Team

Fun Fact:
I was a dancer for 12 years. I practiced ballet/pointe, hip hop, tap, and acrobatics!

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I joined iGEM this year because I participated before in Miami University's very first iGEM team! The experience was eye-opening, and I really felt that the research of ours and multiple other groups could lead to something impactful! I hope to help guide and strengthen the yearly establishment of a Miami University iGEM team and continue building upon the legacy we've begun to develop.

Fun Fact:
I once ordered 20 scoops of matcha powder with 3 shots of espresso, and I still survive till now.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
To me, iGEM is where I can challenge self-disciplinary in the projects. I feel that for this competition, it would not be only the results reflecting our dedication, but the whole process of working as a team will tell us.

Fun Fact:
I play in a handbell choir.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
Participating in the iGEM competition seemed like a fun scientific experience. I would be working with other students to produce meaningful results. Who knows, what we do here could go on to save the world someday.

Fun Fact:
I love to travel.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I was part of Miami's first iGEM team last year and had a lot of fun learning outside of the classroom and applying what I have learned in the classroom. It is also a great way to meet new people who are just as passionate about science.

Fun Fact:
I am Egyptian. Born and raised.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
My ideal career is to do research for a living. iGEM is a great place to start. I love that we're allowed to be as creative as we want with it.

Fun Fact:
I did contact tracing for Miami University and the citizens in the county.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I wanted to learn more about microbiology and I think iGEM was a great fit since our project this year is focused on antimicrobial resistance and bacteriophages.

Fun Fact:
I write with my left hand but play sports with my right.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I am interested in synthetic biology as a career and would like to explore it more deeply.

Fun Fact:
I love to rock climb and own a pet pig.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
IGem is a great competition for students who are interested in synthetic biology. It gives them free range to come up with their own project ideas and get involved. I joined because my goal is to go to grad school for synthetic biology or bioengineering. This is a great opportunity for me to get hands on experience in a lab setting with great peers!

Fun Fact:
I play on a hockey team in Scotland.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
Because IGem is a great competition and I'm interested in telling the story of Miami U's IGem team.

Fun Fact:
I've been to three countries (France, U.K. and China).

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I didn't know about iGEM until earlier this year, and I thought it'd be a great learning experience.

Fun Fact:
I constructed a 40 foot bridge at the Brukner Nature Preserve in Troy, Ohio.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I joined iGEM since I had some background in modeling already (and in Computer Science). I helped to contribute to the AFIT team before, but I wasn't offically a part of it. I can't wait to help as an offical member!

Fun Fact:
I am a classically trained pianist.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I love being involved in research and answering questions that can be solved in my field of study. Through joining iGEM, I am able to do this and more. I am very excited to be a part of the team and help out in any way I can, both for the team itself and the entire field.

Fun Fact:
I love reptiles and own and take care of a 16 year old sulcata tortoise.

Why did you want to join iGEM?:
I chose to join iGEM because I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with other competitive individuals who have similar aspirations, interests, and goals in synthetic biology research.

Fun Fact:
I used to love novels but now I can only read non-fictions.

Bio:
Xin Wang is an assistant professor of microbiology and serves as the secondary principal investigator on Miami University's iGEM team. Dr. Wang has been with Miami University since 2017. He is an expert in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and the metabolism of microbes. His research investigates cyanobacterial metabolisms to eventually rewire the central metabolism to sustain cell growth and meet engineering goals such as biofuel production. Aside from his own lab research, he inspired the formation of Miami University's first iGEM team in 2021 and continues to support us in our second year!

Fun Fact:
Plays the bagpipes.

Bio:
Patrick is an analytical chemistry graduate student, whose research focuses on the development of a surface-based detection method, Phage-Layer Interferometry (PLI). Through this project, he has gained a lot of experience working with bacteriophages making him a good advisor for helping iGEM students learn wet lab techniques necessary for their project.

Fun Fact:
Enjoys watching chess videos and was an avid soccer player.

Bio:
Kevin Yehl is an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Miami University and serves as the primary principal investigator on Miami University's iGEM team. He joined Miami University after completing his postdoc at MIT in 2020. His research combines knowledge from chemistry, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology in order to understand how biological machines work and then to apply these principles towards designing synthetic nanomachines. The major focus of his research is to develop sensors and phage therapies for combating antibiotic resistance, and we are happy to have his expertise to guide our efforts this iGEM season!