Meet The Team

Dr. Zhang is an associate professor in the UMD Department of Veterinary Medicine. He specializes in virus-cell interactions, viral pathenogenesis, and vaccine development. Team Toxins is the third Gemstone team that he has mentored!

Madeline is a pre-medical student working on a Biochemistry major with a Spanish minor. She plans to attend medical school after her undergraduate career and pursue a future in medicine as a physician or surgeon.

Kenna is a General Biology major interested in pursuing a graduate degree and research career. On campus she is involved in the Community Learning Garden and the nonprofit organization Fidos for Freedom. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, art, and hiking.

Margaret is a Biology and Computer Science major. She is also a research assistant at an Entomology lab at UMD studying how pesticides affect various species of insects. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, and playing piano.

Hannah is a Chemical Engineering major interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. She also works as a research assistant in the Functional Macromolecular Laboratory to develop a sprayable surgical sealant and adhesion barrier.

Graham is a Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics major with a minor in Paleobiology. On campus he is involved in chemical engineering and plant science research labs, and plans to get his PhD after his time at the University of Maryland. In his free time, he enjoys going for runs and learning about microbial fuel cells.

Megan is a Biochemistry major and a Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy minor. She is also a part of a professional chemistry fraternity and in her free time enjoys watching movies, singing, playing violin, and drawing.

Tami is a Chemistry major with a minor in Spanish in professional contexts on the pre-med track. Aside from becoming a doctor, she plans to continue research that benefits underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, and playing soccer.

Nivetha is a Biology major and Business minor on the pre-med track. She hopes to become a physician that can create a difference in health disparities and advocate for global health.

Sofia is a Chemistry major on the pre-med track. After she finishes her undergraduate studies she plans to attend medical school in order to become a surgeon.

Eesha is a neurobiology & physiology major on the pre-med track. She’s passionate about mental health and volunteers for the university’s peer crisis & counseling hotline. She also loves teaching and mentoring other students & enjoys experimenting in the kitchen in her free time.

Cameron is a Bioengineering major. Apart from being a member of Team TOXINS, she works as a research assistant at the Biomaterials for Translational Research Laboratory and offers HIV tests to underserved communities in the D.C. area. In the future, she hopes to obtain her PhD in Biomaterials, and continue to explore her passion for medicine and science.

Joe is a Public Health Science major at UMD. He hopes to pursue a graduate degree in the future, whether it be a PhD or MD, and participate in the biomedical field to support Public Health issues.