Principle Investigator
Dan Pollard
Associate Professor – Biology Department
At Western Washington University I have the privilege of collaborating with a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students on research projects of shared interest. Additionally, I enjoy teaching genetics, genomics, and biostatistics courses and developing curricula that address misconceptions about race, sex/gender, and ability. Outside of Western, I enjoy climbing and biking with my family and making music with friends (e.g. https://spouse.bandcamp.com/).
Media:
Graduate Students
Max Cannata
I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where I worked as an undergraduate researcher in a cell biology lab. I am pursuing a masters degree in the Pollard Lab with a goal to enter the biotech industry as a research scientist after graduating. In the lab I am trying to develop a protocol the lab can use to collect experimental measurements of mRNA folding strength and predict mRNA structure. Outside of the lab I like to spend time with friends exploring Bellingham, rock climbing, skateboarding, road trips to national parks, and cooking.
Aidan Corbin
I graduated from WWU in June of 2023 with Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience degrees. I joined the Pollard lab as an Undergraduate in 2021 and am continuing my work as a graduate student in the lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy relaxing with my cats and exploring the many restaurants and breweries around Bellingham.
Benjamin Haagen
haagenb(at)wwu(dot)edu
I studied molecular biology and genetics at the University of Washington and worked as a research technician and environmental educator before joining the Pollard Lab. I am pursuing a career encompassing both applied research (evolutionary biology, genetics, genomics) as well as science communication and education. In my free time I can usually be found either with my family or outside trail running, camping, and mountaineering.
Minh Phan
Before joining the Pollard Lab, I completed my undergraduate career at the University of Washington, earning a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental (MCD) Biology and gaining research experience in a translational de novo protein design lab. Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s degree at WWU with the goal of working in genetics research in the future. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy reading, spending quality time with friends and family, playing games, and taking walks with my dog, Sesame. 🐶
Nadine Tietz
I completed my undergraduate degree at Western Washington University where I focused on studying cellular and molecular biology. I joined the Pollard lab as an undergraduate studying factors that influence protein expression. I enjoyed and was still curious about the research I was working on so I decided to continue my work as a graduate student and will continue to investigate various influences other than impact protein and mRNA expression. Outside of the lab I enjoy spending time by the bay, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Undergraduate Students
Jason Green
I am an undergraduate research studying molecular and cell biology at WWU. My research focuses on quantifying RNA and protein expression simultaneously. I am interested in GMO and the idea of altering their flavors, which I hope to achieve in the future. I am from the Bay Area, California and in my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, being outdoors, and visiting local coffee shops.
Noah Haight
Isaac Wagner
I am an undergraduate researcher studying Biology at WWU. My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying gene expression variation in yeast. After graduation, I plan to either continue my studies as a graduate student or pursue a position as a research technician or a zookeeper. Outside of academics I fence epee with the WWU Fencing Club and play Dungeons and Dragons with friends.
Katie Wolin
I am a second year student majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. My research focuses on exploring aberrant protein expression in aging yeast cells. Outside of the Pollard lab, I enjoy hiking and swimming in Bellingham Bay.
Lab Alumni
Graduate
- Tara Wirsching (currently technician at Kashi Clinical Laboratories)
- Tanner Thuet-Davenport (currently MS student at Central Washington University)
- Anastacia Wienecke (currently PhD student in Alain Laederach’s lab at the University of North Carolina)
Post-Baccalaureate & Staff
- Maggie Barry (currently PhD Student at the University of Oregon)
- Ciara Asamoto (currently Postdoc in Detweiler lab at UC Boulder)
Undergraduate
- Alani Medlock (currently BS student at Western Washington University)
- Winter Yi (former BS student at Western Washington University)
- Karlee Cowlishaw (former BS student at Western Washington University)
- Jasmine Chen (currently Bioinformatics MS student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
- Olivia Dong (currently Research Technician in Patrick Mitchell’s Lab at the University of Washington)
- Sam Herr (currently PhD Student at Cornell University)
- Trinity Wilson (currently Ophthalmic Assistant in Seattle)
- Katie Lane (former BS student at Western Washington University)
- Erik Ehlers (currently Research Scientist at Amazon)
- Amy Williams (currently Technician at Foundation Plant Sciences)
- Krista Miller (currently Research Assistant in Stone Doggett’s lab at the Portland VA Research Foundation)
- Becca Yarbrough (former BS student at Western Washington University)
- Gaea Turman (currently Research Associate at Allen Institute)
- Garrett Strawn (currently Research Associate at Allen Institute for Immunology)
- Tiara Johnson (former BS student at Western Washington University)
- Brian Miller (currently MS student at Denver University)
- Halley Steiner (currently PhD Student in Deborah Wuttke’s lab at UC Boulder)
- Yuli Buckley (currently PhD Student in Jason Mears’ lab at Case Western Reserve University)
- Shelby Duffy (former MA student at Western Governors University)
- Emma Ciechanowski (currently Research Assistant at Seattle Genetics)
- Austin Abendroth (former Field Instructor for Second Natural Wilderness Family Therapy)
- Homa Rahnamoun (currently Postdoc Researcher in Scott Armstrong’s lab at Dana Farber Cancer Institute)
- Daniel Cohen (currently Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company)
- Genny Gould (currently Senior Manager of Computational Biology at Myriad Women’s Health)