Biology SEPC

Contact Information: biosepc@grinnell.edu

The Biology SEPC is a student-faculty liaison which provides the faculty with student input on professors, candidates, curriculum, and other department issues. As our primary duty, we survey students and summarize their opinions regarding current professors and professorial candidates. We then submit these summaries to the department faculty and/or other appropriate committees on campus.

In addition, we send one representative to the bi-weekly department faculty meetings and another representative to the biweekly Student Curriculum Committee meeting chaired by the SGA vice president/president of academic affairs. For fun, we organize the department study breaks and picnics, and send out a monthly newsletter to majors. Historically, we also have had input into the types of speakers that the department brings to campus for the weekly seminars. We hold weekly meetings to delegate duties and to discuss pertinent issues.

The Biology SEPC generally consists of seven members. We are a fun-loving group of students with a common interest of biology. Join us, won't you?

  • Hayden Bhavsar

    Hayden Bhavsar

    Hi! I'm Hayden Bhavsar (he/him), a fourth-year biology major with a neuroscience concentration. I'm interested in developmental and regeneration biology, and I’ve spent the past few summers doing research with zebrafish. I enjoy aquariums, going to the gym, and potlucks. Being a researcher, mentor, and student has given me multiple different perspectives on the department. If you see me around, I’d love to chat and hear your thoughts!

  • Toni Duan

    Toni Duan

    Hi everyone! My name is Toni Duan (she/her/hers), and I am a third-year biology major concentrating in neuroscience on the premed track. I’m from Portland, Oregon, and I studied abroad in Costa Rica for a semester. Along with being a part of the biology SEPC, I serve as a treasurer for Grinnell Smiles and a mentoring program leader for MAPS. I conducted biochemistry research with Professor Levandoski through the MAP program and would be more than happy to discuss my experience and answer any questions. Over the summer, I worked with a lab at the Michigan Neuroscience Institute studying transcriptional profiling of brain tissue in animal models of depression. Off-campus, I work as a CNA at the Mayflower Health Center. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, singing, spending time with friends, and playing tennis. I’m extremely excited to join the biology SEPC this year and look forward to serving you!

  • Hope Harrington

    Hope Harrington

    My name is Hope Harrington; I’m a fourth year biology student also doing an accelerated MPH in epidemiology through University of Iowa. As a SEPC member, I will strive to ensure all biology student needs are heard and met via direct collaboration with students and faculty. I’m also super excited to host more biology events, picnics, and activities to get to know everyone! Some of my other interests (besides being a hot and mysterious woman in STEM) include weight lifting, painting, and working for Pedal Grinnell and GHAMP on campus.

  • Erin Hernandez

    Erin Hernandez

    My name is Erin Hernandez. I am a fourth-year majoring in biology and neuroscience. I am a first-generation Latinx student from Chicago, Illinois. My interest in science, medicine, and community service has grown as a result of my time at Grinnell. With the assistance of my professors and peers, I have had a number of incredible opportunities to travel and learn about other cultures. I’m looking forward to using my position in SEPC to contribute to the Grinnell community.
     

  • Solveig Olson

    Solveig Olson

    Hello!

    My name is Solveig (she/her) and I’m a third year biology major! A little bit about me is that I’m from rural Minnesota and I’ve been interested in how organisms interact with each other from a young age. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out at the HSSC and working on my current craft project. I’m excited to have the opportunity to get to know you and support you any way I can!

  • Nora O’Prey

    Nora O’Prey

    Hi! My name is Nora (she/her/hers). I’m a fourth-year biology major with a concentration in neuroscience. I’m from Maryland and I studied abroad in Denmark. I spent a summer doing research in the molecular physiology and biophysics department at the University of Iowa, and another one doing a biology MAP with Professor Clark Lindgren studying the pH of synaptic transmission. In my free time I love hiking, biking, and spending time with friends. I can’t wait to get to know all of you! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, or just come up to me for a chat!

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