Vera B
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
Expertise
Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Genetics
Bio
Hello! I am Vera and I am currently a PhD candidate studying biology. My research involves exploring host-microbe interactions, such as how specific microbial genes affect its host. I use both wet and dry lab techniques. When I am not in lab, I am exploring. I love to find new restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops. If I am not exploring the food world, I am exploring the outdoors. I enjoy hiking with my dog, skiing, and surfing.Project ideas
Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.
Infant gut microbiome over time
When we are born, our first microbiomes come from our mother. Then our microbiomes are influenced by the outside environment (including other people). Sharon et al. (2013) has a publicly available metagenomics dataset that contains 11 feacal samples from premature infants during their first month. From this data we can explore how microbial communities change over time.
Evolutionary Game Theory
Some aspects of evolution can be modeled by game theory models, because of interactions between species. We can explore topics in evolutionary game theory, like evolutionary stable strategies, by coding game theory models.
Coding skills
Python, RTeaching experience
My previous teaching experiences included teaching at Girls Who Code, TAing mathematics classes at the undergraduate level, tutoring for mathematics, and TAing biology classes at the graduate school level.Credentials
Work experience
University of Chicago (2018 - 2021)
Research AssistantUniversity of Chicago (2018 - 2020)
TutorUniversity of Chicago (2017 - 2018)
Teaching AssistantGirl Who Code (2017 - 2017)
Teaching AssistantEducation
University of Chicago
BS Bachelor of Science (2020)
Computational and Applied MathematicsCalifornia Institute of Technology (CalTech)
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Biology