Dolly Chowdhary

Email: c[email protected]

2013 – 2013: Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 

2008 – 2009: Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Donald Danforth Plant Science center, St Louis, MO 

2003 – 2006: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Chemistry. University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX. Thesis: Role of CYP102’s in quorum quenching pathways 

2001 – 2003: Master of Science (M.S): Chemistry. University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX. Thesis: Cloning and heterologous expression of a new class p450 capable of 7- ethoxycoumarin O-dealkylation. 

1998 – 2000: Master of Science (M.Sc): Chemistry (Analytical) . Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, Roorkee, India. Thesis: Recovery of Fe (III) and Zn (II) from secondary sector sources using solvent extraction. 

1994 – 1997: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc): Biology. Ch. Charan Singh University, Roorkee, India. 

My name is Puneet Chowdhary, I have a doctorate in chemistry from University of Texas at Dallas. I started my research journey looking at the role of different P450’s in quorum quenching pathways. My research has been focused on finding role and function of bioactive small signal molecules. Working through various projects over time I have gained experience in different Chemical, biochemical and Molecular biology techniques. I bring this unique skill set and perspective to Dr. Merritt DeLano-Taylor’s lab at GVSU. Our work in Taylor lab is focused on use of PM-Nato3 to protect dopamine neurons from parkinsonian conditions. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that mainly exhibits motor symptoms. The motor symptoms of the disease result from the death of cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain. This results in not enough dopamine in these areas. We are currently researching use of PM-Nato3 to protect dopamine neurons from parkinsonian conditions in cell culture and in animal models (NIH supported collaboration between Merritt Taylor at GVSU, Patrik Brundin at Van Andel Research Institute and Jeffery Kordower at Rush University). I am a proud mom to two wonderful girls, I love singing and music. Quotes I live by: “There are no accidents.” And “If you only do what you can do, you will never be more than who you are.”

Sofia Hessler

(undergraduate)

I am currently a pre-medical student majoring in Anthropology and Biomedical Sciences. I am originally from Oxford, Michigan which is about an hour north of Detroit. On-campus, I am currently the vice-president of Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, secretary of Health Sciences Council, recently co-founded a chapter of the ACLU on campus and work as a tutor for refugees in the Grand Rapids area. Over the 2019-2020 academic year, I will be working as a Douglas J. Kindschi Fellow focusing primarily on PM-Nato3 mutants. After graduation, I plan on pursuing a masters degree abroad in Global Health or Epidemiology before applying to medical schools in the US. A fun fact about me is that I am a dual US-Swedish citizen and can speak Swedish!

Max Okros

Maxwell Okros is a junior at Grand Valley State University pursuing his Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Sciences and his Bachelor’s of Arts in Music with classical guitar emphasis.  Maxwell is founder and president of the Grand Valley Anatomy Club as well as president of the Grand Valley Neuroscience Club and Pre-MD/PhD Club. Maxwell is also treasurer of the Grand Valley Swing Dance Club.  Maxwell’s career aspirations include pursuing an MD/PhD degree with a PhD in developmental biology and practicing pediatric neurosurgery. In his free time, Maxwell enjoys working in the lab and studying.   

Miranda Regenold

Email: [email protected]

Miranda Regenold is from Grand Haven pursuing her master's degree in Biomedical Science. She has two bachelor’s degrees from GVSU, one in Biomedical Science and a second in Behavioral Neuroscience. She teaches children’s ministry to three-year-olds and is a Girls on the Run coach to 3rd and 4th-grade girls. She admits to being an ABC/NBC junkie.

Emily Spencer

My name is Emily Spencer, I grew up in Waterford Michigan on the East side of the state. My major is Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Spanish and Chemistry. I am currently a Junior. My plans after undergrad are to attend an MD/Ph.D. program. I am currently training for the Detroit free press Half Marathon!