In the Lee Lab, we strive to create a lab environment in which members are inspired to work collaboratively and productively to uncover biological unknowns. We recognize that to achieve high quality science as a community, we must “prioritize people, not projects” and embrace wellness, health, respect, and kindness as core values alongside creativity, rigor, and reproducibility. Please see the pledge featured in the “Scientists are Humans” Manifesto, which is linked below and serves as a source of inspiration for our lab.
Suzanne Lee, she/her
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley
Jon Wick, he/him
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Computer Science Minor in progress
Started Summer 2024
Outside the lab, I enjoy climbing, hiking, and spending time with friends. With my history in programming and robotics, I hope to combine my interests to broaden my understanding of biology research. After I graduate, I hope to pursue a career in research in cellular and molecular biology or biochemistry.
Savanna Cox, she/her
B.S. Biology General Emphasis in progress
Started Winter 2024
Outside of the lab I like to be out in nature, surround myself with friends and family, and watch movies. I hope to pursue a career in research, particularly within the cellular and molecular or biochemistry field!
Patrick Pando, he/him
M.S. Biology in progress
Fall 2022 – Present (Masters)
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Computer Science Minor, Psychology Minor completed
Spring 2021 – Summer 2022 (Undergraduate)
I spend my free time hiking, long boarding, and playing basketball. I hope to use bioinformatics as a way of simulating molecules and cells to show complex systems in silico.
Landon Clark, he/him
Research Technologist
B.S. Biochemistry completed
Started Fall 2024
In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, practicing my guitar, and exploring the local area with friends. My favorite food is ramen from a good restaurant. I am motivated to make an impact in the field of neurobiology and lead my own research team while also supporting diverse and accessible research.
Katelyn Josephson, she/her
M.S. Biology in progress
B.S. Biology, B.S. Biochemistry, Psychology Minor completed
Started Summer 2024
Outside the lab I enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. I plan to pursue a career in genetics research.
Marques Herrera-Kuehn, he/him
M.S. Biology in progress
B.S. Molecular Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Spanish Minor completed
Started Fall 2023
Outside of the lab I enjoy traveling, playing soccer, and going on walks with my dog Zeus. The past few summers I have done kidney and colorectal cancer research at PharmaIN and hope to eventually pursue a career in a field that surrounds cancer and drug development.
Maya Matsumoto, she/her
Research Technologist
Started Summer 2022 (Research Tech)
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, STEAM Minor, German Minor completed
Winter 2020 – Summer 2021 (Undergraduate)
In between my time in the Lee Lab, I spent a year working as a research assistant in Robin Kodner’s lab at WWU working on snow algae! I’m interested in all kinds of science communication, especially through art. I make science-themed stickers on Etsy @MWMLetters (Instagram), and I created the Lee Lab logo!
Alums
Toby Traudt, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor
Spring 2022 – Summer 2024
Hannah Thorp, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor
Spring 2022 – Spring 2024
Currently working as a Research Associate at the Allen Institute for Cell Science
Lena Johnson, she/her
M.S. Biology
Summer 2021 – Spring 2024
Currently working as a Lab Manager/Research Scientist in the Tian Lab at UW Medicine.
Meilin Scott, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Spanish Minor in progress
Spring 2023 – Summer 2023
Currently a biology student at WWU.
Alison Witwer, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Art History Minor
Spring 2021 – Winter 2023
Currently preparing to apply for graduate school.
Abigail Ruddick, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor
Spring 2021 – Summer 2023
Currently a Post-Bacc IRTA Fellow at the National Institute of Health in the lab of Orna Cohen-Fix.
Courtney Yoshiyama, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Spring 2020 – Summer 2022
Currently working as a Research Scientist in David Veesler’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington/HHMI.
Katy Lee, she/her
B.S. Public Health, International Studies Minor
Fall 2021 – Winter 2021
Currently transitioning to perform research with WWU’s Public Health faculty.
Christina Mong, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Summer 2019 – Spring 2021
Currently working as a CNA at Promedica and will be starting as a student in Shoreline Community College’s Nursing (RN) program.
Kerry Roberts-Nygren, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Spring 2017 – Summer 2020
Currently working as a medical assistant at Family Health Associates.
Megan Kelly, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Fall 2017 – Winter 2020
Currently working as a research assistant at Shape Therapeutics in Seattle.
Lola Lang, she/her
B.S. Biochemistry, Astronomy and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minors
Fall 2021 – Spring 2024
Currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Biochemistry at Cornell University.
Charisma Saptono, she/her
NSF REPS Fellow, B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Chemistry Minor
Summer 2022 – Summer 2023
Currently a medical scribe at Stanford Cancer Center Palo Alto.
Jason Sasser, he/him
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Winter 2020 – Fall 2021
Currently pursuing clinical experience, prior to medical school, to determine his preference between medical research and clinical practice.
Erin Tessier, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Spring 2020 – Summer 2021
Currently working as a Research Associate with Seagen (formerly Seattle Genetics).
Megan Morris, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Summer 2019 – Summer 2020
Currently working as a medical assistant at Bellingham Retina Specialists and applying to medical school.
Sam Neff Ernest, she/her
M.S. Biology
Fall 2017 – Spring 2020
Currently teaching math and science at Assumption Middle School.
Madison Syverson, she/her
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Spanish Minor
Fall 2018 – Spring 2019
Currently in Vancouver, WA working as a clinic associate and acquiring experience for genetic counseling programs.
Brian Miller, he/him
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Winter 2017 – Fall 2018
Former research assistant in Don Conrad’s lab at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) affiliated with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Currently a Master’s in Data Science candidate at the University of Denver.
Morgan Chloe Jones, they/them
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Summer 2017 – Summer 2018
Currently a Ph.D. candidate in Thelma Escobar’s lab in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Washington.
Briar Jochim, he/him
Winter 2016 – Spring 2017
B.S. Cellular and Molecular Biology
Former research assistant in Dana Miller’s lab at UW and Nic Lehrbach’s lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Currently a PhD candidate in the M3D (Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease) Program at UW.
Alexander “Xander” Veneruso, he/him
B.S. Behavioral Neuroscience, Honors Program
Fall 2015 – Spring 2016
Currently a game designer at Turn 10 Studios.
Collaborators at WWU
Matthew Zinkgraf, he/him
Associate Professor in the Biology Department at WWU