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<h1>The Team</h1>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Senior</li><li>Major: Neuroscience</li><li>Officer Position: Co-Head Coordinator</li></ul>Working with Brandon, Dr. Agapakis, and the officers of the Synthetic Biology Club, I assist with coordinating our programs. My independent research focuses on profiling the transcriptional networks that regulate the kinetics of cellular reprogramming during the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells. With an education in neuroscience but bench-side training in molecular, cell, and developmental biology, I am fascinated by the subtle genetic and epigenetic changes that program enigmatic organs and complex cellular processes -- as well as the events that can disrupt them and lead to disease. I joined the UCLA iGEM team to explore new scientific frontiers, and tackle challenges with a team of passionate, inspiring, and awesome individuals!<p></p>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Senior</li><li>Major: Chemical Engineering</li><li>Officer Position: Graphics Designer</li></ul>I design the  flyer, logo, website, and other visual materials needed for the club. I am currently working in a lab that engineers bacteria into biofuel producing factories. I am interested in synthetic biology and epigenetic. I joined iGEM because I would like to promote our newly built organism with my art talent!<p></p>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Senior</li><li>Major: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering</li><li>Officer Position: Lab Manager</li></ul>I've been working in the filed of synthetic biology as a undergraduate research assistant and I'm I am fascinated about living cells and their complex regulatory systems. As I'm moving on to graduate school in the fall to delve deeper into this field, I want to express the fun and excitement of synthetic biology research to more undergraduate students at UCLA.<p></p>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Sophomore</li><li>Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology </li><li>Officer Position: Secretary</li></ul>I am Secretary for the club. I am doing research in miRNA in mice. I joined the team because I am interested in learning more about the cutting edge of biological research. I am also very excited to participate in the creation of our own genetically engineered machine.<p></p>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Sophomore</li><li>Major: Physiological Sciences</li><li>Officer Position: Media Director</li></ul>My job for the UCLA iGEM team, and Synthetic Biology Club, involves maintaining any related media (website, team wiki, etc.) and helping to reach out to build SBC's public image. I'm currently involved in research on neural repair mechanisms and the effects of lifestyle on trophic factor production in the CNS with UCLA's Physiological Department. I joined iGEM to learn more about the engineering aspect of fields in biology, get an opportunity to work with some of the most accomplished students and faculty at UCLA, and mostly to have a good time!<p></p>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Sophomore</li><li>Major: Computational &amp; Systems Biology</li><li>Officer Position: Treasurer</li></ul>I am the treasurer for the UCLA iGEM team and its my job to ensure that our team has the appropriate funding for all the experiments, traveling, and all the little things in the middle. I research in bioengineering, in a microfluidics lab. Specifically we use technologies like deformability cytometry to better understand the mechanical properties of cells. I have always loved building and creating but also biology and medicine. iGEM bridges the gap between engineering and biology perfectly which is why i joined the UCLA team. I am super excited to work on this project, and can't wait to compete!<p></p>

<td><img src="http://synbioatucla.com/michael_cheng_pic.jpg" width="150"></td>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Freshman</li><li>Major: Bioengineering</li></ul>I joined iGEM because synthetic biology is just about the coolest thing ever. I look forward to working with fellow students who share this interest to make an actual contribution to science.<p></p>

<td><img src="http://synbioatucla.com/michael_huang_pic.jpg" width="150"></td>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Sophomore</li><li>Major: Integrative Biology and Physiology</li></ul>I joined iGEM because I was interested in pursuing a career in synthetic biology as well as gaining some research experience. I look forward to developing a project and developing friendships with the people with whom I work.<p></p>

<td><img src="http://synbioatucla.com/daniel_cancilla_pic.jpg" width="150"></td>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Sophomore</li><li>Major: Biochemistry</li></ul>I'm part of various pre medical clubs such as AMSA and med friends. I am also part of C.U.R.E., a club for helping undergraduates participate in research. I like sports and am an avid tennis player. I also enjoy snowboarding and skateboarding and other such outdoor activities.<p></p>

<p></p><ul><li>Year: Senior</li><li>Major: Neuroscience</li></ul> I work in a lab studying how electrical excitability affects neuronal morphology in the developing zebrafish embryo. I am broadly interested in neuroscience, computational biology, and evolution. I want to participate in iGEM because I like to build things, and what's more awesome than building new organisms?<p></p>

<td valign="top"><h3>Christina Agapakis</h3>

<p>I'm a synthetic biologist studying microbial evolution and ecology in the department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental biology at UCLA. In the past I've worked with iGEM teams that built microbial fuel cells and engineered plant flavors, and I'm excited to see what the UCLA team will build for 2013!</p>

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