About

#Overview

Education

Cornell University | Ithaca, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and Physics | Aug 2023 - May 2027
* GPA: 3.82
* Relevant Coursework: Honors Organic Chemistry I, Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers, Quantum Mechanics, Computational Genetics and Genomics, Data Science for Engineers.

Research Experience

Research Assistant | Jiang Lab, Cornell University

Biomedical Engineering | Aug 2024 - Present * Leading two independent projects to investigate the potential geroprotective effects of miRNA sponges and design a novel self-amplifying mRNA platform. * Designed and tested eight unique miRNA-responsive fluorescent reporters and compared 5’ vs 3’ mediated silencing mechanisms. * Optimized low-cost stem-loop mediated RT-qPCR assays to accurately measure the absolute abundance of senescence-associated miRNAs across three in vitro cell types. * Purified extracellular vesicles using size exclusion chromatography and characterized them via nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and direct light scattering (DLS). * Investigated integration of a riboswitch into self-amplifying RNA for prolonged, non-immunogenic expression via flow cytometry. * Supported a diagnostic project utilizing Raman spectroscopy and machine learning to identify senescent cells and detect metabolic changes in a rapid, label-free manner.

Engineering Intern | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Combination Product Department | May 2024 - Aug 2024 * Conducted a 3-month accelerated aging study of pre-filled syringe shelf life across 160 device samples. * Discovered a significant increase in plunger depression force via ANOVA and proposed a mechanistic explanation. * Presented findings to department leadership and authored a comprehensive 15-page technical report.

Research Assistant | Cosgrove Lab, Cornell University

Biomedical Engineering | Dec 2023 - May 2024 * Developed a FACS protocol for isolating primary macrophages using surface markers identified through scRNA-seq analysis.

Honors & Awards

  • Cornell Rawlings Presidential Research Fellowship (2025): Top 2% of Cornell undergraduates demonstrating strong commitment to research; includes a $7,000 research and conference travel support account.
  • Jiang Fellow (2025): Highly selective $11,000 award supporting Cornell students to perform summer research at a startup company of their choosing.
  • Cornell Summer Experience Grant (2025): Competitive $5,000 award for pursuing summer research.
  • Cornell Einhorn Center Engaged Student Grant (2024): $1,000 award recognizing commitment to advocacy/outreach (e.g., longevity research advocacy).

Service & Leadership

  • Co-founder and President | Cornell Longevity Association
    • Independently organized a fireside chat featuring biotech CEO Kelsey Moody with 60+ attendees at Cornell’s Entrepreneurship Hub in collaboration with iGEM and an entrepreneurship fraternity.
  • Volunteer | Longevity Biotechnology Association (Nov 2024 - Present)
    • Wrote an evaluation report on 44 relevant companies to promote membership, outreach, and investment in the longevity field.
    • Served as photography and social media lead for a biotech pitch event in NYC (October 2023).
  • Editor | Cornell Undergraduate Research Journal (Ref: Aug 2025 - Present)
    • Conducted peer review of over 20 undergraduate research paper submissions across all disciplines.
  • Peer Mentor | Cornell University (Oct 2024 - Present)
    • Mentored 6 undergraduates in professional development and navigating research opportunities.
  • NOLS Program Leader | Cornell University
    • Led a 14-mile summit of Algonquin and Cascade mountains in the Adirondacks.

Presentations

  • Karmel, O. “Characterization of a novel accelerated aging strategy for assessing device functional stability.” Presented to Combination Product Dept. leadership at Regeneron, Albany, NY, Aug 7, 2024. (Presentation and technical report).

Technical Skills

  • Wet Lab Skills: Mammalian cell culture (primary human dermal fibroblasts, NIH3T3s, HEK293s), bacterial cell culture (E. coli), plasmid purification, colony PCR screening, gel electrophoresis (DNA & RNA), in vitro synthesis of mRNA, transfections, cell imaging using a microplate reader, flow cytometry ($ ext{SA-}eta ext{-gal}$ assay), RT-qPCR (mRNA and miRNA), western blotting.
  • Computational Skills: Benchling (mRNA design, sequence alignment, plasmid assembly), Python (NumPy, Pandas, scikit-learn, XGBoost), Affinity Designer, Graphpad Prism, R, BLAST, JMP.