Who We Are
The Division Student Advisory Council of the Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Emory University (DSAC), is composed of all graduate programs administered through the Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Every graduate program within the Division is represented in DSAC by an appointed student from each of the 8 programs represented include: Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology (BCDB), Cancer Biology (CB) Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP), Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG), Molecular and Systems Pharmacology (MSP), Neuroscience (NS), and Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution (PBEE). The Assistant Director for Student Affairs is the Advisor and acts as a liaison between DSAC and the administrative staff of the Division.
Tiara Tillis
Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology Representative
Hey y’all! My name is Tiara Tillis, and I am currently a 2nd year graduate student in the Biochemistry, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BCDB) program working under Dr. Christine Dunham, investigating antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. I’m originally from Houston, TX and graduated from Swarthmore College with a degree in Biochemistry and Educational Studies, then went on to do a Postbac fellowship for 2 years at the NIH before starting my Ph.D. I’m excited to be serving as the BCDB DSAC Representative and hope to promote an inclusive and supportive community for GDBBS!
Kory Wells
Cancer Biology Representative
DSAC Secretary.
I am a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Cancer Biology program working in the lab of Dr. Yang, a surgical nanomedicine lab that focuses on the development of novel nanoparticles for cancer therapy. I currently serve as the Secretary of DSAC, and representative for the Cancer Biology (CB) program. I graduated from Norfolk State University in 2021 and spent most of my life in the DMV (DC, MD, VA). Over this next year, I look forward to working with DSAC representatives to serve as an advocate for building and supporting students with diverse abilities and interest across all the GDBBS programs.
Kendall Kanakanui
Genetics and Molecular Biology Representative
kendall.grace.kanakanui@emory.edu
DSAC Vice President.
I am a 3rd year Ph.D. candidate in the Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) program studying chromatin regulation following chronic liver injury in biliary epithelial cells in the Adam Gracz lab. I currently serve as the Vice President of DSAC, and GMB program representative. I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2021 and continued to complete a Postbac program (PREP) studying mTOR signaling in C elegans. I look forward to building and supporting an inclusive research community that advocates for student needs.
Terra Riddick
Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis Representative
Hi guys! I am a second year in the Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP) program and am studying tuberculosis in the Rengarajan lab. I’m originally from Norfolk, VA where I went to Norfolk State University for undergrad. I also lived in Baltimore County, Maryland, for 2 years during my masters. In my free time, I like to read, watch anime, and find new spots around Atlanta to eat. I am excited to serve as the IMP DSAC representative and look forward to helping build a supportive community for all of GDBBS!
Taylor Shue
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Representative
DSAC Treasurer.
I am a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Program (MMG) studying virus-host interactions of interferon-stimulated genes during coronavirus and hepatitis B virus infections in the Michailidis lab. I currently serve as the DSAC treasurer and MMG program representative. I graduated from Wake Forest University in 2019 where I studied rotavirus replication and assembly. After undergrad, I moved to NYC to work in a neuroimmunology lab studying the role of cerebrospinal fluid on MS and ALS before returning to infectious disease research at Emory in 2021. I’m very excited to be working with DSAC to advocate for the needs of GDBBS students while creating a supportive community environment where graduate students can thrive.
Shakshi Patel
Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Representative
I am currently a 2nd year in the Molecular and Systems Pharmacology (MSP) program working in the lab of Dr. Eric Ortlund where I am developing potent antagonists for the nuclear receptor, liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1). I currently serve as the secretary of DSAC, and a representative for the MSP program. I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2022 where I spent my last two years conducting biomedical research with the gut microbiome. I look forward to collaborating with DSAC members and other university organizations to increase resource accessibility for the graduate student body.
Trinity Pruitt
Neuroscience Representative
DSAC President.
I started in the Neuroscience (NS) Program in the Fall of 2022 and am studying how the bitter pathway acts on the sugar pathway in non-associative memory in Drosophila Melanogaster in the Devineni Lab. I earned my B.S. in Neuroscience at the University of Oklahoma. I am excited to serve as the NS representative to DSAC to help improve the graduate experience of GDBBS students. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, and concerts!
Andrew Sieben
Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Representative
I am a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution (PBEE) program. I am originally from Minnesota, which is where I completed my undergraduate and master’s studies. I lived in Wyoming before moving to Atlanta for combined MD/PhD training at Emory. I look forward to working with my fellow DSAC representatives to advocate for students in GDBBS and promote their success.
