The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) is proud to welcome our 2025 cohort of fellows. Thanks to support of the prestigious T32 Training Grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the CBB Executive Committee is pleased to support six new predoctoral fellows as they continue their academic and research journeys. In addition, we're pleased to announce that six current fellows will continue to receive support through the program, a testament to their academic progress and significant research this past year. Each of our fellows brings a unique background and a shared commitment to advancing innovations in biocatalytic sciences, bioprocessing, and interdisciplinary biotechnology research.
Learn more below about our fellows’ academic interests and current research projects!
NIH T32 Fellows:
Sarah Jordan
Sarah attended Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. During her undergraduate research career, she worked with Dr. Bonnie Hall to understand and optimize the use of PETase in degrading PET plastics. Following graduation from Grand View, Sarah began her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa under the mentorship of Dr. Todd Washington. Currently, as a third year, Sarah is studying the kinetics, mechanisms, and dynamic complexes of translesion synthesis. In her free time, Sarah likes to bike, trapshoot, read, and put puzzles together.
Mary Schad
Mary is entering her second year in the Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics PhD program as a member of the Kerns lab. Her research interests include drug discovery and design, and in the Kerns lab she is currently working on the design and synthesis of novel insulin sensitizers for the treatment of Type II Diabetes. Prior to joining this program, she received her Bachelor’s in biochemistry and biology from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo. Outside of the lab, you can often find her either at the gym or enjoying the outdoors.
Samuel Yu
Samuel was born and raised in San Diego, CA. After graduating from UCR, he worked in industry for one year at Ionis Pharmaceuticals. After coming to the University of Iowa, he became interested in cancer research and joined the Tanas Lab. His current project involves combination therapy targeting the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and Hippo signaling pathways in sarcomas. These studies will provide insight into how the two pathways are coordinated to promote a transformed phenotype in sarcomas. Outside of the lab, Samuel enjoys cooking and trying new foods.
Zoe Kramin
Originally from the land of 10,000 lakes, Zoe earned her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Minnesota-Morris. She came to the University of Iowa in 2023 and started a Ph.D. program in Environmental Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Craig Just. Her research delves into the fascinating world of anaerobic digestion, utilizing spectrophotometers to boost renewable natural gas production. Zoe's research passions include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminating landfills, and controlling microbial processes. Outside the lab, she loves exploring Iowa City and honing her dart-throwing skills.
Joseph Correa
Joseph completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa with degrees in Biology and Biochemistry. He is now studying here at UIowa to earn his PhD in Pharmaceutics. He works in Dr. Brogden's lab with two main projects investigating the transdermal delivery of drugs via microneedles to treat asthma and allergies/anaphylaxis. For these projects, he works with epinephrine and omalizumab. Outside of his education and lab work, he enjoys spending time with friends, arranging music, and video editing. Joseph is also involved with church choirs and Bible studies at the Newman Center on campus.
Jacob Miller
Jacob obtained his BS in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa in May 2022. This June, he completed his Qualifying Exam for the PhD program in Biomedical Engineering at Iowa. His research interests include molecular modeling and simulation, with specific interest on the effect of missense variants in proteins. He is working on high throughput analyses on thousands of variants related to autism spectrum disorder and plan to perform detailed simulations on several transcription factors bound to DNA. He also enjoys helping develop software to improve simulation performance. Outside of the academic realm, Jacob enjoys sports, games, and puzzles. Golfing, snow skiing, and boating are his favorite things to do.
Emily Jansen
Emily earned her BS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa in 2023. As an undergraduate, she conducted research with Dr. Jerry Schnoor and Dr. Reid Simmer, exploring phytoremediation and bioremediation strategies for treating 1,4-dioxane-contaminated groundwater. Now continuing her research in the Mattes Lab, Emily is focused on the bioremediation aspect of 1,4-dioxane treatment. Her work investigates the use of an engineered microbial co-culture to metabolize 1,4-dioxane and the incorporation of biochar to support biofilm growth in treatment systems. With her research increasingly centered on microbial processes, Emily has developed a strong interest in biotechnology and its environmental applications. She aims to contribute sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions to complex contamination challenges. Outside of her academic pursuits, Emily enjoys attending concerts, reading, and playing the viola.
Sophie Granger
Sophie earned a BA in French Language and Literature and a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa, graduating with University Honors and Honors in the Major. Before beginning graduate school, she spent three years in industry and has since co-authored multiple publications, including a first-author paper in Nucleic Acids Research and contributions to Blood and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. She is a recipient of the 2024 Carver College of Medicine Pathway to Excellence Award and received an Honorable Mention for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Now pursuing a PhD under the mentorship of Drs. Ashley and Maria Spies, Sophie’s research focuses on multiscale protein dynamics in genome maintenance and drug discovery. Using single-molecule and biophysical techniques, she studies how DNA-binding proteins process non-canonical DNA structures and how allosteric interactions affect drug binding in bacterial enzymes. By advancing our fundamental understanding of these molecular mechanisms, she hopes to contribute insights that inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies and promote innovation at the interface of basic science and biotechnology. Sophie joined the CBB Fellowship to build on her industry background and expand her translational research skills. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and spending time with her husky, Haichi.
Sarah Torrence
Sarah earned her BA in Biochemistry from Grinnell College, where she also competed on the cross country and track teams. As an undergraduate, she conducted neurobiology research under Dr. Clark Lindgren, studying presynaptic homeostatic potentiation. Now a PhD student, her research focuses on the role of prohibitins in cellular processes related to diseases such as heart failure and sepsis. Sarah is one of 12 students selected for the 2025–2026 Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellowship, which introduces life sciences and healthcare trainees to entrepreneurship, biodesign, and innovation. She was especially drawn to this fellowship’s industry internship and interdisciplinary focus, which will help build meaningful connections beyond academia. Through her research, Sarah hopes to improve our understanding of cardiovascular disease biology and contribute to better treatment outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys running, exploring Iowa’s state parks, and learning French and Russian.
CBB Fellows:
Atonu Chakrabortty
Atonu completed his undergraduate degree in Microbiology at Pusan National University in South Korea as a recipient of the prestigious Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), an experience that sparked his passion for molecular biology and translational medicine. He later earned a master’s degree from Auburn University, where he investigated drug resistance in multiple myeloma using single-cell transcriptomics and gene regulatory networks. Now a PhD student in Dr. McLendon’s lab at the University of Iowa, his research focuses on chemoresistance in ovarian cancer, specifically examining the role of ABCB5 isoforms in drug efflux and survival signaling. He is also exploring RNA-based regulatory mechanisms to uncover isoform-specific therapeutic targets. His work aims to contribute to personalized medicine by identifying molecular vulnerabilities in resistant tumors. Outside of the lab, Atonu enjoys creative writing, science communication, music, cinema, and long walks.
Elizabeth Walker
Originally from the western U.S., Elizabeth earned her BS in Biological Engineering from Utah State University, where her undergraduate research focused on testing hydrolysate media for lab-grown meat cell culture. Now entering her second year as a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at the University of Iowa, she works in Dr. Hyeongmin Seo's Engineered Biosynthesis Lab. Her research centers on bioplastic production and enzymatic plastic degradation, with a particular focus on upcycling strategies to support a circular plastics economy. Elizabeth hopes her work will contribute to reducing plastic waste accumulation by providing insights into sustainable recycling and upcycling solutions. She joined the CBB Fellowship to expand her professional network and gain valuable industry experience that will support her future career in biotechnology. Outside the lab, she enjoys exploring Iowa City, spending time outdoors, and trying new recipes.
Luke Handlos
Luke earned his BS in Biochemistry from Northwest Missouri State University, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. As an undergraduate, he completed a summer NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Kansas State University, where he used co-crystallization to study FDA-approved co-formers aimed at improving the solubility of a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer compound. He later presented this work at the 2022 ACS Midwest Regional Meeting at the University of Iowa. Luke is a recipient of the Iowa Pathway to Graduate Excellence Award and was inducted into Gamma Sigma Epsilon, where he served as Sergeant-at-Arms. Now a PhD student in the Washington Lab at the University of Iowa, his research centers on genome maintenance under replication stress, specifically through template switching and translesion synthesis. He is currently studying the fork-remodeling helicase Rad5 and using steered molecular dynamics simulations to explore DNA translocation mechanisms in TLS polymerases like polymerase eta. Outside the lab, Luke enjoys baking, fishing, reading fantasy novels, working out, and cheering on Hawkeye basketball and football.