People

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:

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.

Karlee Cowlishaw

I am a Molecular and Cell Biology student in my senior year at WWU. I am a part of the Aging project in the Pollard lab, studying the impact of replicative age on chromatin de-repression in S. cerevisiae. Outside of the lab I enjoy creative hobbies, including pottery, making beaded earrings, and painting.

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

Alani Medlock

I am sophomore at WWU majoring in cellular and molecular biology. At the Pollard Lab I work on projects distinguishing genetic variations affecting mRNA and protein abundance.. After graduating I plan to research the genetic causes of hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a heritable connective tissue disorder that I have. Outside of the science world I enjoy painting, traveling, and tabletop games with friends.

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.

Winter Yi

I am currently a senior Molecular and Cellular Biology student at WWU researching Local Bulk Segregant Analysis with Minh Phan in the Pollard Lab. I plan to graduate in the Spring of 2024 and hopefully attend a Genetic Counseling graduate program in the Fall of 2024.

Pollard Lab

Principle Investigator