People

PhD Candidate in Movement Science Member until May 2026 Research Interests: Orthopaedic biomechanics and musculoskeletal modeling

Thomas Schodl (they/he) is a second-year Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology (BBSB) PhD student in the laboratory of Dr. Natalie Niemi. Thomas is broadly interested in how cells maintain homeostasis, with a specific emphasis on mitochondrial function. Thomas earned their BS (summa cum laude) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Truman State University in 2024, […]

A PhD candidate in Social Work at the Brown School, Grace DeHorn studies economic security and low-wage work. Grace is committed to finding avenues to restore a social safety net and improve working conditions for low-income populations. Following her Master’s in Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago, Grace worked as project […]

Eva Fuentes is a PhD student in Anthropology. She aims to understand the evolutionary history of humans and our close relatives through the study of functional morphology and the fossil record. More specifically, she is interested in the evolution and origin of apes’ unique upright posture.

Dallas Spears is an MFA candidate in Visual Art, and graduated from Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2021. She is concerned with how art informs her critical engagement with the world, and what work in turn comes from that engagement. She hopes to pursue arts education in order to foster […]

A Master’s candidate in Architecture, Ashley Herrera is dedicated to community design efforts for urban areas. Passionate about youth design education and community-led initiatives, Ashley completed her Bachelor of Science in Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University, where she was honored with the Merrill Presidential Scholar award. During her time at Cornell, she gained […]

Christopher is committed to maximizing the transformative power of design to help both people and the planet. A graduate of The Ohio State University, he is continuing his research on empathetic and sustainable design strategies as a candidate for both the Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design programs. His community-centered approach is evident […]

As an MFA candidate in Illustration and Visual Culture at Sam Fox School, Payton Landes hopes to foster community wellness through visual arts. After completing undergraduate studies in Physics and Studio Art at Colorado College, he worked as a harm reductionist committed to preventing HIV and overdose in Denver. Beyond this direct service, he uses […]

Katelyn Lipa (she/her) is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, with interests in mechanobiology, orthopaedics, and investigating how genetics, injury, and behavior can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal diseases. Katelyn graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2024 with a BS in Bioengineering alongside a Minor in Chemistry and a Certificate in Conceptual Foundations […]

Alexis Robertson is a doctoral candidate in the DBBS Neurosciences program, with a keen focus on elucidating the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms underpinning neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Her academic journey began in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was the esteemed recipient of the Clarence Day Scholarship. This prestigious award enabled her to provide aid […]

Taylor is originally from a small town in Mississippi. In 2024, she graduated from WashU with a major in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology.  Now, Taylor is a second-year JD student at WashU School of Law, where she has been an active member of organizations such as Phi Alpha Delta, the Texas Legal Society, and the Christian Legal Fellowship. […]

Jewel McDonough, a JD candidate, seeks to study international/public interest law. In her legal career, she plans to fight for survivors of abuse and human trafficking. During her undergraduate degree, she gained experience working with these survivors and found it to be some of the most rewarding work she has been a part of. Jewel […]

Yi Kang is a PhD student in the Movement Science program within the Department of Physical Therapy. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2024 and holds a degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Mathematics. Yi has contributed to research on biomechanics and lower back pain, as well as on lifestyle factors, […]

Sarah Borders is pursuing a Master’s in Architecture. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a minor in Urban Studies. While at Penn, she assisted in the development and construction of affordable housing as an intern with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. Motivated by this […]

Pursuing dual Master degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture in the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, Reba Shoup is interested in experimenting with and creating symbiotic relationships between building forms and nature with a focus on people’s connection to the landscape. To do so means working though the challenges of the building […]

Jess Camacho (she/her) is a PhD student in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences with a focus on Cancer Biology. She earned a BA in Biochemistry from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 2024. Jess joined the Silva-Fisher Lab in May 2025, in the Division of Oncology at the School of Medicine, where […]

Hannah is a law student currently pursuing her JD. As a double major in chemistry and political science, she is committed to studying and forging various intersectional connections here at WashU and beyond. During her undergraduate career, she remained committed to democratic and community engagement, working closely with the League of Women Voters Lansing Area. […]

Callie Boren is an audiologist and a PhD student in Speech and Hearing Science. She received her BA with concentrations in communication sciences and disorders, neuroscience, and medical humanities from Baylor University in 2021 and her AuD from Washington University School of Medicine in 2025. Her combined interests in the physiological mechanisms of hearing loss, […]

Grace Duong, a PhD student from St. Louis, earned her BS in Environmental Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology, with minors in Geology and Sustainability. She has passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, is an Engineer-in-Training, and a member of Chi Epsilon, SWE, WEF, AWWA, and ASCE. Her undergraduate research focused on solutions […]

Debbie “Dada” Dada is a doctoral student in Public Health Sciences with a concentration in Dissemination and Implementation Science. Passionate about global health justice, implementation science and decolonial thought, her research interests are in improving access to infectious disease prevention and care services among marginalized populations in Sub-Saharan Africa using participatory implementation science and addressing […]