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Our Team
Solving the world's problems one student at a time
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Polynesian Pipeline
Dr. John Kauwe helps Hawaiian natives Brooke Laoliokalani Spencer and Alan Loki Alohikea's receive external funding for their lab experience.
Mentoring is the Key to Success
The Kauwe Lab is run by a highly-skilled team of bioinformaticists, geneticists, biologists, and staff. Each of them exemplify the mission and purposes of BYU by conducting world-class research, spiritually uplifting people with whom they come in contact, and serving the broader BYU community. Below are current and former students who have been part of the lab.
Dr. John S.K. Kauwe
Dr. Kauwe's laboratory seeks to better understand the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes. He has pursued this understanding primarily by studying Alzheimer’s disease genetics using a variety of novel study designs and approaches. Dr. Kauwe has an established research program in this field and has published more than 120 papers in the past decade including high profile publications in the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, Nature Genetics, PNAS, and PLoS Genetics.
Dr. Kauwe's research efforts are conducted with an intentional focus on outreach to populations that are underrepresented in biomedical science. He has an ongoing relationship with Molokai High School, including funded projects to provided scientific mentoring experiences and resources to teachers and students. He also speaks frequently to communities and academic organizations that serve underrepresented populations, including recent engagements in Samoa, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Dr. Kauwe's research efforts are conducted with an intentional focus on outreach to populations that are underrepresented in biomedical science. He has an ongoing relationship with Molokai High School, including funded projects to provided scientific mentoring experiences and resources to teachers and students. He also speaks frequently to communities and academic organizations that serve underrepresented populations, including recent engagements in Samoa, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Marie Tueller Emmett
Research Coordinator
Marie completed an undergraduate degree at BYU and an M.Ed. at Harvard University. As the lab research administrator, she works with Dr. Kauwe to provide support for the many ongoing projects in the lab. She is committed to the lab’s mission and is excited to contribute to continuing successes and outcomes. Marie likes to read and watch soccer while keeping track of the comings and goings of her husband, Chad, a geography professor, and their three children.
Marie completed an undergraduate degree at BYU and an M.Ed. at Harvard University. As the lab research administrator, she works with Dr. Kauwe to provide support for the many ongoing projects in the lab. She is committed to the lab’s mission and is excited to contribute to continuing successes and outcomes. Marie likes to read and watch soccer while keeping track of the comings and goings of her husband, Chad, a geography professor, and their three children.
David Valentine
Experimental Lab Manager
David Valentine received his B.S. degree in Neuroscience from BYU in 2020. In his position as lab manager, he oversees and helps with the various ongoing research projects for rare genetic variants in diseases of interest. He enjoys being active outdoors, spending time with his wife, and reading.
David Valentine received his B.S. degree in Neuroscience from BYU in 2020. In his position as lab manager, he oversees and helps with the various ongoing research projects for rare genetic variants in diseases of interest. He enjoys being active outdoors, spending time with his wife, and reading.
Katrisa Ward
Bioinformatics Research Assistant
Katrisa Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2020. Her research focuses on using machine learning algorithms to identify protein coevolution and Alzheimer's Disease subtypes. She enjoys traveling, and her favorite trip so far was the three months that she spent in China teaching English with her husband, Josh. She also enjoys running, reading, and hiking in her free time.
Katrisa Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2020. Her research focuses on using machine learning algorithms to identify protein coevolution and Alzheimer's Disease subtypes. She enjoys traveling, and her favorite trip so far was the three months that she spent in China teaching English with her husband, Josh. She also enjoys running, reading, and hiking in her free time.
Current Graduate Students
Tina Tavana
Biology Undergrad
PhD Grad program
PhD Grad program
Current Undergraduates
Micah Heimuli
Biochemistry
Braden Patten
Genetics, Genomics & Biotechnology
Kayla Vainerere
Microbiology
Ivy Cuthbert
Biology
Chris Pakalani
Biology
Riley Hansen
Biology
Tristan Packard
Microbiology
Ariana Perez
Open Major
Former Lab Members and Alumni
Lab alumni without photos are not shown.
Ben Ainscough
Head of AI and Data Science Product,
Domo
Domo
John Allen
MS, Biology
Brandon Anderson
Pharmacology PhD Candidate,
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
MacKenzie Stewart Arrington
BS, Family Life
Quentinia Aspinall
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Brooke Spencer Avei
Health Educator/COVID Contact Tracer.
Salt Lake County Health Department
Salt Lake County Health Department
Taylor Avei
Laboratory Technician,
Halia Therapeutics
Halia Therapeutics
Matthew Bailey
Post Doctoral Fellow,
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
Krista Bean
BS, Bioinformatics
Benjamin Bearss
MS candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
Gage Black
PhD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
Devan Bursey
Lab Manager,
Halia Therapeutics
Halia Therapeutics
Joshua Cassinat
BS, Biology
Moroni Chalita
Genetics & Biotechnology
Matthew Cloward
BS, Bioinformatics
Jesse Cobell
Physician Fellow in Hematology and Oncology,
University of Arizona
University of Arizona
Ciarah Cook
PhD, Biology
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Katherine Crawford
Biology
Kristen Cockriel
BS, Bioinformatics
Francisco Darquea
ISU AEGD Residency
Louisa Dayton
Bioinformatics
Shane Dooley
Bioinformatics Scientist,
Ambry Genetics
Ambry Genetics
Ryan Egbert
Orthopedic surgery resident,
UT Health San Antonio
UT Health San Antonio
Meganne Ferrel
MD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
Kenisi Fonoimoana
Medical Laboratory Science Student
Austin Gale
Biology
Eden Gillette
Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology
Josue Gonzalez
Postdoctoral Fellow,
Van Andel Institute
Van Andel Institute
Omoremi Hamblin
MPH candidate,
Emory University
MBA candidate,
Western Governors University
Emory University
MBA candidate,
Western Governors University
Sheradyn Parker Hamilton
BS, Genomics, Genetics & Biotechnology
Channing Hancock
Head of Business Marketing,
WhatsApp
Adam Hansen
Biodesign Fellow,
Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute/
Founder, Geneial LLC
Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute/
Founder, Geneial LLC
Ariel Hippen
PhD Candidate,
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Kameron Ho Ching
Physiology and Developmental Biology
Matthew Hodgman
Bioinformatics
Erik Huckvale
BS, Computer Science/Bioinformatics
Todd Jaramillo
Associate Podiatrist,
Precision Foot and Ankle Specialists
Precision Foot and Ankle Specialists
Jackson King
MD Candidate,
University of Washington College of Medicine
University of Washington College of Medicine
AnnaLeah Larson
MD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
Lelann Latu
Exercise Science, BS
Lia Ludlam
MA Candidate,
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Caitlin Lythgoe
Program Coordinator
Center for Simulation and Innovation, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Center for Simulation and Innovation, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Monica Mackay
Software Engineer,
Route
Route
Devon McBee
Senior Product Marketing Manager,
Qualtrics
Qualtrics
David McKean
Bioinformatics Analyst,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Miles McKee
Surgical Resident,
HCA Menorah Medical Center
HCA Menorah Medical Center
Taylor Meurs
BS, Bioinformatics
'Ailana Meyer
Field Operations Director,
Nomi Health
Nomi Health
Ryan Miller
Data Scientist,
Inherent Biosciences
Inherent Biosciences
Justin B. Miller
University of Kentucky
Tyler Mower
Business Development,
Customer
Customer
Maveni Palu
Production General,
Nestlé
Nestlé
Madeline Page
BS, Bioinformatics
Joshua Parker
BS, Physiology and Developmental Biology
David Patty
Software Engineer II
Qualtrics
Qualtrics
Ammon Perkes
PhD Candidate,
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
David Peterson
Medical Student
Duke University School of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Joseph Peterson
Bioinformatics
Calvin Quigley
Biology, BS
Keni Reid
Executive Assistant, Office of the President,
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Brittany Reese
Open Major
Ed Ringger
BS, Bioinformatics
Frederick Rohlfing
Physician
Emma Santiago
Pre-Nursing
Emily Sears
Lab Analyst
Nelson Labs
Nelson Labs
Robert Seymour
Research Technician,
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Benjamin Song
Bioinformatics
Sarah Spendlove
PhD Candidate, Bioinformatics,
University of California, Los Angels
University of California, Los Angels
Lyndsay Staley
MS, Biology,
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Ryan Stinger
Medical Student
Georgetown University, School of Medicine
Georgetown University, School of Medicine
William Strong
Resident Physician
Manti Su'a
Associate Vice President,
Deloitte
Deloitte
Trent Tipton
Pediatric Orthopaedic Physician Assistant,
Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics
Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics
Eleni Tukuafu
Medical Laboratory Scientist
ASCP
ASCP
Kanani Uluave
BS, Exercise Science
David Valentine
Kauwe Experimental Lab Manager
Mo Villagran
Data Architect,
InformedDNA
InformedDNA
Elizabeth Vance Ward
BS, Bioinformatics
Austin Wright
Bioinformatics
Sage Wright
PhD Student, Bioinformatics
Rachel McDonald Young
Laboratory Technician,
Neurology Department,
Virginia Commonwealth University
Neurology Department,
Virginia Commonwealth University