Tag: alumni

Margo Courtney’s ’21 experience in research labs and creative inquires (CI) during her undergraduate experience at Clemson prepared her for her career at Ionis Pharmaceuticals in San Diego, CA.

“My time in research labs and my CI prepared me well to feel comfortable in the [Ionis Pharmaceuticals] lab and the background in genetics and biochemistry has made it very easy to understand the concepts of our therapies and the diseases we work to treat.”

Margo was a genetics and biochemistry double major with a minor in life sciences and worked at the Academic Success Center as a peer tutor for general and organic chemistry.

“Orgo was probably my favorite class of all of college!”

Margo was member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and held an executive position as the academic achievement chair. She also worked in Dr. Will Richardson’s lab for a CI in the biomedical engineering department.

“We developed in vitro tissue culture platforms to create technologies to control fibrosis related to heart failure.”

After graduating in May of 2021, Margo moved to San Diego to work for as a Research Associate II at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, a company that focuses on developing RNA-targeted therapies, specifically Antisense Oligonucleotides for a variety of diseases.

“It’s been a great experience, and I can see the ocean from my lab which is pretty fun! They really helped develop my skills both professionally and in the lab. I often times am asked to present my research, help with publications and attend conferences so it has the feel of academia even though I’m working in industry.”

Margo works for the Genome Integrity Group, where they mainly focus on age-related diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. Margo’s main concern is working to identify a target and relevant treatment of Huntington’s Disease (HD).

“I make in vitro neuronal models for the disease starting with iPSCs, then differentiating them into neurons or organoids, and finally try to model the repeat instability of the repeat in HD in these cell models with the hope of reversing somatic instability with our various therapies.”

The day-to-day at work changes depending on the specific project she is working on or protocols, but it mainly entails working in the lab doing cell culture, treatment and downstream analysis of Next-Generation Sequencing or qPCR.

“I knew I enjoyed the lab and wanted to spend some time in industry out of school to figure out what specific type of genetic research and science related path I wanted to go down.”

Margo’s time in industry motivated her academically to obtain her Ph.D. Last year she started back in school at Clemson in the Healthcare Genetics and Genomics (HGG) Program. Going back to school and getting a higher degree will open doors to careers that truly interest her. Margo hopes in the future to stay in industry but lean more into the translational science that is highlighted in the HGG program.

“Becoming a medical science liaison would be great to bridge the gap between my knowledge of genetic research and clinical practice as I have always loved discussing, teaching and communicating scientific concepts and ideas to make it more accessible and impactful for others hopefully in the neurodegenerative or aging field.”

Biochemistry alum Adam Gatch ’25 has received a Fulbright research award to study abroad in Munich, Germany at Ludwig Maximilian University. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities to pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach.

Adam has respectfully declined the Germany Fulbright offer after earning a Churchill scholarship earlier in the spring, which allows students to undertake a one-year master’s program in STEM fields at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The Churchill Scholarship is seen as the most prestigious and competitive international science, mathematics and engineering award for post-undergraduate researchers.

Adam’s proposed project at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich would have explored how early-stage medin aggregates interact with amyloid-beta in the brain, advancing a novel line of inquiry in Alzheimer’s research.

At Clemson, Adam conducted extensive biophysics research in the lab of Dr. Feng Ding, exploring molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease. Gatch also volunteered at the campus food pantry, worked as a tutor and gained clinical experience as an emergency medical technician (EMT). He plans to one day lead an interdisciplinary laboratory dedicated to neuroscience discovery while working in academic medicine.

Shriya Amin ’22 has always had a passion for ancient history – partly due to reading the Percy Jackson series as a child. So, when she came to Clemson as a biochemistry major (quickly switching to genetics), minoring in history was a no-brainer.

During the spring semester of Shriya’s sophomore year, the COVID pandemic hit and everything went remote. Shriya didn’t want to get behind and also wanted to get involved in some way.

“During the summer of 2020, I was on two teams in the Clemson COVID Challenge – groups of Clemson, MUSC and Prisma Health students, along with faculty and staff worked to address issues highlighted by the pandemic in everything from medical challenges to societal discrepancies.”

One of the projects Shriya worked on was with the REDDI Lab at Clemson. She first started as a Collection Specialist, then as one of the two Undergraduate Supervisors, staying with this project until graduation.

Shriya was also part of Clemson Dholna, Clemson’s Bollywood fusion dance team since her freshman year.

“We performed at university and community events. It continues to be a wonderful and talented group of people, and I’ve loved getting to see the team grow and progress since graduating.”

During Shriya’s senior year she participated in virtual directed reading with Drs. Raquel Fleskes and Tad Schurr at the University of Pennsylvania. That same year, construction around the Gaillard Center in downtown Charleston unearthed an 18th century burial ground.

There were 36 enslaved individuals – called the Ansons Street Ancestors – buried there. With permissions from the local Gullah community, Drs. Fleskes and Schurr completed ancient DNA, stable isotope and osteological analyses on these ancestors to learn more about their lives and try to re-identify them as much as possible.

“I had found out about this project and worked out a directed reading project of bioinformatics with Dr. Fleskes. It was kind of my first foray into anthropology, and I really connected with how it focused on the human side of science.”

Shriya always knew she wanted to further her education and attend grad school; she just wasn’t sure where or what she really wanted to study.

“During my junior year, I sat down with Dr. Alison Starr-Moss to see how I could bridge the gap between ancient history and genetics, because I loved them both so much. She suggested I find some papers that connected the two and learn more the authors and see if they would be willing to speak with me.”

After reading Dr. Fleskes paper on the Anson Street Ancestors and participating in the directed reading, Shriya knew this was the path she wanted to pursue.

Shriya is currently working towards her Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). She is in a subdivision of anthropology at the UPenn, which is biological anthropology – genetics.

“It’s similar to human genetics, but takes into further consideration the sociocultural, political and environmental aspects that can shape and affect the human genome and looks at genetics a little more holistically.”

Her dissertation project addresses questions of admixture and diversity: how population- and individual-level movements and migrations from the recent and more ancient pasts affect the genomes of current peoples.

“I’m part of a larger project that is working to characterize genetic diversity in the country of Georgia in the South Caucasus.”

Unsure of what lies ahead after completing her Ph.D. in anthropology, Shriya does know that she will work on making science more available to the population.

“Right now, I think I’d like to work in science publishing and outreach. The pandemic highlighted for me how poor scientific education and literacy is in the U.S., and I want to try to make science more accessible to non-scientists.”

A Clemson native, May ’25 alum Griffin Thomas was a familiar face in the Life Sciences Building (LSB) during his undergrad, something that he looks back fondly on.

“Every day I looked forward to going to the LSB, knowing I would get the chance to talk to a past professor, a friend studying in the atrium, a member of the Genetics and Biochemistry staff or a member of the support staff.”

Griffin was a biochemistry major with minors in genetics and social sciences and was named an Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovations Center (EPIC) Seifert Scholar, served as the president of the Clemson Rotaract Club, a volunteer with the Cottingham Hospice House and a clinical research assistant in the School of Nursing.

Arguably, his most important work while at Clemson was his research in Dr. James Morris’ lab within EPIC where he studied the metabolism of T. brucei and Nagleria Fowleri in order to elucidate potential therapeutic targets.

After graduation, Griffin will be conducting research with the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC for a year prior to attending medical school.

“I hope this opportunity will prepare me to provide more informed and comprehensive care to my future patients and prepare me for a career in neurosurgery.”

Our G&B seniors graduated yesterday and among them was biochemistry student, now alum, Ruxi Xia. An international student from China, Ruxi enjoyed the strong biochemistry program Clemson had to offer, setting her up for future successes in research.

“I wanted a strong biochemistry program to set me up for success in cancer research as it has been my career choice since one of my family members passed from cancer.”

Ruxi was an intern at the Clemson Light Imaging Facility and participated in lab research at the Nanobiotechnology lab.

“I have worked on many independent immunofluorescence staining projects, learned to operate wide-field and confocal microscopes, and coordinated an imaging contest that receives entries from all over the world for that past three years.”

She has served as co-director for the Clemson Paw Pantry, president of the Clemson Chinese Students and Scholars Association and community service coordinator for the Clemson Rotaract Club, tutored at the Academic Success Center and acted as member of CUSG Campus Advancement committee.

“I have really enjoyed getting to help the community whether that is helping at the Clemson Community Care, local farms, and other shelters in the community.”

Her favorite moment during her undergrad was receiving her college ring at the Clemson Ring Ceremony with her best friends.

Ruxi plans to attend Columbia University for a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.

Natalie Shay, genetics student graduating this May, has been emersed in research, clubs and the community since she arrived, research being one of Natalie’s top priorities.

“During my freshman and sophomore year, I was in a CI with Dr. Marc Birtwistle where I helped study cancer diagnostics and pharmacology.”

Junior and senior year, Natalie developed an interest in neurobiology, resulting in an undergraduate researcher position in Dr. Julia George’s lab, where Natalie studied gene expression in the brains of zebra finch embryos, particularly DNA methylation changes.

“These experiences shaped me as a scientist, and I couldn’t be more thankful for them!”

Natalie was also the president of the Biochemistry and Genetics club, and her favorite course was Epigenetics; she loves figuring out how so many factors affect our gene expression beyond just our DNA sequence.

Natalie is grateful for the lifelong friends that she has made at Clemson over the last four years.

“It was awesome to find friends who love science as much as I do!”

After graduation, Natalie will be joining Dr. Jessica Larsen’s lab to pursue a master’s degree in bioengineering, her overall career goal to research and develop gene therapies.

“I’m glad I get to stay at Clemson a little bit longer!”

The last four years of her undergraduate studies, graduating biochemistry senior Kailie Greer, has spent trying new things and meeting new people. From studying abroad to participating in a Creative Inquiry (CI) Program, Kailie has fully taken advantage of the experiential learning that Clemson has to offer.

Kailie was a part of Dr. Scott Pratt’s Advancement of Assisted Reproductive Technologies for Cattle and Other Species CI and studied abroad in Florence, Italy last summer at the Institute of Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM) in Florence, Italy, which is noted as one of the most distinctive and well-established study abroad institutions in Italy. In addition, Kailie worked part-time at Crossroads Animal Hospital in Seneca, SC.

Upon graduation, Kailie is taking a gap year and working at Salt Marsh Animal Hospital in Kiawah, SC before applying to veterinary school.

“Clemson has brought me so many opportunities and I am forever thankful for the four years I had here.”

During genetics senior Disha Qanungo’s undergraduate degree, she has been involved in a “Human Remains Recovery” course, traveled oversees to learn about microbial pathogens, volunteered at the Shifa Clinic and participated in an MUSC internship, just to name a few.

Disha says that her favorite part of the Genetics and Biochemistry Department is the advisors, whom she notes visibly show their best interests for their students. In her very limited free time, she enjoys cooking and ice skating.

Disha dreams of creating free clinics for women and children in developing countries. Upon graduating in May, Disha will be spending the summer preparing to take the MCAT on August 2nd and subsequently applying to medical school. During Disha’s gap year, she will apply to work at We are Sharing Hope SC as a clinical specialist in Organ Donation.

Alumni Christine Hart ’18 and biochemistry major Caroline Argenti were recognized by the prestigious National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program, receiving three years of financial support for graduate study.

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports outstanding students early in their graduate school careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or in STEM education. Recipients receive a $37,000 stipend and a full cost of education allowance, which covers their tuition and mandatory fees.

Caroline Argenti’s research focuses on expanding the field of nanotechnology with an emphasis on RNA (ribonucleic acid) therapeutics. Caroline has also been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship in 2024. After she graduates, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Christine Hart ‘18, researches the impact of global and anthropogenic changes on insect communities and how to address insect declines through research-based management solutions and equitable science education for K-12 students with language-based learning differences. She currently runs a small business providing educational support and consulting for students with learning disabilities and works part-time at Clemson’s Coastal Research and Education Center in a vegetable entomology lab run by Tom Bilbo, assistant professor of plant and environmental sciences.

Read more in the Clemson News article.

When we think of getting a genetics degree, most of us don’t really equate that to a career in law. 2014 alum Megan Robertson is paving the way to broaden the horizons of what a science degree can lead to.

After growing up outside of Charlotte, NC, Megan came to Clemson as a genetics major with a minor in legal studies. While she was on campus, Megan was involved in Sigma Kappa, Pi Chi and worked at the Academic Success Center with the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program.

“I was an SI instructor for calculus for a year or so and then oversaw the SI instructors for all the science classes.”

Outside of academics, Megan enjoyed all that Clemson had to offer.

“I loved going to football games (of course!) and hanging out with friends downtown, whether it was getting ice cream at Spill the Beans or grabbing a drink at TTTs.”

After Clemson, Megan went straight to law school at the George Washington (GW) Law School in Washington D.C., living in the city for eight years throughout her schooling. The GW Law School a global law school that exists to make an impact on the law through the leadership of diverse faculty and staff, the extraordinary influence of an extensive alumni network, and the location in the heart of downtown Washington, DC.

Upon graduating from law school, Megan began her career as an attorney at the law firm of Epstein Becker Green (EBG), a national law firm with a primary focus on health care and life sciences; employment, labor, and workforce management; and litigation and business disputes.

Megan is now a partner at Epstein Becker Green, working with clients involved in biotech, biopharma, clinical lab and research activities advising them on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations (think FDA regulations, CLIA for labs, fraud and abuse considerations and state laws).

“I may be answering a question about how a new product is regulated or helping to negotiate a clinical research contract for a new study. I also represent investor clients during due diligence reviews of life sciences companies, advising on risks associated with potential transactions.”

Another piece of Megan’s practice is pro bono work, where she represents claimants seeking social security disability benefits on a no cost basis. This was not originally Megan’s plan when she went to law school.

“I actually went to law school thinking I would do patents. But as I learned more about the health care law field, I got more intrigued and finally zeroed in on where I am today.”

Though Megan is technically an attorney, she uses her genetics degree and knowledge everyday in her work duties. Megan’s degree in genetics, allows her to understand the unique compliance challenges faced by, and the development opportunities available to, companies in the life sciences industry.

“Having a science background is incredibly useful when talking to clients about the details of a new product or study. Regardless of whether it has to do specifically with genetics or biochemistry, “speaking the language” is invaluable when relaying legal and compliance concepts and concepts and talking through strategy with these life sciences companies.”

Much of the work Megan does is with clinical labs, and she co-leads the firm’s Clinical Labs Focused Initiative.

“Whether the labs are running genetic tests or developing their own test, it is exciting to be able to watch new developments in genetics come to fruition in near-real time.”

Megan married her high school sweetheart Zach in 2017 and now live in just outside in Herndon, VA with their four-old daughter, Olivia and two dogs, Miller and Marlo.