What is BGSS?
The Bioengineering Graduate Student Society is a student run organization with three main goals in mind:
1. Promote social, academic, and professional interaction between graduate students
2. Promote opportunities for professional development for members (e.g. industry visits and talks, skill seminars, careers in academia seminars)
3. Serve as a democratic liason between grad students and faculty (e.g. surveys, opinion polls, elections)
How exactly we fullfill these broad goals depends on the membership!
All bioengineering graduate students are automatically members of BGSS and are encouraged to get involved by attending our events!
1. Promote social, academic, and professional interaction between graduate students
2. Promote opportunities for professional development for members (e.g. industry visits and talks, skill seminars, careers in academia seminars)
3. Serve as a democratic liason between grad students and faculty (e.g. surveys, opinion polls, elections)
How exactly we fullfill these broad goals depends on the membership!
All bioengineering graduate students are automatically members of BGSS and are encouraged to get involved by attending our events!
Meet the Board (2023-2024)
President- John Quinlan
pronouns: he/him/his
John completed his B.S. and M.S. in biomedical engineering at Drexel University in 2019. He joined Maryland's MD/PhD program in 2019, and Dr. Huang's Optical Therapeutics & Nanotechnology Laboratory in 2021, where his research focuses on the use of photodynamic therapy in glioblastoma. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and listening to podcasts.
John completed his B.S. and M.S. in biomedical engineering at Drexel University in 2019. He joined Maryland's MD/PhD program in 2019, and Dr. Huang's Optical Therapeutics & Nanotechnology Laboratory in 2021, where his research focuses on the use of photodynamic therapy in glioblastoma. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and listening to podcasts.
VP Academic Affairs - Emily Powsner
pronouns: she/her/hers
Emily graduated with her B.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Delaware in May 2021. In the Fall of 2021, she started her PhD in Dr. Jay's Biotherapeutic Development and Delivery lab where her research focuses on extracellular vesicles as therapeutics. In her free time, Emily loves spending time with friends and family, reading, working out, playing with dogs, and finding new brunch spots in DC.
Emily graduated with her B.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Delaware in May 2021. In the Fall of 2021, she started her PhD in Dr. Jay's Biotherapeutic Development and Delivery lab where her research focuses on extracellular vesicles as therapeutics. In her free time, Emily loves spending time with friends and family, reading, working out, playing with dogs, and finding new brunch spots in DC.
VP Professional Development - Nick Pirolli
VP Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity - Lauren Smith
VP Social Affairs - Evan Benke
pronouns: he/him/his
Evan is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Ian White's Lab where he am developing nucleic acid diagnostics for detecting antibiotic resistance in bloodstream infections. Outside of the lab, Evan enjoys swimming, basketball, and fishing.
Evan is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Ian White's Lab where he am developing nucleic acid diagnostics for detecting antibiotic resistance in bloodstream infections. Outside of the lab, Evan enjoys swimming, basketball, and fishing.
VP Finance - Rebecca Johnson
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Rebecca graduated with her B.S. in biological engineering from the University of Georgia in May 2022. She started her PhD that fall and joined Dr. Huang's Optical Therapeutics & Nanotechnology Lab where she researches nanoparticle-assisted thermal therapies for glioblastoma treatment. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys trying new DC restaurants or coffee shops and playing with her two dogs.
Rebecca graduated with her B.S. in biological engineering from the University of Georgia in May 2022. She started her PhD that fall and joined Dr. Huang's Optical Therapeutics & Nanotechnology Lab where she researches nanoparticle-assisted thermal therapies for glioblastoma treatment. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys trying new DC restaurants or coffee shops and playing with her two dogs.
5th Year Class Rep - Shannon McLoughlin
pronouns: she/her/hers
Shannon earned her B.S. in Bioengineering from Syracuse University in May 2019. She joined Dr. Fisher's lab in the Fall of 2019 as a PhD student and her research focuses on 3D printing strategies for bone tissue engineering. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, working out, spending time with her dog Bella, and exploring Washington DC.
Shannon earned her B.S. in Bioengineering from Syracuse University in May 2019. She joined Dr. Fisher's lab in the Fall of 2019 as a PhD student and her research focuses on 3D printing strategies for bone tissue engineering. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, working out, spending time with her dog Bella, and exploring Washington DC.
4th Year Class Rep - Ian Smith
pronouns: he/him/his
Ian is a PhD student in Dr. Stroka's lab, where he is interested in continuing to understand how biomechanical cues from the microenvironment direct cell behavior. In his free time, Ian enjoys pottery, hiking, wood working, and traveling.
Ian is a PhD student in Dr. Stroka's lab, where he is interested in continuing to understand how biomechanical cues from the microenvironment direct cell behavior. In his free time, Ian enjoys pottery, hiking, wood working, and traveling.
3rd Year Class Rep - Allison Boboltz
pronouns: she/her/hers
Allison earned her B.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia in 2021. She is currently a mucus engineer (and PhD student) in Dr. Gregg Duncan’s Respiratory Nano-Bioengineering Lab studying cystic fibrosis. In her free time she is an avid runner, amateur artist, and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Allison earned her B.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia in 2021. She is currently a mucus engineer (and PhD student) in Dr. Gregg Duncan’s Respiratory Nano-Bioengineering Lab studying cystic fibrosis. In her free time she is an avid runner, amateur artist, and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
2nd Year Class Rep - Varunaa Hemanth
pronouns: she/her/hers
Varunaa earned her B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland. She is a PhD student in Dr. Molinari's Living Material Design lab. In her free time, she enjoys working out and spending time with friends and family.
Varunaa earned her B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland. She is a PhD student in Dr. Molinari's Living Material Design lab. In her free time, she enjoys working out and spending time with friends and family.
1st Year Class Rep - Lara Larson
pronouns: she/her/hers
Lara obtained her B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Kentucky in May 2023. Lara is a rotating PhD student for Fall 2023. Her research interests are predominately in immunology, with a heightened interest in autoimmunity and understanding health inequities. In her spare time, Lara enjoys going to museums and partaking in tone-deaf karaoke.
Lara obtained her B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Kentucky in May 2023. Lara is a rotating PhD student for Fall 2023. Her research interests are predominately in immunology, with a heightened interest in autoimmunity and understanding health inequities. In her spare time, Lara enjoys going to museums and partaking in tone-deaf karaoke.
Postdoc Rep - Dr. Gurneet Sangha
pronouns: he/ him/ his
Gurneet is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Alisa Morss Clyne. He earned his B.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University and Purdue University. Gurneet's research focuses on studying how biochemical signals released from red blood cells under blood flow affect vascular health and disease.
Gurneet is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Alisa Morss Clyne. He earned his B.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University and Purdue University. Gurneet's research focuses on studying how biochemical signals released from red blood cells under blood flow affect vascular health and disease.