Executive Board
Joey Federico
UCBA President
Contact: jvfederico@uchicago.edu
Joey Federico is a fourth year PhD student in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Joey uses transcriptomics to study T cells and the molecular mechanisms that facilitate their cytotoxic functionality, with the translational goal of determining how these mechanisms control autoimmune disease pathogenesis. He would like to apply the skills and knowledge from his academic training to identifying new promising science and technology to solve unmet medical needs in the biopharma industry.
Ethan Zhong
UCBA Vice President
Contact: xzhong999@uchicago.edu
Ethan Zhong is a fourth year PhD Candidate in the Department of Human Genetics. His research focuses on developing computational methods to study the genetic basis of complex disease. He is passionate about translating cutting-edge technologies from the lab to the bedside, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the standard of care.
Kasia Kurylowicz
UCBA Treasurer
Contact: kkurylowicz@uchicago.edu
Kasia is a fourth year PhD student in Cancer Biology program. Her research focuses on the interactions between the microbiome and the innate immune system and how that affects tumor immunity. She would like to apply her knowledge and skills to translational science to help with cancer patients’ treatment. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new places, hiking, biking/roller-skating along the Michigan Lake, and trying new restaurants in Chicago.
Yeaji Park
UCBA Secretary
Contact: ypark7@uchicago.edu
Yeaji is a first year PhD student in the Neurobiology program. Her research interest centers on studying the genetic, cellular, and molecular basis of nervous system diseases. She is eager to expand her knowledge of the biotechnology field through UCBA. Outside of her studies, Yeaji enjoys exploring Chicago, taking walks by the lake, and trying out new restaurants.
Steering Committee
Raven Watson
Contact: rwatson@uchicago.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravengwatson/
Raven is a fifth year PhD candidate in the Genetics, Genomics, and Systems Biology program. Her research is focused on understanding pathogenesis and drug resistance in heme-malignancies. She is interested in careers in biomedical research and development, as well as biotechnology. Raven enjoys cooking and karaoke.
Nick Bayhi
Contact: bayhi@uchicago.edu
Kasia Zawieracz
Contact: kzawieracz@uchicago.edu
Kasia is a fourth year PhD student in the Cancer Biology program. She is working on the transcriptional regulation of gut stem cells and the source of intestinal inflammation in the context of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and colon cancer. Kasia is interested in integrating computational biology applications into research and patient diagnosis. Outside of lab work, Kasia enjoys playing tennis, biking, climbing and going to concerts.
Yuqing Xue
Yuqing is a third year PhD student in Cancer Biology program. Her research is focused on understanding the genomic changes in blood cancers with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic strategies. She is interested in careers in biotechnology and biomedical. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, climbing and planting.
