Officers

Nobel Makonnen’s curiosity about the microscopic world led him to explore how pathogens operate—and how science can disarm them. As a chemistry major at the University of Detroit Mercy, he conducted research on Candida albicans, a common fungal pathogen, with a particular focus on how biofilms contribute to its ability to cause disease. His work examined the genetic factors that might inhibit biofilm formation, opening the door to potential strategies for reducing pathogenicity.

Awarded the ReBUILDetroit Scholarship, Makonnen immersed himself in hands-on research early in his academic journey. These experiences sparked his interest in the broader biological mechanisms behind disease and planted the seeds for a future in biomedical science. 

Now, through the Applied Biomedical Data Sciences program at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Makonnen is expanding his skill set into the world of data science. Though new to the field, he is eager to explore how computational tools can elevate and accelerate research in microbiology. He views this program as a critical step in his journey to grow as a scientist and contribute meaningfully to global health challenges. For Makonnen, joining St. Jude is more than an academic opportunity—it’s a way to live out his name and his mission: to make a difference in the world.

Hometown: Woodhaven, MI

Education:

2024 - BA, Chemistry – University of Detroit Mercy

Awards/Honors/Scholarships:

2020 - ReBUILDetroit Scholarship 

Jewel Nguyen Wilson’s journey into science began with a curiosity about medicine and deepened through hands-on research experiences that shaped her passion for both lab work and data analysis.  While pursuing her B.S. in Biochemistry from Sacramento State University, Wilson worked as a Scientific Aid at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, supporting environmental sample analysis. Driven to contribute to her community through biochemical research, she began researching with Dr. Katherine McReynolds, synthesizing glycopolymer-based antiviral therapeutics targeting viruses like HIV and SARS-CoV-2.  These experiences, coupled with the National Institute of Health- Research Training Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (NIH-RISE) scholarship, gave her a strong foundation in biochemistry and solidified her commitment to scientific research over regulatory studies.

Following her undergraduate studies, Wilson joined the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at UC Davis, where she worked with Dr. Janine LaSalle and Dr. Dag Yasui  to investigate the DNA methylation pattern associated with the novel gene, NHIP (Neuronal Hypoxia Inducible Placenta Associated), which may be linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder" (ASD). Collaborating with both wet-lab and bioinformatics teams, she helped develop a custom program to analyze the CpG DNA methylation of the NHIP promoter across high-risk ASD and neurotypical placental samples—an experience that sparked her growing interest in applying computational methods to biological problems.

Wilson chose the Applied Biomedical Data Sciences program at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to strengthen her ability to bridge wet-lab research and data analysis. She’s excited to build on her experience by developing tools that help uncover the molecular and biochemical mechanisms behind disease and improve approaches to health and treatment. 

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Education:

2024 - BS, Biochemistry – California State University, Sacramento

2022 - AS, Biology – Consumnes River College

Awards/Honors/Scholarships:

2024 |-Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program at UC Davis (PREP@UCD)

2023 - NIH Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement Scholarship (NIH-RISE) at Sacramento State University

2023 - UC Davis Graduate Admissions Pathway (UCDGAP)

Originally from Nacogdoches, Texas, Liane Muir’s passion for translational research was shaped by early exposure to neuroscience and a deep-rooted understanding of the barriers to healthcare in rural communities. Muir earned her B.S. in Quantitative Sciences with a focus in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University, where she explored how neurodevelopmental disorders take shape at the cellular level.

Her research at Emory with Dr. Marie-Claude Perreault examined the spinal and brainstem circuits involved in early motor delays associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using a genetic mouse model to investigate cellular integrity and motor function. She also worked in the neurogenomics lab of Dr. Stefano Berto at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she studied CHAMP1—a rare developmental disorder—using patient-derived iPSCs and cerebral organoids. These experiences helped her build a foundation in both wet-lab and computational techniques, while reinforcing her interest in bioinformatics and translational science.

Beyond the lab, Muir applied her skills to public science communication through her capstone with the nonprofit Science for Georgia, where she translated environmental health data into accessible, engaging content for Atlanta residents. That work, along with numerous presentations at research symposiums, has deepened her commitment to ethical data storytelling and inclusive public health.

Muir joined the Applied Biomedical Data Sciences program at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to gain the quantitative and computational training needed to pursue her goal of becoming a physician-scientist. She is especially motivated by St. Jude’s mission to pair scientific discovery with compassionate care and hopes to develop diagnostic tools and interventions that improve patient outcomes for underrepresented populations. For Muir, St. Jude is the next step in a career rooted in curiosity, empathy, and impact.

Hometown: Nacogdoches, TX

Education:

2025 - BS, Quantitative Sciences, Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology – Emory University

Awards/Honors/Scholarships:

2024 - NIH MARC Undergraduate Scholarship 

Naamna Modi’s path to biomedical data science began with a fascination for engineering and a passion for helping others. While earning her B.S. in Computational Data Science at Michigan State University, she found herself consistently drawn to projects that brought data science into the medical field. That blend of purpose and technical curiosity ultimately led her to the Applied Biomedical Data Sciences program at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Her academic journey included hands-on research at Michigan State’s Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research (ICER), where she explored high-performance computing and analyzed benchmarking data from parallel code to uncover performance trends. Modi’s interests continue to evolve around image recognition, machine learning, and scalable computing systems—all tools she hopes to use to support medical innovation and improve lives.

At St. Jude, Modi looks forward to being part of an institution that not only leads in scientific discovery but also centers its work around patients. The hospital’s mission to find cures and advance care for children with life-threatening illnesses closely aligns with her own values and aspirations. Through the ABDS program, she’s excited to deepen her skills and contribute meaningfully to St. Jude’s transformative work in pediatric health.

Hometown: Canton, MI

Education:

2025 - BS, Computational Data Science – Michigan State University

Awards/Honors/Scholarships:

2021-25 - Michigan Council of Women in Technology Scholarship Award

Growing up in Collierville, Tenn., Medha Vijayanand developed an early interest in how science could be used to promote health in meaningful, equitable ways. This interest led her to earning both a B.S. in Genetics and Genomic Sciences and an M.P.H. in Epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where her academic path began to converge around bioinformatics, population health, and health equity.

Vijayanand’s research interests focus on using bioinformatics to uncover and address health disparities in genomics—particularly within diverse and underrepresented populations. She is passionate about developing predictive models that combine genetic, environmental, and cultural data to support more inclusive and effective public health interventions.

She chose the Applied Biomedical Data Sciences program at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences for its unique blend of cutting-edge research, mentorship, and mission-driven work. For Vijayanand, the chance to learn from leaders in genomics and precision medicine while contributing to St. Jude’s global mission made the program an ideal fit.

Beyond the classroom, Vijayanand brings hands-on experience from a public health internship in Vellore, India, where she helped design culturally tailored health interventions. She has also served as a Mental Health Ambassador and pursued independent training in Python, Linux, and data structures—further building the technical and communication skills she hopes to apply in a future rooted in research, equity, and impact.

Hometown: Collierville, TN

Education:

2025 - MPH, Epidemiology – University of Alabama at Birmingham

2025 - BS, Genetics and Genomic Sciences – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Awards/Honors/Scholarships:

2024 - University of Alabama at Birmingham Sparkman Center for Global Health Case Competition - 1st place

2023 - Order of Omega Greek Honors

2021 - Presidential Scholarship

Abby Kaur’s passion for science took root in the lab, where she explored the biophysical properties of cells and uncovered how disruptions at the molecular level can impact whole-organism health. She earned her degree in Biotechnology with an emphasis in Bioinformatics from UC Davis, where she worked closely with Dr. Daniel Starr and Dr. G.W. Gant Luxton to study the LINC complex—a protein structure that connects the cell’s nucleus to its cytoskeleton.

Her undergraduate research focused on how mutations in LINC complex proteins like ANC-1 affect cellular crowding and confinement in C. elegans, a model organism. Kaur developed skills in in vivo nano rheology and image-based data analysis and eventually led an independent project investigating these mechanisms within muscle cells. Her work earned her a Provost Undergraduate Fellowship Grant and a spot on the Dean’s List, and she presented her findings at the 2024 Bay Area Worm Meeting. She is also a co-author on a 2025 preprint exploring how giant KASH proteins and ribosomes contribute to cellular biophysical properties.

Drawn to the intersection of computational biology and medicine, Kaur joined the Applied Biomedical Data Sciences program at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to continue developing the skills that will allow her to turn complex biological data into actionable insights. She is particularly excited about applying data science to therapeutic advancements for childhood diseases—and being part of the program’s founding cohort. For Kaur, St. Jude offers not only a world-class research environment but also a chance to help shape a new generation of data-driven biomedical discovery.

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Education:

2024 - BS, Biotechnology (emphasis on Bioinformatics) – UC Davis

Awards/Honors/Scholarships:

2024 - Provost Undergraduate Fellowship Grant

2023 - Dean's List

Publications:

Ding, X., Hao, H., Elnatan, D., Alinaya, P. N., Kalra, S., Kaur, A., Kumari, S., Holt, L. J., Luxton, G. W. G., & Starr, D. A. (2025). Giant KASH proteins and ribosomes synergistically establish cytoplasmic biophysical properties in vivo. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2025.01.10.632479. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.10.632479