Board and Senate Structure.
The Executive Board
PRESIDENT
Michael Muczynski
Michael Muczynski is a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology (BMI). Michael obtained a B.S. in Biology from Indiana Wesleyan University, and has worked there and the University of Michigan. He is completing his thesis in Dr. Ladislau Kovari’s lab, working on antiviral drug design. Michael has served extensively with BMI’s Graduate Student Organization.
Michael’s favorite past time is complaining about graduate student pay (hence GSS!).
TREASURER
Samantha Heldman
Hello, my name is Samantha Heldman (she/her/hers). I obtained a B.S. in Biology and a Life Science Teacher Certification at Texas A&M University. I’m currently a 4th year Pharmacology Ph.D. candidate in Christopher Kassotis’s lab here at Wayne State University. My work focuses on characterizing the metabolism disrupting potential of liquid crystal monomers released by liquid crystal display panels. I’m excited to take on the inaugural treasurer position in the SOM Graduate Student Senate and am dedicated to working with YOU and our excellent executive board to forge a formidable foundation for our financial future.
In my spare time, you can find me at the local rock-climbing gym, minimally (but enthusiastically!) contributing to my trivia teams, and fighting a losing battle with the squirrels in my vegetable garden.
VICE PRESIDENT
Alexis Wilson
Alexis Wilson is a 4th year Ph.D. student in Cancer Biology Program. Alexis graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology. Her mentor is Dr. Izabela Podgorski, and her thesis work focuses on the interaction between metastatic prostate cancer cells and adipocytes (fat cells) in bone.
Alexis enjoys binge-watching her favorite TV shows (multiple times) and running in her free time.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Kyle Siegel
Kyle Siegel (he/him) is a 2nd year Ph.D. candidate in Pharmacology in Christopher Kassotis’s lab. Kyle completed a B.S. in Biology from The College of New Jersey, followed by scientific odds-and-ends around Chicago before starting at Wayne State. His research examines the role of hormones, metabolites, and environmental contaminants on heart structure and function.
Outside of lab, Kyle might be found cooking vegetarian comfort food, distance running, and/or playing an electric guitar unplugged.
DEI REPRESENTATIVE
DruAnne Maxwell
DruAnne Maxwell is currently in her fourth year of pursuing a Ph.D. in the Physiology department. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Saginaw Valley State University. DruAnne's doctoral research focuses on exploring the impact of environmental exposures, specifically PFAS, on male reproductive health. Her dissertation is focused on the examination of differences in the sperm methylome, alterations at the single-cell level of testes, and changes in small noncoding RNAs in the epididymosomes of mice. Apart from her academic pursuits, DruAnne actively contributes to the Physiology department as one of its student representatives, and is actively participating in various committees.
In her free time, she indulges in reading fiction novels, with a particular interest in fantasy, romance, and psychological thrillers. Additionally, DruAnne enjoys powerlifting (both recreational and competitive) and gardening.
SECRETARY
Sonia Khalid
Sonia Khalid is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Translational Neuroscience Program (TNP). Previously, Sonia graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish. She then worked for Michigan Spine and Brain Surgeons for nearly two years before joining the TNP. Her mentor is Dr. Kelly Bosse, and her research examines the effects of chronic gestational morphine use on postnatal neuroinflammatory responses and perineuronal net formation and activity.
During her free time, Sonia enjoys reading, journaling, catching up on her favorite TV shows, and exploring new places.
ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
Jack Bishop
Jack Bishop is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Genetics and Genomics (CMMG). Before enrolling at WSU, Jack earned his M.S. in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan. There, he studied the activity of transposable elements within the canine genome. His mentor is Dr. Cristina Espinosa-Diez and his current research is focused on understanding the role that long non-coding RNAs have in vascular remodeling during disease progression.
Jack is a Detroit native who enjoys spending time in the city watching baseball games and seeing live music. Beyond this, he cherishes the time spent with his Border Collie, Arlo, and gives his best effort at playing the honky-tonk (guitar).
The Senate. (WIP)
Anatomy and Cell Biology (ACB) Representatives
Margaret Sena Akpo
Margaret Sena Akpo is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Anatomy and Cell biology program in the Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Sena is currently a member of the Garrett Lab where she focuses on investigating the role of self-avoidance cell adhesion molecules in Muller Glia morphology and tiling. As a rep for her department, Sena hopes to act as a conduit for feedback from her department's graduate students to the GSS and serve as a liaison between them and the senate.
Sena enjoys singing and journaling during her leisure time and loves being resourceful to others.
Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology (BMI) Representatives
Public Health Representatives
Translational Neuroscience Program (TNP) Representatives
John France
John is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the Translational Neuroscience Program working with Drs. Tanja Jovanovic and Jeffrey Stanley. John is interested in investigating the influence of childhood trauma on structural and functional brain development in relation to the emergence of anxiety disorders during adolescence. His dissertation work utilizes functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify trauma-related differences in cortical glutamatergic neurotransmission supporting cognitive control. John’s long-term goal is to investigate neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying the impact of posttraumatic stress to bolster treatment options and prevention strategies for individuals who suffer from adverse outcomes following childhood trauma.
Prior to graduate school, John obtained his bachelor of science from Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University with a major in human physiology. He then worked as a clinical research assistant in the emergency department of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where he assisted with multiple clinical research studies, including an investigation of traumatic stress in an acute care setting. Concurrently, he worked as a research assistant in the Ofen lab at Wayne State investigating cognitive and brain development in adolescents.
Alixandria Mascarin
Alixandria is a 4th year doctoral student in the Translational Neuroscience Program. Her research focuses on how associative learning during drug use can drive drug relapse. Alixandria is interested in science communication and advocating for evidence-based policy. Outside of the lab, she enjoys volunteering in dog rescue and playing soccer.
Lauren Pavelich
Lauren Pavelich is a first-year master’s student in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology (BMI). Lauren graduated from the University of Windsor with a B.S. in Biochemistry. She is working in Dr. Huettemann’s lab and looking at mitochondria dysfunction in pancreatic tissues of diabetic rats. Outside the lab, Lauren enjoys hiking, baking bread and playing with her dog, Bella.
Thamarahansi (Hansi) Mugunamalwaththa
Thamarahansi Mugunamalwaththa, a 2nd-year Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology (BMI), prefers the name 'Hansi' for convenience. She earned her bachelor's Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and previously worked as a Teaching Assistant at Rajarata University for two years. Under the guidance of Prof. Zhe Yang, her current research focuses on understanding the role and structure of the SMYD5 protein in HIV Latency and Transcription.
Beyond academics, Hansi shares her experiences in the USA on her YouTube channel, "Life with Wayne Girl," using Sinhala, her native language. Additionally, she enjoys going on road trips and exploring new places with her husband as her favorite way to have fun.
Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Representatives
Sarah Gill
Sarah Gill is a 2nd year master's student in the Basic medical sciences program. Sarah graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S. in Public Health. She plans to pursue medical school after graduation from her program. Sarah is currently working for Henry Ford and volunteers at Beaumont Hospital in the Children's Surgical unit.
Sarah has a tortoiseshell cat and a Bernese mountain dog with whom she loves spending time with on her days off. She also loves doing puzzles and traveling to different states.
Cancer Biology (CB) Representatives
Istri Ndoja
Natalie Snider
Natalie Snider is a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Cancer Biology program. She is a WSU alumna with a B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science. Her mentor is Dr. Kristen Purrington, and her thesis work studies the epigenetic effects of environmental exposures in racial disparities of colorectal cancer mortality. Natalie has interests in science policy, advocacy, and regulatory science and serves on the E-Board of the WSU student organization SciPol Detroit.
Natalie enjoys trying new restaurants in Detroit, traveling, and spending time with her two calico cats.
Genetics and Genomics (CMMG) Representatives
Habiba Ihab Ahmed Eishenaway
Habiba is a first-year Master's Student in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Genomics (CMMG). She earned her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Egypt in 2021. She received a certificate of achievement in recognition of her exceptional academic achievement in earning a CGPA of 4 from the University of Greenwich. Habiba worked as a pharmacogenetics lab specialist at the Personalized Medication Management Unit (PPMU) at Children’s Cancer Hospital (CCHE) 57357 in Egypt for almost 2 years. In 2023, she earned a full scholarship for studying master's in the US funded by the Fulbright Commission in Egypt. She is doing her thesis in Dr. Siddhesh Aras's lab. She is interested in cancer genetics, especially in the development of less toxic therapeutic drugs to enhance the outcome of cancer treatment.
Kailee Hartway
Kailee Hartway is a first year Ph.D. student in the Department of Pathology. She obtained her B.S. in Human Biology from Michigan State University in 2023. She is working in Dr. Nina Steele’s lab in the Henry Ford Pancreatic Cancer Center and her research examines the role of γδ T cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) liver metastasis. She is also involved in various projects investigating the epithelial crosstalk in PDAC and bioinformatics work in a longitudinal PDAC cohort.
Outside of lab, she enjoys spending time in the gym, going for walks and bike rides, and watching the Lions or Red Wings games.
Shreya Nirmalan
Shreya Nirmalan (she/her) is a 5th year MD/PhD candidate in the Molecular Medicine and Genomics program. She earned her B.S. in Computer Sciences in 2018. at the University of Florida and then earned her M.S. in Medical Sciences at the University of South Florida in 2019. She is in the labs of Drs. Francesca Luca and Roger Pique-Regi and she is interested in studying the interactions between host genetic variation and gut microbiome composition and their impact on host gene regulation using functional genomics approaches. Using patient derived intestinal organoids and fecal microbiome samples she aims to characterize these host-microbiome interactions to identify potential microbial therapeutic targets for IBD as well as other digestive disorders. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her friends, crafting, exploring Michigan and spending time with Princess, her lil old pomeranian pup.
Pathology Representatives
Pharmacology Representatives
Michael Flynn
Michael Flynn is a 1st year Ph.D. student in the Pharmacology program. Michael graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He is working in Dr. Karin List's lab and his research focuses on serine proteases and their role in corneal epithelial homeostasis and tissue repair.
Outside of the lab, Michael enjoys running and biking, board games, and spending time with his cat Zelda.
Anna Gretzinger
Physiology Representatives
Shaheen Bhat
Shaheen Y. Bhat is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Physiology, working in Dr. Pamela Harding's lab at Wayne State University. Prior to joining Wayne State, he obtained a master’s degree in medical physiology from AIIMS in New Delhi, India. His main research focus is on investigating the impact of prostaglandins on calcium-handling proteins in relation to heart function and heart failure. Outside of his academic pursuits, Shaheen finds pleasure in cooking, playing table tennis, and engaging in cricket games.
Megi Kola is a first-year master's student in the Department of Physiology. Megi completed her B.S. from Wayne State University majoring in Public Health with a minor in Biology. She has done research at WSUSOM since undergrad studying the visual brain pathway and the effect of photoreceptors on the pupillary light reflex. Outside of classes and the lab, she is a tutor and a blog writer for the Red Cross. She also enjoys skiing, volleyball, and playing violin.
Megi Kola
Ja’Lea Echols
Ja’Lea Echols is in her last semester in the Masters of Public Health Program. Ja’Lea graduated from Wayne State University with a B.S. in Public Health and Global Health/Social Medicine. She has been focusing her public health efforts and research on the opioid crisis and women’s health. She now is the current Program Coordinator for the Nalox-Box pilot program as well as the Training Operations Coordinator for the AmeriCorps Community Training for Overdose Rescue.
Ja’Lea enjoys trying new restaurants and exploring Detroit with friends, traveling, cross-stitching, and building legos in her free time!
Yogesh Joshi
Tasia Jackson
As a dedicated social worker, I earned my undergraduate degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. Currently in my second year of graduate studies, pursuing both an MPH and MSW, I am deeply committed to advocating for mental health, individuals with disabilities, and children. Additionally, I serve as a public health representative. My involvement extends beyond academia, actively contributing to various organizations such as PHSO, DEI, ABSW, and the Disability Coalition. Through my work, I aim to make a positive impact on the well-being of others.