Dr. Brent Znosko
Principal Investigator
Dr. Brent Znosko has a broad background in nucleic acid chemistry, with specialized training and expertise in RNA thermodynamics and structure. He began his research in RNA thermodynamics as an undergraduate in the laboratory of Dr. Marty Serra at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He continued his training at the University of Rochester under the mentorship of Dr. Douglas Turner, a pioneer in RNA thermodynamics for whom the nearest-neighbor “Turner rules” are named.
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​Dr. Znosko’s graduate research focused on the thermodynamic and structural characterization of nucleic acids using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. As an NIH-funded principal investigator at Saint Louis University, he continues to investigate the thermodynamics and structural features of nucleic acids, with an emphasis on understanding how these properties govern RNA folding and function
Education
Ph.D., Chemistry
University of Rochester – Rochester, NY.
June 2004
M.S., Chemistry
University of Rochester – Rochester, NY.
May 2001
B.S., Chemistry
Allegheny College – Meadville, PA.
May 1999
Positions
Professor & Associate Chair,
Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
2016-present
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
2010-2016
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
2004-2010
Contact Information
Email : brent.znosko@slu.edu Phone : 314-977-8567
Sebastian Arteaga
Ph.D. Candidate
Sebastian earned their B.S. in Chemistry in 2020 from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, Illinois. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in summer 2020. Their research focuses on investigating the effects of alkali metal ions on nucleic acid secondary structure stability and annotating pseudouridine-containing RNA structures in the Protein Data Bank. Outside the lab, Sebastian enjoys photography, working out, caring for their plants, and taking walks in the park.
Danyang Liu
Ph.D. Candidate
Danyang earned their B.S. in Bio-Pharmacy in 2020 from Dalian Medical University in Dalian, China, and their M.S. in Chemistry in 2022 from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in summer 2022. Their research focuses on investigating RNA 1×2 internal loops. Outside the lab, Danyang enjoys watching NBA games and going on road trips.
Siyaanujan Panchalingam
Graduate Student
Siyaan earned their B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2024 from the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in fall 2025. Their research focuses on the thermodynamic characterization of hairpin structures. Outside the lab, Siyaan enjoys teaching, interacting with people, video editing, and playing cricket.
Philip Gyasi
Graduate Student
Philip earned their B.S. in Chemistry in 2023 from the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in fall 2025. Their research focuses on identifying different structural motifs in RNA aptamers. Outside the lab, Philip enjoys reading and playing chess.
Emma Duman
Undergraduate Student
Emma is a B.A. student in Biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in fall 2024. Their research focuses on investigating RNA hairpins (heptaloops), including purifying samples and collecting data to characterize secondary structure motifs. Outside the lab, Emma enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking new foods, working out, photography, and volunteering at RMHC or Siteman Cancer Center.
Isabel Duff
Undergraduate Student
Isabel is a B.S. student in Biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in spring 2024. Their research focuses on investigating 1×3 internal loops using the RNA CoSSMos database. Outside the lab, Isabel enjoys knitting, crocheting, and listening to music.
Rahul Jasthi
Undergraduate Student
Rahul is a B.S. student in Biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in spring 2025. Their research, in collaboration with the Hou Lab, focuses on developing a public, automated platform that leverages large language models to execute RNA motif analysis workflows. This open-access resource is designed to help students across disciplines engage in RNA research with minimal programming experience, allowing them to focus on hypothesis formulation and data interpretation. Outside the lab, Rahul enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing piano, growing their vine garden, exploring new restaurants, and working on their comic.
Peyton Cattoor
Undergraduate Student
Peyton is a B.A. student in Biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in fall 2024. Their research focuses on investigating RNA hairpins (heptaloops), including purifying samples and performing melt experiments to characterize the structures and thermodynamic properties of their sequences. Outside the lab, Peyton enjoys hiking, running, cooking, spending time with friends, traveling, and watching movies, with Colorado being their favorite hiking destination.
Kaitlyn Bruhn
Undergraduate Student
Kaitlyn is a B.A. student in Chemical Biology at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in fall 2024. Their research focuses on investigating RNA two-nucleotide bulges and using computational tools to identify their structural features. Outside the lab, Kaitlyn enjoys running, reading, and participating in the SLU swim club.
Emersynn Smith
Undergraduate Student
Emersynn is a B.A. student in Neuroscience at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in fall 2025. Their research focuses on computer-based investigations of RNA structure. Outside the lab, Emersynn enjoys crocheting, running, and reading.
Peyton Reese
Undergraduate Student
Peyton is a B.A. student in Biochemistry at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They joined the Znosko Laboratory in fall 2025. Their research focuses on investigating 1×4 nucleotide loops to improve predictive modeling of RNA structure. Outside the lab, Peyton enjoys watching college football and the NFL (their favorite teams are the Ohio State Buckeyes and Denver Broncos), hiking, waterskiing, and spending time with friends and family.
Former Members
Ph.D. Graduates
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7. Md. Sharear Saon, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '17-Summer '22, currently a post-doc in the Department of Chemistry at Penn State University
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6. Melissa Hopfinger, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '15-Summer '20, currently seeking employment
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5. Miranda Adams, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '15-Spring '20, currently a recruiting partner at Work in Biotech
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4. Katie Richardson, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '14-Spring '19, currently seeking employment
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3. Elizabeth Jolley, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '11-Spring '14, currently an assistant research professor at Penn State University
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2. Charles Johnson, PhD (Chemistry), Summer '09-Spring '11, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, currently the associate director of Intellectual Property at Wave life Sciences
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1. Amber Davis, PhD (Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Chemistry Track), Fall '05 - Spring '10, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at SLU School of Medicine, current position unknown
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M.S. Graduates
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11. MacKenzie Hertel, MS (MS, research), Summer '22-Summer '24, currently part of the chromatography group at Thermo Fisher Scientific
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11. Megan Rudolphi, MS (MS, research), Summer '19-Fall '21, currently an operations research analyst in Surface Deployment and Distribution Command for the US Army
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10. Bree Bozsoki, MS (MS, research), Summer '19-Summer '21, currently a Scientist II in the Biotherapeutics Descovery Department Boehringer Ingelheim
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9. Nicole Meyer, MS (MS, research), Summer '13-Spring '15, currently a pediatric emergency medicine fellow at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon/ Saint Louis Unversity, School of Medicine
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8. Elizabeth Jolley, PhD (MS, research), Summer '11-Spring '14, currently an assistant research professor at Penn State University
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7. Matthew Stark, MS (MS, research), Spring '11-Spring '13, a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, currently a chemist at the FDA
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6. Zexiang Chen, MS (MS, research), Summer '11-Spring '13, a PhD student in biomedical sciences at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, currently a post-doc at the UT Southwestern Medical Center
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5. Pamela Vanegas, MS (MS, research), Summer '10-Spring '12, currently a teacher at Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky
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4. Charles Johnson, PhD (MS, research), Summer '09-Spring '11, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, currently the associate director of Intellectual Property at Wave life Sciences
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3. Nina Zulic Hausmann, PhD (MS, research), Summer '07 - Summer '09, PhD in chemistry from SLU, currently a product manager, safes operations and customer support at World Wide Technology
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2. Amber Davis, PhD (MS, research), Fall '05 - Summer '07, post-doc in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at SLU School of Medicine, current position unknown
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1. Martha Christiansen, MS (MS, research), Fall '05-Spring '07, currently an environmental health and safety specialist at MilliporeSigma
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Medical Rotation Students
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1. Richard Bloomingdale, MD (Rockhurst University, Class of '09), Summer 2010, currently an advanced cardiac imaging fellow at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan
Undergraduate Graduates
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50. Ashwin Biju Pillai (Class of '25, biochemistry major), Spring '22 - Spring '25, currently a medical student at Saint Louis University School of Medicine​
49. Pike Mathews (University of Dallas in Irvine, biochemistry major), Summer '24, currently a junior at the University of Dallas in Irvine​​
48. Annie Jung (Class of '24, biochemistry major), Spring '22 - Spring '24, taking a gap year before medical school
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47. Esha Dani (Class of '24, biochemistry major), Fall '22 - Spring '24, taking a gap year before dental school
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46. Julia Stone (Class of '24, chemical biology and pharmacology major), Spring '22 - '24, currently an NIH post-baccalaureate fellow
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45. Kaitlyn Lampe (Class of '23, math and biology double major), Spring '22 - Spring '24, starting a bioinformatics graduate program at Marquette University
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44. Nidhi Rao (University of Kansas, health information management major), Summer '23, currently an undergraduate at the University of Kansas
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43. Sarah Erickson (Class of '23, chemistry & classical humanities double major), Spring '22 - Spring '23, currently a chemistry graduate student at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
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42. Kip Friend (Class of '23, biochemistry major), Fall '21 - Spring '23, currently an NIH post-baccalaureate fellow
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41. Jonah Koch (Class of '23, biochemistry major), Spring '21 - Spring '23, currently an analytical chemist at Sentio Bioscience
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40. Bruce Dolenz (Truman State University, biochemistry major), Summer '21, currently an analytical chemist at Mallinckrodt
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39. Jon Bostic (Class of ’21, biochemistry major), Fall '19 - Spring '21, currently a medical student at SLU, School of Medicine
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38. Arjun Bagai (Class of ’20, biochemistry major), Fall '18 - Spring '20, currently an internal medicine resident at Riverside Medical Center
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37. Megan McEntire (Class of ’20, chemistry major), Spring '19 - Spring '20, currently an internal medicine-pediatrics residue at IU Health
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36. Kim Strege (Emory University, chemistry major), Summer '19, currently a medical student at SLU, School of Medicine
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35. Vikram Tammana (Class of '19, biochemistry major), Spring '17 - Spring '19, currently a radiology resident at Atlantic Health
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34. Ashley Hill (Class of '18, chemistry major), Fall '17 - Spring '18, currently a validation engineer at GSK
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33. Morgan Pearson (Class of '18, biochemistry major), Spring '17 - Spring '18, currently a data scientist at Benjamin F. Edwards
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32. Emily Dahm (Class of '17, biochemistry major), Fall '15 - Spring '17, currently a family medicine resident
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31. Ryan Rodenborn (Class of '16, biochemistry major), Spring '15 - Spring '16, currently a senior operations manager at Ceris Pharmaceuticals
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30. Scott Hoener (Class of '16, biochemistry major), Fall '14 - Spring '16, currently a staff psychiatrist at the naval hospital in Okinawa, Japan
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29. Kurtis Breger (Class of '16, biochemistry major), Fall '14 - Spring '16, currently a senior scientist at Vernal Biosciences
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28. Jeremy Tomcho (Class of '15, biochemistry major), Fall '13 - Spring '15, currently a cardiovascular disease fellow at the University of Texas, Medical Branch
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27. Natasha Khatwani (Class of '16, investigative and medical sciences major), Spring '14 - Fall '14, currently a cancer immunology PhD student at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
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26. Magdalena Tillman (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Spring '11 - Spring '13, currently a post-doc at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center
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25. Meghan Murray (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Spring '10 - Spring '13, currently a psychiatric resident at Washing University in Saint Louis, MO- Barns Jewish Hospital
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24. Graham Hudson (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Spring '10 - Spring '13, currently a post-doc at the Joint BioEnergy Institute
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23. Teresa Horwitz (Class of '11, biochemistry major), Spring '10 - Spring '11, currently an associate scientist at Pfizer
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22. Angela Hoynacki, MD (Class of '11, biochemistry major), Fall '08 - Spring '11, MD from SLU, currently an assistant professor of neonatal-perinatal medicine, SLU School of Medicine
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21. Haariss Ilyas, MD (Class of '11, biology/economics major), Fall '08 - Fall '10, MD from SLU, currently a spine surgeon at Baylor Scott and White Health
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20. Gregory Orf, PhD (Class of '10, biochemistry major), Summer '09 - Summer '10, PhD in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, currently a senior scientist at Abbott
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19. Wanying Qu (Class of '13, biochemistry major), Summer '10, current position unknown
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18. Jessicah Hard, MD (Class of '11, biology major), Summer '09 - Fall '10, MD from SLU, currently a trauma/acute care/burn/critical care surgeon at Mercy Hospital in Saint Louis, MO
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17. Matt Alexander, MD (Class of '09, biochemistry major), Spring '08 - Summer '09, Masters in health administration from Georgetown University, MD from the University of Missouri, currently a pediatric surgeon fellow at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian
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16. Molly Burke Bretl, MS (Class of '09, biochemistry major), Spring '08 - Spring '09, MS in food science from North Carolina State University, currently a fitness instructor at Life Time Fitness
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15. Justin Sheehy, MD (Class of '09, chemistry major), Fall '06 - Spring '09, MD from SLU, currently a cardiologist at Mercy Hospital
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14. Dan Wright (Class of '09, biochemistry major; Class of '17, Investigative Medical Sciences), Fall '04 - Spring '09 and Fall '15 - Spring '17, currently a medical student at the New York Institue of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine
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13. Chris Force, MD (Class of '08, chemistry major), Spring '07 - Fall '08, MD from SLU, currently an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Houston Methodist Weill Cornell Medical College
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12. Praneetha Thulasi, MD (Class of '08, biology major; Emory medical school Class of '12), Summer '05 - Fall '08, MD from Emory University, currently an assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at Washington University in Saint Louis, MO
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11. Sarada Karri (Class of '08, biology major), Summer '05 - Fall '08, MHA from the University of Memphis, currently an oncologist and hematologist at the West Cancer Center and Research Institute
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10. Jaya Badhwar Kumar, MD (Class of '08, investigative medical sciences major), Spring '05 - Fall '08, MD from SLU, currently a surgical vitreoretinal specialist at the Florida Retina Institute
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9. Ben Kasten, PhD (Missouri Baptist University, biology major), Summer '07, PhD in chemistry from Washington State University, currently a staff scientist in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham
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8. Chris Barnaby (Missouri Baptist University, biology major), Summer '07, currently a service senior specialist at Apple
7. Reena Varade, MD (Class of '09, Biology Major), Fall '06 - Spring '07, MD from SLU, currently a dermatology resident at SLU
6. Lopa Pandya, MD (Biology/Psychology Major), Fall '05 - Spring '06, MD from SLU, currently an assistant professor at UI Health
5. Cody Cass (Class of '06, Biology and Chemistry Double Major), Summer '05 - Fall '06, currently a senior advisor at Evernorth
4. Dawn Yanker Johnson, PhD (Spring Hill College, Class of '06, Biochemistry Major), Summer '05, PhD in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, currently the science department chair at the Cor Jesu Academy
3. Julia Sinclair Butts, DPM (Class of '06, Biology Major), Fall '04 - Spring '05, DPM from the College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University, currently a podiatric surgeon at Performance Podiatry Partners
2. Jamie Rice Tueth, DO (Class of '05, Chemistry/Biology Major), Fall '04 - Spring '05, DO from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, currently an internal medicine physician at BJC Medical Group
1. Beena Yusuf Bali (University of Missouri-Kansas City, Class of '04, Psychology Major), Fall '04, currently the CEO and editor in chief of SHE Magazine USA
High School Students
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16. Gloria Williams (Jennings High School Class of '22), Summer '20, currently a demolition equipment operator at KDZ Demolition and Construction, LLC
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16. Alka Joseph (Visitation Academy Class of '20), Summer '19, current position unknown
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15. Lexi Young (John Burroughs High School Class of '19), Summer '18, current position unknown
14. Michael Wu (Marquette High School Class of '18), Summer '17, current position unknown
13. Trinity Hellems (Clyde Miller Career Academy Class of '15), Spring '15, currently a lead pharmacy technician at EVERSANA
12. Igi Vilza (Lindbergh High School Class of '15), Summer '14, currently an R&D scientist at MilliporeSigma
11. Sanjay Elangovan (Marquette High School Class of '15), Summer '14, currently a data scientist at BCG X
10. Anna Coyle (Villa Duchesne High School Class of '14), Summer '13, currently an investment executive at CVD
Capital Partners
9. Jeffry Lu (Lafayette High School Class of '14), Summer '13, currently a medical resident at the University of Illinois, Chicago
8. Shravan Dommaraju (Lindbergh High School Class of '14), Summer '12, currently a chemistry PhD at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
7. Tyler Stratton (MICDS, Class of '12), Summer '11, currently a senior manager in Automation Systems at HelloFresh
6. Jevon Driver (Clyde Miller Career Academy, Class of '11), Spring '11, currently a bench scientist/ lab assistant at C2N Diagnostics
5. Vikram Ponnusamy (Parkway South High School, Class of '12), Summer '10, currently an Ophthalmology resident at the University of North Carolina
4. Jerica Henry (Clyde Miller Career Academy, Class of '10), Spring '10, currently an analytical chemist at Novus International R&D
3. Shannon Kelly (Francis Howell Central High School, Class of '09), Summer '08, currently a staff scientist at Washington University in Saint Louis, MO
2. Jessicah Hard (Parkway South High School, Class of '07), Summer '06, currently a trauma/acute care/burn/critical care surgeon at Mercy Hospital in Saint Louis, MO
1. Erica Wunderlich Majumder (Kirkwood High School, Class of '06), Summer '05, currently an assistant professor of bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison