Role in Lab: Principal Investigator (this means I love science but spend most of my time working in my office).
Fun Fact: My family grows blueberries, blackberries, figs, and hopefully soon nectarines in our front yard.
Shauna A. Rasmussen, PhD
Assistant Academic Research Scientist
Role in Lab: Investigating our GALT-null rat model to better understand the mechanism(s) behind both acute and long-term outcomes, along with potential therapies to address these outcomes.
Fun Fact: I have a slightly dislocated rib from third grade.
Emma Hendrickson
BS in Biology, Emory
Role in Lab: Research Specialist. Human studies research projects and investigating studies of ovarian insufficiency in GALT-null rats.
Career Plans: Medical school/physician.
Fun Fact: I run a small carpentry workshop restoring and building furniture!
Nikki Smith
Research Specialist
Role in Lab: Human subjects research projects for Classic Galactosemia.
Fun Fact: I love animals, especially horses and cats. I've been riding horses since I was 11 years old.
Rachel Chernoff
BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory
Role in Lab: Research Specialist. I conduct GALT assays, maintain the HPLC machines, and assist with the human subjects research projects for Classic Galactosemia.
Career Plans: Pediatrician.
Fun Fact: I can put both of my legs over my head.
Olivia Garrett
BS in Neuroscience, University of Tennessee
Role in Lab: Research Specialist. I work on conducting GALT assays, maintaining the HPLC machines, and assisting with the human subjects research projects for Classic Galactosemia.
Career Plans: To pursue my PhD.
Fun Fact: I have camped in the Grand Canyon while rafting down the Colorado River.
Jared Druss
BS in Biology, Minor in Latin, Emory
Role in Lab: Genetic Counselor Assistant. I focus on statistical modeling and visualization.
Career Plans: Genetic Counselor.
Fun Fact: I've owned multiple pet rats!
Kate Lemons
Emory Senior, Biology Major and French Minor
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant. I am involved with various ongoing projects. Currently, I am studying prenatal metabolite accumulation in our GALT-null rats.
Career Plans: Genetics Research.
Fun Fact: I am in the top 0.1% of Taylor Swift listeners on Spotify.
Madelyn Seemiller
Emory Senior, Biology Major and Philosophy Minor
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant. I work on various ongoing projects, and am currently investigating the effects of mediating factors on rat cataract phenotypes and their longitudinal development.
Career Plans: Biomedical or Translational Research.
Fun Fact: I love to 3D print and do woodwork, making projects like picnic table squirrel feeders and a Pokémon-themed chess board.
Ingrid Smith
Emory Junior, Biology Major and Spanish Minor
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant. I am studying the effect of various treatments on cataracts in GALT-null rats.
Career Plans: Biomedical or Translational Research.
Fun Fact: I love baking and my favorite thing to make is strawberry cake!
Emory Wilson
Emory Senior, BS in Chemistry
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant. I am studying AAV8-hAAT-hGALT and liver-specific GALT restoration in a GALT-null rat model.
Career Plans: I plan to take one-to-two gap years and then apply to medical school.
Fun Fact: I love to play soccer, and my favorite position is center midfielder.
Lily Wang
Emory Sophomore, Applied Math & Statistics Major
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant. I'm currently analyzing the growth trends of galactosemia children.
Career Plans: Considering the pursuit of an MD-PhD.
Fun Fact: I love creative writing and plan to double major in it.
Maria Barajas
Emory Sophomore, Economics Major
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Career Plans: Medical School or Physician Assistant.
Fun Fact: I was born in an elevator.
Juni Park
Emory Junior, Biology Major
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Career Plans: Medical or Graduate School.
Fun Fact: I was bitten by a bat in my freshman dorm and am now immune to rabies after getting the vaccine.
Madeleine Wilson
Emory Sophomore, STEM-Undecided Major
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant. Participate in various ongoing projects, and am currently investigating the motor skills of GALT-null rats through balance beam assessments.
Career Plans: Undecided.
Fun Fact: I have kayak-camped in the Everglades and canoe-camped on the Suwanee River.
Milan Cambon Ledesma
Emory Junior, Biology BS and Interdisciplinary Studies
Role in Lab: Work Study Student.
Career Plans: OB-GYN.
Fun Fact: I have dual citizenship in Mexico.
Stacy Shin
Emory Junior, QSS and Biology Major
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Career plans: Undecided.
Fun Fact: I can't swim.
Josh Bream
Emory Junior, Biology Major
Role in Lab: Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Career Plans: Medicine or Genetic Counseling.
Fun Fact: I used to be a competitive gymnast, and now I'm picking it back up as the co-president of the Emory Gymnastics team!