Our Team
Solving the world's problems one student at a time
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Dr. John Kauwe helps Hawaiian natives Brooke Laoliokalani Spencer and Alan Loki Alohikea's receive external funding for their lab experience.
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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.

Dr. Justin Miller
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Justin Miller received his Ph.D. in Biology from Brigham Young University in 2018. He earned a B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2015. Dr. Miller’s research focusses on algorithmic design and development with an emphasis in machine learning. For his dissertation, Dr. Miller analyzed codon usage and coding sequence length biases across the Tree of Life. He is currently applying his research in codon usage dynamics to Alzheimer’s disease by analyzing human subpopulations for disease-specific mutations that affect gene translational efficiency. Dr. Miller is also analyzing population-specific differences that might influence Alzheimer's disease progression.
Dr. Justin Miller received his Ph.D. in Biology from Brigham Young University in 2018. He earned a B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2015. Dr. Miller’s research focusses on algorithmic design and development with an emphasis in machine learning. For his dissertation, Dr. Miller analyzed codon usage and coding sequence length biases across the Tree of Life. He is currently applying his research in codon usage dynamics to Alzheimer’s disease by analyzing human subpopulations for disease-specific mutations that affect gene translational efficiency. Dr. Miller is also analyzing population-specific differences that might influence Alzheimer's disease progression.

Marie Tueller Emmett
Research Administrator
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.

Madeline Page
Bioinformatics Research Assistant

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.

Elizabeth Ward
Bioinformatics Research Assistant
Liz Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2019. Her position as bioinformatician focuses on identifying and analyzing variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Liz enjoys reading, playing soccer, and spending time with her husband.
Liz Ward received her B.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Brigham Young University in 2019. Her position as bioinformatician focuses on identifying and analyzing variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Liz enjoys reading, playing soccer, and spending time with her husband.

Katrisa Ward
Bioinformatics Reasearch 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

Joshua Parker
Physiology and Developmental Biology

Joshua Cassinat
Biology

Matthew Hodgman
Bioinformatics

Louisa Dayton
Bioinformatics

Matthew Cloward
Bioinformatics

Taylor Meurs
Bioinformatics

Ed Ringger
Bioinformatics

Erik Huckvale
Computer Science/Bioinformatics

Benjamin Song
Bioinformatics

Braden Patten
Genetics, Genomics & Biotechnology

Micah Heimuli
Biochemistry

Brittany Reese
Open Major

Natalie Seufale
Open Major

Kayla Vainerere
Microbiology
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
Biology, MS
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
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
PhD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah

Devan Bursey
Lab Manager,
Halia Therapeutics
Halia Therapeutics

Moroni Chalita
Genetics & Biotechnology

Jesse Cobell
Physician Fellow in Hematology and Oncology,
University of Arizona
University of Arizona
PhD, Biology
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University

Katherine Crawford
Biology
BS, Bioinformatics

Francisco Darquea
ISU AEGD Residency

Shane Dooley
Bioinformatics Scientist,
Ambry Genetics
Ambry Genetics
MD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah

Kenisi Fonoimoana
Medical Laboratory Science Student

Austin Gale
Biology

Eden Gillette
Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology
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

Ariel Hippen
PhD Candidate,
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Biodesign Fellow,
Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute/
Founder, Geneial LLC
Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute/
Founder, Geneial LLC

Kameron Ho Ching
Physiology and Developmental Biology

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
MD candidate,
University of Utah
University of Utah
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
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
Field Operations Director,
Nomi Health
Nomi Health

Ryan Miller
Data Scientist,
Inherent Biosciences
Inherent Biosciences

Tyler Mower
Business Development,
Customer
Customer

Maveni Palu
Production General,
Nestlé
Nestlé

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

Frederick Rohlfing
Physician

Emma Santiago
Pre-Nursing

Emily Sears
Lab Analyst
Nelson Labs
Nelson Labs
Research Technician,
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
PhD Candidate, Bioinformatics,
University of California, Los Angels
University of California, Los Angels
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
Associate Vice President,
Deloitte
Deloitte

Trent Tipton
Pediatric Orthopaedic Physician Assistant,
Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics
Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics

Eleni Tukuafu
Medical Laboratory Scientist
ASCP
ASCP

David Valentine
Kauwe Experimental Lab Manager

Mo Villagran
Data Architect,
InformedDNA
InformedDNA

Austin Wright
Bioinformatics
PhD Student, Bioinformatics

Rachel McDonald Young
Physiology & Developmental Biology