When Dr. Jim Morris was the guest speaker at a Biochemistry and Genetics Club meeting, senior biochemistry major Catly (Cat) Nguyen became interested in his research, leading to a position as an undergraduate researcher in the Morris Labs. This summer, Cat is participating in the Undergraduate Research + Creative Inquiry (CI) program, while continuing her research with Dr. Morris.
“Hearing Dr. Morris talk about his journey into research/molecular biology and his work was so insightful and interesting. It gave me the courage to email him and ask to join his lab as an undergraduate researcher.”
In the Morris Lab, Cat’s research focuses on identifying and localizing potential drug targets and understanding drug uptake in Trypanosoma brucei, a protozoan parasite that causes African sleeping sickness. Trypanosomes are so complex because their cellular mechanisms, like glucose metabolism, are not yet fully understood.
“Our goal here is expand our understanding of their cellular biology so that we can exploit it for drug targets.”
This summer, for her CI, Cat is specifically investigating how drugs and inhibitors are trafficked to glycosomes, which are specialized peroxisomes that house essential glycolytic enzymes.
“To do this, I’ve been working on purifying PTS-tagged (peroxisomal targeting sequence) eYFP proteins, which will help us characterize how these proteins are delivered to the glycosomes and potentially co-delivered with drugs.”
Another part of Cat’s research is working on another side cloning project where the goal is to find the origin of replication within a plasmid by dividing it into smaller fragments and amplifying them using specific designed primer pairs. Once one is discovered, they can clone EYFP into it, allowing N. fowleri to replicate the fluorescent protein independently and establish long-term expression of EYFP once it is transfected into the parasite.
“So far, I’ve had such an amazing experience in Dr. Morris’ lab during the summer. I’ve gotten to spend more time in lab, getting more work done, being able to see positive results, and most importantly expanding my understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry.”
Cat has been able to apply this experience to her lecture courses and has been able to interact with and learn from graduate students, whom she notes as great mentors. Cat knows this experience in the Morris lab will help her reach her future ambitions.
“From this experience, I hope to better prepare myself for a future in research. I am pursuing pharmacy school after undergrad and am planning on going into biochemical pharmaceutical research where I focus on drug discovery/delivery. So, working with Dr. Morris this summer has be extremely valuable to my future goals.”
Outside of her CI, Cat has been spending her summer planting, spending time with friends and families, cooking and baking, going to concerts, reading and traveling.
Second year Ph.D. student Caroline Palmentiero ’23 studied microbiology in her undergrad but couldn’t seem to get away from biochemistry, choosing it for her minor and becoming a lab technician for G&B professor Dr. James Morris.
“My undergraduate research was in the microbiology department, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t quite what I wanted to pursue long term. I took molecular basis of disease with Dr. Morris. I became his laboratory technician and loved everything about the lab, his mentorship and the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), which is why I decided to continue research as a graduate student after I graduated in December of 2023.”
Caroline’s graduate research under Dr. James Morris focuses on the development of genetic engineering techniques and drug screening in the pathogenic free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which is almost always fatal, but it remains highly understudied because of the rarity of exposure.
“I love the research that we do because we are developing new techniques that can provide novel insights into the organism and searching for new treatments that could potentially save lives.”
Caroline is unsure regarding post-graduation plans, but I could see herself pursuing drug/vaccine development or working in a clinical setting of some sort. Regardless, she is grateful for the opportunities provided to her at Clemson.
“I love the department, especially being in EPIC, because everyone is always so willing to help each other. There are so many people to turn to for advice and everyone really loves what they do.”
Outside of the lab, Caroline describes herself as a homebody and family-centered, spending time relaxing at home with her dog and fiancé either reading, watching TV, cooking or planning her March 2026 wedding.
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.
Clemson University has held a special significance in Madeleine Greer’s family ever since her grandfather graduated in ’61. This connection was a key consideration for her as she selected her university.
“I chose Clemson because it’s always been an important place to me and my family. My family has been going to Clemson games since before I was born and with it being close to where I grew up, we always visited and grew a connection with the university.”
Madeleine is from Greenville, SC and went to Greenville High School, where she skipped a grade between her sophomore and senior year. In high school, Madeleine enjoyed being a part of the school’s tennis team, eventually becoming team captain.
As a genetics major, Madeleine is eager to explore how our genes are inherited and how they shape our identities.
“I’ve always been curious about how traits are passed down and why people are the way they are. I think it’s really interesting how our genes shape so much about us and I’m excited to learn more about it.”
Madeleine has plans when she gets on campus not just academically but with extracurricular activities, planning to go through sorority recruitment and joining the club tennis team.
Even as an incoming freshman, she has goals for her future after graduating with her genetics degree.
“With my genetics degree I plan on going to medical school and becoming a doctor specializing in either IVF or gynecology.”
Madeleine, we can’t wait to see you on campus!
Alexandra Hart
When incoming biochemistry freshman Alexandra Hart attended her mother’s doctoral hooding ceremony at Clemson University in 2021, she knew it was an experience she would never forget.
“Seeing Clemson for the first time is something I would love to relive. Honestly, I don’t think there is a college that could provide me with an experience like Clemson has. You can really tell that Clemson cares about their students, especially their incoming students.”
Coming from Charleston, SC, Alexandra went to Berkeley Middle College High School a top magnet school in partnership with Trident Technical College. At Berkeley students can complete all requirements of a high school graduate while pursuing an associate degree and other certifications provided by the technical college.
Alexandra was not only busy with her academics in high school, but she was also involved in many extracurricular activities within the school and the community.
“At Berkeley I earned my high school diploma and associate’s degree in science. I participated in varsity cheerleading, varsity tennis and multiple volunteer organizations, including a few local, youth-based non-profits.”
Alexandra is coming in as a biochemistry major with a genetics minor with the hopes of completing the bachelors-to-master’s program. She chose biochemistry after taking a Principles of Biomedical Sciences course her first year of high school.
“It made me realize how much I enjoyed working in a lab setting and helped my constant curiosity about life!”
When Alexandra arrives on campus she plans on getting involved by participating in Club Cheerleading, the Black Student Union and the Biochemistry & Genetics Club.
“I am beyond excited to enter Clemson University this August, and I keep a countdown for the move-in day on all my devices. I still can’t believe I am going to Clemson! Go Tigers!!”
As a travel lover, study abroad was an important factor when deciding where to attend college for genetics sophomore Maddie Smith. This summer, she jumped at the opportunity to study abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico through the Faculty-Directed: Global Experiences in Health Professions Program.
“I love travelling and getting to experience different cultures and landscapes different from my hometown. Clemson has been so supportive of my dream to go abroad, and this dream come true did not disappoint!”
During the three weeks that Maddie was in Mexico, she shadowed doctors, gained insight on traditional medicine, studied the Spanish language and learned the history of Mexico.
“While in Oaxaca, Mexico, I was shadowing in local hospitals and clinics to gain insightful experience within healthcare settings and gain a global perspective on public health.”
Maddie and the other students lived with a host family during their stay. Each day they would have clinical rotations, Spanish lessons and lectures to attend. As busy as Maddie’s days were, she did occasionally get some free time.
“In our free time, I would do my assignments, take much needed naps, go to dinner with friends and explore the city! I loved going to the market to see all the local goods they were selling!”
Grateful for this experience, Maddie hopes this will follow her into her future career as a physician.
“Through this experience, I have learned that we are very fortunate in the US to have a top-notch healthcare system. When I am a practicing physician, I hope to use my global healthcare perspective to be patient and respectful of my patients and their life experiences.”
The 2025 cohort represents the tenth annual President’s Leadership Institute. As an exciting opportunity for emerging, high-potential, and high-performing members of the faculty and staff of Clemson University the President’s Leadership Institute (PLI) is a nine-month leadership development program designed to support and develop professional and personal leadership within a diverse and inclusive community.
The department’s own principal lecturer Dr. Alison Starr-Moss was nominated and selected to be a part of this years cohort. After earning her B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from Clemson in 2003, she received her Ph.D. in Genetics from Texas A&M University in 2007. Returning to Clemson in 2008, Starr-Moss focused her research on canine genetics and genomics.
She currently serves as the director of advising and instructional programs and M.S. program coordinator, where she is dedicated to undergraduate and graduate student development through degree planning and professional growth. Starr-Moss is recognized for her excellence in advising and teaching, having received the 2013 Frank A. Burtner Award for Excellence in Advising and the 2020 Dr. Ted G. Westmoreland Award for Faculty Excellence and most recently, the Dean’s Distinguished Lecturer Award.
The institute enables participants to build individual effectiveness, understand the power of critical thinking and communication, learn directly from President Jim Clements and embrace their own ability to lead within the Clemson community. Each cohort consists of 25 faculty and staff nominated by University leadership.
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.”
May graduate Hannah Skinner is a Clemson student through-and-through. Before attending Clemson for her MS in genetics, she was a biological sciences student with Spanish and genetics minors.
Hannah graduated in May 2025 with a master’s in genetics. Her committee chairs were Drs. Todd Lyda, Meredith Morris and Manuel Fierro. Hannah’s thesis was a literary review on the parasitic disease, toxoplasmosis, heavily influenced by an infectious oddities class took in spring 2024, led by Dr. Todd Lyda.
“I would not have been able to complete this thesis without his guidance, wisdom and friendship.”
In addition to being a full-time master’s student, Hannah was the graduate assistant for Clemson Bands. One of her favorite moments as a student was the ACC Championship in 2024.
“I was with the band cheering on the team that night and it was electric. I’ve never had so much fun at a game (even though my jaw got dislocated in the excitement). Go Tigers! Go Tiger Band!”
Hannah will return to Clemson in the fall to pursue a master’s program in applied health research and evaluation.
May graduate Britana Myers knew she wanted to study genetics after gaining an interest in high school.
Britana was a part of Clemson Honors College, the College of Science Mentoring and Inclusion Collaborative (COSMIC) Program and was a Student Phonathon Caller for the Clemson Annual Fund.
In addition, Britana performed research in Dr. Michael Sehorn’s, focusing on a project that includes creating a mutation in the human SSB1 protein.
Britana’s advice for undergraduate students is to seek assistance from professors, advisors and peers.
“The best thing I learned in the last four years is that you should always ask for help when you need it. It’s better to be vulnerable and admit when you don’t know something.”
Britana loved spending late nights studying and goofing off with her friends, which she will continue to do as she is pursuing a master’s in genetics with our department starting in the Fall of 2025.
National Scholar Elizabeth Caldwell graduated with a degree in genetics in May 2025 and is headed to Yale University for a master’s degree in public health.
Since her freshman year, Caldwell has worked with Michael Sehorn, associate professor of genetics and biochemistry, focusing on DNA damage repair pathways in various disorders, including a rare immunodeficiency disease. Her passion stems from her own underresearched disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Her love for research led her to the highly selective pediatric oncology education program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the summers of 2023 and 2024, where she researched rare, cancerous mutations related to leukemia. On campus, Caldwell founded the Tigers 4 Accessibility club and volunteered at the Clemson Free Clinic.
Caldwell has been named a Truman Scholar and has received Clemson’s Norris Medal, the Matt Locke Leadership Award, the College of Science Outstanding Senior in Science Award, the Riley Institute’s Upstate Diversity Leadership Award, Dr. William Marcotte Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award and the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry Outstanding Senior in Genetics Award.
