Executive Board

The 2023 SBI Board plans to create new ways to promote exciting Systems Biology research while still reinvigorating past projects.

Theodore Nelson

President / Project-Lead

Theo Nelson serves as President of the Columbia University Systems Biology Initiative, promoting club events and conducting genomics-focused workshops. He currently performs transcriptomics-related research at both Columbia Irving Medical School and Cornell Medical School. He has published L-RAPiT (10.3390/ijms232415851), a long-read RNA-sequencing analysis pipeline, and analyzed long-read RNA-sequencing data for the Inspiration4 mission (https://inspiration4.com/). Outside of research and academics, Theo enjoys literature and skiing.

James Bole Pan

Vice-President / Project-Lead

James serves as the Vice President of the Columbia University Systems Biology Initiative, overseeing event promotion and on/off-campus outreach. He also leads the Procast Project including CU Bio Bytes and BioWorks. James is interested in computational neuroscience and has performed relevant research at the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience at Zuckerman Institute. He is also excited about the application of systems biology in reverse aging. Outside of academics, he enjoys basketball, photography, traveling, and contemplating the bright future of humankind.

Sophia Deng

Treasurer

Sophia Deng serves as Treasurer of the Columbia University Systems Biology Initiative, and she also contributes to SBI podcast "Bio Bytes". She is planning to major in biology with a focus on molecular biology. She is currently involved in the Landweber Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, which focuses on novel genetic systems in microbial eukaryotes. Sophia enjoys exploring the city, traveling, and running.

Rohin Patel

Secretary / Project-Lead

Rohin Patel is the Secretary of the Columbia University Systems Bio Initiative. He is a rising senior studying Biomedical Engineering currently conducting genetic research at the Danino Lab. He has also conducted research at CUNY. In his free time, Rohin enjoys tennis, sleeping, and reading.

Project-Leads

Mohammed Yusufali

Project-Lead

Mohammed Yusufali is the project lead for the Human Biology Workshops in the Systems Biology Initiative at Columbia University. He has done research at the Danino Lab, and is pursuing a Biomedical Engineering degree. He is interested in the intersection of technology and surgery. Outside of academics, he is a fan of podcasts, economics, and football.

Camila Ceballos Paredes

Project-Lead

Maria Ceballos Paredes is a sophomore at Columbia College interested in studying Biology and Latin American studies. She is particularly interested in stem cell biology and is currently conducting research at the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative using organoid technology. She is also leading the SBI High School Workshops Series. When she is not studying, she likes to crochet sweaters, go to the movies, and cook with friends.

Aaron Ouyang

Project-Lead

Aaron Ouyang is the leader of the Podcasts Division including CU Bio Bytes and BioWorks. He is interested in neuroscience and is currently conducting research at the Firestein Lab at Columbia University investigating the role of fragrant compounds on serotonin receptors. Aaron has also done research at UC Berkeley and the NIH. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, exploring restaurants, and watching basketball.

Jenny Ye

Project-Lead

Jenny Ye is the co-lead of System Biology Initiative's Expo project. She is interested in applications of technology to the way people see the world through computer graphics. She is pursuing a Computer Science degree, and has done human genetics research at the Shen Lab. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and trying new restaurants.

Nicholas Djedjos

Project-Lead

Nicholas Djedjos is the co-lead of System Biology Initiative's Expo project. He is interested in a variety of fields, including computational biology, engineering, and computer science. He is pursuing a Computer Science degree with a Biomedical Engineering minor and is currently performing computational biology research and software development at the Tavazoie Lab. In his free time, he serves as equipment manager for Columbia University Taekwondo, writes Columbia Science Review articles, and spends lots of time with friends and family.