Graduate students at the College of Science are conducting crucial research that addresses critical challenges and benefits both local communities and the broader world.
To celebrate their accomplishments, the College will be hosting the inaugural Graduate Science Research Showcase from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025 in the Memorial Union Horizon Room.
This event offers a glimpse into the future of science featuring graduate research presentations, a poster session and a keynote address from renowned alumnus Jonathan Gallion, vice president of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for OmniScience.
Gallion, recipient of the College's 2024 Early Career Award, earned dual Honors bachelor's degrees in biochemistry and biophysics, and microbiology in 2012. His career began with an internship at SIGA Technologies, where he programmed robots to screen chemical compounds for antiviral medicines. At OmniScience, Gallion and his team utilize large language models to enhance clinical trial outcomes and improve human health. Their work accelerates decision-making and transforms data analysis in biotech, medtech, pharmaceutical and preclinical innovation. Rather than replace human expertise, their AI tools are designed to compliment it.
Schedule of Events
12 p.m.
Lunch
12:20 p.m.
Welcome from Executive Associate Dean Vrushali Bokil and Dean's Remarks from College of Science Dean Eleanor Feingold.
12:30 p.m.
Keynote speech from alumnus Jonathan Gallion, V.P. of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for OmniScience.
Keynote Talk Title - Beyond Automation: Agentic AI and the New Frontier of Life Science Innovation
Abstract: Artificial intelligence in the life sciences is moving beyond automation into a new frontier defined by agentic systems—AI tools capable of reasoning, planning, and autonomous action. As these AI agents continue to evolve from tools to collaborators, life scientists will need to rethink how we generate hypotheses, design experiments, interpret data, and generate insights. This keynote will examine how agentic AI is already transforming decision-making and accelerating innovation within clinical trial development and offer a perspective on how domain experts can adapt and lead at the intersection of scientific expertise and intelligent automation through AI.
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Five minute research presentations and desert, followed by a poster session, showcasing the diverse research conducted across the seven departments in the College of Science. The session will highlight how Science graduate students are participating and contributing to this valuable research.
Presenters include:
Giovanni Crestani (Integrative Biology, PhD)
Advisor: Molly Burke
Talk title: Genomics of experimentally-evolved postponed reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster
Esteban Hernandez (Chemistry, Ph.D.)
Advisor: J Field
Talk title: Experimental pKa Values of Substituted and Unsubstituted Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides via 19F NMR
Caroline Hernandez (Microbiology, Ph.D.)
Advisor: M David
Talk title: Whole-Cell Crosslinking Reveals Direct Lactobacillaceae and Rhizobiaceae Interactions with Host Duodenal Neuropods
Lucas Kolanz (Physics, Ph.D.)
Advisor: Lazzati
Talk title: Cosmic dust bunnies.
Weiqi ‘Grace’ Li (Statistics, M.S.)
Advisor: Yuan Jiang
Talk title: Reframing spatial transcriptomics prediction: From regression to classification
Sarah Louie (Biochemistry & Biophysics, Ph.D.)
Advisor: Cooley/Mehl
Talk title: Optimizing genetic code expansion technology to access post-translationally modified proteins
Madison Phelps (Mathematics, Ph.D.)
Advisor: M Peszynska
Talk title: Nonlinear Solvers in Permafrost applications
Join us to celebrate the future of science — and the graduate students who are making it happen.
