GROUP MEMBERS
Graduate Students
I earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Healthcare Services—Pre-Physician’s Assistant from Western Michigan University (WMU). I began laboratory research, investigating the organic synthesis of medicinally relevant scaffolds, as an undergraduate and decided to pursue a Ph.D in Chemistry at WMU. My desire to gain an understanding of the scientific mechanisms that dictate health and disease states led me to join the Teske Lab for my doctoral research. I am excited to combine my love of molecular biology, biochemistry, and organic synthesis to work as a medicinal chemist to target microRNAs in disease states.  Additionally, I love helping students learn chemistry and develop scientific literacy as a teaching assistant in the undergraduate organic chemistry classroom and labs.
Emile Van Meter
[emile.n.vanmeter@wmich.edu]
PhD student
Jackline is a M.S. student who joined the Teske Lab in the Fall 2018.
Jackline Onyango
[jacklineawino.onyango@wmich.edu]
M.S. student
Undergraduate Students
I am an undergraduate working on my bachelors degree in Biochemistry. During my junior year of high school I became very fascinated by science and how things worked. When I took my general chemistry course I found out how fascinating it was to study different chemical reactions. As of now I would want to pursue a career in research and drug development.
John Getson
[john.c.getson@wmich.edu]
Hello, my name is Makenzie Kuhns! I joined the lab my junior year and am pursuing a degree in Biochemistry and Criminal Justice. Some of my hobbies include: watching movies, spending time with friends, and reading.
Makenzi Kuhns
[makenzie.a.kuhns@wmich.edu]
Nick joined the lab in the Fall Semester of 2018. He is currently studying Biochemistry with a Biology Minor and has another major in Choral Music Education. He is a big foodie, and Food Dance is his favorite Kalamazoo Restaurant.
Nick Sienkiewicz
[nicholas.d.sienkiewicz@wmich.edu]
Lab Alumni
I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Michigan pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in biology and Spanish. I started doing research at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, and found medicinal research to be fascinating to me. I am working on organic synthesis of small molecules while building up my background knowledge of medicinal chemistry. I am hoping that my education will take me to study both the clinical and research aspects of medicine and hope I will be able to combine the two in my future career.
Maddie Hinkley
[madeline.m.hinkley@wmich.edu]
(WMU summer researcher, U of M undergraduate student)
Josh is a senior who joined the Teske Lab in Spring 2019. He will be graduating from WMU Fall 2019 with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences.