Graduate Student Spotlight
Our graduate students participate in stunning research year-round, making names for themselves as passionate investigators of life-changing questions. This summer, we asked a few students to share a bit about themselves, and the exciting work they’re doing here in BMB.
Brendan Abiskaroon
Brendan is originally from Byram, NJ. They went to the University of South Carolina as an undergraduate, studying biochemistry and molecular biology. It was as an undergraduate that they started working with their current PI, Prof. Maks Chruszcz. Brendan joined Prof. Chruszcz’s lab as a graduate student at the University of South Carolina in the fall of 2022 and soon after packed up their belongings with the rest of the lab to move to Michigan State University to continue research. Their current project deals with X-ray crystallography and using molecular data to characterize enzymes in major agricultural pests, such as the two-spotted spider mite, to understand the molecular basis for pesticide and plant metabolite resistance. In their free time, Brendan likes being outdoors.
Angel McKay Whiteman
Angel grew up in Ridgway, CO, a small town in the Rocky Mountains. She became fascinated with molecular biology while working at the Cancer Prevention Laboratory as a Horticulture undergraduate at Colorado State University (CSU). She pursued a master’s in Cell and Molecular Biology at CSU where she developed an interest in using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering for production of bioactive compounds, particularly those beneficial to human health. This led her to pursue her PhD here at MSU in BMB and MPS. Angel joined the Hamberger lab and is currently working on characterizing regulatory elements using transient expression in sorghum to target terpene production to the epidermis or cuticle. Angel is excited to be a member of PBHS this fall and loves to drink tea, take care of her many plants, and hang out with her cat and dog.
Kai-Ching Hsiao
My name is Kai-Ching Hsiao, originally from Taiwan. My academic journey began at National Cheng Kung University, where I attained my Master's degree. I had the opportunity to work under Dr. Chiang, and we explored the oncogenic role of PP2A-B56γ3 in colorectal cancer, which fueled my passion for geroscience and oncology. Presently, I am working with Dr. Kuo at Michigan State University, utilizing budding yeast as a tool to uncover the secrets of the aging process. When I am not immersed in research, I find joy in spending time with friends, exploring nature through hikes, whipping up culinary delights, and quenching my perpetual thirst for learning.
Christina Linn
Christina Linn grew up in Bonners Ferry, ID but spent most of her adult life in the Southeastern region of the United States. She was also able to spend sometime in Southeast Thailand helping plant a church in a village outside of Hat Yai. She has loved biology and chemistry since she was a child and dreamt of being like the kids on Bill Nye the Science Guy. She initially started her undergraduate degree in nursing but after a couple of years switched tracks and finished with her B.S in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry. Her undergraduate research work was done with Dr. Angela Spencer at Augusta University and involved the production and purification of recombinant DNA Gyrase, as well as testing the enzyme against novel inhibitors. She currently works in the Churszcz lab to characterize the structure of major dust mite allergens complexed with human mAb IgE as well as working to elucidate the natural ligands for these allergens. Her favorite things to do are hanging out with her husband, hiking, reading, board games, and having people over.
