BBS Graduate Student Society
Meet the BBS Graduate Student Society
The BBSGSS is the coordinating student body charged with representing all students enrolled in the BBS PhD program. We monitor issues of importance to the graduate student community, represent the concerns of graduate students to BBS Program administration, and advocate for changes to enhance the quality of graduate education. We also sponsor academic and social events of interest to the graduate student community.
This organization is a registered student organization of Cornell University.
Zahra Baninameh - President & Peer Mentor Coordinator
Email: zb79@cornell.edu
I am passionate about facilitating students' academic progress and well-being, as well as fostering a sense of belonging. I strive to contribute to an inclusive and diverse environment within our BBS program and enjoy bringing students together so we can benefit from each other's wisdom, lived experiences, and good company. I strongly believe that all students deserve proper support and the opportunity to achieve their goals while maintaining a good work-life balance. I am a member of Schaffer-Nishimura lab, and my scientific interests revolve around understanding the aging process and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of school, I enjoy a good book with a cup of tea and the sounds of a rainy day and spending quality time with my family and friends! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email if you have any BBS related questions or would like to get involved with our BBS GSS, we welcome members from all experiences and backgrounds.
Abbey Kampel - Vice President
Email: abk236@cornell.edu
My name is Abbey and I am a PhD student in Dr. Marla Lujan’s lab in the Division of Nutritional Sciences. I study ovulatory and endocrine disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome and my interests span nutrition, reproduction, and endocrinology. I am originally from Georgia but moved to New York to pursue higher education, where I received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Rochester in 2023. Outside of research, I love to rock climb, write novels, and play with my cats!
Anastasia (Stasha) Rup- Historian
Email: ar725@cornell.edu
My name is Anastasia (Stasha) Rup and I am a second-year student in Andrew Flyak's lab. For my research I am interested in further characterizing B cells that generate broadly neutralizing antibodies in response to vaccines. I grew up in Vermont before moving to Rochester to complete my B.S. in Biology from Rochester Institute of Technology. Outside of the lab I love to ride horses, ski, paddle board, paint, and spend time with my two dogs.
Katelyn Raney-Plourde - Treasurer
Email: ker239@cornell.edu
My name is Katelyn Raney-Plourde and I am a second year PhD student in Dr. Andrew Flyak's Lab. I am originally from Ventura County, California and completed my Bachelors at the University of California, San Diego in Microbiology, where I studied peroxisome generation in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. After undergrad, I shifted my focus to the intersection of cancer immunology and virology. Our lab studies Hepatitis C virus (HCV) from structural and immunological standpoints in vitro and in vivo models. Particularly, I am interested in how viruses, such as HCV, can induce or exacerbate conditions that lead to mutagenesis and promote cancer development. In my spare time, I sing, garden, crochet, and read with my four cats. I am also starting to explore a new passion in indoor rock climbing.
Gayatri Anil- Combined DVM-PhD Representative
Email: ga725@cornell.edu
Hello! I am a third-year combined DVM/PhD student and started my PhD in January 2024 in Dr. Casey Cazer and Dr. Laura Goodman’s labs. My current research projects are on studying antimicrobial resistance and resistant organisms in livestock, and I am broadly interested in diagnostic development, genomics, and machine learning techniques. I grew up in Pittsburgh and completed my undergraduate degree at Penn State. In my free time, I like to read, watch movies and sports, dance Bharatanatyam, and bake (more so eat).
Brandon James - D&I Council Representative
Email: btj33@cornell.edu
Hi! My name is Brandon James, and I am a second-year BBS PhD Student in Dr. Meng Wang's lab. We are interested in investigating the endogenous sources of formaldehyde in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Outside of lab, I love to paint, paddleboard, and play with my cats Noodles and Franklin!