Before the Bench: Sam was born in Medellin, Colombia, but has lived most of his life in North Carolina. He majored in Biology at Elon University before doing a postbac at the NIH.

At the Bench: Sam is in the Munjal lab at Duke University. Sam studies tissue morphogenesis of the embryonic inner ear in zebrafish. He’s interested in the cell behaviors and extracellular cues that give rise to complex patterns from simple instructions.

Away from the Bench: Sam enjoys wheel-throwing ceramics and indoor rock climbing in his free time, but is most happy spending time with his friends and family.

Before the Bench: Isabella is originally from Orlando, FL and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago as well as a postbaccalaureate fellowship at the NIH.

At the Bench: Isabella is in the Gladfelter lab at Duke University. She studies how mitochondrial function and morphology enables the extremophilic fungus A. pullulans to survive varied and repeated environmental stresses.

Away from the Bench: Isabella loves reading, playing pickleball with her co-hosts, tap dancing, and incessantly listening to whatever her latest musical fixation is (currently: Tame Impala).

Before the Bench: Hailing from Jacksonville, NC, Pat did his undergrad and masters at ECU where he studied molecular biology and stem cell niche establishment in Drosophila.

At the Bench: Currently, Pat is in the Sherwood lab in the Duke Biology Department. He is focusing on how different types of extracellular matrices interact to support tissue structure and function in C. elegans.

Away from the Bench: Outside of the lab, Pat is either rotting on the couch or trying to stay active… the dichotomy of man.

Before the Bench: Hannah is originally from the Philippines, but lived in Doha, Qatar for 9 years, and did her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, in Canada.

At the Bench: Hannah is in the Gerecht lab at Duke University. She is interested in analyzing the mechanotransduction forces involved in endothelial cell-cardiomyocyte interactions after a heart attack. Hannah is also very passionate about mentorship and increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Away from the Bench: Hannah loves reading books (of any and all genres), crocheting, baking, swimming, and laying in the sun.