The Harvard Undergraduate OpenBio Laboratory team is dedicated to empowering our peers to create a positive impact on the world using biology.
We come from a variety of research backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences to the table, united by our belief in the power of biology to create positive change. We believe that diversity is essential for driving progress and innovation, and we are committed to supporting the growth and development of our team members.
OpenBio Board

Hugh Hankenson

Co-President

Hugh is a junior at Harvard studying both Social Studies and Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. He currently works in the Mooney Lab for Cell and Tissue Engineering, researching the generation of antigen-specific regulatory T cells. His other research interests include health equity and healthcare systems. Outside of lab, Hugh enjoys reading, playing chess, and exploring Boston by bike.

Sean Meng

Co-President

Sean is a junior at Harvard studying Neurobiology. He currently works in the Sabatini Lab, researching the neural circuit perturbations underlying synaptic dysfunction in neurodegeneration/cognitive decline to develop predictive markers and interventions. Outside of lab, you can find him looking up new recipes to cook or coffee-shop hopping around Boston!

Sahil Sood

Co-Director of Engagement

Sahil is a second year at Harvard studying biology and government, interested in pursuing a career as a physician. He is interested in mechanisms of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and developing novel approaches to help benefit low-income areas from falling victim to these new strains. In his free time, you can find him watching Breaking Bad, playing Super Smash, or in the gym.

Andy Weissman

Co-Director of Finance

Andy is a sophomore at Harvard studying Integrative Biology and Economics. He has experience at Massachusetts General Hospital’s molecular pathology department, where he streamlined research protocols, incorporating Bruker Topspin’s AI phasing and baseline correction for data processing and helping build a metabolite search engine for NMR analysis. Andy has also done consulting work for UNICEF, focusing on improving surgical care in Nigeria and the D.R. Congo. In his free time, he runs Tutors For A Cause, a nonprofit providing English lessons to students in rural Vietnam as well as enjoys playing squash and supporting Arsenal FC.

Cory Wu

Co-Director of Lab

Cory is a sophomore in Cabot House studying statistics and neuroscience. He is interested in using computational methods to model brain functions, particularly sleep and wake states. Outside of OpenBio, you can find him on the soccer field, playing piano, or trying new restaurants in Boston.

Jaray Liu

Director of Technology

Jaray is a sophomore at Harvard studying Computer Science and Molecular and Cellular Biology. He is interested in biotech as a field and using AI to revolutionize medical care for patients across the world. Outside of OpenBio, you can find him skiing, playing bass, or in the gym.

Christine Zhang

Director of Design

Christine is a second-year living in Holworthy studying Neuroscience. Outside of OpenBio, she designs for The Crimson and The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal, and volunteers through the PBHA.

OpenBio Engagement

David An

David is a sophomore in Eliot studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Global Health and Health Policy. He currently researchers biomechanical control of endothelial cell size and clinical outcomes of intracranial aneurysm formation. He is interested in youth empowerment and healthcare disparities. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, working out, and exploring Boston.

Adie Selassie

Adie is a junior in Mather studying neuroscience with a secondary in economics on the pre-medical track. Her research interests include neonatal and pediatric neurodevelopment. She is also passionate about global health equity and healthcare systems. Outside of OpenBio, Adie is involved with the Harvard Black Pre-Medical Society and volunteers with the Pediatric Cancer Buddies.

Alex Merhab

Alex is a Second Year undergraduate studying Human Evolutionary Biology and Economics. He has always had a passion for the biological sciences, especially as it relates to the field of orthopedics. He pursues research/clinical experiences relating to orthopedics, inflammatory pathways, and long COVID. He is passionate about expanding the field of biology research and experiences to all who hope to partake in it.

Julia Torrey

Julia is a sophomore at Harvard planning to study History of Science with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. She is currently doing research in the Hematology Division of Brigham and Women’s hospital. Outside of school and lab, she loves exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, doing yoga, and going to the beach.

David Kim

David Kim is a second-year at Harvard planning to study Neuroscience and Economics. He is interested in characterizing the complex interactions of the brain and developing cost-effective treatments for seemingly incurable diseases. In his free time, you can find him cranking out word puzzles, taking random photos of the sky, or eating at any late-night restaurant.

OpenBio Finance

Noor Haideri

Noor is a first-year at Harvard on the premedical track, planning to study bioengineering/data science. She enjoys creating science videos to make complex concepts accessible and easily understood; she won the 2022 Breakthrough Junior Challenge. Additionally, she has focused on nanoparticles at the Cancer Research Unit at the Kansas City VA and was an author of an article published in the Journal of Immunological Sciences. As a future physician-scientist, Noor is interested in the clinical applications of machine learning, especially as it relates to oncology. Outside of academics, Noor is working on developing systems to reduce truancy. She loves photography, piano, and horses!

Aneesh Mazumder

Aneesh is a sophomore at Harvard studying Neuroscience and Government. He is currently conducting research on neurodegenerative diseases at Harvard Medical School and MGH. There, he is working to understand the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s and develop innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the disease. His research interests span synthetic biology, neurodegeneration, brain regeneration, and the applications of AI in healthcare. He plans to pursue an MD degree and work as a neurosurgeon, using his research findings to help his patients and improve their quality of life. Outside the lab, he loves to spend his time reading, playing tennis, watching sports, exploring new places, eating spicy food, and spending time with his family.

Chaeun (Christine) Song

Christine is a sophomore at Dunster House concentrating in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Economics. She is currently studying the role of a gene in the sensitivity of drug treatments to brain metastases of triple-negative breast cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Outside of the lab, Christine enjoys going to bakeries/cafes, listening to music, and indulging in self-care.

Matthew Zhang

Matthew is a sophomore at Harvard University studying Economics, with experience spanning both biotech and finance. At BioNTech, he focused on Competitive Intelligence, analyzing mRNA oncology vaccine data, while at Zailab, he supported Business Development efforts for licensed drugs in China, including Zejula. He also worked at Invesco in the Emerging Markets Equity Division, analyzing economic trends and investment opportunities. In his free time, you can find Matthew playing rugby, hanging out with friends, and trying new foods.

Angela Mei

Angela is a sophomore at Harvard studying Computer Science and Chemistry. She is interested in pursuing research, specifically in the field of protein design. Angela is passionate about making research available for everyone and is excited to join the OpenBio team!

Katie Robinson

Katie is a second-year at Harvard studying Economics with a secondary in Global Health & Health Policy. She is interested in making healthcare more accessible and equitable, and has experience researching engineered synthetic materials for drug delivery. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside and writing.

Sophia Si

Sophia is a second-year at Harvard studying Applied Mathematics and Statistics. She is interested in the intersection of healthcare and finance and has extensive experience in bioengineering research—in particular, conducting tissue-engineering research through 3D-printing. In her free time, she enjoys running along the Charles, traveling, skiing, reading, and playing with her dog, Austin.

OpenBio Lab

Eshan Mehra

Eshan is a sophomore at Harvard College studying Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. He is interested in aging biology — specifically the immunology of aging — and biosecurity. His research is in studying and manipulating T-cell states to improve cancer immunotherapies and immune response as one ages. Outside of academics, he loves weightlifting, cycling, and reading sci-fi thrillers.

Ambika Grover

Ambika is a sophomore in Leverett House, concentrating in Chemical & Physical Biology. At Open Bio, she is a Co-Lead and Co-Founder of the Biosecurity Team. Passionate about translational medical sciences, she conducts research with the Patel Group at Harvard Medical School's Department of Biomedical Informatics. She is also involved with Roads to Recovery, an initiative addressing the global overdose crisis, and travels internationally as a representative of the Harvard College Debate Union.

Joshua Okolo

Joshua Okolo is a second-year at Harvard studying Mechanical Engineering + Computer Science, and he is the team lead for the Surgical Robotics System project. He is interested in the intersection of hardware, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and materials science. He is currently exploring developing robotics systems with innovative approaches to language model integration, human-computer interaction, multimodal conflict simulation, mechanical design, and modular, versatile systems. Outside of lab, Joshua enjoys plants, pool, and playing poker.

Camryn Neches

Camryn is a sophomore at Harvard who intends to study Physics. She studies tumor suppressor proteins in the Greenbaum Lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and is broadly interested in drug design and preventative cancer care. Outside of research, Camryn enjoys reading, science-fiction, and working on space-faring vehicles with Students for the Exploration and Development of Space and Harvard Rocket Propulsion Group.

Emma Markowitz

Emma is a sophomore at Harvard studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Global Health on the pre-dental track. She is passionate about using microbiology research and social initiatives to seek innovative solutions to challenges in the dental field. Emma is currently leading a lab team conducting research to combat oral bacteria through the exploration of natural alternatives to antibiotics. Outside of the lab, Emma enjoys spin classes, trying out new coffee shops, and thrift shopping.

Alumni

Since 2021, we have been led by dedicated undergraduate students, who have gone to pursue various endeavors from research to industry, in science, medicine, and beyond. All members of the OpenBio community should feel more than welcome to reach out to anyone in our alumni network!

Carl Ma

Director of Finance

2022-2025

Audrey Gunawan

Vice-President

2021-2025

Rohil Dhaliwal

Director of Laboratory

2022-2025

Ayush Noori

Co-Founder and Co-President

2021-2025

Ian Espy

Director of Business

2022-2023

Business Analyst at McKinsey & Co

Jack Markert

Director of Laboratory

2022

MD Student at University of Alabama

Izzy Goodchild-Michelman

Co-Founder, Co-President

2021-2023

PhD Student at MIT Bioengineering

Benjamin Chang

Co-Founder, Co-President

2021-2023

PhD Student at University of Oxford