduate with a Master of Public Health from Wayne State University in May 2025 and continue to pursue a PhD in Community Health at Wayne State University. Her professional certifications include Data Analytics, Adult Mental Health First Aid, and Community Health Worker, among others. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the CHW Academy and as a Statistics Teaching Assistant at CUNY , gaining diverse experience in healthcare operations, academic instruction,and administrative support.
Outside of work, Klea enjoys spending quality time with her 4-year-old son, traveling, and following soccer as an avid fan.
Klea Kojku
Translational Neuroscience Program (TNP) Representatives
Erik Yzeiri
Clifford Abel
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Medical Physics Representatives
Jill Moreau is a second year PhD student in the Medical Physics program and a physics resident at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. She obtained her MS in Medical Physics here at Wayne State, BS in both Astronomy/Astrophysics & Physics from the University of Michigan, and Secondary Education Teaching Certificate from Saginaw Valley State University. Her primary research interests are dosimetry and predictive modeling in radiopharmaceutical therapy. In her free time, Jill plays dungeons & dragons, board games, video games, and trivia. She also enjoys reading, running, hiking, golf, and walking her cats.
Jill Moreau
Michael Kovalchick
Michael Kovalchick is a PhD candidate in Medical Physics. Prior to graduate school he earned a BSE from the University of Michigan in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science. His research, conducted at Henry Ford Hospital under Dr. Kundan Thind, focuses on AI segmentation models for interventional imaging and the reduction of injected contrast media.
When he is somehow not at the lab, Mike is an avid reader, bike rider, and frequent D&D player