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 graduate student who majored 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 graduated in 2024, 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.
Liza Kolbunova, Undergraduate Student
Liza is a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry on the premed track and Interdisciplinary Honors Program. Her interest in genetics stems from a curiosity in precision medicine. After undergrad, Liza plans to apply for medical school and go into women’s healthcare. During her free time, Liza enjoys baking, listening to music, traveling, swimming, and visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Anthie Poulos, Undergraduate Student
Anthie is a senior majoring in Biology interested in genetic counseling. Her interest in human genetics began in her genetics course where she learned about monogenic and polygenic diseases. After college, she is planning on pursuing research and attending a graduate program in genetic counseling and/or get a PhD. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, listening to music, and exploring the city.
Maya Sharma, Undergraduate Student
Maya graduated in 2024, majoring in Molecular Biology, minoring in Mathematics and Spanish, and was 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.
Alyssa Zulaik, Undergraduate Student
Alyssa is a junior majoring in Software Engineering with a minor in Bioinformatics and Digital Media. She's interested in bioinformatics as she wants to see how software can enhance analysis of biological and medical data, mostly on speeding up the discovery of diseases and cures like what the Netflix show “The Dropout” was about. During her free time, she plays video games, participate in hackathons, and binge watches Netflix series in a day. Currently, she is playing Farming Simulator 22 and Fortnite.
