2026 Honor Society inductees

Maria Ahmed

University of Rochester

Maria Ahmed is a senior at the University of Rochester majoring in biochemistry and minoring in business. She has conducted research for nearly three years in Sina Ghaemmaghami’s laboratory in the Department of Biology, where she uses mass spectrometry-based proteomics to study how protein oxidation, particularly methionine oxidation, affects translation and cellular proteostasis. Beyond research, Ahmed is the founder and president of the University of Rochester’s ASBMB student chapter, an experience that has been transformative in shaping her engagement with the scientific community and in promoting her research and professional development at Rochester. After graduation, she plans to pursue M.D./Ph.D. training, with the goal of using basic scientific discoveries to innovate patient care. Outside of science, she enjoys picking up new hobbies, from baking sourdough bread to learning how to crochet.

Richard Bouck

Rochester Institute of Technology

Richard Bouck is a senior attending the Rochester Institute of Technology and majoring in biochemistry. Over the course of his time there, he has participated in numerous research projects ranging from simple coding for undergraduate chemistry classes, testing bacterial conjugation inhibitors, and wrapping up his time in the lab with infectious disease enzymology. Additionally, he is a member of his ASBMB student chapter and the National Chemistry Fraternity where he contributes greatly to scientific outreach through volunteer efforts in the greater Rochester community. Bouck has also been involved with many teaching assistant positions in different undergraduate labs. He wants to pursue a Ph.D. hopefully working with RNA. With this Ph.D., he plans to have a lab of his own looking at RNA therapeutics and hopes to teach and mentor undergraduates and guide them as his mentors have done for him.

Maren Eaton

Purdue University

Maren Eaton is a third-year senior at Purdue University majoring in biochemistry with a minor in bioinformatics. Maren is a member of the John Martinson Honors College and serves as scholarship chair of the Alpha Zeta Honorary Society. She was an undergraduate research assistant in two labs on-campus and was selected to present at the annual ASBMB conference twice. She previously worked at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany, as a summer research intern and will intern at Thermo Fisher Scientific in the summer of 2026. She was also a teaching assistant for Biochemistry 309 and 495 and runs the official Purdue Biochemistry Instagram account. She was nominated as the Outstanding Senior Biochemistry Student in the Department of Biochemistry at Purdue for 2025–2026. Eaton enjoys her involvement as a vocalist in Purdue Musical Organizations and Purdue Bands & Orchestras and spends her free time bouldering at the Purdue CoRec. After graduation, she will pursue a doctorate degree in the life sciences field.

Sydnee Goff

Otterbein University

Sydnee Goff is a senior at Otterbein University, who will be furthering her education at Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine next fall. She is double majoring in biology and biochemistry and molecular biology. During her time in undergrad, she has conducted research in three labs, held leadership positions in five organizations, and participated in conservation activities on the Galapagos Islands. In her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, playing video games and taking care of her pet axolotl.

Shikha Iyer

Otterbein University

Shikha Iyer is a senior studying biochemistry and molecular biology at Otterbein University. She values lifelong learning and is excited to pursue a career in medicine. Iyer has been deeply engaged in research under the mentorship of John Tansey, studying the structure and function of perilipin 5, a protein associated with lipid storage droplets and lipolysis. Presenting her work at the 2025 ASBMB national conference was a transformative experience that strengthened her science communication skills and allowed her to share her passion for science. Iyer currently serves as president of the ASBMB student chapter at Otterbein University, where she has focused on increasing member engagement and awareness, establishing new BMB traditions, and coordinating chapter events. She has also represented the BMB program at outreach, advising and university showcase events. Iyer is guided by joy and curiosity, unafraid to take risks and explore new directions. On campus, she advocates for students as an academic senator and university committee vice-chair, fosters community as vice president of alumni and campus engagement, and tutors' organic chemistry. Outside of academia, she enjoys creative pursuits such as running a small craft business, event planning, photography and traveling.

Holly Kiernan

Lake Forest College

Holly Kiernan is a senior majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology and neuroscience at Lake Forest College in Illinois. Kiernan’s undergraduate research in Shubhik DebBurman’s lab has focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying beta-synuclein toxicity and its two natural mutants in neurodegeneration. Her dedication to outreach and the scientific community led her to become involved in Lake Forest’s ASBMB student chapter, ultimately serving as vice president in her senior year. She has helped plan and organize research and alumni panels as well as a seminar highlighting career opportunities in the biochemistry and molecular biology field. Alongside her involvement in ASBMB, Kiernan is a member of the Lake Forest College women’s ice hockey team, treasurer of the Lake Forest Nu Rho Psi chapter, and programming chair of Peer2Peer. Looking ahead, she hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in either molecular biology or neuroscience and work to further advance our understanding of neurodegenerative disorders.

Alex Mansour

Tufts University

Alex Mansour is a junior at Tufts University majoring in biochemistry and aspiring for a career in medicine. His interest in science began in middle school when he learned how prosthetics could interface with the human nervous system, sparking a curiosity as to how biology could impact human health. At Tufts, Mansour has continued to pursue research within a medical context as a member of the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute in the Pulakat Lab for the past two years, focusing on alternative methods of antibiotic delivery with a focus on cardiac health. He is deeply grateful to his lab mentors and Tufts faculty for their guidance, support and encouragement, which have inspired him to further explore research and mentorship. Motivated to give back, he serves as president of his ASBMB student chapter, where he connects students with research opportunities and resources while helping to organize outreach initiatives for middle and high school students interested in science. Outside of research, he volunteers to bring performing arts programs to underfunded schools across the Northeast. After graduation, Mansour hopes to combine his interests in pediatric care and clinical research in medical school, with the goal of making a meaningful impact on patient care and scientific advancement.

Rowan Jameson McCollum

Hendrix College

Rowan Jameson McCollum is a senior at Hendrix College with a major in biochemistry & molecular biology and a minor in classics. At Hendrix, he serves as a presidential ambassador, student representative for the Committee on Curriculum, president of the ASBMB student chapter, editorial staff for the Hendrix Scientific Magazine, and as a lead organizer for the inaugural Hendrix Undergraduate Day of Research. Having conducted interdisciplinary research in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry and biophysics in four labs at three institutions, he has been selected to present posters and deliver oral presentations at multiple conferences, earning recognition. On the tennis court, McCollum is a certified professional instructor at the Conway Tennis Center and a senior member of the Hendrix varsity tennis team, having been honored by the conference for sportsmanship, academic performance and community engagement. He is on track to graduate summa cum laude with distinction as both an Odyssey Scholar and a Murphy Scholar in Literature and Language. Interested in a career in research and teaching, he will be pursuing interdisciplinary postgraduate research examining how transcription-replication conflicts drive genomic instability, employing biophysical, biochemical and structural biology techniques as a D.Phil student in biochemistry at the University of Oxford, where he has been awarded a Medical Sciences Graduate Studentship as a Clarendon Scholar. Outside the classroom and lab, he can be found reading a science fiction novel, playing tennis or at a coffee shop with friends.

Stevie Monokandilos

Otterbein University

Stevie Monokandilos is a junior at Otterbein University, majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry. His interest in science began at a very young age and has been shaped by a genuine curiosity about how molecular processes influence human health. He conducts research investigating Perilipin 5 protein trafficking under the mentorship of John Tansey, an experience that has strengthened both his technical skills and his appreciation for collaborative, discovery-driven science. Beyond the laboratory, Monokandilos is deeply involved on campus as an officer of Athletes in STEM and vice president of Otterbein’s ASBMB student chapter, where he enjoys building community and encouraging student engagement in the molecular life sciences. He is also a dedicated member of the Otterbein baseball team, an experience that has reinforced his values of teamwork, discipline and balance. Looking ahead, he aspires to become a physician scientist with a focus in oncology, to combine patient care and research to improve outcomes and advance cancer treatment.

Eva Reilly

Rochester Institute of Technology

Eva Reilly is a third-year biochemistry major with a minor in psychology at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her love for science began in junior high and high school, inspired by exceptional biology and chemistry teachers who fostered her curiosity and love for learning. Reilly now aspires to pursue a career as a professor and will be joining a Ph.D. program this fall. She has been involved in research since her first semester at RIT, working with Suzanne O’Handley to investigate enzymes found in the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy as potential antibiotic targets. She has also conducted research at Mercyhurst University with Amy Parente, studying the effects of phosphorylation on malate dehydrogenase. Her academic achievements have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Goldwater Scholarship, ASBMB Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Undergraduate Scholarship, and RIT Honors Program. Beyond research, Reilly is actively engaged in campus leadership and service. She serves on the executive board of the ASBMB student chapter, represents students as the College of Science Honors Council Delegate, and volunteers at the Strong Memorial Hospital. She is also deeply committed to teaching and fostering positive learning environments through her roles as a learning assistant, teaching assistant and tutor, having supported over 300 students at RIT. Outside of academics, she competes year-round on RIT’s NCAA DIII Cross Country and Track team, and she enjoys crafting in her free time.

Katie Sanders

Chapman University

Kathryn (Katie) Sanders is a senior at Chapman University majoring in biochemistry & molecular biology with a computing sciences inquiry. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry, focusing on inorganic chemistry for metalloenzyme-based pharmaceutical therapies, and sustainable energy applications. Her interests stem from nitrogenase, an enzyme complex responsible for nitrogen fixation which she investigates in the Owens lab. Additionally, her passion project quantifying sex bias in myocardial infarction diagnosis motivates her to apply chemistry in ways that progresses women's healthcare. Beyond research, Katie is dedicated to making science more accessible and inclusive. As the past president of the ASBMB student chapter and current president of the ACS student chapter, she has led student teams, helped launch the DEIJ Schmid Program, and built partnerships with campus leadership groups to create research panels, mentorship initiatives, first-generation STEM events, and identity-focused discussions. As an Asian American immigrant adopted into the United States, she is driven by her own experiences with representation and belonging in science. She also leads community STEAM outreach through libraries, schools, museums and public events, working to inspire young students from all backgrounds to see STEM as a space where they belong.

Leonardo Scaramozza

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Leonardo Scaramozza is in his senior year studying biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His interest in infectious disease epidemiology led to an enthusiasm for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind diseases and treatments. He is especially passionate about the regulatory mechanisms of the immune system, host–pathogen interactions, and how the immune system can be harnessed for disease prevention and treatments. His interest in disease mechanisms led him to become an undergraduate researcher in the Hardy Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studies biomedically significant proteases. Scaramozza first studied the interaction between the Zika virus protease and a small-molecule inhibitor. He is now developing a caspase-6 immunoprecipitation protocol for post-translational modification discovery and will present his work at the 2026 ASBMB Annual Meeting. This past summer, he was a lab intern at Cell Signaling Technology, where he gained hands-on experience in monoclonal antibody development. Scaramozza serves as the vice president of his university’s ASBMB chapter, where he helps connect students to academic research opportunities and industry professionals. After graduating in May 2026, he plans to explore the field of immunology and grow as a researcher before pursuing a Ph.D. in immunology. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, playing the tenor saxophone and making ice cream.

John Seyler

Rochester Institute of Technology

John Seyler is a junior at the Rochester Institute of Technology pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience. His interest in science grew from a lifelong love of the outdoors made him curious about how the world works. At RIT, Seyler has been actively involved in research, contributing to projects focused on bacterial conjugation inhibitors as well as modeling the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on oxidative stress in C. elegans. After graduating, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in genetic counseling, with the goal of becoming a genetic counselor. He has been a member of the RIT ASBMB Executive Board since Spring 2024. Outside of academics, Seyler enjoys hiking, fishing, rock climbing and mixed martial arts.

Jack Spedale

University of South Alabama

Jack Spedale is a senior majoring in biomedical sciences at the University of South Alabama. Having grown up surrounded by the clinical side of science through parents working in the healthcare field, he developed an early interest in medicine but had limited exposure to research prior to college. Through involvement with the ASBMB student chapter and a biomedical sciences seminar course, Spedale was introduced to research for the first time. These experiences, along with conversations with a microbiology professor, motivated him to pursue undergraduate research under faculty mentorship. Spedale conducts research at South Alabama’s Center for Lung Biology, where he investigates the effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the context of ventilator-associated pneumonia on endothelial cells, with a particular focus on the protein ubiquitin and its interactions with proteins such as tau and amyloid-β. This research has strengthened his interest in understanding molecular mechanisms of disease and how basic science bridges molecular research and clinical medicine. Outside of the laboratory, Spedale is involved in other pre-health organizations on campus and is passionate about scientific outreach, particularly efforts that bring science and medicine to high school students in the local community. He credits his faculty mentors and peers for their guidance, support and encouragement throughout his academic journey. In his free time, he enjoys playing pickleball and spending time with friends. Spedale aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician committed to evidence-based practice, with continued involvement in research and clinical studies.

Elysia Uggen

Purdue University

Elysia Uggen is a junior at Purdue University majoring in biochemistry with minors in bioinformatics and psychology. She developed a passion for science through the PLTW Biomedical Science courses that were offered at her high school. Since her freshman year of college, Uggen has been conducting research on plant epigenetics in Joe Ogas' lab. Specifically, she has been working on utilizing proximity labeling to identify protein interactions of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler PICKLE in Arabidopsis thaliana. Recently, she began working in Lisa Mydy's lab where she conducts research on plant natural products, including the protein SALI3-2, a BURP-domain protein in soybeans. Outside of research, Uggen serves as the Purdue MEDLIFE Chapter president, Purdue Biochemistry Club vice president and the Purdue Medical Humanities Book Club vice president. She has also worked as a TA for three semesters in both general biochemistry and molecular genetics. After graduating, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry or a related field and ultimately wishes to go into academia where she can teach aspiring researchers and also make meaningful contributions to the research industry. Uggen holds an immense passion for finding ways to make medicine and healthcare more accessible by developing efficient and affordable medical innovations. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunities that Purdue has provided her and also the invaluable experiences she has gained presenting at the ASBMB annual conferences.