Officers & Advisors

Jacquelyn (Jackie) DePierro
President
LinkedIn

Jackie earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Rowan University in 2021. Afterward, she worked as a research technician at Thomas Jefferson University in the lab of Dr. Charles Scott. Her research focused on identifying small molecule drugs with therapeutic potential for obstructive airway disease and heart failure. Currently, Jackie is a fourth-year PhD student in the Biochemistry, Structural, and Molecular Biology program, researching in Dr. Lin Guo's lab. Her research focuses on modulating the aberrant phase separation of the ALS-linked protein FUS. As President, Jackie is excited to work with fellow students to encourage career development and exploration of various career paths in the life sciences.

What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies include skiing, paddleboarding, and hiking!

Casey Durso
Vice President
LinkedIn

Casey earned her BS in Bioengineering from Lehigh University in 2020. She then worked for the University of Pennsylvania Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research as a Research Specialist where she investigated therapeutic targets against synucleinopathies under Dr. Kevin Luk. She is in her fourth year as a PhD candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology program. Her thesis work in Dr. Diane Merry's lab is focused on uncovering the mechanisms of the polyQ-expanded androgen receptor and USP7 interaction in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Casey is looking forward to engaging the Jefferson community in the exciting events planned for this year. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Outside of lab, I love to be part of Philly's music community! I sing with the Philadelphia Choral Arts, attend concerts, and always say 'yes' to a night of karaoke!

Danielle Almstead
Secretary
LinkedIn

Danielle earned her bachelor's degree in Biology from Princeton University in 2020. She then worked at the University of Pennsylvania Frontotemporal Degeneration Center as a Clinical Research Coordinator, where she ran industry-sponsored clinical trials, including several first-in-human gene therapy trials. She is currently in her second year as a PhD student in the Neuroscience program, conducting her thesis work in the lab of Dr. Diane Merry. Danielle is a member of Jefferson's all-female a cappella group, the Arrhythmias, and is looking forward to connecting with a greater number of JCLS students, as well as external collaborators.

What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies include skiing, traveling, playing and listening to music, and exploring new restaurants!

Kevin Kim
Chair of Programming
LinkedIn

Kevin earned his BS degree in Biology from Pennsylvania State University in 2021. After receiving his degree, he joined Dr. Lin Guo's lab at Thomas Jefferson University as a Research Technician, where he focused on elucidating the pathogenic role of dipeptide repeats in promoting the aggregation of RNA binding proteins in ALS. He has continued his research in the Guo Lab as a current third-year PhD student, where he is studying the impact of nucleocytoplasmic transport dysfunction in C9-ALS. Serving his first year on the BizBio executive board, he is excited to help students explore various career paths within the scientific field.

What is your favorite place to visit around Philly, and why?
My favorite place to visit around Philly is the Schuylkill River Trail because I love taking walks along the trail to relax.

Ian Mawn
Treasurer
LinkedIn

Ian graduated from Bucknell University in 2022 with a BS in Cell Biology and Biochemistry, focusing his research on peptide biochemistry. Ian is starting his fourth year in the Biochemistry, Structural, and Molecular Biology PhD program. Ian's research in the lab of Dr. Michael Soniat focuses on deciphering how the molecular machines involved in DNA repair protect genome integrity. He is looking forward to his role in BizBio as a way to explore career paths for himself, and to help other students do the same.

What is your favorite thing to do in Philly?
I enjoy trying new restaurants and going to parks throughout the city.

Anthony Monte Carlo
Chair of Network Development
LinkedIn

Anthony is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the department of Biochemistry, studying under Anna Pluciennik, PhD. His research revolves around a nuclease called FAN1, which was found to modify the age of Huntington's Disease onset.

What activities do you enjoy outside of the lab?
Outside of the lab, I typically enjoy a round of (very) casual golf with friends at one of the many country clubs around the Philly area!

Rileigh Owens
Chair of Communications

Rileigh earned her BS in Biology from Ursinus College in 2024 and is now in her second year as a PhD student in the Biochemistry, Structural, and Molecular Biology program at Thomas Jefferson University. Rileigh's research in the lab of Dr. Diane Merry focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of how poly-glutamine expansion within the androgen receptor drives aggregation, transcriptional dysfunction, and toxicity in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Rileigh is excited for her first year on the BizBio executive board and is looking forward to helping students explore potential career paths.

What is your favorite hobby, and why?
My favorite hobby is yoga because it is a great way to flow and relax, or to wake up and energize yourself for the day!

Viktoriia Sokolova
President Emeritus
LinkedIn

Viktoriia earned her BS in Chemistry with a minor in Business Administration, and MS in Organic Chemistry from Drexel University in 2020. Her master’s thesis work focused on small molecule drug development targeting certain cancer-associated proteins. Currently, she is in her fifth year PhD candidate in the Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology program. She has joined Dr. Dmitry Temiakov’s lab, where she is focused on structural and functional studies of proteins involved in mitochondrial DNA repair. As an international student from Ukraine, Viktoriia aspires to help people step out of their comfort zone to network and socialize. She is passionate about exploring different ways to form and maintain professional connections, which would put students on the right path toward their most desired careers.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy taking road trips and hiking outside of the city, as well as exploring new food and music spots in Philly.

Lisa Kozlowski, PhD

Dr. Kozlowski is the Associate Dean for Student and Postdoctoral Affairs at Thomas Jefferson University.  She received her PhD in Immunology from the University of Pennsylvania and did a postdoctorate at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she was an officer in their postdoctoral association.  She then worked as Program Director at Science's Next Wave, which is now part of ScienceCareers.org.  She moved on to become a consultant, helping disciplinary societies and universities provide career workshops to their trainees.

Since October 2003, she has directed the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Thomas Jefferson University.  Her administrative accomplishments include implementing a required minimum salary and revising the annual performance evaluation.  Her enhancements for postdoctoral fellows include providing professional development workshops, establishing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and co-organizing the annual Postdoctoral Research Symposium.

On the regional level, Lisa is a past president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Association for Women in Science.  On the national level, she has been on the planning committee of the NPA annual meeting.  She is also a past chair of the Postdoctorate Leaders Section Committee of the AAMC GREAT Group.