2024-2025 DiBS Board
Mission Statement: This academic year, we plan to continue to bring our graduate and post-doc community together in an inclusive way to build a stronger community that celebrates diverse identities. One of our main goals is creating a safe space and point of contact for anyone in IBiS to bring forward any concerns or any thoughts or ideas; our anonymous suggestion box, email, and group events are how we promote this. We will also continue to advocate for IBiS students and associated employees to ensure IBiS is an equitable and safe community. Beyond these core activities, we will promote discourse on topics of diversity through collaborations with other groups, professional development talks, and focused events.
Citlayi Villaseñor (she/her)
Citlayi is a fourth year PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS) program. She was raised in Escondido, California and earned her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University studying biochemistry. She is researching in Dr. Neha Kamat’s laboratory in the department of Biomedical Engineering. Citlayi uses biophysical techniques to study lipid membrane properties and how these properties affect alpha-helical membrane protein folding. She is a first-generation doctoral degree student who loves being immersed in nature and music when she’s done in lab for the day.
Janet Zhao (she/her)
Janet is a 3rd year IBiS PhD student in the Kozorovitskiy lab studying bipolar disorder linked genes and their relationship to circadian rhythms and manic behaviours. She grew up in Ottawa, Canada and earned her bachelor’s degree from Princeton University. In her spare time she enjoys going to parks with her dog, watching TV, and swimming.
janetzhao2028@u.northwestern.edu
Rivaan Kakkaramadam (he/him)
Rivaan Kakkaramadam is a 2nd year PhD student in the Backman and Szleifer Labs, where he uses theoretical modeling to study the interdependence of chromatin organization, chromatin-modifying proteins, and transcription. Rivaan is from New Jersey. In his spare time, he likes going to the movies, visiting museums, and cuddling with his cat.
Lydia Kenney (she/her)
Lydia is a 2nd year IBiS student in Heather Pinkett’s Lab studying the accessory domains of ABC transporters and their role in transport regulation. She is originally from Hiram, GA and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Georgia Tech (go jackets!). In her free time she loves live music, taking care of her plants, and hanging out with friends around Chicago.
Ilka Mari Lorenzo (she/her)
Ilka is a 3rd year PhD student in the Wignall Laboratory. She was born in El Barrio, NYC, and grew up in Puerto Rico. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez and a master’s degree in Reproductive Sciences and Physiology from Purdue University. Ilka is passionate about advocating for female reproductive rights and supporting the integration of immigrants and refugees. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cats, Ringo and Arty, and loves baking treats (mostly to enjoy them herself).
Liz Lopez (she/her)
Liz is a second year IBiS PhD student in the Wignall lab. She studies oocyte meiosis with a specific interest in the acentrosomal spindle pole. She grew up in McAllen, Texas and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Besides science, Liz enjoys baking, watching movies, and visiting cute coffee shops.