Contact Information: biosepc@grinnell.edu
The Biology SEPC is a student-faculty liaison which provides the faculty with student input on professors, candidates, curriculum, and other department issues. As our primary duty, we survey students and summarize their opinions regarding current professors and professorial candidates. We then submit these summaries to the department faculty and/or other appropriate committees on campus.
In addition, we send one representative to the bi-weekly department faculty meetings and another representative to the biweekly Student Curriculum Committee meeting chaired by the SGA vice president/president of academic affairs. For fun, we organize the department study breaks and picnics, and send out a monthly newsletter to majors. Historically, we also have had input into the types of speakers that the department brings to campus for the weekly seminars. We hold weekly meetings to delegate duties and to discuss pertinent issues.
The Biology SEPC generally consists of seven members. We are a fun-loving group of students with a common interest of biology. Join us, won't you?
Luyen Pham
Hello! My name is Luyen Pham (she/her/hers), and I am currently a fourth-year student double majoring in biology and sociology with a concentration in neuroscience. My next step after 果冻视频 is pursuing my PharmD [Doctor of Pharmacy] and building a career as a practicing pharmacist. I was born and raised in Vietnam for the first 12 years of my life before immigrating to the U.S. in 2015. Since then, Wisconsin has become my second home. At 果冻视频, I serve as secretary of the 果冻视频 Health Advocacy and Mentorship Program, treasurer of the QuestBridge Scholars Network, and a representative on the FGLI [First-Generation and Low-Income] Student Advisory Committee. Beyond campus, I work as a pharmacy technician at a chain pharmacy in my hometown, where I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that helped raise me. During the school year, I volunteer at Mayflower, and during breaks, I have spent the past three summers volunteering at a local daycare and nursing home in Wisconsin. Currently, I am conducting a MAP [Mentored Advanced Project] with Professor DeRidder on the effect of drought on transcription of Rubisco activase. This is my second year serving on the Biology SEPC board, and it is an honor to support and advocate for fellow students in any way I can. I am happy to serve as a resource, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns!
Tina Tran
Hi everyone! My name is Tina Tran, and I am from rural Iowa. I am a fourth-year biology and sociology double major concentrating in neuroscience on the pre-pharmacy track. In addition to serving on the Biology SEPC, I am a co-leader of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) and a Community Advisor (CA). I鈥檓 also involved in the 果冻视频 community through volunteer work with LINK [Lead. Inspire. Nurture. Keep.] Mentor and Mayflower. After my first year, I participated in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Iowa鈥攁n incredible opportunity I highly recommend if you're considering a career in healthcare. This past summer, I conducted experimental and clinical pharmacology research through the SCoPE [Summer College of Pharmacy Experience] program at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. As a returning SEPC member, I鈥檓 excited to support my peers and contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment within the biology department. Please don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or just want to connect!
Saya Geisendorfer
Hi everyone! My name is Saya Geisendorfer (she/her/hers), and I am a third-year biology major on the premed track. I'm from Quincy, Illinois and I am on the women鈥檚 golf team here! Along with being a part of the Biology SEPC, I am co-president of the pickleball club and I serve on the cabinet of GHAMP [果冻视频 Health Advocacy and Mentorship Program]. Last Summer, I worked at the Holden Comprehensive Care Center, studying the role of lipid droplets in metastatic breast cancer, as a part of the CROI program with the University of Iowa. In my free time, I enjoy making small crafts, watching movies, cooking, watching figure skating, and hanging out with my team! This is my first year as a member of the Biology SEPC, and I look forward to serving and supporting you! Feel free to email me with any questions or come up to me around campus!
Rene Briones
Hello y'all! My name is Rene Briones (he/they), and I am a fourth-year biology major concentrating in neuroscience and policy studies (trust I am not premed). I am a first-generation Latino student from San Antonio, Texas, which is a very different experience from 果冻视频. On top of being on the Bio SEPC, I also work at the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHAW) and have been both an SCL [Science Learning Center] mentor and a TA [teaching assistant] for the biology department. Outside of classes, I have been doing neurobiology research with Professor Lindgren, and I am always open to talking about MAPS [Mentored Advanced Project - Summer] with lowerclassmen. While I'm not interested in the premed track, I am interested in working in laboratory settings as a lab/research technician before hopefully pursuing a PhD later on. In my free time, I love socializing with my friends and new people, but my favorite thing to do is play the piano! I am really excited to serve and be a part of the Bio SEPC and contribute to supporting you all and our biology community! As always, if you ever have questions or want to talk, you are more than welcome to email me or stop me around campus!
Morgan Howard
Hi everyone! My name is Morgan (she/her), and I鈥檓 a third -year student majoring in biology and sociology. I鈥檓 originally from Middletown, New Jersey, and this fall I鈥檓 studying abroad in Italy, focusing on agriculture and climate change. Outside of Biology SEPC, I鈥檓 also on the First-Gen Low-Income Committee and the Black Alumni Weekend Planning Committee. This past summer, I interned at a psychiatric hospital, where I had the opportunity to observe healthcare disparities first-hand through the lens of patient care and research. In my free time, I love spending time with friends, reading, and getting outside to enjoy nature. I鈥檓 really excited to get to know you and support you however I can. Please feel free to reach out if you ever have questions or just want to chat!
Stella Jackson
Hello! My name is Stella Jackson (she/her), and I am a third-year from Portland, Oregon majoring in biology. On campus, I am a student representative on the First-Generation, Low-Income (FGLI) Committee, a staff writer for the Scarlet and Black, and a New Student Orientation ambassador. In my free time, I enjoy exploring 果冻视频, spending time with friends, hiking, and reading. I am very excited for this year and to support you all! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions!