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Meet our CBI trainees

Trainees from the Chemisty-Biology Interface (CBI) program speak about how the program has impacted their time at Stanford and shaped the way they approach research.

We asked some of the trainees from the Chemisty-Biology Interface (CBI) program to speak about how the program has impacted their time at Stanford and shaped the way they approach research. They spoke about some of the key aspects of the CBI program that make it so successful: the people, like the faculty members and other trainees; the opportunities, like research rotations and regular meetings; and resources, like the Stanford ChEM-H Knowledge Centers. Here, we feature some of voices of CBI trainees.

Giovanni Forcina

Giovanni Forcina

After research rotations with CarolynBertozzi and Scott Dixon, CBI trainee and biology graduate student Giovanni Forcina became a joint student in the two labs, studying the links between protein glyocosylation and cell death pathways.

“The CBI program has connected me to tools and experts, allowing me to overcome technical hurdles and learn more about under-explored parts of the chemistry-biology interface.”

Catherine Garrison

Catherine Garrison

Catherine is a chemistry graduate student in the lab of Stanford ChEM-H Faculty Fellow Justin DuBois. She uses toxin-based probes and site-directed mutagenesis to study voltage-gated sodium channels.

“Working on a project outside the traditional area of expertise in the lab, CBI has been instrumental in connecting me with the vast network of resources and knowledge on campus.”

Andy Renteria

Andy Renteria

Andy Renteria is a first-year Stanford Biochemistry graduate student. His research rotations with Peter Kim, Mark Krasnow, Jon Long, and Kristy Red-Horse have already helped shape his approach to research.

“I've met some really influential faculty through CBI. These are professors who I have not only rotated with, but also who I get advice from on a regular basis-advice that has had a huge impact on my rotations, classes, and even the way I approach my PhD as a whole.”

Julieta Gomez-Frittelli

Julieta Gomez-Frittelli

Julieta Gomez-Frittelli is a grad student in chemical engineering. After the CBI rotations brought her to labs outside her area department, she decided to join Julia Kaltschmidt’s lab in neurosurgery.

“The CBI Program has provided me with the opportunity to rotate with and join a lab outside my home department, through a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and generous trainee funding.”

Laura Keller

Laura Keller

Chemical and Systems Biology graduate student and CBI trainee Laura Keller works in the lab of Matthew Bogyo. She studies the role of protease inhibitors in the commensal skin microbiome.

“I've been able to meet so many amazing students and faculty beyond the members of my home program. I really enjoy attending the monthly meetings to catch up with these excellent scientists and hear fascinating stories from outside speakers.”

Arjun Aditham

Arjun Aditham

Arjun Aditham is a bioengineering graduate student. In the lab of Polly Fordyce @fordycelab, Arjun studies transcription factor and DNA interactions using high-throughput microfluidic platforms.

“CBI goes beyond providing an interdisciplinary network of scientists. It is a supportive community that has allowed me to grow as an engineer - by providing uniques perspectives on my own work and opportunities outside of the lab.”