PULSe Student Life

Tyler Fritsch is a 2^nd year student in the Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease training group where he works in Dr. Matosevic’s Lab in the IMPH Department. The Matosevic lab primarily focuses on the application of Natural Killer cells as a form of treatment for various types of cancers and diseases. He is an avid fan of Purdue sports, and enjoys watching movies, hiking, and true-crime podcasts. During his time as president, he hopes to create more professional development opportunities for the PULSe student body and help streamline all the events that the PULSe GSO has to offer!

Hanna is a 4^th year PULSe student in the Chemical Biology training group working in Dr. Angeline Lyon’s lab in the Chemistry Department. Her work focuses on identifying small molecules capable of modulating the activity of Phospholipase C Beta 4 to affect cytotoxic T cell activity. Outside of the lab Hanna enjoys, going on walks with her wife and two dogs, Penny and Teddy. As well as painting and completing small house projects.  As Vice-President she aims to address the ideas and concerns of current PULSe students’ academic and professional needs.

Leon is a 4^th year student in the Cancer Biology training group. He works in the lab of Dr. Angeline Lyon in the Chemistry Department focusing on functional and structural characterization to identify how a constitutively active mutant of PLCb4 drives uveal melanoma. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing a variety of sports. As the treasurer, aims to make sure we have the financial ability to plan and host all of GSO’s awesome events each semester.

Leah is a 2^nd year student in the Integrative Neuroscience training group. She joined Dr. Vikki Weake’s lab where she focuses on understanding how the oxidation of proteins in Drosophila phototransduction impacts the cascade. Outside of lab, Leah spends most of her time reading, crocheting, and hiking with her dog Piper. As secretary, Leah hopes to maintain an open line of communication between the GSO and the PULSe student body. 

David is a 2^nd year PULSe student in Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease. He is co-mentored by Dr. Arezoo Ardekani from the Mechanical Engineering department and Dr. David Thompson from the Chemistry department. His project focuses on utilizing peptide-targeted lipid nanoparticles for immunotherapy in bladder cancer. During his free time, he enjoys playing video games, exercising, and practicing martial arts. As the student activities coordinator, his goal is to foster a vibrant community among the student body. 

Ketaki is currently a 4th year PhD Candidate in Dr. Angeline Lyon’s research group in the Department of Chemistry. Ketaki is studying the activation of PLCe by Ras G-proteins, using a combination of cell-based assays, single molecule microscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy. Outside of lab, Ketaki enjoys spending time outdoors, watching movies, knitting, and baking. As Science in Schools Coordinator, Ketaki hopes to bring science to the community and provide PULSe students with volunteer opportunities.

Carolyn is a 2^nd year PULSe student in the Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases training group working in Dr. Daniel Flaherty’s lab in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology.  Her research looks at how mutations in PorA and PorB porins and the mtr efflux pump effect the rate of accumulation of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. She is also looking at the potential effects CAIs have on the host microbiome. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, hiking, running, attending music festivals, and hanging out with friends and family. You can also find her curled up with a good book or working on a crochet project. As the social media chair, she plans to use various platforms to keep students engaged in PULSe activities and keep people informed on the exciting events that the GSO is hosting throughout the year. As the seminar chair, she plans to coordinate seminars throughout the year hosting speakers that were nominated by the PULSe community.

Kobbie Reinhard Danku is a 2^nd year PULSe student in the Biomolecular structure and Biophysics training group. He is a student in Dr. Jonathan Patrick Schlebach’s lab in the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on protein homeostasis and how the ER membrane complex (EMC) facilitates the insertion and chaperoning of nascent membrane proteins. When not in the lab, Kobbie enjoys reading manga and watching Anime. He also enjoys hanging out with his friends and going on road trips. As a science in schools coordinator, he hopes and expects to engage more graduate students in participating in the outreaches to the schools and also hopes to inspire kids that science is cool and fun way of solving the world’s problems.

Emmanuel is a 3^rd year PULSe student in the Biomolecular Structure and Biophysics training group. He works in the Mesecar lab in the Department of Biochemistry. His work focuses on biophysical, structural, and kinetic characterization of GTP Cyclohydrolase I as a novel target in infectious diseases. Outside of the lab, he enjoys listening to music, podcast, spending time with friends, family and watching soccer. As a PGSG senator, he will represent the interest of PULSe students and keep the GSO updated with communication from the PGSG Meetings. 

Olga is a 2^nd year PULSe student in the Computational and Systems Biology training group. She is part of Dr. Karthik Sankar’s lab in the Department of Ag. And Biological Engineering. Her research focuses on exploring computational tools for planning sustainable routes towards complex molecules. Outside of the lab, she likes drawing, solving puzzles, and traveling whenever possible. As the Professional Development Chair, she hopes to help all PULSe students find opportunities for their growth as scientists.

Priyanka is a 4^th year Ph.D. student in Dr. John Tesmer’s lab in the Biology Department. She is a structural biologist and her research focuses on obtaining the cryo-EM structure of regulatory GPCR kinases involved in GPCR signaling pathways. She is also working on developing kinase inhibitors to aid therapies for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Her goal is to understand the structural basis of kinase activity and inhibition. Outside the lab, she likes to read, go for walks, and hang out with friends. As a Prelim Coordinator, Priyanka aims to provide tools and connections to the new grad students that will help them excel in their prelim exams.