Project CRYSTAL
Year 4 students
Malachi
I was born in Renton, Washington in 1998. I come from a family of three children and three pets, and two parents. I play the French Horn in my school band. I also play for the Spartans youth football team. I go to Spring Harbor Middle School. I love fishing, running, and making contraptions.
Odoi
I'm 13 years old and I play competitive soccer and basketball. I'm thrilled to be in Project CRYSTAL. When I'm not hanging with my friends, I like to read, write stories, and rap about my life. I believe Project CRYSTAL will help advance my scientific knowledge.
Rosie
My name is Rosie, I'm 13, and I'm the youngest out of five in my family, with two older brothers that are both in college now. For fun, I enjoy reading and writing short stories in my free time. I have also been playing cello for four years now. Lastly, I am very excited to be a part of Project CRYSTAL this year.
Lilli
My name is Lilli and I am a 8th grader at Spring Harbor Middle School. I love science and I am very excited to be a part of Project CRYSTAL. I love to run distance. I also like to read and I enjoy riding my bike. I like to bake as well. I also like to do math in school.
Mentors
Rachel Kubiak
I'm a biochemistry graduate student in Hazel Holden's lab and study the biosynthesis of unusual sugars that are found on antibiotics and antitumor agents. I'm a Michigan native and have spent most of my life dancing. I still take ballet classes in Madison and have recently started running. If I'm not in lab, in the dance studio, or hitting the pavement, you'll find me buried in a good book.
Becky Phillips
I'm a biochemistry graduate student in Ivan Rayment's lab and work on solving the structure of proteins from the centriole. I'm originally from Washington State, but love living in Wisconsin. When I'm not in lab, I really enjoy running and completed my first half-marathon this year! I'm also an avid knitter and crocheter, it's one of my favorite ways to relax.
Matthew Zmudka
I am a biochemistry graduate student in Hazel Holden's lab studying enzymes involved in self-resistance in bacteria. I grew up and attended college in Iowa, so I'm no stranger to Wisconsin winters! Outside of lab, I enjoy making and listening to music - I play piano and sing - as well as exploring Madison and its surroundings on my bicycle.
Megan Branch
I'm a post-doctoral fellow in Hazel Holden's lab and study
the biosynthesis of unusual sugars attached to natural products synthesized by
bacteria. I am a native of Downers Grove, IL (a western suburb of Chicago). When I am not in the lab, I love to sew and read. I also enjoy hiking with my
husband, Kevin and our dog, Cooper.
Ari Salinger
I am the newest student in Hazel Holden's Lab. I study the structure of enzymes that bacteria use to incorporate sulfur into their amino acids. I grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago and spent the last 4 years in Boston. I am so excited to be studying in Madison with some of the smartest minds in the world! Outside of the lab, I perform standup and improv comedy, and I love to barbecue. Additionally, whether it's live, on the radio, or on TV, I try to catch every Cubs game I can.