Home » About » IUBMB Committees » IUBMB Trainee Initiative » Trainee Leadership Committee
The IUBMB Trainee Initiative Leadership Committee
Representatives by geographical region – FAOBMB, FASBMB, FEBS, PABMB

PABMB Region
PhD Student
BC Cancer Research Center | Canada
View profile
Cathy Cozma is a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Oncology Program at BC Cancer Research Center in Vancouver. Her work focuses on finding druggable DNA damage proteins in Dr. Peter Stirling’s lab. She hopes to improve accessibility to science education for all and increase engagement of trainees with various professional development initiatives world-wide.

PABMB Region
PhD Candidate
University of British Columbia | Canada
View profile
Sana Ahmed is a PhD candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. She uses structural biology and drug design approaches to leverage targeted protein degradation for cancer research in Dr. Sriram Subramaniam’s lab. Through her work, she aims to introduce incoming scientists to the field of biochemistry and connect with international audiences through the IUBMB Trainee Initiative.

FASBMB Region
Undergraduate
Makerere University | Uganda
View profile
Arnold Anaasi is a recent graduate in Biochemistry from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. He has a strong interest in harnessing synthetic biology for environmental conservation. Currently, he is immersed in the realm of milk processing at Amos Dairies Limited, Arnold is dedicated to leveraging engineered microbes to mitigate waste discharge and foster sustainable practices. Joining the Trainee Initiative aligns with his commitment to fostering collaborative innovation and professional growth, as he eagerly seeks to contribute to a greener future through the fusion of science and industry. Excitedly, he plans to pursue his master’s degree, focusing on the industrial applications of molecular biology and biochemistry.

FAOBMB Region
PhD Student
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman | Malaysia
View profile
JONG Hui Lan serves as a full-time science officer at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in Malaysia, while concurrently undertaking a part-time Ph.D. program within the same institution. Her research focuses on the underlying genetics of Parkinson’s disease and the neuroprotective properties of edible bird’s nest (EBN). Demonstrating a steadfast dedication to fostering global knowledge exchange, she engages herself in the IUBMB Trainee Initiative, where she hopes to share her expertise and collaborate with peers worldwide, especially those in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology.

FASBMB Regional Leader
Research Assistant
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University & Teaching Hospital | Nigeria
View profile
Aishatu Muhammad Malami recently completed her masters in Medical (Molecular) Microbiology at the Bauchi State University Gadau in Nigeria. Currently, Aishatu is a full-time research assistant at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University & Teaching Hospital in the joint Molecular Genetics and Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory (MoGID). Aishatu is passionate about creating more learning opportunities for trainees in science through various TI initiatives.

FEBS Region
PhD Student
Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Aging | Germany
View profile
Julia Meier is originally from Russia and did her school and university education in Germany. She is a biology and chemistry teacher by training and gave middle school classes before deciding to pursue a Masters in Biological Sciences. After working as a visiting researcher in Boston, she returned to Germany to pursue her PhD studies at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Aging where she characterizes RNA-binding proteins as metabolic aiders during cardiogenesis. In her free time she enjoys anime, good food, red wine, card games and book club.

PABMB Region
PhD Student
Instituto de Patologia Experimental – CONICET | Argentina
View profile
Rocío Meinero grew up in Córdoba, Argentina. She is a biologist and is currently doing a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Córdoba where is investigating palmitoylation, a posttranslational modification. Her interest lies in bringing new opportunities and accessibility to science resources for low- to middle-income countries and promoting scientific communication. She hopes to build networks among her fellow trainees across the globe.

FASBMB Region
Undergraduate
Kenya Medical Research Institute |
Kenya
View profile
Douglas K. Njuguna is a biochemistry graduate from Egerton University in Kenya and a passionate young scientist now based at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. There he serves as an intern in the Center for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, participating in several research projects based on the use of natural products in drug development.

FEBS Region &
IUBMB Communications Officer
University of Montréal | Canada &
University of Jena | Germany
View profile
Patrick Penndorf studied Biochemistry before recently finishing a double master’s degree in Molecular Medicine in between two Universities in Germany and Canada. His research focused on Epigenetics, Neuroscience and Immunology while he is also striving in the field of sustainable laboratory practices. His greatest interest lies in connecting research worldwide and to contribute to the knowledge and success of the next generation of passionate researchers.

PABMB Region
PhD Student
Instituto de Patologia Experimental – CONICET | Argentina
View profile
Maria Elisa Vázquez is a PhD student in Salta, north of Argentina. Currently, she is studying novel approaches to prevent Trypanosoma cruzi infection. This parasite causes an endemic disease in Latin America, named Chagas disease, which especially affects the heart of infected people. One of her aspirations for this initiative is to connect people in Latin America with events, opportunities and colleagues worldwide. She is convinced that interacting with scientists from all parts of the world helps broaden one’s knowledge, discover new ways of thinking, empathize, and serves as a source of new energy and enthusiasm to continue in the field of science.

FAOBMB Regional Leader
PhD Candidate
Duke-NUS Medical School | Singapore
View profile
Jessie Wong Ling Ai is a PhD Candidate in Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, where her research focuses on lipid metabolism in breast cancer metastasis under the supervision of Prof. Ong Sin Tiong. With prior experience in mentoring science undergraduates and entrepreneurship, her goal is to help form a network to help scientific trainees to connect, explore opportunities, and to achieve their goals through the IUBMB Trainee Initiative.