Trainee Leadership Committee

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dharitri Chaudhuri is a PhD student at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and a Commonwealth Split-site Scholar at Imperial College London. Her research focuses on infection biology, particularly gut infections and the role of cyclic GMP in enteropathogenic infections. Through her work, Dharitri aims to contribute to the understanding of host-pathogen interactions and advance therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases prevalent in developing countries like India.
As a member of the IUBMB Trainee Initiative, Dharitri is excited to engage with the global scientific community and connect with like-minded peers.
When not in the lab, Dharitri enjoys exploring her creative side through music, photography, and reading books.

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.

Ben Krinkel is a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, specialising in novel approaches targeting cancer’s altered metabolism using structure-guided drug design. His research focuses on developing novel enzyme inhibitors to enhance cancer treatment. Ben is dedicated to advancing the field and improving patient outcomes. He is also committed to nurturing future scientists through his teaching and lecturing roles at the University of Auckland. Outside of science, Ben is passionate about sports, including cricket and rugby.

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.

Kundai Matinyarare is a Biotechnology and Biochemistry undergraduate student at the University of Zimbabwe who is currently completing her final year studies majoring in Genetics and Bioengineering. She is a Bioinformatics enthusiast who in the future hopes to combine these interdisciplinary fields and work in Pharmacogenomics and Drug Discovery to promote global health security and sustainability. Her goal is to aid in the bridging of the undeniable knowledge gap between students and professionals within the Biochemistry field through facilitating collaboration and engagement with young scientists to foster a culture of curiosity and exploration of available opportunities. She is passionate about equipping students with the relevant skills needed to successfully navigate the field.

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.

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.

Tiara Mulder is a PhD candidate in Biology at Dalhousie University, Halifax. Using Drosophila melanogaster, she investigates how the actin binding protein filamin functions in muscle structure and repair. She joined the Trainee Initiative to connect with an international community of early career scientists, share open science practices, and gain fresh perspectives that strengthen her interdisciplinary research. Tiara also champions equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in biochemistry by advocating for inclusive research environments and mentoring under represented students.

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.

Rocío Nunez-Vasquez is a postdoctoral researcher at Institut Curie in Paris, where she studies epigenetics in the lab of Geneviève Almouzni. She recently completed her PhD on histone variants at the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa in Madrid, in the lab of Crisanto Gutiérrez. At Curie, she is involved in both the Diversity and Gender Committee and the Science Outreach Committee. Rocío is passionate about mentorship and building scientific networks and believes that an interest in the humanities helps us see the world differently and approach science with a sense of community and shared purpose.

Sophie Strich is a PhD Candidate in the Molecular and Cellular Basis of Disease program at the Medical University of Innsbruck. Her research focuses on screening kinase inhibitors and evaluating their effects on mitochondrial respiration to better understand the role of kinases in disease mechanisms. As a PhD trainee herself, she understands the value of learning from peers and building meaningful connections within the scientific community. She is passionate about helping fellow scientists connect, share experiences, and access the support they need—regardless of where they are in their careers.

Simon Tang is a PhD student in Computational Biology at EPFL in Switzerland. His work focuses on using transcriptomic tools to better understand tuberculosis, the world’s leading infectious disease killer. He hopes that he can help trainees become more interested in using bioinformatic and computational tools to conduct research, and to find the right scholarships and opportunities to help them achieve their dreams.

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.

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.