Where We're From
- Johnson City is a town situated in the heart of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains in Eastern Tennessee with rural charm and mountain tranquility. It offers its fair share of outdoor adventure, with numerous trails and parks including the Tweetsie Trail, Buffalo Mountain Park, Boone Lake, and its portion of the Cherokee National Forest. Johnson City is rich in life, adventure, diversity, and southern charm.
- East Tennessee State University is a public research university located in aforementioned scenic Johnson City, Tennessee. It is notorious for its setting and friendly atmosphere, as well as range of programs and opportunities regionally and beyond. ETSU iGEM is made by the ETSU Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, specifically the newly-integrated synthetic biology program.
Zoe Martin
Student Leader
I am an undergraduate student at East Tennessee State University majoring in Biological Sciences with a Biomedical Concentration and double minoring in Synthetic Biology and Psychology. My research interests lay in synthetic biology approaches to construct and protein engineering for biomedical applications and treatments. In my free time, I enjoy writing, brewing coffee, classical ballet, and video games.
martinza@etsu.edu
Cristiana Martinez
Student
I started as a member of this iGEM team during undergrad at ETSU as a biology major and synthetic biology minor. I graduated this May and am currently pursuing my PhD in Molecular Plant Sciences at Michigan State. Outside of this I enjoy running.
Elliot Fry
Student
I am drawn to synthetic biology because of its interdisciplinary approach to real-world problems. In this project, I helped with plasmid extraction, promoter selection, and primer design within the wet lab. I hope to have aided in some of the basis on which future ETSU students will progress the improvement of the soybean plant. Outside of the lab, I am a passionate chef, avid gardener, and unwise mountain biker.
fryew1@etsu.edu
Emma Wallen
Student
I am a senior in biology and health sciences. I became interested in synthetic biology in my sophomore year and am thrilled to play a part in the outreach activities of this iGEM team. Outside of this project I enjoy rollerskating and working out.
wallene@etsu.edu
Trent Lewis
Student
Trent Lewis is an undergraduate sophomore attending East Tennessee State University. He is currently majoring in biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences and a minor in synthetic biology. He has a passion for synthetic biology and wants to pursue a career in medical research using synthetic biology. He also enjoys competing in debate tournaments, hanging out with friends, and hiking.
lewistj1@etsu.edu
Connor Cole
Student
I am a senior in the Department of Computing with a concentration in IT. I became interested in synthetic biology and iGEM because of our leader, Zoe Martin. Outside of iGEM, I enjoy programming and reading novels.
colecw1@etsu.edu
Dr. Tianhu Sun
Primary PI
Dr. Tianhu Sun is an assistant professor at ETSU and faculty advisor of the Sun Synthetic Biology Lab. He has served as the main advisor of this project and mentor. His lab’s research focuses on green solutions to human health related challenges using plant systems.
sunt02@etsu.edu
Dr. Aruna Kilaru
Secondary PI
Dr. Aruna Kilaru is a professor at ETSU and faculty advisor of Kilaru’s Research Lab. She has served as a mentor and primary facilitator of fundraising and outreach. Her lab’s research is in the modification of lipid metabolism for oil storage biosynthesis and stress responses, leading to crop improvement.
kilaru@etsu.edu
Dr. Anoop Arunagiri
Mentor / Secondary PI
Dr. Anoop Arunagiri is an assistant professor at ETSU and faculty advisory of the Arunagiri Lab. He has served as a mentor and secondary PI for our team. His lab’s research focuses on protein misfolding in degenerative diseases and metabolic disorders.
arunagiri@etsu.edu
Dr. Robert Standaert
Secondary PI
Dr. Robert Standaert is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry at ETSU. He has served as a mentor and Secondary PI for our team. Dr. Standaert will be attending iGEM’s Competition, the Grand Jamboree, in Paris this year as our Faculty Advisor.
standaert@etsu.edu
John Flaifel
Student
I am a senior in biology and business with a synthetic biology minor. I am happy to be able to be a part of this iGEM team helping out with outreach and wet lab activities. Outside of this project I enjoy dancing and art.
flaifel@etsu.edu