Welcome to our incoming graduate students!

Nineteen new students are joining the Department of Biological Chemistry in 2023–24.

PhD Students

Rachelle Baumann
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

Tyler Brant
Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland

Kimberly Edicha
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Suada Leskaj
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Megan Medina
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Kierra Pendill
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL

Ben Pockrass
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Brenna Saladin
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Ashley Scheutzow
University of Toledo, Toledo, OH

Leidy Vanegas Cano
Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja, Colombia
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia

Alice Youle
Haverford College, Haverford, PA

MS Students

Ashley (Ash) de Borchgrave
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Panida Khuansanguan
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI

Ryan Lash
Hope College, Holland, MI

Johnnie Lin
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Rongchen Liu
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

Cyd Martin
Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME

Jenna Peterson
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Maria Shamraj
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Featured News & Stories Dr. Adina Turcu
Department News
Internal Medicine Faculty Spotlight − Dr. Adina Turcu
Adina Turcu, MD, MS is an Associated Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to her patients.
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Health Lab
People want to know if AI is used in their health care
A study published in JAMA Network Open finds most people want to be notified if AI is used in their health care.
 Pariyamon Thaprawat holds a PhD sign
Department News
Pariyamon (Pha) Thaprawat defended her Ph.D. thesis in M&I and is on her way to an M.D.
Pariyamon (Pha) Thaprawat defended her thesis titled “Toxoplasma gondii Autophagy and Chronic Infection” on November 2, 2024. She received her Ph.D. summa cum laude under the mentorship of Vern Carruthers.
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Department News
Unlocking Creativity Workshop Inspires New Insights for Addressing Challenges in Health Sciences Education
The Unlocking Creativity workshop, co-hosted by RISE and the Academy of Medical Educators, inspired innovative approaches to healthcare and education through creative thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
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Health Lab
Roy’s Michigan Answer: Second opinion saves patient’s heart
Michigan Medicine's team of cardiology experts offered an advanced, minimally invasive coronary intervention, which restored one patient back to good health
 patient family and child life team member smiling and then a photo next to that one with the same worker helping someone in a wheelchair in a patient office
Health Lab
A pediatric program helping adults through cardiovascular disease, surgery
A child life program that has helped kids and their families reduce stress and anxiety associated with hospitalization and illness is now finding success with adult patients undergoing complex heart procedures as well.