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Emma Wabel: Director
Emma is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Pharmacology & Toxicology department and a member of the Watts lab. Her work focuses on how the inflammatory protein Chemerin supports regular blood pressure and contributes to obesity-related hypertension. In her free time, she likes to run, bike, and check out fun events in Michigan!
Megan Korne: Data Manager
Megan is a fourth-year PhD student in the Bonito lab, where she studies the ecology of fungal endosymbionts. In her free time she enjoys exploring new places and walks through nature.
Laura Ford:
Treasurer
Laura is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the GGS program and a member of the Petersen-Jones lab. There, she studies heritable retinal diseases using a feline model. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, video games and relaxing with her dog, cat and two guinea pigs.
Meet the GRIT Board:
MISSION
Build a supportive community that welcomes and celebrates all graduate students regardless of their identities through the recruitment and retention of traditionally underrepresented students.
VALUES
HISTORY
​MSU GRIT started in October of 2020 by a small group of graduate students. GRIT was first established at the University of Chicago and has since expanded to several universities.
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Samantha Musso: Events Co-Chair
Megan Murto: Events Co-Chair
Imani Pascoe: Communications Chair
​Samantha is a third year PhD student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Department and the EITS program. She is a member of the Bernard lab, where she is studying the impact of environmental toxicants on multiple myeloma progression. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, rollerblading, and visiting local coffee shops to find the best chai around.
Megan is a first-year master’s student in MMG as a member of the Abramovitch lab where she is characterizing the role of carbonic anhydrase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence. In their free time, they enjoy reading, playing with their dog, spending time in the water, and working out when she gets the chance.
Imani is a third-year PhD candidate in the MMG program as a member of the Bonito and Lebeis Labs. She studies bacteria and fungi that modulate phytohormones. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, sewing, and playing video games
Meet the GRIT Program Coordinators:
Jasper Gomez:
Peer Mentorship Program Coordinator
Jasper is a third-year PhD student in the MMG department as a member of the Waters Lab in MMG. His work focuses on the discovery and characterization of phage defense systems in V. cholerae and whether there are fitness costs to having multiple phage defense systems. Outside of the lab, he enjoys running, all kinds of sports, games and scuba diving!
Mylena Ortiz
Application Feedback Program Coordinator
Mylena is a 4th year Ph.D candidate in the Genetics and Genomics Sciences program at Michigan State University, born and raised in Brazil. She is a molecular biologist passionate about the genetics of cancer and precision medicine. Currently, she is in the lab of Dr. Eran Andrecheck researching cell signaling regulation by tyrosine phosphatases in lung cancer and mechanisms of metastasis driven by the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer. Aside from her work, she enjoys traveling, a good outdoor adventure, crafts, exploring new places, and finding new restaurants!
Bianca Serda:
Voices of Color Coordinator
Bianca is a fourth-year PhD student in the BMB Department and MPS program. She is a member of the Sharkey Lab, where she studies the mechanism of the protective role of isoprene against abiotic stresses. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering for the BMB Outreach program and exploring the outdoors.
Jenny Schuster:
Peer Mentorship Program Coordinator
Jenny is a fourth-year PhD student in the CMB department and MPS program. She is in the VanBuren Lab where she studies the molecular mechanism underlying desiccation tolerance and rehydration in resurrection plants. In her free time, she likes to run, play board games, and visit local breweries!
Romina González:
Application Feedback Program Coordinator
Romina is a Latina and a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Pharmacology and Toxicology program. She studies how diet and environmental toxicants contribute to carcinogenesis in the Bernard Lab. She has a blast dancing, rocking some sports, cooking, getting crafty, and just chilling in coffee shops.
Heather Murdoch:
Voices of Color Coordinator
Heather is a third-year PhD student in the Abramovitch lab, focusing on how Mtb (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is able to remodel its metabolism depending on its environment. She is a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and is passionate about increasing undergraduate opportunities for all groups and undergraduate education reform.