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.
Daniel Araújo, Graduate Student
Daniel is a thesis-track student in the MS Bioinformatics program. During his years as a Biology undergraduate student at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, he was fascinated with genetics and molecular biology. After the MS, he plans on applying for a PhD program in Human Genetics and hopefully pursue a career in research. In his free time, Daniel enjoys reading suspense books, hanging out with his friends, and doing skincare routines.
Henry Wittich, Graduate Student
Henry is a thesis-track student in the BS/MS Bioinformatics Program and also in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. He is a Provost Fellow and Mulcahy Scholar. He first developed an interest in bioinformatics during a high school genetics course, and his passion for the field has only grown since. After college, he is planning on attending graduate school and continuing to conduct research. Outside of the lab, he enjoys watching reality TV shows like the Great British Baking show, playing games with friends, and listening to experimental pop music (his current favorite artist is Caroline Polachek).
Camilla Czapla, Bioinformatician
Camilla graduated in 2022, majoring in Biology. She plans on pursuing graduate education in medicine and public health. Her interest in human genetics research was piqued after discovering the concept of precision medicine. In her free time, Camilla enjoys eating Polish food, such as pierogis, pampering her Miniature Schnauzer, and hiking and camping outdoors. Her goal is to visit all of the national parks in the United States.
Isabelle Gregga, Bioinformatician
Isabelle graduated in 2022 with a BS in Biology, a minor in French, and completed the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. She was a Biology Summer Research Fellow and a Mulcahy Scholar. Her fascination with genetics started with science fiction--namely X-Men and Jurassic Park--and only strengthened in high school biology. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, writing, sketching, and FaceTiming her little sister.
Kayla Bozeman, Undergraduate Student
Kayla is a senior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. She is an ACE and CURA scholar. After college, she plans on furthering her education in Neuroscience and attending medical school. Outside the lab, Kayla works as a Pharmacy Technician and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, kickboxing, eating Puerto Rican food and finding new smoothie places to try.
Grace Chilton, Undergraduate Student
Grace is a junior 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 junior 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).
Maya Sharma, Undergraduate Student
Maya is a junior 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.
