I graduated in 2024 with a BA in Environmental Studies and French, with a minor in Art History. I have been a proud member of the Delventhal lab since the summer of my freshman year and have stayed in the lab to work as a post-bac research associate! I have been able to explore many questions through Drosophila melanogaster from exploring differences in effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes between females and males, to knocking down specific genes in different tissues of the fruit fly to observe their lifespans, and measuring the differences in immune responses of fruit flies when given different conditions of TBI. All of these experiences have sparked my passion for scientific research and I hope to continue this through pursuing a PhD in the field of ecology and evolutionary behavior, particularly in how climate change affects organisms' behavior and phenotypic characteristics. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching sports (my favorite is baseball), tv shows and movies, trying out new coffee and pastry shops, and playing volleyball with friends:)

I am double majoring in neuroscience and environmental studies because I truly believe science is interconnected. I enjoy delving into topics and exploring their molecular and environmental aspects, which is why focusing on Drosophila genetic knockdowns and their impact in development, lifespan and population dynamics is incredibly interesting. In the future I'm hoping to pursue exciting research in both areas. I'm looking forward to learn more about the genetics behind neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of lab I'm a member of the dance team and French Club, and I enjoy hanging out with friends, rollerskating and exploring Chicago :) 

I am a Biology major with a Chemistry minor. In the lab, I study how a knockdown of EMC4 in different tissues that interact with the ovaries influences fertility in Drosophila. One exciting finding I've found is that reducing EMC4 in the fat body, which functions like the liver in humans, results in decreased fertility and fecundity in aged flies. Building on this, I am currently dissecting ovaries from flies with EMC4 knockdown to study changes in ovary size and using antibody staining to identify the different cell types involved in oogenesis. I became interested in research because I value the independence it provides, and I enjoy designing my own experiments and learning through the process of trial and error. Looking ahead, I am applying to PhD programs in biology to further develop my research skills. Beyond the lab, I co-founded the Women’s Wellness Organization with my friends, and I also enjoy traveling.

I am a Neuroscience major with a Spanish minor.  I joined the Delventhal lab in the fall of my junior year to gain more insight into research and connect it to my interest in healthcare. In the lab, I am part of the EMC4 project, where we investigate how various factors are affected by the knockdown of an endoplasmic reticulum subunit in Drosophila melanogaster. My focus is on understanding the effect of protein aggregation on ER stress indicators in the knockdown samples, a finding previously observed by other students in the lab. I work with techniques for studying protein and gene expression, such as western blotting and qPCR, to collect data, which I enjoy doing. Outside of the lab, I am a flute player in the band, a member of the Nu Rho Psi society, and work as a nursing rehab aide at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. In my free time, I enjoy running, spending time with friends and family, and thrifting with my grandmother. After graduating from Lake Forest College, I plan to pursue a master’s in nursing at Rosalind Franklin University and become a registered nurse. 

Martin Ettlin Cuitiño (he/him) is a Neuroscience major and Chemistry minor from Uruguay. He speaks Spanish, German, English, and Galician, and after living in four countries now calls the US his fifth home. In the Delventhal Lab, he researches the ER Membrane Protein Complex (EMC) with tools like CRISPR to see how its subunits shape development, movement, and lifespan, in glial cells. He is especially drawn to this work since EMC deficiencies in humans are linked to pathologies such as cancer (e.g., gastric adenocarcinoma) and visual degeneration. Outside the lab, Martin works as a medical scribe at an urgent care, volunteers in a local ER, and is preparing for medical school with a focus on programs that combine patient care with biomedical research. On campus, he leads It’s On Us as president, represents students on the Title IX Committee, manages outreach for Nu Rho Psi, reviews for Eukaryon, and has served on the Student Life Committee, among others. Beyond academics, he enjoys swimming and running, doing CrossFit, reading philosophy and psychology, baking, and exploring Chicago neighborhoods, nearby towns, and hiking trails with friends.

My name is Samuel Smith, and I am currently a junior in the class of 2027. I joined the lab during my freshman year as a Richter Scholar, studying the effects of SOD2 manipulation on TBI outcomes in non-neuronal tissue. I am majoring in Biology with a minor in Legal Studies, and I plan to attend law school after graduation. My goal is to pursue a career in bio-patent law, which allows me to combine my passion for biology with my interest in legal studies. Outside of academics, I run long distance for the cross country and track teams and work on my side business as an artist.