Officer Profiles, 2015-16
Current Officers
Kara Nell — President
Kara Nell is a fifth year graduate student in the Darren Johnson lab. Her research is focused on novel functionalized materials for purification of trace contaminants in water. Outside of lab she enjoys spending time with her husband and puppy – camping, swimming, hiking, and relaxing.
Matthew Hammers — Treasurer
Matthew is a fifth year chemistry graduate student with Bachelor’s degrees in both chemistry and business-finance from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. As an organic chemist in the Pluth lab, he enjoys “mixing chemicals together and seeing what happens.” Additionally, his business background will come in handy as this year’s WGS funding chair. When not on campus, Matthew enjoys exploring and supporting the Green Bay Packers.
Sarah Casper — Social Chair
Sarah Casper is a fifth year biology graduate student in Tory Herman’s lab where she uses fruit flies to investigate the genetic mechanisms that control synapse formation. When not in lab, Sarah spends as much time as possible using a rope, harness, tent and/or snowboard to explore the Oregon Cascades.
Kimberly Jones — Seminar Chair
Kimberly Jones is a third year graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology and a member of the Prehoda Lab. She is currently studying the regulation of polarity, a key cellular process, in the stem cells of fruit-fly brains. When not busy in the lab, she enjoys indoor rock climbing, a good coffee shop, and is an avid reader.
Lisa Eytel — Outreach Co-Chair
Lisa is a second year chemistry graduate student working on a collaborative project between the DWJ and Haley labs. She is investigating cooperativity in supramolecular probes for anion sensing. If you want to start a non-science based conversation with Lisa, ask her about her beloved Seattle Reign FC or USWNT teams or ask her how she feels about “being a duck.” She prefers conversations over coffee, chocolate, or cider but can also be found chatting on ski lifts in the Cascades during the winter.
Kate Walsh — Outreach Co-Chair
Kate is a fourth year biology graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology, and a member of the Doe lab. She studies the formation and first divisions of a population of brain stem cells very early in development of the fruit fly central brain. Outside of lab, she enjoys non-science reading, camping, music and a good cup of coffee.
Andrea Steiger — Public Relations Chair
Andrea Steiger is a second year chemistry graduate student in the Pluth lab. Her current research focuses on the design of controlled-release hydrogen sulfide donors and fluorescent probes. In her free time, she enjoys running, eating chocolate, and drinking coffee.
Annie Greenaway — Grad Student Advisory Board Chair
Annie Greenaway is a fourth-year graduate student of chemistry working in the Boettcher lab. Her research focuses on alternative deposition methods for high-quality semiconductors for photovoltaics. Outside of the lab, Annie enjoys spending time with her fiancee, her cats, and a good book (or an entire series on Netflix).
Brandon Schabes — Webmaster
Brandon Schabes is a fifth year graduate student in Geri Richmond’s lab. His research focuses on shooting lasers at an oil/water interface to determine how polyelectrolytes and surfactants waltz. He also works to keep the Richmond lab website running smoothly, and teaches General Chemistry to eager undergraduates. When not in lab, he is probably riding his bike, eating a burrito, or enjoying a pint (sometimes all three simultaneously).
Blake Tresca — Recorder Chair
Blake Tresca is a fifth year chemistry graduate student working on a collaborative project between the Haley and Johnson labs. He is currently researching weak hydrogen bonds in supramolecular anion sensors. When not in the lab, Blake spends his time in the garden and hiking with his fiancé and their corgi.
Stacey York — Professional Development Advisor
Dr. Stacey York currently serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Graduate Internship Program at UO where she is able to combine two of her passions, technology and relationship management. Prior to her position with UO, Stacey was a Principal Scientist investigating novel polymers and surfactants for the Skin Care Innovations Platform at Johnson & Johnson. Stacey’s graduate research resulted in over 600 citations and her time at J&J led to an issued patent, a patent application, and 3 internal awards for leadership. Stacey spends her free time with her husband Adam (who is also a polymer chemist) and 3-year old daughter who is already showing a strong affinity for numbers, problem solving, and negotiation.