Ellen is passionate about increasing science literacy in both student and adult populations, particularly in the areas of molecular and synthetic biology. She teaches courses and workshops in molecular and synthetic biology for the general public at Genspace, and is involved in numerous collaborations with educational outreach organizations aimed at developing and implementing better science education at the middle school, high school, and undergraduate level. During this summer she will be the leading mentor of the Columbia University-Cooper Union 2011 iGEM team. Dr. Jorgensen received her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the Sackler Institute at New York University School of Medicine in 1987, and went on to continue her research in protein structure/function at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. Since then she has held numerous positions in the biotechnology industry and biomedical research-based nonprofits. From 2001 to 2009 she was Director of Biomarker Discovery and Development at Vector Research, where she led a group searching for early biomarkers of tobacco-related lung disease. She is presently an adjunct faculty member at New York Medical College.

Sung won lim, Genspace NYC co-founder. Aspiring mad scientist. Biolaser coming soon to an enemy near you.

David joined Cooper Union in the summer of 2008 with a BS in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Cornell University and a MS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester. Before joining Cooper he also earned an MD, did an intern year, and developed an interest in improving efficiency in the Emergency Room setting. He teaches several biology and biomedical engineering courses, helps direct the Kanbar Center for Biomedical Engineering, and serves as the college’s pre-medical advisor. He is always available to discuss new ideas for projects with a biology, medical, or biomedical engineering flavor. Outside of Cooper, David now helps create iPhone apps and workbooks for children. See www.Brain-go.com.

Justin Fabrikant hails from the paradise of Santa Cruz, California. He studied Biology at Brown University while playing Ultimate Frisbee, his true passion. Justin is currently pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at Columbia University, but misses the rigor of science. Thus, he joined the Cooper-Columbia iGEM team in order to explore his most intimate love for the hack, Frankenstein, bizarre, and absurd world of synthetic biology.

David Benjamin is Director of the Living Architecture Lab at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) and principal of the architecture firm The Living. Recent projects include Living City (a platform for buildings to talk to one another), Amphibious Architecture (a cloud of light above New York's East River that glows and blinks according to water quality and public interest in the environment), Proof (a series of design studios at Columbia that explore testing as a design methodology), and Architecture Bio-Synthesis (a collection of new software and wetware tools for design with synthetic biology). Benjamin received an M.Arch. from Columbia GSAPP, and a B.A. in Social Studies from Harvard University.

Peter Liu is a junior at the Cooper Union majoring in chemical engineering with a minor in biochemical engineering. He joined the igem team this year to further his knowledge and lab skills in the field of synthetic and microbiology. In my free time I enjoy breakdancing, freerunning, and basketball.

When she’s not hard at work tasting exotic foreign cuisine (Icelandic minke whale wasn’t as good as she had hoped), Rikki Frenkel studies architecture at Columbia University and coaxes bacteria to produce quantum dots at her local community biolab. Hailing from beautiful Cedarhurst, Long Island, she has built an exciting life out of creative indecision. Frenkel has lived in three countries while pursuing women’s studies, chemistry, architecture, and atomic force microscopy. She has questionable eyesight and prefers the world blurry.

Matthew Piziak grew up in Queens and New Jersey and is now studying Computer Science and Mathematics at Columbia University. iGEM taught him that programming bacteria is just as interesting as programming computers.

Christina is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering at The Cooper Union. In addition to her engineering studies, she is also interested in the biomedical sciences and public service. She has many hobbies, which include swimming, playing tennis, and traveling to places.

Chris Lin originates from Carlisle, MA where stop lights do not exist. He continued his love for small towns at Bates College before transferring to Columbia University in an attempt to become an Electrical Engineer. He has developed a keen interest in synthetic biology after experiencing the glory of iGEM.

David Isele is a recent Cooper Union graduate who is now pursuing his PhD in Robotics at the University of Pennsylvania. He has formally studied Electrical Engineering, Oil Painting, and Perception and he thoroughly enjoyed his wondrous though sadly brief excursion into the world of Biotechnology.

Hi! My name is Mingyu Kim. I'm a Jericho High School student and one of the High School students at Genspace. I love wet lab and I love Biology! Bio-engineering is COOL!

When not plugged in, Will Long attends the Bronx High School of Science. He enjoys coding in Python, Java, and DNA. Someone should tell his teachers to give him less homework, so he can actually sleep at night.

Jason Walker is a M. Arch Candidate at GSAPP - Columbia University with a BS in Engineering Physics from Lehigh University