Meet The Team

Avipsha Datta

Chapter president

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Hometown: Kolkata, India

Education:BS in Microbiology Hons from St. Xavier’s College, MS in Biophysics and Molecular Biology from University of Calcutta 

Current year/program: 4th year, Bechler Lab, Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University 

Fun Fact: I can sleep anywhere and everywhere. That’s my superpower! 

Enakshi

Co-Vice President​​

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Hometown: West Bengal, India

Previous degrees/education: Bachelor of Science in Zoology (Honours), Master's of Science in Bioinformatics.

Current year/program: 2nd year PhD, Cell and Developmental Biology program 

Fun fact:  A total mystery-thriller junkie who loves hopping on planes and exploring new places.

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Hadil Gadelrab

Co-Vice President

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Hadil is a PhD candidate in Pharmacology, originally from Alexandria, Egypt. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Master's in Human Genetics. Currently, she conducts research in the Luo Lab, focusing on immunomodulatory nanomedicine for ovarian cancer treatment. Her work focuses on nanoparticle-based therapies that modulate immune responses and improve therapeutic outcomes in ovarian cancer.
Fun fact: while many are leaving the bench for clinical work, Hadil did the opposite. She began her career as a hospital pharmacist and transitioned into research—but hopes one day to combine both worlds.

Laura Wengert (she/her)

Treasurer​

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Hometown: Jamesville, NY 

Education: B.S. in Bioprocess Engineering, SUNY ESF

Current year/program 3rd year PhD candidate, Auerbach Lab, Department of Pharmacology

Fun fact: Laura used to live in the Adirondacks and has hiked over 60 mountains in the Northeast US

Juthi Biswas

Secretary

Juthi Biswas (she/her) is from Bangladesh and holds both a B.Sc (Hons.) and an M.Sc in Microbiology from the University of Dhaka. After completing her degrees, she began her career as a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Currently, Juthi is in her fifth year of PhD studies in the Microbiology and Immunology Department at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys painting and listening to folk music in her free time.

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Deema Alsalih

National Liaison

Hometown: Basra, Iraq

Education: Bachelor's in Biology and Economics from Syracuse University, Master's in Molecular Life Sciences from University of Bern. 

Current year/program: 2nd year PhD student in Cosgrove Lab/Biochemistry department.

Fun Fact: When I’m not in the lab, I’m on my bike chasing long rides and new trails.

Céline Hardy

Socials and Marketing Co-chair

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Hometown: Brockville, Ontario

Education: Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences and Master of Science in Pathology and Molecular Medicine

Current year/program: 5th year MD/PhD student in the 3rd year of her PhD in the Waickman Lab, Microbiology and Immunology department

Fun fact: outside of the lab you can probably find me triathlon training or with my dog Remy!

Laura Haney

Socials and Marketing Co-chair

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Hometown:

Education: B.S. Biochemistry from Allegheny College

Current year/program:  3rd Year PhD student in biochemistry and molecular biology

Fun fact: I rescued a golden retriever/border collie mix named Odie this spring!