Team:Lubbock TTU/Team





About Us

The Lubbock TTU iGEM Team is part of a student organization at Texas Tech University known as iGEM Raiders. Our mission is to expose the university and community to synthetic biology through undergraduate initiative and involvement in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition.

This year, the iGEM Raiders team is composed of 8 dedicated undergraduate and graduate students with backgrounds in cell & molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and chemical engineering. The diversity within our team enables the iGEM Raiders to tackle novel project ideas.

Meet the Team



Tip: Hover over an image to learn more about the member.

Student Members

                                   







                    
    • Name: Jordan Chasteen
      Major: Biochemistry
      Role: Wet Lab Assistant
      Goal: I want to get a Ph. D. and do research and development for new medicines in the academic or pharmaceutical sector.
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    • Name: Benjamin Chavez
      Major: Molecular Biology

      Role: Wet Lab Instructor
      Hobbies: Playing guitar, swimming, carpentry, working out, and reading novels.
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    • Name: Darron Tharp
      Major: Cell and Molecular Biology
      Role: Wet Lab Assistant
      Hobbies: Competitive Overwatch, cruising on my longboard, having jam sessions with friends
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    • Name: Jeff Ptak
      Major: Biochemistry
      Role: Wet Lab Assistant
      Hobbies: Jiu-Jitsu, Dancing, Going to Waterparks, Hearthstone








                    
    • Name: Gregory Knox
      Major: Biochemistry
      Role: Former Vice-President
      Career Interests: Bioengineering and Synthetic biology
      Hobbies: Playing instruments and running
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    • Name: Brandon Palomo
      Major: M.S. Physics
      Role: President & Team Leader
      Hobbies:Video games and taking care of my dog, cat, lizards, snakes, and tarantulas.
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    • Name:Pranathi Bingi
      Major: Microbiology
      Role: Wet Lab Assistant
      Hobbies:I participate in bollywood-style dancing and indian classical singing. In my free time I love binge-watching TV shows and hanging out with my friends.
      •        
    • Name: Paula Garavito
      Major: Biochemistry
      Role: Vice-President & Wet Lab Manager
      Hobbies:I plan to attend Medical school to pursue a career in Neurology. In my free time I like to work out and watch anime.








    Faculty & Advisors

         
    • Advisor: Roger B. Sutton, Ph.D. Biochemistry/Structural Biology
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    • Advisor: Ruth Serra-Moreno, Ph.D. Microbiology, M.S. in Biotechnology
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    • Primary PI: John D'Auria, Ph.D. Moleculuar, Cellular, and Develpmental Biology
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    • Faculty Advisor: Julie Isom, Associate Program Director of Research CISER, M.S.
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    • Secondary PI: Michael Latham, Ph.D. Chemistry and Biochemistry