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Brigette Berke-Reynolds:Director
Brigette is a third year CMB PhD student in Peggy Petroff’s lab where she focuses on exploring the autoimmune mechanisms driving female infertility. In her free time, she enjoys snuggling with her cats, reading sweeping fantasy novels, camping, and hiking.
Jamie Lord: Data Manager
Jamie is a 4th-year CMB PhD student in Dr. Sachi Horibata' lab, where he studies mechanisms of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. His research background is rooted in cancer biology, but he is broadly interested in understanding the mechanisms that underpin biological processes, whether dysfunctional in cancer and disease or otherwise.
Outside of research, he enjoys running, rock climbing, golf, and video games, and he is always up for a round of bar trivia
Lacey Bishop-Schouster: Treasurer
Lacey is a third-year PhD student in the Genetics and Genome Sciences and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Biology programs. She is a part of the Heath-Heckman lab, where she is investigating how host-microbe associations respond to thermal stress. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and relaxing with her two cats and pet turtle.
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.
Samantha Musso: Events Co-Chair
Kendall Mara: Events Co-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.
Kendall is a 3rd-year PhD student in the Dodd lab in Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, where she researches antimicrobial resistance in veterinary Mycoplasmas. This is her second year serving as the Co-Events Coordinator for GRIT, and she also holds two roles with the Graduate Student Workshop (GSW). Outside of academics, she has two dogs who keep her busy, and she enjoys staying active and reading in her free time.
Hoda Nouri: Communications Co-Chair
Hoda is a 2nd-year PhD student in the Cell and Molecular Biology program. Her research focuses on investigating molecular signaling pathways in disease, with a particular interest in cancer biology. She enjoys fitness, dance, and exploring mindfulness practices outside of the lab.
Meet the GRIT Program Coordinators:
Grace Semaan:
Peer Mentorship Program Coordinator
Grace is a second-year student in the MGI department. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry and Forensic Investigation from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, where she conducted research on fentanyl detection on U.S. currency. Following her undergraduate studies, she joined UW-Madison’s PREP program, where she shifted her focus to microbiology by studying the pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes. Currently, she works in Dr. Angela Chen’s lab, investigating plant–microbe materials and interactions. Outside of research, Grace enjoys hiking, baking, reading, and spending time with her dog.
Jessica Hodgkins:
Peer Mentorship Program Coordinator
Jessica is a 2nd year graduate student in the Microbiology, Genetics & Immunology department studying honey bee diseases with the Milbrath lab. Prior to attending MSU she was an active member and President of her hometown Rotary Club. Jessica joined GRIT after participating in the Peer Mentor program as a mentee, inspired by the similar values of community and enrichment GRIT shares with Rotary. She welcomes you to reach out if you have questions and beseeches you to check out her COGS event emails!
Tessa Jordan:
Application Feedback Program Coordinator
Tessa is a 4th-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. She conducts her research in Dr. Sophia Lunt’s lab, where she studies pancreatic cancer metabolism with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic strategies by uncovering metabolic vulnerabilities unique to cancer cells. Outside the lab, Tessa enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Beaker and Bunsen, and often goes to bingo nights with friends.