Personnel

Blaire Bacher grew up in the St. Louis area and received her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Miami. She has spent the majority of her scientific career in small, local biotechs, studying plant and human genetics and epigenetics, focusing on NGS and assay development. In her free time, she enjoys biking, traveling, reading, eating delicious food, sleeping and snuggling kitties.

Caitlyn Chitwood’s background includes working at breweries across the country, a journey that brought her to St. Louis. She completed a MS in biostatistics with a focus in statistical genetics at Washington University School of Medicine, where she also served as a research assistant to gain experience in bioinformatics. During her free time she enjoys cycling, video games and board games with friends and crafting elaborate meals and drinks with her husband.

Mike Grupe is originally from Nebraska. He has been in research labs at Washington University since 2017 after teaching biology at the high school level for 34 years. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, following the Cardinals, brewing beer and going to craft breweries and traveling to Wisconsin and Canada to see his children and grandchildren.

Emily's interest in the natural world first led her to a BS in science from UMKC and then a Master's in native plant conservation genetics from University of Colorado Denver & the Denver Botanic Gardens, where she learned molecular biology and bioinformatics. She also likes to garden and see live music.

Jiye Yi graduated with a BS in Systems Immunology from Kangwon National University and an MS in Pathology from the Department of Medicine at Chungbuk National University, both in South Korea. She has worked in the R&D department of a biotechnology company in South Korea, where she focused on developing antibody therapeutics for autoimmune disease and cancer. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places.