ASBMB inducts 2025 honor society members

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology honor society, also known as Chi Omega Lambda, recognizes exceptional undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing degrees in the molecular life sciences at colleges or universities with ASBMB Student Chapters. These students are recognized for their scholarly achievement, research accomplishments and outreach activities.
The honor society inducted 16 new members in 2025. Meet them below and learn more about each of them here.

Grace Perna

Rochester Institute of Technology
Perna is a third-year undergraduate majoring in biotechnology and molecular bioscience. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in immunology to advance therapeutic development and aims to mentor aspiring researchers while improving treatments for autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Mia Kushner

Rochester Institute of Technology
Kushner is a fourth-year undergraduate biochemistry major with a psychology minor. After graduation, she will take a gap year before pursuing medical school in the fall of 2026. Kushner developed a passion for working with children during her time at a daycare, which has inspired her interest in pursuing a pediatric specialty.

Jake Swallow

Stephen F. Austin State University
Swallow is a third-year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry and minoring in biology. He plans to attend graduate school to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. and wants to specialize in biochemistry or infectious diseases. He plans to become a research-oriented physician leading biomedical research with clinical applications.

Tanuskh Sharma

University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Sharma is a third-year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry. She hopes to become a board-certified attorney.

Mindy Navarrete

Purdue University
Navarrete is an undergraduate who will finish her degree in May with a major in biochemistry and two minors in forensic science and Spanish. She hopes to become a voice for those whose lives have been tragically cut short and to contribute to the pursuit of justice through science.

Caroline Chandler

Purdue University
Chandler is a fourth-year biochemistry major. After graduation, she plans to attend veterinary school to become a small animal veterinarian. Being a part of Purdue’s chapter has allowed her to teach younger children around the Lafayette community about science.

Cole Vonderheid

St. Mary's College of Maryland
Vonderheid is a fourth-year undergraduate biochemistry major. He aspires to become a cancer researcher with a medicinal chemistry background and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry after working as a postbaccalaureate.

Samira Babiker

Khalifa University
Babiker is a fourth-year cell and molecular biology undergraduate. She wants to pursue a Ph.D. and postdoctoral research in molecular biology and genetics to explore their role in disease progression and translate it into real world applications.

Mihika Iyer

Boston University
Iyer is a fourth year undergraduate studying biochemistry and molecular biology with a public health minor and a master's in biotechnology. Driven by her love for science and commitment to social justice, Iyer plans to pursue a career in healthcare or academia.

Shelby Sliger

Purdue University
Sliger is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry and minoring in bioinformatics and professional writing. She plans to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan to pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry or cancer biology and aims to become a cancer epigeneticist at an RI research institution.

Jenna Schoonmaker

Purdue University
Schoonmaker is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry. She is passionate about improving environmental health through biochemical research. She is excited to collaborate with fellow scientists, mentor future researchers and inspire a love for science in all communities.

Danny Kanj

Purdue University
Kanj is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry.  After his gap year, he plans to earn his M.D. by attending an accredited U.S. allopathic medical school.

Hanan Abdi

Hamline University
Abdi is a biochemistry, English and communication undergraduate. This summer, she will intern at the University of Minnesota Medical School through the Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program, where she will focus on dental craniofacial research.

Sophia Schlink

Hamline University
Schlink is a fourth-year biochemistry undergraduate.  She plans to attend medical school, combining her passion for biochemistry with her dedication to making a positive impact on others.

Kyle Gaviria

University of South Alabama
Gaviria is a third-year biomedical sciences undergraduate who aspires to become a physician–scientist specializing in pathology. Mentors have inspired Gaviria to pursue challenges and passions in physiology, research and disease treatment, motivating him to become a mentor himself.

Phyllis Schram

Wesleyan University
Schram is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience. She aspires to attend medical school and specialize in emergency medicine.