The UMD Team

F.I.R.E. Engineering Biosensors Research Stream

at the University of Maryland, College Park

Learn more about us here!

Meet Our Researchers!

Research Educator

Catherine Spirito, PhD, is the research educator of the UMD FIRE Engineering Biosensors Stream. Catherine has a Bachelors of Civil Engineering from McGill University in Montreal, QC. She received her PhD in Biological and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Catherine’s research interests include: environmental and public health microbiology, bioenergy and biofuels production, and synthetic biology.

The Peer Mentors

Hi my name is Allyson Conlin and I am a junior studying general biology. I was a member of the BioFIRE living and learning community my first year of school, which introduced me to this stream! I aspire to work in Biotech and think that getting wet lab experience early in my college career has given me the opportunity to discover which industries I am most interested in.

Hi, I’m Aathira Menon and I am a junior majoring in Public Health Science with a minor in statistics. I am a member of the FIRE program and have developed a keen interest in research. My future plans include becoming a doctor, for now I am interested in specializing in the field of oncology.

Hi, I’m Celine Moarkech and I am a junior majoring in neurobiology and physiology. I am a member of the BioFIRE program, through which I have developed an early and strong relationship with research. In the future, I am interested in developing a career founded on my knowledge in biology and research doing consulting work, ideally surrounding health policy.

Hi, I’m Jaleh Montazer and I am a junior majoring in Public Health Science with a minor in NonProfit leadership. I am a member of the BioFIRE research program and was able to have a variety of laboratory experiences that have shaped my time in college. I aspire to work in the Public Health sector working to minimize health disparities around the world. I hope to use my wet lab skills to develop a research foundation that can be used in a variety of fields.

Hi my name is Pranav Varrey and I am a junior BioEngineering major with a minor in Philosophy. I have been involved in the FIRE program since my freshman year which has given my a variety of research experiences. I hope to use these experiences to excel in a research and development department of a BioTechnology firm.

Our Current Students – Spring/Fall 2018

current-EB

Have any questions for us? Please contact Research Educator Catherine Spirito (email: cspirito@umd.edu).