Current Members

Principal Investigator

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Lois Pollack

John Edson Sweet Professor of Engineering,
Applied and Engineering Physics

E-mail
lp26@cornell.edu
Phone
607/255-8695
Education
Ph.D. Physics Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.S. Physics Brandeis University
Favorite Technique
The latest one we’re working on!
Favorite Molecule
The ribosome

Ph.D. Students

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Kara Zielinski

E-mail
kaz42@cornell.edu
Field
Biophysics
Education
B.S. Biophysics, the George Washington University
Favorite beamtime snack
Peanut Butter Pretzels
About
Kara develops methods for serial crystallography at synchrotrons. She also enjoys reading, politics, and travel.
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George Wang

E-mail
tw497@cornell.edu
Field
Biophysics
Education
B.S. Physiology, University of Toronto
Favorite beamtime snack
Grapes
About
George studies the structures and dynamics of disordered RNA. He likes to paint portraits and landscapes.
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Scout Fronhofer

E-mail
shf56@cornell.edu
Field
Applied Physics
Education
B.S. Engineering Physics, Cornell University
Favorite beamtime snack
Apples
About

Scout works on methods and instrumentation for using x-rays to study the structure and dynamics of biomolecules. She enjoys reading, biking, and running.

 
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Qingyue Hu

E-mail
qh62@cornell.edu
Field
Biophysics
Education
B.S. Physics, University College London
Favorite beamtime snack
Nestle KitKat
About
Qingyue studies RNA structures using contrast-variation SAXS. 
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Sarah Uttormark

E-mail
smu32@cornell.edu
Field
Applied Physics
Education
B.A. Physics, Mathematics, Norwegian, Nordic Studies at St. Olaf College 
Favorite beamtime snack
Trail mix
About
Sarah is working on developing mixers to interface with a fluorescence microscope. When not in the lab she can be found leading Norwegian conversation groups or playing percussion in various ensembles. 
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Georgia McSwain

E-mail
gam277@cornell.edu
Field
Applied Physics
Education
B.S. Physics, Washington and Lee University
Favorite beamtime snack
Pretzels
About
Georgia looks at structures formed by RNA/DNA using SAXs and melting techniques. In her free time she enjoys dancing and running.

Undergrad Students

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Ilinca Hagiu

E-mail
ah834@cornell.edu
Field
Engineering Physics (B.S.) 
Favorite beamtime snack
Sesame sticks
About
Ilinca analyzes the folding structures of RNA using melting techniques and SAXS. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and playing the piano.
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Vera Amirbekian

E-mail
vsa7@cornell.edu
Field
Physics (B.A.)
Favorite beamtime snack
Cheezits
About
Vera is studying the structure of the DNA molecule Tat-12 using SAXS. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors, swimming, dancing (salsa!), and cooking.