Clement Y. Chow, Ph.D. (he/him)
Associate Professor
cchow<@>genetics <dot> utah<dot> edu
Twitter: @clementychow

Clement received his BA from Cornell University in 2003. He completed his Ph.D. in 2008 in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Michigan, where he worked with Miriam Meisler. Clement completed his postdoctoral training as a co-mentored postdoc with Andy Clark and Mariana Wolfner at Cornell University. While not in the lab, he is wrangling two unruly children and four chickens.

Patty Lisieski (she/her)
Administrative Assistant
pattyl<@> genetics <dot> utah <dot> edu

Patty has supported Drosophila labs as an administrative assistant in the Department of Human Genetics for over 20 years. Originally from the Bay State, she moved to Utah to complete studies in Modern Dance and Human Biology before graduating from the Utah College of Massage Therapy. She enjoys playing poker and spending time outdoors.

Emily Coelho (she/her)
Laboratory Manager
ecoelho<@>genetics<dot>utah<dot>edu

Emily is a Utah native but left her home state for the wonders of the Northwest where she received her B.S. at The Evergreen State College in environmental/agricultural sciences. She changed her scientific focus when she joined the Malik Lab where she studied the role of genetic conflict between centromeres and centromere-associated proteins in D. melanogaster and D. simulans. Emily is a big fan of hiking, fishing, and kicking a soccer ball around. 

Katherine Beebe, Ph.D. (she/her)
Research Scientst
kbeebe<@>genetics<dot>utah<dot>edu
Twitter: @Biology_Beebe

Kate is a developmental biologist with expertise in Drosophila genetics and physiology. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Utah, Kate researched nuclear hormone receptor based metabolic switches during development with Dr. Carl Thummel, and metabolic pathways supporting renal function with Dr. Aylin Rodan. Kate holds a PhD in Developmental, Regenerative, and Stem Cell Biology from Washington University School of Medicine and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Brown University. She can often be found exploring the amazing geology of Utah with her family.

Caroline Massey (she/her)
Laboratory Technician

Caroline completed her B.S. in Genetics, Genomics, & Biotechnology from Brigham Young University in 2023. There she worked in the Genetics lab, studying the genetic basis for microbial influence of Drosophila life history strategy. In her free time she loves to paint and draw and to be in the outdoors running, skiing, and hiking.

Naomi Young (she/her)
Laboratory Technician

Naomi received a B.S. in Genetics, Genomics, & Biotechnology from Brigham Young University in 2023. Lifelong learning is one of her passions so she plans to continue her education and attain a doctoral degree. After work, she loves to read fantasy and learn foreign languages; her favorite sports include volleyball, judo, and bodybuilding.

Mimi Aziz (she/her)
Graduate Student/T32 Fellow – Genetics Training Grant
mimi.aziz<@>utah<dot>edu
Twitter: @mcalovesdna

Mimi received her BS in Molecular Biology from Loyola University Chicago in 2018. Following this, she worked as a lab tech in Dr. Gemma Carvill’s Lab at Northwestern University where she studied genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying rare developmental epileptic encephalopathies. As a graduate student, she seeks to continue investigating rare disease genetics. When she’s not in lab, you can find her on a trail, at the bar, or snacking on the couch with her pets.

Liz Maclaughlin (she/her)
Graduate Student
Liz.maclaughlin<@>utah<dot>edu

Liz received her BS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Rhodes College. During college, she worked in labs at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Smith & Nephew, and the University of Tennessee. After graduation, she worked at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Bayer before joining the Molecular Biology PhD program at the University of Utah. Outside of the lab, Liz enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, and cat. 

Holly Thorpe (she/her)
Graduate Student
holly.thorpe<@>utah<dot>edu

Holly received a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from Brigham Young University. Before returning to graduate school, she worked as a microbiologist at ARUP Laboratories. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, baking, kickboxing, and spending time with her husband.

Haley Tokars (she/her)
Graduate Student
haley.tokars<@>utah<dot>edu

Haley earned a B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. Before graduate school, she worked as a research technician in the Neuroimmunology Division of the Department of Neurology at Northwestern University. There, she researched mechanisms that regulate myelin formation in neurodegenerative contexts. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in the Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience at the University of Utah. Outside of research, Haley enjoys hiking, camping, thrifting, and skiing.

Travis Tu’ifua (he/him)
Graduate Student/STARS TL1/T32 Fellow travis.tuifua<@>utah<dot>edu Twitter: @tongantravatar

Travis received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Utah. He worked as a medical technologist specialist in the Cellular and Innate Immunology lab at ARUP Laboratories before returning to graduate school. He spends his free time with his wife and three young daughters.

Dominic Gaviglio (he/him)
Undergraduate Researcher

Dominic is currently majoring in Biology at the University of Utah. He hopes to attend medical school afterwards. His hobbies include weight lifting, swimming, playing video games, and spending time with his girlfriend

Jennie Wilson (she/her)
Undergraduate Researcher

Jennie is currently attending the University of Utah and hopes to become a veterinarian. During her free time, she enjoys reading, playing with her two dogs, watching anime, and spending time with friends and family.