Heather is an Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago in the Department of Biology and Program in Bioinformatics. She was awarded the 2018 Sujack Family Award for Faculty Research Excellence. Before joining Loyola in 2015, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Chicago. Heather holds a PhD in Genetics from Stanford University and a BA in Biology from Hamline University. When not working on modeling complex trait genetics or course design, Heather enjoys exploring Chicago with her family. Favorite spots include The Field Museum, Art Institute, Ping Tom Park, Sky games, Sox games, and anywhere with good music and/or good sushi.
Isadore Gregga, Graduate Student
Isadore is a thesis-track student in the MS Bioinformatics program. Their interest in genetics began in childhood, and they found an appreciation for bioinformatics upon joining Dr. Wheeler's lab during undergraduate biology research. They graduated with a BS in Biology with honors in 2022, and were a Biology Summer Research Fellow and Mulcahy Scholar. After graduate school, Isadore plans to continue working in the human genetics field. In their spare time they enjoy creating art, writing fiction, baking, spending time with their cat, and talking to their little sister.
Mansi Patel, BS/MS Student
Mansi is a senior majoring in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics in the BS/MS Bioinformatics program. She received the Summer Provost and Mulcahy Fellowship. Her interest in genetics stemmed from her high school Biotechnology class where she learned about CRISPR. After her MS degree, she plans to enroll in a genetic counseling program and/or get a Phd. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing badminton, and reading books.
Grace Chilton, Undergraduate Student
Grace is a senior majoring in Bioinformatics and Biology in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. Her interest in genetics and bioinformatics began in her high school biology course and after she discovered the field of genetic counseling. After college, she is planning on attending graduate school and pursuing research or becoming a genetic counselor. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, reading, and listening to music, her favorites are Hozier and Remi Wolf.
Jacob Grandinetti, Undergraduate Student
Jacob is a senior Bioinformatics major and Italian minor. He is also in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. His interest in genetics stemmed from a fascination with genealogy and working on an extensive family tree in his free time. After college, Jacob plans on continuing with research and/or attending medical school. Some of his hobbies include: reading, running/hiking, playing piano, baking, film photography, and watching movies. He is currently attempting to watch every Academy Award Best Picture winner in order (for a total of 93 movies since the award’s inception in 1928).
Prachi Patel, Undergraduate Student
Prachi is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering and is in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. Her interest in genetics started after she took a genetics course in high school. After college, Prachi plans on pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. Her hobbies include reading, archery, and ice-skating.
Maya Sharma, Undergraduate Student
Maya is a senior majoring in Molecular Biology, minoring in Mathematics and Spanish, and is in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. Her interest in bioinformatics began after she took a biostatistics course at Loyola. After college, she plans on pursuing a career in healthcare. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, playing tennis, and binge watching reality tv.
Vir Trivedi, Undergraduate Student
Vir is a junior majoring in bioinformatics on the premed track. His interest in bioinformatics began doing computational work in UIC’s material sciences lab and taking an online course for beginners in bioinformatics. In his free time, Vir enjoys reading, writing, playing the violin, and longboarding.
