Anu Iyer, a Georgia Tech Dean’s Scholar, published her first research article as a first-year student — based on research conducted while she was in high school. She is the lead co-author of the paper published in Scientific Reports, a Nature Portfolio journal.

Iyer, now a second-year undergraduate majoring in biology with a pre-med focus, worked with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to develop a novel voice-based diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

“Essentially, we proved the feasibility of a telemedicine approach towards detecting PD,” says Iyer. “Through a three-second phone call, our machine-learning model recognizes patterns in data to detect Parkinson’s with a 97 percent accuracy rate.”

Iyer states that additional strengths of the project include the potential for detecting PD at an early stage, leading to improved treatment outcomes, and the practical benefits of a virtual diagnostic tool.

“Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that primarily affects the elderly population, and one of the many issues with detection is that symptoms must be analyzed in person,” explains Iyer. “In Arkansas, 75 percent of our population resides in medically underserved areas — it can be hard for them to access health facilities. Our research addresses the need for convenient detection via telemedicine.”

From science fairs to academic researcher

Iyer’s teachers at her STEM middle school encouraged her passion for science and discovery. A science fair enthusiast, Iyer led a sixth-grade team to win the state title for the Verizon Innovative Learning app, creating a smartphone app that turns off text notifications when a car reaches more than five miles per hour.

Iyer credits her middle school teachers for inspiring her to seek answers beyond what she found in her textbooks. During the summer between eighth and ninth grade, Iyer watched YouTube videos to teach herself machine learning, appreciating the opportunity to use artificial intelligence to analyze data and make predictions.

“Machine learning fascinates me because it holds so much potential,” says Iyer. “I've always been interested in computer science, but machine learning opened my eyes to new possibilities and taught me that I can pay it forward through applied bioinformatics.”

In ninth grade, she emailed UAMS professors with a research idea incorporating medicine and computer science. Her outreach led to a post as an undergraduate researcher, helping create a computer algorithm to detect eye disease. While working on a diagnostic AI model for malignancy, she began collaborating with Fred Prior, the chair of Bioinformatics at UAMS, who became a valued mentor.

“Dr. Prior introduced me to the joys of research and how small changes can make a big difference in our world,” says Iyer.

Prior assigned her to the team focusing on Parkinson’s in her 11th grade year — and she soon began taking on more of an active leadership role in the research. She spent the rest of high school juggling coursework with constructing code and drafting proposals to create the computer algorithm capable of detecting PD.

Progress and service

Iyer’s desire to improve the world through research led her to Georgia Tech.

“One thing that spoke to me is the Progress and Service motto,” says Iyer. “My career goals include becoming an empathetic researcher focused on reducing healthcare disparities. Specifically, I hope to specialize in developing diagnostic tools that are affordable and available for underserved areas.”

As lead co-author of the PD research study, Iyer spent much of her first year working with Prior and UAMS, participating in Zoom calls every Saturday. As a second-year, Iyer intends to continue working with UAMS on PD and machine-learning research. She has also taken on a new role as multiple principal investigator for a study related to chronic back pain management.

Lainie Pomerleau, who taught Iyer’s first-year English course, and is now an assistant professor of English at the College of Coastal Georgia, helped Iyer prepare the PD paper for publication. “Anu embodies Georgia Tech's mission to develop leaders who advance technology to improve the human condition,” says Pomerleau.

Despite her busy schedule, Iyer has immersed herself in the Georgia Tech community. She loves the climbing wall at the Campus Recreation Center and points to Cognitive Psychology as her favorite class. Iyer considers Explore, the science-centered living and learning community, to be one of the highlights of her first year.

“I really enjoyed being a part of Explore, living with other students who prioritize science,” says Iyer. “It was easy to make friends because we all had similar classes.”

In the spring of her first year, she was selected as a College of Sciences Ambassador, accompanying prospective students and their parents to science-related courses and answering their questions about campus life.

She plans to get more involved with researchers at Georgia Tech.

“I am a biology major, but one amazing thing about Georgia Tech is that there is a lot of encouragement to join labs outside of your major and pursue your interests,” says Iyer. “I’d like to work in a Georgia Tech lab, particularly in neurology.”

Looking forward to her next few years at the Institute, she’s excited about the possibilities ahead:

“Georgia Tech is well known for groundbreaking research,” she says. “I want to take advantage of Tech’s many opportunities — and fulfill my ultimate goal of making a positive impact in the world.”

Ten College of Science students visited Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters for the inaugural Summer Science Career Trek organized by College of Sciences Career Educator James Stringfellow and Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts.

“When students connect with those in the corporate world, they can better envision themselves in a professional setting,” says Stringfellow. “Interactions between industry leadership and our students promote internship and full-time employment opportunities and help them expand their networks and gain valuable industry connections. Plus, the benefits go both ways as employers meet talented students from the College of Sciences.”

The event featured a tour of the Coca-Cola campus, panel discussion, and networking session — hosted by Georgia Tech alumni working at Coke. Throughout the morning, the Yellow Jacket alumni shared career advice, job search insights, and personal stories about their career trajectories.

“As a Georgia Tech student, I used to look across the street from the Skiles Building and wonder: what do they do over there at Coke? I could never have imagined one day I’d actually work there as the head of Behavioral Science,” said Cerita Bethea, who earned a master’s degree in engineering psychology from the Institute. “I think it’s critical for those of us in industry to give students exposure to the application of their degrees and help build their network.”

Participating students praised the chance to speak with alumni and learn about working at the beverage giant:

• “It was encouraging to see alumni with biology backgrounds working in different areas outside of the traditional research pathways,” says Yanatan Amsalu, a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in biology.
• “I’m starting the job search process and their advice is extremely helpful. “They provided great information about the importance of networking, particularly with Georgia Tech alumni, and shaping a strong pitch to appeal to industry and recruiters,” adds Mert Duezguen, a fourth-year biomedical engineer.
• “I found it inspiring. It was a great opportunity to speak to alumni, especially women, and hear how they built their careers,” says Wa Yang, a fifth-year chemistry major.

Yellow Jacket alumni panelists included Cerita Bethea, who recently retired from Coke; Anthony Diaz (EAS 2001, MBA 2013), senior director HR Planning and Project Management Office; Allison Maloney (BIO 2015, MBA 2021), director, Bottler Capability Development; and Kelliann Chevalier-Morrisey (BSBA 2015), director, North America Portfolio Strategy and Human Insights. Additional panelists included Fernanda Martins, senior director, Functional Ingredient Platform; and Rachel Odolski, associate flavorist.

Double Jacket Diaz enjoyed the opportunity to connect with current students:

“Meeting the Georgia Tech College of Sciences students was an incredibly rewarding experience. Sharing my journey from Tech to Coke generated lively discussions and hopefully helped open doors to exciting new career paths. It was a joy to see their enthusiasm and to contribute to shaping our future leaders!”

Roberts and Stringfellow look forward to continuing their efforts to give students in-depth and personal experiences with industry leaders — and provide alumni an avenue to engage with the College of Sciences and Georgia Tech. Upcoming events include a Shadow Day where students visit local industry, the annual College of Sciences Student and Alumni Leadership Dinner, and another Career Trek to a global industry leader.

 “Yellow Jacket alumni are one of our most valuable and impactful resources,” says Roberts. “Stay tuned for future career/alumni collaborations.”

Four College of Sciences alumni have been selected as members of the 2024 class of 40 under 40. Launched by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association in 2020, this program "highlights the work of Yellow Jackets around the globe whose innovative spirits inspire us all." 

“With hundreds of Jackets nominated, this was an especially competitive year,” says Leslie Roberts, director of alumni relations at the College of Sciences. “I am proud of the work that College of Sciences alumni have contributed towards improving the human condition, and I am excited to join in honoring these four individuals.”

From advancing investments in infrastructure to improving outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments, learn how these four Sciences alumni are championing innovation. 

Kinsey Herrin, M.S. PO 2010 

Senior Research Scientist | Georgia Institute of Technology

Kinsey Herrin is a senior research scientist in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the director of the Human Interface Design Development and Engineering lab. Her research focuses on advancing state-of-the-art assistive and rehab technology and studying the associated outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments. She is passionate about advancing technology and clinical care to improve mobility and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. She completed her residency training in orthotics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and prosthetics at the University of Michigan and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. 

Favorite Tech Memory: The slide at the Georgia Tech pool was one of my favorite things to do with friends after triathlon training at the gym!

Hannah (Hatchell) Liu, M.S. BI 2017 

Senior Manager, Data Analysis | Natera

Hannah (Hatchell) Liu is a graduate of Georgia Tech’s master’s program in Bioinformatics and has an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Pomona College. She began her career in molecular diagnostics at the genetic testing company Invitae as a clinical informatics scientist and subsequently as a people leader in the Dry Lab Operations group. Her time at Invitae cultivated her passion for supporting the accessibility and affordability of genetic information for everyone to improve health outcomes. She is excited to continue working toward this mission as she starts a new role in Natera’s Data Science group as a senior manager. 

Favorite Tech Memory: The relieved and accomplished feeling after I gave my master’s capstone presentation to Professor Soojin Yi and her lab.

Ariel Marshall, Ph.D. CHEM 2014 

Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation | U.S. Department of Energy

Ariel Marshall is the chief of staff to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Under Secretary for Science and Innovation. Before assuming this role, Marshall served as the legislative director for Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. During Marshall’s nearly nine-year tenure on Capitol Hill, she helped to advance several impactful government policies and led efforts to secure historic investments in energy, water, and broadband infrastructure as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate degree in Chemistry from Georgia Tech. 

Favorite Tech Memory: I will always treasure the time I spent working with Professor Joseph Perry and the friends I made while at Tech.

Emily Weigel, BIO 2010 

Senior Academic Professional | Georgia Institute of Technology

Emily Weigel is a nationally recognized educator and senior academic professional (teaching and advising faculty) in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Georgia Tech and obtained dual doctorates in Zoology and in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior from Michigan State University. Dr. Weigel’s research revolves around what wild animals do around Atlanta and the world, and in understanding how student backgrounds, values, and responses to teaching methods impact their academic performance. Outside of Tech, she enjoys playing soccer, watching Netflix, and promoting STEM in the community. 

Favorite Tech Memory: Convincing 10 other I-House residents to jam with me for an extra-credit cover of Wonderwall dedicated to biologist Barbara McClintock.

Learn more about the 2024 class on the Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s website or by exploring this interactive honoree dashboard.

Nine early-career professors will pursue cutting-edge climate mitigation research during the upcoming year as part of the Seed Grant Challenge for Climate Solutions created by the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) and the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS). 

Launched in April during the Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium, the Challenge “provides seed funding for climate mitigation and adaptation research led by ambitious early-career faculty eager to work across disciplines,” explains Beril Toktay, Regents’ Professor and interim executive director of BBISS. 

One goal of the Challenge is to facilitate research collaboration across the Institute. “Transitioning to a sustainable, clean energy system requires concerted collaboration across diverse disciplines,” says Tim Lieuwen, Regents’ Professor, David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair, and executive director of SEI. “Initiatives like this are instrumental in paving the way for such groundbreaking interdisciplinary work.” 

The four selected proposals include researchers from five different schools and two centers, and will investigate biodiversity, coral reef resilience, lithium-ion battery recycling, and coastal resilience. “I am pleased with the range of proposals submitted by our assistant professors,” adds Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “Each proposal represents an opportunity to combine expertise from across the Institute to deepen our understanding of climate challenges and uncover possible solutions.”

Each of the following projects will receive a $15,000 seed grant to be used during the 2025 fiscal year:

Climate Solutions in the Most Biodiverse Regions on Earth: Testing Whether Warming Temperatures have set in Motion an “Escalator to Survival” in Tropical Rainforests

• Benjamin Freeman, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences
• James Stroud, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences
• Saad Bhamla, assistant professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Amirali Aghazadeh, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The research team seeks to test the “escalator to survival” concept, which theorizes that lowland tropical species will only be able to persist in the face of rising temperatures if they are able to shift their ranges to nearby foothills and mountains, where temperatures remain cooler. 

Macro- and Microscale Drivers of Coral Reef Resilience in a Changing Climate

• Isaiah W. Bolden, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Lauren Speare, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection

The research team will develop transformative tools to evaluate reef health and resilience; detect impending compositional changes; determine the capacity for reef regeneration; and elevate mitigation strategies that preserve reef diversity and ecosystem services.

A Workforce and Community-Engaged Team Building Approach for Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling in the U.S. Southeast: Addressing Social and Ecological Implications 

• Joe F. Bozeman III, assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Policy
• Jennifer Hirsch, senior director of the Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education

This project will build a transdisciplinary team to determine how to effectively unite community stakeholders, industry, social scientists, and engineers when applying for external grants to equitably establish a U.S. southeastern hub for EV-battery lithium recycling.

Building Coastal Resilience: Science-based Adaptive Solutions to Mitigate Hurricane-Induced Compound Flooding in the Southeast U.S.

• Ali Sarhadi, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

This project will quantify the risks associated with hurricane-induced compound flooding in a warming climate by developing physics-based hydrodynamic and AI models. The project aims to promote geographic equity in climate resilience and develop science-based, cost-effective adaptation strategies through active community engagement in Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida.