Team Members
Melwin Cheng
Outreach Lead & Education
Melwin Cheng | Bioengineering and Data Science '27
Melwin is a junior studying bioengineering, with a particular interest in oncology and infectious diseases. He is originally from Penang, Malaysia. He is deeply passionate about the intersection of bioengineering and epidemiology, hoping to combine synthetic molecular biology techniques with clinical research methods to develop better diagnostics and therapeutics for treating diseases in low-resource settings. Outside of classes and labs, you can find Melwin co-leading Stanford BIOME (Bioengineering club) and the Malaysians at Stanford. He enjoys going on strolls while listening to classical music and playing video games during his free time.
Bernardo Melotti
Experimental Lead & Wet Lab
Bernardo Melotti | Materials Science & Engineering '28
Bernardo is a sophomore from Bologna, Italy, studying Materials Engineering and Electrical Engineering. His work focuses on accelerating iteration cycles in biotechnology, bridging engineering and materials approaches to solve bottlenecks in biological and chemical laboratories. He has experience in the Whitesides Group at Harvard University, where he developed a microfluidic-based diagnostic device for BChE deficiencies. In the Appel Lab, he worked on supramolecular polymeric biomaterials, and he is currently contributing to the Bao Lab on deep brain interfaces. Outside the lab, Bernardo enjoys cooking (in Italy, he worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant!) along with skiing and building inventive projects such as a Farnsworth fusion reactor.
Noor El Kereamy
Experimental Design & Head of Wet Lab
Noor El Kereamy | Materials Science & Engineering and Computer Science '28
Noor is a sophomore in Materials Science & Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. She's inspired by Wearable health electronics, implantable bioelectronics for surgical monitoring, and prosthetic interfaces. Her research has spanned from antibody engineering in triple negative cancer to using machine learning for pulmonary disease diagnosis, and she now explores implantable cardiac pressure sensors. Aside from academics, she has a passion for ballet and art-based storytelling, training pre-professionally at the School of American Ballet of New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, while being nationally recognized for original choreography.
Liz Tsai
Project Management & Wiki
Liz Tsai | Chemical Engineering and Data Science '28
Liz is a sophomore studying Chemistry/ Chemical Engineering, originally from Taipei, Taiwan. Her academic interests range widely, from biosensors and healthcare applications to semiconductor materials and sustainable energy solutions, where she applies engineering to both human health and current global challenges. In the past, her research has spanned from monitoring small RNA-mediated spermatogenesis in C. elegans to engineering bacteria to produce mussel foot proteins for a strong bioadhesive. When she is not working in a lab, you may find her performing solo or with the Stanford Wind Symphony as a flutist, or travelling across the Bay Area as an Event Supervisor for Science Olympiad tournaments at various college campuses to encourage younger students' interests in the sciences. To recharge her brain power, she enjoys taking late-night walks and is always trying out new restaurants and cafes around the Bay!
Fatima Khawaja
Dry Lab & Education
Fatima Khawaja | Computer Science and Materials Science & Engineering '28
Fatima is a sophomore from Union City, CA, studying Computer Science and Materials Science with a focus on biomaterials. While her interests span nearly every field, she is especially drawn to leveraging software as a tool to accelerate biological discovery and drive advancements in human health, particularly in uplifting under-resourced communities. In the past, Fatima published research on enhancing plant cell wall rigidity in space and co-authored research on the psychology underlying tobacco addiction and marketing tactics, which was published in collaboration with the World Health Organization. She also won the Diana Award for her global health policy efforts. Beyond her work in technology and health, Fatima enjoys endurance sports—including rowing, running, and swimming—and is awaiting confirmation of evidence for breaking the world record for the most jumping jacks performed in 30 seconds!
Annabelle Shilling
Dry Lab
Annabelle Shilling | Bioengineering and Computer Science '28
Annabelle is a sophomore studying bioengineering and computer science, taking special interest in generative drug design and virology. She is deeply and widely curious, from preventing spillover and developing new antivirals to probing the embryonic transcriptome with machine learning. Her research experience is similarly varied, spanning differential retrotransposon expression in the presence of latency-reversing HIV drugs to the proposal of a new species of extinct Apudites. When she's back home in New Jersey, you can often find her fossil hunting—but year-round she writes stageplays, goes scuba diving, and builds biodegradable rockets with Stanford Space Initiative.
Sabrina Olivares
Dry Lab & Wet Lab
Sabrina Olivares | Human Biology '27
Sabrina is a dedicated Human Biology student with extensive research and community service experience. Her research spans brain development processes and chronic pain management in pediatric populations. Beyond the lab, Sabrina serves as a Patient Health Navigator at Pacific Free Clinic, supporting Spanish-speaking patients, and works as a Recovery Care Service Associate with the American Red Cross, responding to disaster-affected communities. Her commitment to both scientific innovation and community health drives her passion for accessible healthcare solutions.
Sophia Browder
Wet Lab
Sophia Browder | Economics and Data Science '28
Sophia is a sophomore studying economics and data science, particularly interested in oncology therapeutics and point-of-care technologies for emerging markets. She is originally from London, UK. Sophia is passionate about bridging the intersection of academic synthetic biology with clinical translation to have the broadest impact. Sophia is an alumna of the Research Science Institute at MIT, a beat reporter for the Human Rights and International Relations section of The Stanford Daily, a Project Manager for Stanford Management Group, and has completed RAD Grade 8 in ballet.
Rhea Rastogi
Wet Lab & Entrepreneurship
Rhea Rastogi | Computer Science and Biology '28
Rhea is a sophomore from Montgomery, Alabama studying Computer Science and Biology on the premed track. She is especially interested in epigenetic engineering and computational neurobiology, and hopes to translate molecular and computational advances into real improvements in patient care, with a focus on accessibility for low-resource populations. Her research journey has taken her from uncovering how histone mutations shape neurodevelopment, to engineering better antibody purification processes, and exploring synthetic biology at Stanford. Outside the lab, she serves leadership roles in Stanford Synapse, Students in Biodesign, and ASES, Stanford's premier entrepreneurship club. In her free time, she enjoys running and hiking with friends, reading outside, and discovering new music to obsess over.
Interns
Andrew Lau
Intern
A Computer Science student at UC Berkeley, Andrew has a strong foundation in Software Engineering, specifically revolving around Python and the development of full-stack applications. Aside from being a web developer, he develops games and simulations that others can use. Outside of coding, he likes to play the guitar, skateboard, play Clash Royale, Valorant, and League of Legends. In fact, his dream job is to work for Riot Games one day!
Lucas Lima
Intern
Lucas is a 20 year old from Brazil passionate about Biomedical Engineering. He loves music, cinema and jigsaw puzzles. Through past research experiences, he has also developed interest in Biomechanics and Assistive Technologies. Through iGEM, he is super thrilled to learn more about the overlaps between synthetic biology and computer science technologies!
Faculty & Mentors
Dr. Drew Endy
Primary PI
Dr. Drew Endy | Primary PI
Dr. Drew Endy is a pioneer in the synthetic biology field and lecturer at Stanford University. Dr. Endy was heavily involved in launching new undergraduate majors in Bioengineering at Stanford and MIT, where he also assisted in the creation of iGEM. Passionate about biosafety and security, Dr. Endy has served on the US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), the Committee on Science Technology & Law (CSTL), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Synthetic Biology Task Force, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research, and, briefly, the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Board (DIB).
Dr. Phil Kyriakakis
Secondary PI
Dr. Phil Kyriakakis | Secondary PI
Dr. Phillip Kyriakakis is an incoming Clinical Educator Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and current Senior Research Scientist in the Bioengineering Department at the Wu Tsai Institute for Neuroscience. Dr. Kyriakakis completed his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at UMass Boston, where he worked in Dr. Alexey Veraksa's developmental biology lab and pioneered PhyB optogenetics in animal cells in 2008. He pursued further education at UC San Diego, focusing on cellular programming and metabolism within the Division of Biological Sciences. Following that, Dr. Kyriakakis conducted postdoctoral research in UC San Diego's Bioengineering Department, collaborating with Todd Coleman on the advancement of optogenetic tools and related technologies. In 2021, he transitioned to his current role as a Senior Research Scientist at Stanford University's Wu Tsai Institute for Neurosciences within the Bioengineering Department.
Dr. Huijun Ring
Secondary PI
Dr. Huijun Ring | Secondary PI
Dr. Huijun Ring is a board-certified clinical molecular geneticist and an adjunct professor at Stanford's Department of Medicine. Dr. Ring received her PhD in molecular biology and genetics from Cornell University and completed her post-doctoral at Stanford University School of Medicine. Currently, she conducts research in genomic medicine and East-West integrative health, and teaches courses at Stanford University. In addition to mentoring iGEM, she also mentors Stanford Graduate School of Business students, Knight-Hennessy Scholars, and junior women faculty in science and medicine.
Dr. Alex Engel
Mentor
Dr. Alex Engel | Mentor
Alex is a lecturer in the Bioengineering department. His teaching interests include the integration of authentic science and engineering projects in lab courses and active learning strategies in the classroom. Alex received his Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of California, San Francisco using genetics, microscopy, and molecular biology approaches to define the parts and mechanisms that drive cell fusion in the model eukaryote budding yeast. In his postdoctoral training, Alex investigated how receptors of the mammalian innate immune system sense ligands and differentially engage specific immunity programs in the context of the endomembrane system.
Cyrus K.
Mentor
Cyrus K. | Mentor
Cyrus is a fourth-year PhD student in the Bioengineering program at Stanford. He enjoys making elegant computational tools and models that are useful for answering questions in science and engineering. In his spare time, he enjoys the process of learning new things.
Samuel King
Mentor
Samuel King | Mentor
Samuel King is a Bioengineering Ph.D. student in Stanford's Schools of Engineering and Medicine, and is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. He is currently pursuing research at the interface of synthetic biology and machine learning in Dr. Brian Hie's laboratory at the Arc Institute.
Coordinators
Heloise Hoffmann
Coordinator
Heloise Hoffmann | Bioengineering '26
Heloise is a senior studying bioengineering, with a particular interest in biochemistry and muscle biology. She is from Belgium originally but now lives in sunny Florida. She is deeply passionate about the intersection of bioengineering and medicine, excited about the applications of emerging biotechnology tools for treating previously incurable diseases. Heloise is a fierce advocate for rare diseases, and she is particularly invested in research in the neuromuscular space and FSHD. When she isn't in the lab, you'll catch Heloise humming a tune or writing a song on guitar. She also loves the outdoors and dancing in the rain :)
Alice Finkelstein
Coordinator
Alice Finkelstein | Bioengineering '27
Alice is a junior from the Bay Area, CA intending to major in Bioengineering. Her previous research experiences in chemistry and biology have cultivated her interest in applying scientific knowledge to develop treatments for disease and improve understanding of the human body. She hopes to one day both aid patients clinically and work on the development of medical technologies and/or therapeutics. When she's not running experiments in the lab, you can find her performing with various dance groups on campus, exploring new cafes with friends, and making jewelry.
Ayushi Mohanty
Coordinator
Ayushi Mohanty | Bioengineering '27
Ayushi, a junior hailing from Houston, Texas, is set on a path to pursue a major in Bioengineering or Biomedical Computation. Her keen interest lies in delving into the dynamic intersection of bioscience and technology, a fervor she's eager to nurture through participation in this year's iGEM project. Armed with a diverse array of research experiences spanning cancer biology, AI/ML, and biocomputation, she aspires to leave a lasting mark on the forefront of scientific advancement. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, listening to the latest music, solving puzzles, and catching up with friends.
Julia Vu
Coordinator
Julia Vu | Bioengineering '26
From San Ramon, California, Julia is a driven senior majoring in Bioengineering. Her scientific journey began in a drug discovery lab, exploring solutions for cancer, COVID-19, and neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, she works on single-cell growth dynamics using intravital imaging at the Skotheim Lab at Stanford. Currently, she researches the connection between METTL13 demethylation of eEF1A and translational output in neoplastic growth. Outside the lab, Julia's diverse interests include slam poetry, baking, contemplative walks, and engaging conversations.
Amanuel Geremew
Coordinator
Amanuel Geremew | Bioengineering '27
Meet Amanuel Geremew, the slam-dunking, gene-splicing sensation from the heartland! Hailing from Kansas (where even the corn has DNA envy), Amanuel is set to major in Bioengineering at Stanford, class of '27, aiming to be the M.D. of DNA. When he's not dissecting frogs, he's dribbling basketballs faster than DNA polymerase replicates DNA strands. With a love for the game and the Chiefs, he's ready to tackle the complexities of synthetic biology with the same fervor he shows for his team. Parisian steaks? Mais oui! But first, he's here to CRISPR his way into iGEM glory!
Katherine Xu
Coordinator
Katherine Xu | Symbolic Systems '27
Katherine, hailing from the infamous land of Columbus, Ohio, is a junior majoring in Symbolic Systems with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and a minor in International Relations focusing on East Asia. Katherine is deeply intrigued by the multifaceted applications of computer science, particularly its transformative potential in bioengineering and diverse interdisciplinary domains.
