Mission Statement
The primary goal of the Engagement Committee is to cultivate a welcoming environment within the department. We actively coordinate a range of activities designed to promote the department community.
Activities
Invite Academic Seminar Speaker in BCBP Seminar Series:
Select and organize the visit of distinguished guest speakers from universities and research institutes for the BCBP Seminar Series.
2026 Industry Speakers:
- Dr, Lei Li (American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) March 2026
- In the Professor’s Shoes: Personal Path to Academia– Dr. Stephanie Perez
- Dr. Kristina Najjar (Merck) April 2026
2025 Industry Speakers:
- Dr. Dan Browne (LanzaTech) Spring 2025
- Dr. Charli Baker (Vertex Pharmaceuticals) Fall 2025
- In the Professor’s Shoes: Personal Path to Academia – Prof. Mary Bryk
Bridging academia and industry to enhance career development prospects:
Select and organize the visit of a guest seminar speaker from biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry to offer career opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. This activity is done in coordination with the Biochemistry Graduate Student Association (BGA).
2024 Industry Speakers:
- Dr. Alok Tomar (Thermo Fisher Scientific) Spring 2024
- Dr. Gabby Everett (Biolabs Pegasus Park) Fall 2024
- In the Professor’s Shoes: Personal Path to Academia – Prof. Tom Meek
- Organized International Potluck Summer 2024 pictures
- Organized holiday events (Fall) (Reindeer Games)
International Potluck hosting:
- Spearhead the coordination and execution of an International Potluck event, which provide department members with an opportunity to share cultural cuisines and foster cultural exchange.
Panel discussion among various interest groups:
- Organize formal and informal events such as a session where departmental faculty can share their personal paths to academia.
Department events and activities:
- Organize non-academic holiday activities within the department, creating festive gatherings to celebrate diverse traditions and strengthen community bonds.
Committee Members
Vishal Gohil
Chair of the Committee
979-847-6138
[email protected]
Learn more about this committee member
I am Vishal M. Gohil, a faculty in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics since 2012. I was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, and grew up in a small coastal town in western India called Porbandar, which is famous as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. While Gandhi conducted his experiments with truth, I experiment with mitochondria!
In addition to mentoring students in my lab, I teach metabolism-related courses to graduate and undergraduate students and serve in various departmental committees, including the Climate Committee. Symmetry, harmony, and balance found in nature inspire me and guide all my work. I derive immense pleasure in training my students while making fundamental discoveries that can benefit human health. I like working with honest and sincere colleagues, whereas dishonesty, arrogance, and manipulation drive me crazy. Apart from work, I enjoy playing and watching cricket, a popular sport in India. I also enjoy reading biographies, listening to music, and watching movies. My favorite quotes that describe my life philosophy are:
- “Truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
- “Hard work never killed a man.”
- “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.”
I have been very fortunate to have some dedicated students, a great family, wonderful friends, and teachers. I hope to create the same supportive environment in the department through the Climate Committee.
Melissa Koff
Faculty Representative
979-845-2087
[email protected]
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Howdy! My name is Melissa Koff, and I am a ATP faculty member representative on the BCBP Engagement Committee. I was born and raised in Delaware, the 2nd smallest state (134x smaller than Texas, only 96 miles long) and I’m a first-generation college graduate.
I originally joined the department in the Fall of 2018 to pursue my PhD in Vlad Panin’s Lab using Drosophila as a model organism to study glycosylation in the developing brain. I received my PhD in 2024, and joined the department as a lecturer for Genetics and Biochemistry courses. I am currently working launching a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) utilizing CRISPR and Drosophila – if you’re interesting in learning more or collaborating please reach out!
Ivette Cornejo-Corona
Assistant Research Scientist (Wehman Lab)
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I’m Ivette Cornejo-Corona. Originally from Mexico City, my journey has taken me across four countries and seven cities before finding a home in Aggieland in 2018. I proudly identify as an Aggie biotechnologist, passionate about mentorship, community building, and creating supportive environments where people can thrive both professionally and personally.
Outside the lab, my interests blend naturally with my scientific curiosity. I enjoy illustration, science fiction novels, and, lately, children’s books. Before pursuing science full time, I dedicated many years to artistic swimming, which taught me discipline, resilience, and teamwork (and yes, I can still hold my breath for over a minute!). I’m also deeply interested in sociology and linguistics, and I value connecting with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
My involvement in the Engagement and Climate Committee comes from a strong commitment to advocating for postdocs and fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and welcoming community. The Biochemistry and Biophysics department has been my academic home for more than seven years, and I look forward to contributing to initiatives that strengthen connection, communication, and support across our community. Feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to connect over coffee, exchange ideas, and learn from new perspectives
Bianca Guerra
Research Associate (Wehman Lab)
Pingwei Li
Faculty Representative
979-845-1469
[email protected]
Learn more about this committee member
Dr. Pingwei Li was born in the suburb of Xi’an, China. He obtained his Ph.D. from Peking University in 1996, majoring in X-ray crystallography. During his graduate studies, he determined the crystal structure of Cu, Zn SOD from duck erythrocytes. He came to the United States in the spring of 1998 and did a postdoc with Roland Strong at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. He determined the structures of the noncanonical MHC class I like molecules MICA, RAE-1b and their complexes with the natural killer cell and gd T cell receptor NKG2D. He moved on to work in the department of molecular biology at Princeton University as a staff scientist in the fall of 2001, studying the structures of the UBP family deubiquitinating enzymes USP7 and USP14. In the summer of 2003, he moved to the California Institute of Technology and did a post-doc with Pamela Bjorkman. His research at Caltech focuses on the structural studies of a monoclonal antibody against polyglutamine. He cloned the VH and VL genes of the antibody, generated the Fv fragment by refolding, and determined the structure of the antibody in isolation and in complex with a polyglutamine containing peptide. Dr. Pingwei Li started his own lab in the department of biochemistry and biophysics at Texas A&M University in the fall of 2005.
The research in the Li lab focuses on elucidating the structural basis of viral RNA sensing by the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) and viral DNA sensing through the cGAS-STING pathway. They have determined the crystal structures of LGP2 CTD bound to dsRNA, MDA5 CTD in isolation, and RIG-I CTD bound to 5¢ triphosphate and blunt-ended dsRNA. These studies provided important insights into the mechanism of viral RNA recognition by the RLRs. They have determined the crystal structures of cGAS in isolation and in complex with dsDNA and elucidated the mechanism of cGAS activation by dsDNA. They have determined the structures of STING in isolation and in complex with either canonical or noncanonical cyclic dinucleotides including c-di-GMP and cGAMP, providing critical insights into the mechanism of STING activation. They also determined the structures of the protein kinase TBK1 and its complex with STING C-terminal tail, revealing the mechanism of TBK1 recruitment and activation via STING. Moreover, the Li lab determined the structure of phosphorylated STING C-terminal peptide bound to IRF-3 and the structure of phosphorylated IRF-3 dimer, which reveals the mechanism of IRF-3 recruitment and activation. In a recent study, the Li lab determined the structure of cGAS bound to the nucleosome by cryo-EM, providing insights the mechanism of cGAS inhibition under resting conditions. The Li lab also elucidated the structural basis of the cGAMP export mediated by ABCC1 by cryo-EM. The research of the Li lab was well recognized by the innate immunity and structural biology field.
Dr. Pingwei Li teaches undergraduate biochemistry (BICH410) and introduction for structural biology at graduate level (BICH689).
Amelia Brave ’21
Alexandria Kemp ’22
Jirapat Thongchon
Betty Cotton
Staff Representative
979-458-0630
[email protected]
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I’m Betty Cotton, proud to serve as part of the dedicated staff within the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Originally hailing from Cleveland, TX, I’ve called Bryan, TX, my home for the past 24 years.
A typical day for me at work consists of reading emails, addressing questions, and providing information or guidance to any situation that arises within the department. Outside these walls, you’ll find me at the College Station F45 gym, dedicated to fitness, or capturing precious moments through scrapbooking—memories from our family’s adventures and escapades. I like to scuba dive, (but only in crystal clear water, with shallow depths, and no sharks, of course).
Inspirational quotes fuel my days; among my top five are:
- “What doesn’t kill you, will make you stronger.”
- “I didn’t come here to play.”
- “Work till Jesus comes, I’ll work…(song).”
- “Let your conscience be your guide.”
- “Two wrongs don’t make it right.”
Being part of the Climate Committee holds great meaning to me; it’s a platform to foster unity and familial bonds within our department. I extend a warm invitation for your participation in our events, hoping you find the committee as beneficial and inspiring as I do.
Feel free to drop by my office in room 103D for a chat or a simple hello.
Best wishes with your endeavors while here at Texas A&M University. It’s a great place to work and have a career!
Gladys Owusu-Addo ’23
Graduate Student Representative (Glasner Lab)
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Howdy, my name is Gladys Owusu-Addo. I am a third-year PhD candidate in the Glasner lab and originally from Ghana. My research primarily focuses on how enzymes balance their activity and stability. I am using the deep mutational scanning technique to understand how changes in protein sequences affect the two functions of bifunctional enzymes in the NSAR/OSBS subfamily. On campus, I am also actively involved in the graduate community. I serve as the Vice President of Membership for the African Graduate Student Association, helping build connections and create a welcoming space for graduate students across campus. Outside of work and school, I enjoy listening to music and am especially known among my friends for my dancing skills. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you’d like to connect, collaborate, or learn more about my work or campus involvement. I’m always happy to chat.
Suhas Sura
Undergraduate Representative
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Howdy, my name is Suhas Sura, and I am the undergraduate representative for the BCBP Department Engagement Committee. I am a sophomore from Dallas, TX, and I am involved in a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities here on campus, one of those being BGS, or Biochemistry/Genetics Society
I am involved with genetics research on campus with the Wehman Lab, focused on utilizing the model organism C. elegans to understand lipid bilayer dynamics and EV release/production. All of the research is very involved, & if you’d like to talk about BICH/GENE 491 credits, please reach out!
If you have any questions or concerns about the department, or if you have any ideas for the undergraduate population here, feel free to email me at [email protected] and chat!
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Doyeon Kwon ‘24
Graduate Student Representative (Sui Lab)
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Howdy! My name is Doyeon Kwon, and I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Dr. Sui’s lab. I was born and raised in Busan, South Korea, and moved to Texas six years ago to study biochemistry! On weekends or whenever I have some free time, I enjoy baking bread and cakes. I also enjoy reading books about self-development. They motivate me to continue growing and help me succeed in both my personal life and my research. One of my favorite travel destinations is White Sands National Park in New Mexico! Its endless white sand dunes were absolutely beautiful. I hope I can visit again someday. My typical daily routine is to create a work checklist before I start my experiments in the lab. It helps me organize my schedule and manage my time more effectively:) I’m so happy to be part of Engagement Committee. Please feel free to reach out to me if there’s anything I can help you with!
Vihashini Selvakumar ’22
Graduate Student Representative (Sui Lab)
Learn more about this committee member
Howdy! I’m Vihashini Selvakumar, a fourth-year graduate student in the Zhang Lab, originally from Tamil Nadu, India. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in parks and watching movies. I also love reading fiction that feels meaningful and real- my current favorite is ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’. My favorite go-to restaurant in town is Shiraz- the kebabs are great, and I love how calm and cozy the place feels. One of my favorite quotes is: “Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.” Please feel free to reach out any time if you have questions or just want to chat.
Helpful Resources
Resources for Students
- Dean of Student Life: 979-845-3111
- Counseling and Psychological Services: 979-845-4427
- Student Conduct Office: 979-847-7272
- Faculty Affairs Office: 979-845-4274
Resources for Faculty and Staff
- Human Resources: 979-862-4027
- Misconduct Line: 888-501-3850
- MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley: 979-822-6467
- Substance Abuse Crisis Hotline: 888-522-8262
- TAMU University Police: 979-845-2345 non-emergency
- TAMU Helpline: 979-845-2700
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
- Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741-741