We would like to congratulate these students who successfully defended their Ph. D. during the 2025/26 academic year.

Dr. Katelyn Amstutz (Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Summer 2026.)

“Examining the Role of Plant LINC Complexes with Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Lamin Partners in Stomatal Closure"
Katelyn completed her studies in the lab of Dr. Iris Meier, and is currently a lecturer in the Center for Life Science Education

Dr. Reid Gohmann (Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Spring 2026.)

“Bacterial AvrE-family Effectors Drive a Critical Niche Establishment Process During Infection of Plants”
Reid completed his studies in the lab of Dr. David Mackey, and is currently an ORISE postdoctoral with the USDA Agriculture Research Services

Dr. Valentina Posada Alvarez (Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics, Summer 2026.)

“Defining The Role of Melanocytic Pigment in Melanoma Development”
Valentina completed her studies in the lab of Dr. Christin Burd, and is now a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. 

Dr. Jillian Poska (Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Summer 2026.)

“Reprogramming of the mammary gland stroma by in utero exposure to estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds”
Jillian completed her studies in the lab of Dr. Craig Burd, and is currently completing her work in the Burd lab.