Glendale Community College Arizona

Team

Summer 2013

Early 2013 Dr. Tuohy and Dr. Ziemba teamed up with Glendale Community College with hopes of forming an iGEM team for the 2013 collegiate division. After a rigorous application process, many candidates were selected, the schools first iGEM team had been selected. As of late spring, the team decided to work with Deinococcus radiodurans, as well as other species in the family. In late May, the team started working 4 days a week, and with the help of Dr. Tuohy and Dr. Ziemba, the team worked nonstop on trying to achieve the project goal.

Undergraduates

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  Erica SoboslayBiotechnology and Molecular Science

  My name is Erica Soboslay. I am currently pursuing an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences. I plan to immediately pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, and ultimately obtain a Ph.D. in Regenerative Medicine. I joined Glendale Community College’s iGEM team because, as an overzealous undergrad, I could not resist the wonderful opportunity to participate in student-led research in the lab. Beyond all the lab techniques I’ve learned this summer, I have also learned just how important it is to stay focused and determined. We’ve faced all sorts of setbacks, but found solutions and kept moving right along.

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  Esther JuárezBiochemistry and Life Sciences

  I am a Biochemistry (Medicinal Chemistry) student. My career goal is to earn my M.D. degree and eventually practice medicine. My interests in research include preventive medicine, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. I joined Glendale Community College iGEM 2013 because I am interested in research, professional scientific writing, and teamwork. The research project at GCC has given me exposure to many academic and personal challenges, achievements, and the knowledge required to focus more my interests in the Synthetic Biology field. I designed the wiki for this project and I am thankful to our advisors and teammates; they all are part of our success. From iGEM I have learned how to enjoy and get the most out of the student life; such a valuable experience! More About Me

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  Fern VlietPhysics

  My name is Fern Van Vliet and I am a sophomore at Glendale Community College. I am currently majoring in physics. I joined iGEM for research experience, and I joined because of my interest in the project. Biotechnology has always fascinated me and iGEM was a good way to gain a better understanding of the field. Through iGEM, I have gained a greater respect for people in the research field. I now understand that there is a long and sometimes tedious process of planning that is required before any research can be done.

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  Yanet Cora KopninaHealth Science

  Yanet grew up in Cuba. She left her family and came to the United States to pursue her dreams on her 20th birthday, and has lived here for almost five years. Yanet is a professional contemporary and Latin dancer and dance instructor, having attended the prestigious Raul Gomez Garcia National School of Art in Holguin, Cuba. She is currently finishing her Associates of Science at Glendale Community College, and will transfer to Arizona State University to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science. The daughter of a nurse, Yanet’s long term plan is to attend medical school and become a physician. She is a member of the Biotechnology club, Pre-Med club and GCC’s IGEM team. She also volunteers every week at Banner Thunderbird Hospital. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her boyfriend and her miniature Schnauzer.

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  Sean Pipes Biotechnology

  My name is Sean Sipes, and I am a sophomore at GCC studying Biotechnology. I am going to ASU in the fall to finish out my Bachelors degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology Research. I plan on going straight for a masters degree and then possibly going for a Ph.D. I enjoy long walks on the beach, pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain. I hope to one day research cancer in a research lab.

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  Teresa LuPoneBiochemistry and Health Sciences

  My name is Teresa LuPone. I am a 27-year-old pre-med student in the Biotechnology program at Glendale Community College where I also am a Supplemental Instruction leader for General Biology I. I decided to join the IGEM team to have a fun educational research experience for the summer. I wanted to put the skills I've learned in the program to use and see a research project from inception to completion. My goal in my career is to be a physician that marries medical research with clinical practice to really help people get the cutting edge care that they need.

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  Cristina CastilloBiomedical Engineering

  My name is Cristina Castillo and I am currently majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I joined iGEM because I wanted to gain research experience in the field. I am transferring to University of Michigan to earn my Bachelor degree, Then, I want to attend Medical school to become a surgeon.The thing I learned most about this research project is that there is no such thing as failure, even though we did not always get what we were expecting, all our results made us discover something new that lead us to a solid project.

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  Adam MarinBiotechnology

  My name is Adam Marin and I am currently enrolled in the Biotechnology program at GCC.I will transfer to ASU to finish my bachelors degree with the hope of continuing in post studies. In my past I have served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps and was fortunate to have served or trained on 4 different continents allowing me the opportunity for world experience. I spent 10 years bartending allowing myself to gain an imaginary but well deserved masters degree in psychology. I then found myself in so many words, starting over. I am lucky enough to have been given my mothers interest in science so when I returned to school the biotechnology program quickly caught my eye. I am grateful for the opportunity to join the IGEM team because at this early point in my studies this was a chance not to be missed.

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  Andrew CoxBiotechnology

  My name is Andrew R. Cox and I am currently pursuing my associates in applied science in biotechnology at Glendale Community College. I decided to join IGEM because the group was in the same lab as me and I was interested in their project. After I leave GCC, I plan to transfer to ASU for either the cellular biology program or to pursue a degree in biochemistry. When I'm finished with schooling, I want to work in the field of anti-senescence and hopefully I'll get the chance to do some research related to it before I graduate. The thing I learned most from this experience is that success lies in the basics. There have been times where simple errors in basic techniques have led to unsuccessful experiments and these mishaps have taught me to pay closer attention during each part of the experiment.

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Advisors

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  Robert Ziemba, Ph.D. Biology Faculty

  Read more
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  James Tuohy, Ph.D. Director of Biotechnology Program

  Read more

Sponsors

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  CCURI

  The Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative (CCURI) uses an inquiry-based teaching model where students are exposed to real world science through a case study in an introductory course followed by a hands-on research experience resulting from questions about or related to the case. CCURI is providing resources for our 26 institutional partners including introductory workshops/conferences that are building regional and national collaborations, start-up supplies and a wide variety of faculty development opportunities. CCURI Website
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  Glendale Community College

  Glendale Community College was established by the Governing Board as the second Maricopa County Community College District, and charged with serving the higher educational needs of the West Valley. Accreditation continues today through The Higher Learning Commission / North Central Association and includes both the GCC Main campus and the GCC North site. GCC Website