Current Lab Members

CELL MS Student
Dr. Eric Melonakos Lab
Clayton is a master's student in our lab, planning to transition very soon to his PhD. He's a third-year medical student at Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine and has an extensive research background in cancer, computational analytics, proteomics, and neuroscience. He is an awesome person to help you understand the ins and outs of applying to medical school!

CELL PhD Student
Dr. Eric Melonakos Lab
Cassandra Burdick is a Ph.D. student in Cell Biology and Physiology. Her research training includes cancer biology focused on lymphoma and leukemia using rodent models, as well as stroke neurorehabilitation research in human subjects integrating virtual reality and computational methods. Earlier in her training, she completed a veterinary internship that included observational work on diabetes in zoo primates. She also has experience teaching students through Webewell, emphasizing inclusive, research-informed science education and mentorship. Outside the lab, she enjoys singing and has performed with several jazz groups.

Sam is a pre-med senior from Sandy, Utah, studying neuroscience. He enjoys practicing jiu jitsu, and occasionally goes target shooting with his bow and arrows.

Eli is a pre-med sophomore from Bend, Oregon, studying Applied and Computational Math (ACME). In addition to his work in the Melonakos lab, he develops computational tools for epilepsy monitoring units and other neurological applications.

Davis is a pre-med sophomore from Gilbert, Arizona, studying Exercise Science. He loves to play basketball.

Ian is a pre-med sophomore from Clearfield, Utah studying Microbiology. He can solve a 3x3x3 Rubik’s cube in 20 seconds.

Blake is a senior from South Jordan, Utah, studying Neuroscience. He recently completed his last season with BYU’s marching band, finishing as the drumline section leader.

Jacob Adair is a pre-med sophomore from Farmington, Utah, studying Biophysics and Portuguese. He loves sports and enjoys golfing and skiing

Joy is a pre-med junior from Washington, D.C. studying neuroscience. She has been playing the piano for sixteen years!

Hayden is a pre-med junior from Gilbert, Arizona, studying biophysics. When he’s not in school he’s a river rafting guide and he once hiked Timp with a birthday cake on his back.

Jace is a pre-med senior from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania studying Applied and Computational Math (ACME). When he was in 5th grade, he and a friend made the news by raising horseshoe crabs from birth.

Josie is a junior studying Applied and Computational Math (ACME), particularly focusing on the intersection of math and biology. She is from Plano, Texas and loves to rock climb so much, she once spent two hours just hanging out on the end of a rope.

Kyler is a pre-med sophomore studying Cell Biology and Physiology from North Logan, Utah. He plays lacrosse and hockey and loves dipping sweet chili Doritos in cottage cheese.

Mia is a pre-med sophomore studying Cell Biology and Physiology. Before she came to BYU she studied the violin for nearly a decade.