Team Members
Brandon Anderson
Brandon’s multifaceted involvement in Description, Title & Abstract Wiki Pages, as well as his research into aptamers, reflects his diverse skills. His work in finding vendors, wiki design, and video filming highlights his dedication to both the technical and communicative aspects of the project.
Cosmo Cao
As a member of the engineering success team, Cosmo initiated the quorum sensing mechanism and introduction of Salp12 as an iGEM part. His meticulous documentation of wet lab activities and hands-on experiments underscores his dedication to the project’s scientific progress.
Reginaldo Capati
Regi worked as a member of Human Practices, Wiki Design, Video Production, and STEM Outreach. His involvement spans research, translation of technical content, and active participation in outreach events, showcasing his commitment to project success.
Elizabeth Cassidy
Liz’s influence spanned multiple crucial aspects of the project. Her contributions ranged from managing the team’s social media to playing a key role on the Engineering Success team. Notably, Liz’s creation of the aptamer protocol underscored her innovative thinking and technical expertise, highlighting her integral role in driving the project’s success.
Megan DuMond
Meg’s multifaceted contributions left a valuable mark on the project. Her initial research on the cGMP pathways associated with Borrelia burgdorferi and their impact on motility guided the team’s project. Additionally, she finalized the team’s color scheme, designed logos, and now focuses on the project’s attributions. Furthermore, her significant involvement in conducting primary literature reviews underscored her dedication to the project’s foundational knowledge.
Brandon Gadeken
Brandon’s dynamic role as co-lead in wiki design and co-author of the description page exemplified his leadership in shaping project content. His multifaceted influence extended to his role as a team leader, where his guidance was instrumental. Brandon’s expertise in OspA and OspC solidified the project’s scientific foundation.
Nathaniel LaBarre
Nathaniel demonstrated remarkable skill in expressing OspA in E. coli. He has shown dedication to enhancing protein production. Nathaniel’s contributions significantly advanced OspA expression and biotechnological research as a whole.
Ashlynn Meyers
Ashlynn was a vital member of the Engineering success team, demonstrating her commitment to laboratory excellence. Focusing on the OspC plasmid, Ashlynn’s expertise shone during transformations with BL21 competent cells and subsequent gel analyses. Her dedication to these processes underscored her pivotal role in ensuring the success and integrity of the lab’s endeavors.
Nathan Nelson
Nate has spent numerous hours working in the OspC+Ice Lab, reflecting his commitment to the LymeAid project. He grew cultures and transformed DNA under the guidance of our instructors to further our project.
Jasmine Oki
Jasmine’s impact was evident in her dual roles in outreach and wiki design. She adeptly managed the USAFA iGEM Instagram account, delivering daily updates that fostered engagement and awareness. Furthermore, her diligent work in expanding wiki content and fostering communication with other iGEM teams showcased her dedication to both effective information sharing and collaborative networking.
Marion Posner
Ezzie’s engagement across Lab Work, Engineering Success, and Human Practices showcases her comprehensive involvement. Her research into Lyme Disease and contributions to Engineering Success exemplify her commitment to scientific exploration and protocol refinement.
Raj Raghulan
Raj played a pivotal role in devising the framework for Wiki production. He laid the foundation for an organized and efficient editing process. Raj’s contribution not only streamlined content development but also ensured a cohesive and polished final product.
Emma Redmond
Emma’s pivotal role included extensive patient and expert interaction, as she headed our Human Practices efforts. She also led our documentation of safety efforts. Her original idea inception for studying Lyme Disease showcases her innovative thinking, while her contributions to outreach initiatives and wiki design underline her commitment to project dissemination and engagement.
Amanda Schaefbauer
Focusing on education and outreach, Amanda’s contributions encompassed creating the engaging children’s book “Tick Bite Triage,” complete with both writing and illustrations. Beyond that, Amanda’s dedication extended to organizing impactful readings of the book in classrooms nationwide and at local science events, effectively spreading awareness and knowledge.
Brennan Seibert
Brennan spearheaded the development of the project’s detection component through the design of the aptamer gold nanoparticle protocol. His creativity extended beyond the lab as he developed both an engaging promotional video, as well as the upcoming presentation video. A dedicated volunteer at science fairs, Brennan lights up the team with his positive energy.
Caleb Shin
Caleb’s contributions to Engineering Success are highlighted by his thorough research into aptamer-based detection of Lyme Disease, demonstrating his expertise in the project’s core concepts.
Kelly Yoon
Kelly’s impactful role within the Engineering Success team was marked by her adeptness in designing plasmids, supervising lab activities, and tailoring the engineering success timeline. Her expertise in plasmid design underpinned the team’s scientific advancements, while her careful oversight of lab work maintained the standards of excellence. Kelly’s skill in adapting the engineering success timeline showcased her strategic thinking and dedication to achieving optimal outcomes.
Faculty Members
Dr. Joel Coffman
2023 USAFA iGEM Secondary Principal Investigator
Professor, USAFA Computer and Cyber Sciences Department
PhD in Computer Science, University of Virginia
Dr. Coffman oversaw the development of the Wiki, including its theme, with his keen eye for design and organization. His commitment to user-centric design and creative approach resulted in a visually engaging and user-friendly Wiki. His dedication to crafting an appealing theme contributed significantly to the overall success of the project.
Dr. Jordan Steel
2023 USAFA iGEM Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, USAFA Biology Department
PhD in Molecular Virology, Colorado State University
Dr. Steel’s outstanding leadership as the head of the United States Air Force Academy’s iGEM team has been indispensable. His dedication and innovative vision have driven our success in synthetic biology. His creation of our protocol for this year has been instrumental, and we owe our achievements to his invaluable contributions.
Melanie Grogger
2023 USAFA iGEM Secondary Principal Investigator
Research Scientist, USAFA Life Sciences Research Center
M.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology, Brandeis University
Ms. Grogger, in her role as Education and Outreach specialist, played a pivotal role in mentoring cadets. She provided invaluable support by assisting them with literature reviews, plasmid and parts design, lab protocols, and the development of engaging education and outreach initiatives. Her multi-faceted contributions were instrumental in fostering success within the lab and promoting engineering excellence.
Lt Col Kristi McElmurry
2023 USAFA iGEM Secondary Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, USAFA Biology Department
PhD in Biology, Purdue University
Colonel McElmurry made significant contributions in the areas of human practices guidance and aptamer protocol development. Her expertise and leadership were instrumental in providing essential guidance on ethical and practical considerations in the project’s human practices aspects. Additionally, her involvement in the development of aptamer protocols showcased her dedication to advancing the team’s scientific capabilities, ensuring a well-rounded approach to their research.
Capt Victoria Morrison
2023 USAFA iGEM Primary Principal Investigator
Instructor of Biology, USAFA Biology Department
M.S. in Biotechnology, Texas A&M University
Capt Morrison’s notable achievements include the design of OspC and OspA plasmids, which were pivotal in the lab work. She also played a vital role in human practices, Wiki design, outreach, safety, conceptualization, and background research, demonstrating a well-rounded approach to project management and engineering success. Her involvement in fundraising, project administration, and data analysis further underscored her dedication and comprehensive contributions to the team’s success.
Capt Michael Mechikoff
2023 USAFA iGEM Secondary Principal Investigator
Instructor of Biology, USAFA Biology Department
M.S. in Synthetic Biology, Purdue University
Capt Mechikoff exhibited a deep commitment to Engineering Success by meticulously designing a plasmid for SalP12 inducible expression, complete with a His tag for protein purification. Furthermore, his expertise in experimental design and lab techniques played a pivotal role in establishing protocols for working with SalP12 and its integration into the microneedle patch. Notably, he also demonstrated excellent scientific communication skills by actively reading and synthesizing research papers on various aspects of Lyme Disease.
LtCol David Morris
2023 USAFA iGEM Primary Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Biology, USAFA Biology Department
Lt Col Morris oversaw and provided valuable guidance for all aspects of experimental design and project work. His extensive experience and keen insights played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the research. ___
Subject Matter Experts, Scientists, and Leaders in the Lyme Community
Col Nicole Malachowski
Thunderbird Pilot and Lyme Disease Advocate Col Nicole Malachowski: Shared her story with us, and talked about current treatments and diagnostic tools. We also discussed the pros and cons of your project on the future of Lyme Disease.
Wendy Adams
Director for the Bay Area Lyme Foundation Wendy Adams: We discussed how demographics and varying populations are at a greater risk for Lyme Disease (specifically younger and older groups), and talked about what the Bay Area Lyme Foundation is currently doing with Lyme Disease.
Dr. Svetlana Harbaugh
AFRL Research Scientist 711 HBW Dr. Svetlana Harbaugh: We discussed how aptamers work, and how AFRL is working with aptamers and gold nanoparticles.
PhD Michael Craig
Wright State iGEM Team Ph. D. Michael Craig Research Associate Professor: We discussed potential future collaboration, talked about their use of aptamers in the past as a diagnostic tool to detect the presence of disease within the body.
Mr. Evan McCollum
Mr. Evan McCollum is a prior Lockheed Martin employee who was diagnosed with Lyme Disease over 6 years ago. He talked to us about how Lyme Disease has impacted his life and how our project might help diagnose and prevent patients from contracting Lyme Disease.
USAFA Project Timeline
