Team

Lead

Arman Naderi

Arman is a senior from Issaquah, Washington. At the Folch lab, Arman is recreating the human microenvironment by developing 3D-printed, hydrogel organs-on-a-chip for use in drug testing. From his experience with 3D-printing and microfluidics, and his knowledge of cell biology, Arman envisions a future in medicine where patient-specific organs are readily available for transplantation. He intends to pursue a PhD degree with specialties in stem cell-based biology and digital manufacturing techniques. Outside of school, Arman loves to adventure outdoors, whether that’s sport climbing the nearest cliff or snow-shoeing the farthest mountain.

Hienschi Nguyen

Hienschi is a bioengineering junior from Sunnyside, Washington. She is currently a member of the Woodrow Lab developing a reservoir with PrEP drug to be integrated onto an IUD for dual HIV protection and conception. With her mentor, she helped develop a non-surgical permanent conception by integrating drug-infused nanofibers onto an IUD. She is interested in developing regenerative medicine and innovating current medical technology to be affordable to developing countries. Hienschi aims to pursue medical school in pediatrics. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, photography, and trying new food.

Outreach Chair

Amanda Nguyen

Amanda Nguyen is a senior in the BIOE program who is a part of research under the Berndt Lab. Her project is geared towards the creation of zebrafish lines in which neuronal activity can be excited or inhibited based on light-activated ion channels, the ultimate goal being the use of these lines as a model for studying the mechanisms behind neurological disorders. She is also a UTokyo Amgen Scholar (2019), an Undergraduate Research Leader, and a member of the BWB Capnography Team. She is also an active volunteer at Harborview Medical Center. For fun, she loves painting and singing!

Event Coordinator

Amrita Anand

Amrita is a junior from Bellevue, Washington. She is currently a part of the Chao Lab, where she is investigating the potential applications of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in treating retinal degenerative diseases, and exploring new drug therapies for eye disease. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree and ultimately practice research in the medical field. Outside academia Amrita loves Indian classical dance, in which she has been training since childhood, and baking sweet goods.

Faculty Advisor

Alyssa Taylor

Dr. Taylor is a senior lecturer and undergraduate program coordinator for the bioengineering department. Her teaching activities are focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating core introductory and laboratory courses for bioengineering undergraduates, as well as co-facilitating the Capstone Design sequence. She is currently pursuing continuous program improvement activities as well as educational research, with the ultimate goal of optimizing undergraduate bioengineering curriculum design, student learning outcomes, and program offerings. She really enjoys mentoring students and helping to facilitate connections among students and research and career opportunities. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys being outdoors, exploring Seattle parks, spending time with her friends and family (including animals!), making jewelry, and traveling.

Lab Outreach Chair

Sarah Slack

Sarah is a senior Bioengineering major and Portuguese Language and Luso-Brazilian Studies minor. She attended high school in Colorado, but chose to come to the University of Washington after hearing about the Bioengineering Department, visiting, and falling in love with the school. She is an undergraduate researcher in the Woodrow Lab, and has specifically focused on the development of a nanoparticle system that targets cells latently infected with HIV. In the future, she plans to attend medical school so that she can conduct translational research, ideally with a focus on international collaboration. Outside of class, Sarah enjoys running, dancing, getting outside, and volunteering at UW Medical Center.

Former Team Members

Parker Ruth

Lead (2017-2018)

David McIntyre