Meet the Members
Amy Chen
Bonjour, comment ça va? Je m'appelle Amy from Taiwan, and this is my second year participating in iGEM, now as the leader of LarVase. I'm incredibly grateful for the amazing experience that I had last year, which taught me so much and brought me closer to the fascinating world of synthetic biology. This year, I'm even more excited as we are aiming for the gold medal, and confident in the progress we've made so far. What makes this journey even more special is having my amazing friends by my side to share in the challenges and triumphs along the way. Again, this is Amy, can't wait to see you all in Paris!✨🤍🧪
Ginia Wu
Hi everyone, Ginia here. I came here for my second term in iGEM for the purpose of challenging myself and also exploring the fun in biology. I believe iGEM is more than a solid course, but a lesson in life. I acknowledged the potential that this competition can bring and the unforgettable memories that I obtained with my friends. On the behalf of my experience, I truly hold faith in making the most out of the moment, as such "now or never" is the central belief that I fully acknowledge in the process of the journey. All in all, with the mixture of passion and belief, it leads me to my second journey in iGEM, On se voit à Paris.
Ariel Kang
"Making an Impact" is a motto that I believed throughout life, and that is what brings me here to LarVase. Synthetic biology has changed countless lives, from creating insulins to GMOs; a small twist in a cell could lead to a huge difference. I'm Ariel, and I am taking part in LarVase as the leader of the lab team. Biology has always been a passion of mine. Ever since I was a kid, plants and animals often catch my attention and make me wonder more about the story behind it. I am eager to enhance a wide range of skills and obtain precious memories with my team. Most importantly, to make an impact for society. No matter the challenges and tears, I'm in. See you guys in Paris, and stay tuned for our project✨🎀
Vina Chao
Bonjour, je m'appelle Vina! I am thrilled to be participating in iGEM 2025. As a high school student with a passion for biology and chemistry, I am always eager to explore new scientific concepts and understand how the world works. Being part of this competition allows me to dive deeper into synthetic biology, collaborate with amazing teammates, and develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to grow my knowledge, challenge myself, and contribute to our team's project. I am looking forward to an exciting journey of learning and discovery this year! See you all in Paris!
Abigail Chen
Hi, I'm Abigail. I am an illustrator and also responsible for bringing our concepts and contributions to society alive. I am thrilled to be part of the iGEM competition this year, in which I can challenge myself and explore my love for biology. Being part of this amazing team has shown me the importance of collaboration and the joy of working toward a shared goal. This competition not only allows me to expand my knowledge but also creates opportunities to build lasting friendships and unforgettable memories with my teammates in the future. I'm very excited to grow, learn, and aim for success. What makes it even more special is heading to Paris for this incredible experience. See you there!
Adam Kuo
Hi! I am Adam! I am a passionate learner with a strong interest in math, science, and innovative technologies. I love exploring new ideas and turning them into real results that can positively impact the world. I'm glad to be part of our team. Being in this team has shown me the power of teamwork and how we can achieve great things by working together. I also love challenging myself to think outside the box, pushing the boundaries, and constantly improving. Beyond my love for problem-solving, Moreover, I believe that with curiosity, dedication, and collaboration, we can create meaningful changes to the world.🔥
Bokari Huang
Hello fellas, I am Bokari from Taiwan. I am hugely interested in synthetic biology and therefore provide a thrust for me to join this team for our determination to explore challenges and discover possibilities. I believe that iGEM provides a unique platform to collaborate with like-minded individuals and push the boundaries of innovation through science and problem-solving. This competition is not just about research—it's about teamwork, learning, and making a tangible impact on the world. It is an honor and very exciting to participate this year with my lovely teammate to make a difference! Together, I look forward to designing and innovating for creating something meaningful. 🚀🔬
Gary Lee
你好! I'm Gary, and I'm excited to be returning to iGEM for a second time – this year as a member of the LarVase Human Practice team. Last year, I spent an unforgettable week in Paris, and although the end result was not as good as I expected, it still inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and try something completely new. Experimentation is an interesting area for me, and I see it as a unique opportunity to grow and contribute outside of the lab. iGEM taught me that science is not only about innovation, but also about connecting people. With a new team, amazing mentors, and new energy, I'm ready to make this journey count. Rendez-vous à Paris !
Tai Lu
Bonjour. Je m'appelle Tai. This is my second time participating in IGEM competition. Last year I had a wonderful week in Paris. Although it didn't end well, the experience motivated me to take on the challenge again.This year, I'm proud to be part of the Human Practices team in LarVase—a field that is completely new to me. Stepping into this role is both exciting and challenging, and I see it as an opportunity to grow and contribute in a meaningful way. With a fresh team, new mentors, and renewed motivation, I truly believe that 2025 will be a year of transformation and success. I am just so excited to meet you all in Paris. Au plaisir de vous retrouver à Paris!
Amber Chang
Hi, I'm Amber Chang, and I'm thrilled to be joining iGEM for the second time—this year as part of human practice for LarVase. Last year, I worked on the marketing team, where I saw how synthetic biology could spark curiosity, start conversations, and bring people together. That experience opened my eyes not only to the science itself, but also to the impact it can generate and the inspiration it can spark beyond the lab. iGEM has shown me that the impact of science grows when it's shared with purpose; and that's the energy I hope to bring to LarVase. I'm excited to build on what I've learned, contribute with both heart and strategy, and make this journey count—together. See you in Paris!
Ian Chen
Hi, I'm lan! This is my second year of participation in iGEM, and I'm here to challenge myself once again on the grand stage of synthetic biology in Paris. I am a passionate high school student who is deeply intrigued by the endless possibilities and opportunities that synthetic biology has to offer. This year, I'm especially excited to take on new challenges, collaborate with brilliant minds of synthetic biology from around the world, and push boundaries of what's possible. See you all in Paris!
Aaron Tsai
Hi, this is Aaron! I am the illustrator for our iGEM team, and my role is to bring our concepts to life through engaging visuals. Being part of the team allows me to merge my passion for creativity with my interest in biology, transforming complex ideas into clear, accessible illustrations. I believe that visual storytelling is a powerful tool in science communication, it helps with bridging the gap between research and the public. Through my drawings, I hope to make our project more engaging and understandable. I'm excited to contribute to our team's vision and share our journey with the world!
Meet the Instructors
Luis Mendiola
Hello, I'm Luis, and my background is in physics. I'm passionate about the interface of physics and biology. I'm thrilled to be part of the LarVase team for this year's iGEM and believe that interdisciplinary collaboration leads to the most innovative solutions in synthetic biology. This experience offers a valuable opportunity to contribute my physics perspective while learning from everyone's diverse expertise.
Shemile Poblete
Hi, I'm Shem. My journey started with mathematics and astrophysics, but I've always been drawn to the patterns and complexity of life itself. Now, I'm excited to explore how the language of math, such as equations, models, and algorithms, can illuminate the mysteries of biology. Joining the LarVase team for iGEM is a chance to bring a cosmic perspective to the microscopic world and to see how quantitative thinking can drive real-world solutions in synthetic biology. I'm eager to learn, collaborate, and see where the intersection of math and biology can take us.