As a chemical engineer -turned- biologist, I became fascinated by the complexity of biological processes. I explored several facets of molecular and cell biology during my PhD and Postdoctoral fellowships and got hooked on how a cell might sense its microenvironment and the variety of ways it can respond. My inner engineer wants to take control of that cell biological response, and the struggle is real.
Extracurricular interests: rock climbing, singing, sailing

Being a bioengineer, I’ve harbored a long-standing fascination for the intricate art of engineering biological systems. With my early immersion in the realms of cell and molecular biology, my curiosity has evolved to encompass a deep desire to comprehend the complexities of signaling pathways within cells. My passion lies at the intersection of protein engineering and unraveling intricate cell signaling pathways. I aim to leverage my experience  to bridge the gap between these disciplines, translating theoretical insights into practical applications. My journey is fueled by a desire to contribute to innovative solutions that harness the potential of biological systems.
Extracurricular interests: dancing, reading, baking

Coming from a biology background, I used to think that studying such a broad subject might be a disadvantage. But it turned out to be a real strength, allowing me to explore areas like microbiology, systems biology, and now bioengineering. Seeing how these different fields interact has been incredibly insightful and helped me discover my true research interests. I’m particularly drawn to CRISPR and its wide range of applications, not just in genetic manipulation but also in diagnostics, therapeutics, and lineage tracing. I’m excited to pursue this passion and apply my diverse experience to developing innovative solutions for human health.
Extracurricular interests: singing, reading, cafe hopping, vlogging

I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. My thesis, “Identification of the candidate molecular targets of ciprofloxacin via comparative genomics of sensitive and resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains”, aims to find drug targets in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains using a bottom-up approach.
Extracurricular interests: gaming

I am a Healthcare Studies major on the pre-medicine track, with an interest in innovative medical interventions. I am fascinated by how the intricate cellular processes found in nature can be adapted through bioengineering to advance human health and wellness. The potential in repurposing these complex biological interactions for therapeutic purposes continues to inspire my academic and professional journey.
Extracurricular interests: football, tech, fitness, socializing

Through my biology and chemistry courses in high school, I have discovered my fascination for the beauty of science and the problem-solving aspects of attempting to uncover more about it. As a biochemistry major, I aim to unearth more about how these two fields interact and the unique benefits this interdisciplinary pathway provides. Additionally, I aspire to pursue research throughout my college experience to push the frontiers of our collective knowledge, hopefully making a positive impact on those around me along the way.
Extracurricular interests: playing chess, playing the violin, watching anime

I started my journey in biomedical science and am now diving into the world of computational biology. I’m particularly excited about working at the crossroads of disciplines like systems biology and precision medicine. My current research revolves around using zebrafish as a model to study how cells communicate and develop, with tools like CRISPR making it all the more fascinating. I’m thrilled to be part of Dr. Dingal’s lab, where I know I’ll grow both scientifically and personally. Coming from Nepal, I’ve always felt connected to nature, so you’ll often find me exploring hill stations or any peaceful spot outdoors. Soccer is my go-to sport, but I’m up for just about anything active. When I’m not on the move, I love getting lost in a good book, especially ones that dive into philosophical ideas.
Extracurricular interests: soccer, reading, and exploring outdoors.

I am currently pursuing a masters in bioinformatics and computational biology. My bachelors was in applied mathematics, but I decided to switch to bioinformatics in part due to two reasons. First, I became interested in the use of mathematical and statistical models in biology during the covid pandemic, as I was following different researchers who were tracking the evolution of the virus, the spread of the disease, and its various health effects. Second, I also became interested in the potential of machine learning to aid in scientific research. I am excited to be part of the Dingal Lab, to be able to apply my more mathematical background to problems in biology, and to learn and grow from the experience.
Extracurricular interests: reading, writing, cooking

As a biomedical engineering student, it is my priority to evaluate the downfalls of the healthcare and develop solutions to improve the quality of healthcare delivery. While gaining experience in the medical field, I developed an appreciation for life and how it functions. I want to expand my knowledge and explore life at a molecular level. I am excited to make new discoveries in the lab that will have potential to improve our quality of life in the future.
Extracurricular interests: golf, swimming, reading, and painting.

In high school, I discovered my passion to apply my knowledge into empirical models and attempt to solve the mysteries between multiple interacting vectors. During my time at UTD, I hope to further uncover and expand those mysteries behind the applications of science while also helping others understand those nuances.
Extracurricular interests: taekwondo, basketball, music.

I am a Biology major at UTD with the intent of pursuing a career in medicine. Genes and how their expression can be controlled has always been an interest to me, and I hope to gain more insight and build a foundation that I can continue to improve on in my future career.
Extracurricular interests: Camping, martial arts, playing piano, reading, video games

I am a freshman in Biochemistry with hopes of using my knowledge and expertise in undergraduate, postgraduate, and market-level research in biochemistry and biomedical engineering. I aspire to work in the biotech industry and eventually found my own company. I enjoy working with proteins, viruses, and genetics.
Extracurricular interests: esports, philosophy, and soccer

I am an undergraduate pursuing biomedical engineering, with a focus on cell signal processing and designing synthetic systems inside cells. My studies revolve around understanding how cells communicate and engineering them to perform specific functions for medical applications. I’m passionate about exploring ways to manipulate cellular systems to create innovative solutions in healthcare.
Extracurricular interests: snackonomics and gainology

As a biology major I am fascinated by the biological processes that contribute to the development of diseases in humans and how we can fix them. This includes the different bioengineering applications that are being used in health care to treat and prevent diseases as well as improve people’s quality of life. In the future I aim to give people hope through biomedical research.
Extracurricular interests: mountain biking, working out, figure skating, baking

I am a Biology major at UTD. I am currently pursuing a career in medicine. In addition to being a researcher, I am a PLTL leader for General Chemistry. I have always been fascinated by genes and proteins as they are integral aspects of biology, and I strongly believe that research in these fields is essential because not only does it give us more insight into organismal development, but it can also improve our understanding of diseases and their cures. At the Dingal Lab, I hope to gain more knowledge in genetic modification and protein synthesis and use it towards further research in my medical career.
Extracurricular interests: playing viola, spending time with family & friends, cooking, swimming, traveling, drawing

I am a freshman majoring in Molecular Biology and minoring in Microbiology. At Dingal Lab, I aim to cultivate experience in research and learn advanced topics in molecular and cell biology. With both the experiences from Dingal Lab and through my classes and other programs, I am eager to learn more about viruses, immune signaling, cell signaling, developmental biology, and tissue engineering, with the hope of focusing on these topics in the coming years. I hope to use the knowledge gained from this lab to contribute to regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.
Extracurricular interests: reading, cooking, video games, Dungeons and Dragons, practicing cello, Model UN and chess.

I am a Biomedical Engineering major pursuing my undergraduate studies on the premed track.  I am fascinated by the application of technology in the field of medicine which has allowed scientists to develop treatments for different diseases and ailments. At Dingal Lab, I hope to develop my research skills and gain more knowledge in the applications of bioengineering.
Extracurricular interests: swimming, working out, reading a book, and watching anime

PAST MEMBERS

Graduate Research Assistants
Charlotte Marasigan

Undergraduate Research Assistants
Oreoluwa Adegoke
Mustafa Alrawi (lab technician)
Mark Baskharoun
Abeni Belay
Precious Castillo
Omar Dibou
Anbarin Khalid
Mindy Li
Christopher May
Giulietta Peleg-Baldino
Adam Ramadan
Leah Sullivan
Nashrah Sadaf
Pia Shah
Saif Syed
Ajay Tunikipati
Milcah Taye