Wolverton’s All-Star Alumni Crew
Many of Wolverton's Former Students Have Moved on to Outstanding Accomplishments and Very Promising Careers in Science
Here are just a few of his all-star alumni crew:
Evan Bai ’11
Majors: Genetics and Biochemistry
Earned a Ph.D. in genetics at Yale and is currently a research scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston. He analyzes and interprets human genetic data to understand human diseases and discover new therapeutic approaches.
“I first studied with Dr. Wolverton during a freshman honors tutorial course, where he worked closely with me and two other students on plant research in his lab. I was really struck by how patient Dr. Wolverton was when explaining the science to me, a non-native English speaker. Since then, I fell in love with scientific research and continued to study plant root development with Dr. Wolverton throughout my four years at OWU.”
Breane Budaitis ’14
Majors: Chemistry and Genetics
Currently pursuing a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Michigan. Works in the Verhey Lab, where she studies proteins in cell environments.
“I had the opportunity to conduct research in Dr. Wolverton’s lab, where I worked on designing a genetic screen to better understand how plants sense and respond to gravity. Unlike the rigidity of science in the classroom, this research experience brought to light the power of creativity in the sciences, reaffirming my aspiration to pursue a research-focused career.”
Iftekhar Showpnil ’13
Majors: Chemistry and Biology
Currently pursuing a doctorate in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology program at Ohio State University.
“Dr. Wolverton was very easy to approach and connect with on a personal level, and has been a great mentor and role model for me.”
Susannah Waxman ’16
Major: Botany
Currently lab manager at the Nils Loewen glaucoma research lab at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She’s also conducting her own research and has a paper set for publication, on which she is first author.
“In doing research in the Wolverton lab, I was also given something I hadn’t experienced in the sciences before — a creative outlet. While working in this lab, I was trusted with a space where I could try, fail, succeed, and learn my own way on my own time. I also learned that tape, wire, cardboard, and fire can take the place of unnecessarily expensive equipment in terms of fixing a lot of lab-related problems. This is absolutely a real-world research skill.”
Story by A.L. Davies ’19