About Us

UBC BIOMOD strives to create innovative solutions to tackle various medical issues by merging technology and biology.

Background

Meet some of the faces behind UBC BIOMOD

Minh Au

Minh Au

Hello!! I'm Minh, and I'm the other co-lead on the website team. You could find me mainly in the basement, though I don't play piano, sew or climb (or code :P). I'm the main reason why the website is late a few times.

weblead
Daniel Pan

Daniel Pan

Hi! I'm Daniel, a second-year Computer Science student and a co-lead on the website team. When I'm not coding in the basement, I like playing the piano, sewing, and climbing. If you find any bugs in the website, they're actually features :)

weblead
Grace Wang

Grace Wang

Hi! My name is Grace! I am the team lead for the dynamic video crew team. I’m currently a fourth year student studying Biology in the Faculty of Science. I love hiking and enjoying nature. I find beauty not just in the complexities in science but also in the great outdoors. Going on hikes and stargazing is a passion of mine since I cherish moments that nature offers. During my spare time, I tend to paint portraits or sceneries and make music. It’s a blend of my love for the arts and science.

videolead
Erica Chu

Erica Chu

Hi I’m Erica :) I do the social media and events stuff! I also really like Taylor Swift. Hope to see you around!

social medialead
Enda Cakmak

Enda Cakmak

Hi! I'm Enda and I am a 4th year Biomedical Engineering student at UBC! I have been a part of the wet lab team at BIOMOD since my 2nd year because I was interested in learning more about nanotechnology, molecular biology and wet lab experiments. Being part of a research project fully ran by students is a very exciting and unique experience! In my free time, I like boxing, feeding my caffeine addiction, and watching F1!

wetlablead
Emma Lo

Emma Lo

Emma is a Biochemistry student whose true passion in life is to discover the scientific formula for the perfect nap. She shows up to BIOMOD meetings running on nothing but sushi, matcha, and a pinch of stardust, but is always ready to help out. In her free time she enjoys reading, drawing, or teaching herself a new musical instrument.

wetlab
Christina Zhang

Christina Zhang

Meet the Dilophosaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur from the Early Jurassic distinguished by its double-crested appearance. Despite its Hollywood portrayal in "Jurassic Park," there's no evidence that Dilophosaurus spat venom. Instead, its crests likely served a display or recognition function. With a lightweight build and long legs, it was likely a fast and agile predator. Dilophosaurus offers a glimpse into the varied forms and functions of crests in dinosaurs, showcasing the complexity of adaptations that evolved throughout the vast timeline of dinosaur existence on our planet.

wetlab
Catherine Zhu

Catherine Zhu

Hi! I’m a 4th year biomedical engineering student in the systems and signals stream! I’m interested in learning about MEMS and nanotechnology. In my spare time, I enjoy playing computer games and reading Webtoons. I also like to figure skate and ski.

wetlab
Arnaz Dallah

Arnaz Dallah

The Triceratops, a well-known herbivorous dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous, had a unique dental arrangement that set it apart. While it possessed a beak at the front of its mouth for cropping vegetation, the rest of its jaw was filled with numerous teeth arranged in groups called dental batteries. These batteries consisted of up to 800 tightly packed teeth, forming efficient grinding surfaces. This dental adaptation allowed Triceratops to process tough plant material, showcasing the specialized features that evolved in dinosaurs to exploit specific dietary resources during their existence on Earth.

comp + modelinglead
Whitney Demetriou

Whitney Demetriou

My name is Whitney Demetriou and I am a 4th year student in the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I am part of the BIOMOD wetlab team, and am interested in drug formulation/development.

wetlablead
Vittoria Baht

Vittoria Baht

In the Early Cretaceous, the Microraptor, a small, feathered dinosaur, possessed a remarkable ability—it could glide or possibly even fly. This feathered dinosaur had long feathers on its arms and legs, forming wing-like structures. Although not a direct ancestor of birds, Microraptor exemplifies the evolutionary experimentation with flight-related features in non-avian dinosaurs. Its feathered limbs and potential gliding capabilities highlight the diverse paths taken by dinosaurs as they adapted to various ecological niches, contributing to the evolutionary tapestry that eventually led to the emergence of modern birds.

wetlab
Victoria Chong

Victoria Chong

The Parasaurolophus, a herbivorous dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous, featured a distinctive cranial crest—a long, tubular structure extending backward from its skull. Recent studies suggest that this hollow crest acted as a resonating chamber, enabling Parasaurolophus to produce low-frequency sounds. This adaptation likely played a role in communication, helping these dinosaurs convey information or warn of potential threats. The intricate structures found in dinosaur anatomy continue to unravel, providing valuable insights into the behaviors and adaptations that allowed them to thrive in prehistoric environments.

wetlabfinance
Vania Rezaei

Vania Rezaei

The Ankylosaurus, a heavily armored dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous, sported a remarkable defense mechanism—a tail club composed of fused vertebrae and thick bony knobs. This tail club, resembling a medieval mace, served as a formidable weapon against predators. Ankylosaurus likely swung its tail to deter attackers or assert dominance. This unique adaptation showcases the ingenious ways dinosaurs evolved to thrive in their ecosystems, emphasizing the fascinating diversity of defensive strategies employed by these ancient creatures.

wetlab
Tiffany Yu

Tiffany Yu

My name is Tiffany Yu and I am a fourth year Chemical and Biological Engineering student. I am the team lead of Cadnano sub-team. I joined BIOMOD because I have great interest in nanotechnology. In my free time, I play the piano and I am currently learning opera singing.

comp + modelingsupervisor
Tiffany Wai

Tiffany Wai

In the Late Cretaceous period, the Spinosaurus, one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs, inhabited river systems and displayed a unique adaptation: a crocodile-like snout. This adaptation suggests a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with Spinosaurus possibly hunting fish. With an estimated length of up to 50-59 feet (15-18 meters), it surpasses even the Tyrannosaurus rex in size. The discovery of Spinosaurus fossils in North Africa provides insights into the incredible diversity and adaptations of dinosaurs in different environments during prehistoric times.

wetlab
Tianne Kussat

Tianne Kussat

Hi I'm Tianne, I'm a second year Microbiology and Immunology student. I'm on the website team where I make graphics. Outside of studying, I spend my time reading - my favourite book is The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung.

webgraphics
Talia Feng

Talia Feng

Hello, I'm Talia. I am a second year student studying computer science and microbiology and immunology. I am passionate about drug delivery and immunology as well as software development. I joined BIOMOD because I enjoy the teamworking aspect and enjoy experimenting in labs.

wetlab
Rosalie Zhou

Rosalie Zhou

Hello! My name is Rosalie Zhou and I am a 2nd year Science student studying Pharmacology. I am a part of the Social Media and Events sub-team and I post updates of our progress as well as share interesting findings by our team with UBC students.

social medialead
Melanie Cheng

Melanie Cheng

I’m Melanie and I am currently in my third year studying Biomedical Engineering. This will be my second year as a part of UBC Biomod’s wetlab team and I'm excited to continue with this journey!

wetlab
Laura Siemens

Laura Siemens

Did you know that the Stegosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, had a brain the size of a walnut, despite its massive size? Despite its relatively small brain, the Stegosaurus had large plates along its back and four sharp spikes on its tail, likely used for defense against predators. These distinct features make the Stegosaurus a fascinating example of the diverse adaptations that existed among dinosaurs during their reign on Earth.

wetlabsupervisorfinance
Kendrick Cooke

Kendrick Cooke

Hi! My name is Kendrick Cooke and I’m a 4th year Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences student. I have been a part of Biomod since my third year and am acting Project Lead this year! I find new drug delivery technologies very interesting and am passionate about women’s health! Outside of school I really enjoy sports, I play football golf and ultimate frisbee and love being outside.

wetlabsupervisor
Miguel Tsai

Miguel Tsai

Hi, I am Miguel and I also one of the co-captains for UBC BIOMOD this year. I am very excited to be leading this team amazing team. It is unknown if I have other interests outside of BIOMOD, I eat, live and breathe BIOMOD. If I could eat my DNA origami , I would. Maybe that is a future BIOMOD project..... Well, I also love playing nintendo games.

advisorlegend
Melanie Chan

Melanie Chan

Melanie is a second year science student studying Microbiology and Immunology. When she isn't invested in reading up on new advancements in DNA technology and all its applications, she enjoys reading science fiction and writing poetry.

wetlablead
Karina Akhmedova

Karina Akhmedova

I'm studying biomedical engineering and am very passionate about stem cell research related to immunology and neurology. Studying these subjects always makes me feel curious and intrigued, but also empty-headed sometimes (you can never know enough!). In my free time, I exercise at the gym, run, and learn to do an arm stand. cool fact: an active lifestyle increases life expectancy. In biomod, I love the community of young and passionate scientists we have, trying to solve modern problems in the field of medicine.

captain
Paniz Ghavimi

Paniz Ghavimi

Hiii everyone! My name is Paniz, and I am an incoming fourth-year student in the Faculty of Science with a major focus on Molecular and Cellular Biology. I am a member of the Wet Lab Team, where I help with designing projects and performing experiments. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, playing tennis, and discovering new ice cream flavours with friends!

captain
Vivian Zheng

Vivian Zheng

Hi! I'm a 3rd year CAPS major, and part of the wet lab team in BIOMOD. This will be my third year in BIOMOD, and originally joined back in my first year because I was really interested by the previous years' work and wanted to contribute towards develop exciting projects in nanotech! In my spare, I love to play badminton, go cafe hopping and hiking!

wetlabsupervisor
Maggie Wang

Maggie Wang

Hi, I’m Maggie! I am a third year biomedical engineering student and the finance team lead at UBC BIOMOD. I’m interested in 3D printing, quantum physics, and microbiology. In my free time, I like to read, watch bad reality TV, and go on hikes. My favourite book that I’ve read this year is Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami.

wetlabfinancelead
Minh Au

Minh Au

Hello!! I'm Minh, and I'm the other co-lead on the website team. You could find me mainly in the basement, though I don't play piano, sew or climb (or code :P). I'm the main reason why the website is late a few times.

weblead
Daniel Pan

Daniel Pan

Hi! I'm Daniel, a second-year Computer Science student and a co-lead on the website team. When I'm not coding in the basement, I like playing the piano, sewing, and climbing. If you find any bugs in the website, they're actually features :)

weblead
Grace Wang

Grace Wang

Hi! My name is Grace! I am the team lead for the dynamic video crew team. I’m currently a fourth year student studying Biology in the Faculty of Science. I love hiking and enjoying nature. I find beauty not just in the complexities in science but also in the great outdoors. Going on hikes and stargazing is a passion of mine since I cherish moments that nature offers. During my spare time, I tend to paint portraits or sceneries and make music. It’s a blend of my love for the arts and science.

videolead
Erica Chu

Erica Chu

Hi I’m Erica :) I do the social media and events stuff! I also really like Taylor Swift. Hope to see you around!

social medialead
Enda Cakmak

Enda Cakmak

Hi! I'm Enda and I am a 4th year Biomedical Engineering student at UBC! I have been a part of the wet lab team at BIOMOD since my 2nd year because I was interested in learning more about nanotechnology, molecular biology and wet lab experiments. Being part of a research project fully ran by students is a very exciting and unique experience! In my free time, I like boxing, feeding my caffeine addiction, and watching F1!

wetlablead
Emma Lo

Emma Lo

Emma is a Biochemistry student whose true passion in life is to discover the scientific formula for the perfect nap. She shows up to BIOMOD meetings running on nothing but sushi, matcha, and a pinch of stardust, but is always ready to help out. In her free time she enjoys reading, drawing, or teaching herself a new musical instrument.

wetlab
Christina Zhang

Christina Zhang

Meet the Dilophosaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur from the Early Jurassic distinguished by its double-crested appearance. Despite its Hollywood portrayal in "Jurassic Park," there's no evidence that Dilophosaurus spat venom. Instead, its crests likely served a display or recognition function. With a lightweight build and long legs, it was likely a fast and agile predator. Dilophosaurus offers a glimpse into the varied forms and functions of crests in dinosaurs, showcasing the complexity of adaptations that evolved throughout the vast timeline of dinosaur existence on our planet.

wetlab
Catherine Zhu

Catherine Zhu

Hi! I’m a 4th year biomedical engineering student in the systems and signals stream! I’m interested in learning about MEMS and nanotechnology. In my spare time, I enjoy playing computer games and reading Webtoons. I also like to figure skate and ski.

wetlab
Arnaz Dallah

Arnaz Dallah

The Triceratops, a well-known herbivorous dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous, had a unique dental arrangement that set it apart. While it possessed a beak at the front of its mouth for cropping vegetation, the rest of its jaw was filled with numerous teeth arranged in groups called dental batteries. These batteries consisted of up to 800 tightly packed teeth, forming efficient grinding surfaces. This dental adaptation allowed Triceratops to process tough plant material, showcasing the specialized features that evolved in dinosaurs to exploit specific dietary resources during their existence on Earth.

comp + modelinglead
Whitney Demetriou

Whitney Demetriou

My name is Whitney Demetriou and I am a 4th year student in the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I am part of the BIOMOD wetlab team, and am interested in drug formulation/development.

wetlablead
Vittoria Baht

Vittoria Baht

In the Early Cretaceous, the Microraptor, a small, feathered dinosaur, possessed a remarkable ability—it could glide or possibly even fly. This feathered dinosaur had long feathers on its arms and legs, forming wing-like structures. Although not a direct ancestor of birds, Microraptor exemplifies the evolutionary experimentation with flight-related features in non-avian dinosaurs. Its feathered limbs and potential gliding capabilities highlight the diverse paths taken by dinosaurs as they adapted to various ecological niches, contributing to the evolutionary tapestry that eventually led to the emergence of modern birds.

wetlab
Victoria Chong

Victoria Chong

The Parasaurolophus, a herbivorous dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous, featured a distinctive cranial crest—a long, tubular structure extending backward from its skull. Recent studies suggest that this hollow crest acted as a resonating chamber, enabling Parasaurolophus to produce low-frequency sounds. This adaptation likely played a role in communication, helping these dinosaurs convey information or warn of potential threats. The intricate structures found in dinosaur anatomy continue to unravel, providing valuable insights into the behaviors and adaptations that allowed them to thrive in prehistoric environments.

wetlabfinance
Vania Rezaei

Vania Rezaei

The Ankylosaurus, a heavily armored dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous, sported a remarkable defense mechanism—a tail club composed of fused vertebrae and thick bony knobs. This tail club, resembling a medieval mace, served as a formidable weapon against predators. Ankylosaurus likely swung its tail to deter attackers or assert dominance. This unique adaptation showcases the ingenious ways dinosaurs evolved to thrive in their ecosystems, emphasizing the fascinating diversity of defensive strategies employed by these ancient creatures.

wetlab
Tiffany Yu

Tiffany Yu

My name is Tiffany Yu and I am a fourth year Chemical and Biological Engineering student. I am the team lead of Cadnano sub-team. I joined BIOMOD because I have great interest in nanotechnology. In my free time, I play the piano and I am currently learning opera singing.

comp + modelingsupervisor
Tiffany Wai

Tiffany Wai

In the Late Cretaceous period, the Spinosaurus, one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs, inhabited river systems and displayed a unique adaptation: a crocodile-like snout. This adaptation suggests a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with Spinosaurus possibly hunting fish. With an estimated length of up to 50-59 feet (15-18 meters), it surpasses even the Tyrannosaurus rex in size. The discovery of Spinosaurus fossils in North Africa provides insights into the incredible diversity and adaptations of dinosaurs in different environments during prehistoric times.

wetlab
Tianne Kussat

Tianne Kussat

Hi I'm Tianne, I'm a second year Microbiology and Immunology student. I'm on the website team where I make graphics. Outside of studying, I spend my time reading - my favourite book is The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung.

webgraphics
Talia Feng

Talia Feng

Hello, I'm Talia. I am a second year student studying computer science and microbiology and immunology. I am passionate about drug delivery and immunology as well as software development. I joined BIOMOD because I enjoy the teamworking aspect and enjoy experimenting in labs.

wetlab
Rosalie Zhou

Rosalie Zhou

Hello! My name is Rosalie Zhou and I am a 2nd year Science student studying Pharmacology. I am a part of the Social Media and Events sub-team and I post updates of our progress as well as share interesting findings by our team with UBC students.

social medialead
Melanie Cheng

Melanie Cheng

I’m Melanie and I am currently in my third year studying Biomedical Engineering. This will be my second year as a part of UBC Biomod’s wetlab team and I'm excited to continue with this journey!

wetlab
Laura Siemens

Laura Siemens

Did you know that the Stegosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, had a brain the size of a walnut, despite its massive size? Despite its relatively small brain, the Stegosaurus had large plates along its back and four sharp spikes on its tail, likely used for defense against predators. These distinct features make the Stegosaurus a fascinating example of the diverse adaptations that existed among dinosaurs during their reign on Earth.

wetlabsupervisorfinance
Kendrick Cooke

Kendrick Cooke

Hi! My name is Kendrick Cooke and I’m a 4th year Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences student. I have been a part of Biomod since my third year and am acting Project Lead this year! I find new drug delivery technologies very interesting and am passionate about women’s health! Outside of school I really enjoy sports, I play football golf and ultimate frisbee and love being outside.

wetlabsupervisor
Miguel Tsai

Miguel Tsai

Hi, I am Miguel and I also one of the co-captains for UBC BIOMOD this year. I am very excited to be leading this team amazing team. It is unknown if I have other interests outside of BIOMOD, I eat, live and breathe BIOMOD. If I could eat my DNA origami , I would. Maybe that is a future BIOMOD project..... Well, I also love playing nintendo games.

advisorlegend
Melanie Chan

Melanie Chan

Melanie is a second year science student studying Microbiology and Immunology. When she isn't invested in reading up on new advancements in DNA technology and all its applications, she enjoys reading science fiction and writing poetry.

wetlablead
Karina Akhmedova

Karina Akhmedova

I'm studying biomedical engineering and am very passionate about stem cell research related to immunology and neurology. Studying these subjects always makes me feel curious and intrigued, but also empty-headed sometimes (you can never know enough!). In my free time, I exercise at the gym, run, and learn to do an arm stand. cool fact: an active lifestyle increases life expectancy. In biomod, I love the community of young and passionate scientists we have, trying to solve modern problems in the field of medicine.

captain
Paniz Ghavimi

Paniz Ghavimi

Hiii everyone! My name is Paniz, and I am an incoming fourth-year student in the Faculty of Science with a major focus on Molecular and Cellular Biology. I am a member of the Wet Lab Team, where I help with designing projects and performing experiments. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, playing tennis, and discovering new ice cream flavours with friends!

captain
Vivian Zheng

Vivian Zheng

Hi! I'm a 3rd year CAPS major, and part of the wet lab team in BIOMOD. This will be my third year in BIOMOD, and originally joined back in my first year because I was really interested by the previous years' work and wanted to contribute towards develop exciting projects in nanotech! In my spare, I love to play badminton, go cafe hopping and hiking!

wetlabsupervisor
Maggie Wang

Maggie Wang

Hi, I’m Maggie! I am a third year biomedical engineering student and the finance team lead at UBC BIOMOD. I’m interested in 3D printing, quantum physics, and microbiology. In my free time, I like to read, watch bad reality TV, and go on hikes. My favourite book that I’ve read this year is Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami.

wetlabfinancelead

Hear Some of Our Stories

Karina Akhmedova

Karina Akhmedova

Captain

I became a part of UBC BIOMOD in the beginning of my second year in Biomedical Engineering. It’s now my third year on the team! Originally, I joined as a part of wetlab subteam: worked on protocol development and performed some experimental work. Later, I was promoted to a wetlab subteam lead, and then a co-captain along with Paniz. It’s been 4 months of us leading the team and I have to admit it’s more work than it seemed! UBC BIOMOD is a great place to grow as a leader, an engineer, and a person. I’m excited to be a part of this team, it allowed me to gain technical knowledge in various fields and directly apply them on a problem. A highlight memory of mine is us going to a 2023 competition in Tokyo, we were so happy and so nervous at the same time. I had to present computational results back then and it was my first time ever presenting work internationally. BIOMOD is about people, it’s a place to learn and solve together.

Miguel Tsai

Miguel Tsai

Advisor (Former Captain)

Miguel has been in UBC BIOMOD since 1st year, which makes it his 5th year. When he joined, he was a part of many subteams: wetlab, website, Cadnano(now computational and modeling). He became a wetlab lead and eventually one of the co-captains. He has become an essential member of the many projects and subteams he has been on. He jokingly says all the time that he eats, sleeps and dreams of UBC BIOMOD. He has learned so much from his time at UBC BIOMOD and made so many good friends, he can’t imagine his life without it. “I have been mentored by many people at UBC BIOMOD and I wish I am doing the same to all the members currently. I think the best part of UBC BIOMOD is learning from each other and facing all these challenges together.”

Interested in Joining Us?

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