# Ariel M. (she/her) (@byarielm.fyi)

Profile: https://sifa.id/p/byarielm.fyi
Headline: PhD Candidate | Computational Biology | Mathematical Modeling | QSP | NSF Graduate Research Fellow

## About

I'm a computational biologist building mechanistic and data-driven models to understand and treat disease. My work spans molecular, cellular, and organ-level systems, and I build models in close collaboration with experimental teams.

My PhD research at the University at Buffalo focuses on how estrogen loss during aging drives inflammation in the gut and immune system, contributing to bone disease. To identify critical mechanisms of inflammation and bone loss, I build ODE-based models of immune cell population dynamics in response to hormonal and dietary changes. I also analyze bulk RNA sequencing data from collaborators to characterize how the gut environment changes across conditions. I estimate cell populations to inform the ODE models using deconvolution, which requires curating a single-cell reference from existing public datasets, since none are close enough biological matches on their own.

Before graduate school, I spent two years as a materials scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory doing R\&D for laser-based physics experiments. Throughout, I found myself drawn to data analysis and computational approaches, attending seminars that showed me how models could complement and accelerate experimental work — eventually leading me into computational research.

I'm currently working on my dissertation and targeting graduation in summer 2027.

I'm looking for research scientist roles in quantitative and systems biology where I can build and leverage computational models alongside experimental teams. If you're in this space, I'd love to connect.

## Experience

- **Graduate Research Assistant at University at Buffalo** (2022 – present)
  Keywords: Mathematical Biology, Computational Modeling, Systems Biology Advisor: Ashlee Ford Versypt
- **Graduate Teaching Assistant at University at Buffalo** (2022 – 2023)
  • Grader
  \- Fundamental Principles of Chemical Engineering (Fall 2022)
  • Teaching Assistant
  \- Chemical Systems Control (Spring 2023)
  • Teaching Assistant
  \- Fundamental Principles of Chemical Engineering (Fall 2023)
- **Research Assistant at Laboratory for Laser Energetics** (2018 – 2019)
  I conducted a feasibility study to assess if a novel liquid-liquid extraction process could reduce polymer material defects in laser fusion targets.
  
  Advisor: David Harding Target Fabrication Science & Technology
- **Laboratory Teaching Assistant at University of Rochester** (2015 – 2018)
  • Chemical Processes / Senior Design Laboratory
  • Unit Operations Laboratory
  • Honors Organic Chemistry I & II Laboratory
- **Notetaker at University of Rochester** (2015 – 2018)
  Provided class notes for students supported by the Disability Resources Office.
  • Multidimensional Calculus
  • Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
- **Research Assistant at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory** (2019 – 2021)
  I worked on several projects during my time at LLNL and managed 3-4 projects at any given time. Most notably, I led the research and development of lithium salt targets, receiving an award for my "outstanding contributions."   In another project, I synthesized transparent polyamide aerogels. I built an Excel dashboard to collate data and assisted with data analysis. I also assisted with experimental design and scientific writing. This work was published in an American Chemical Society journal (see below).
  
  Postbachelor Researcher in the Materials Science Division National Ignition Facility (NIF) and Photon Science | Target Fabrication Science & Technology

## Education

- **University at Buffalo** — Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Chemical and Biological Engineering (2022 – present)
- **University of Rochester** — Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Chemical Engineering (2014 – 2019)

## Skills

- Mathematical Modeling
- Version Control Tools
- MATLAB
- Teamwork
- Python
- Research
- Data Analysis
- Chemical Engineering
- Public Speaking
- Scientific Writing

## Projects

- **Typeshift for Two (or More)**
- **Gas Chromatography for Mixture Composition Analysis**
- **Mathematical Analysis of Tear Film Evaporation**
- **Computational Analysis of the Pharmacological Effects of Caffeine**
- **Optimizing Pilot Fluid Mixer for Oxygen Absorption**
- **The da Vinci Surgical System**
- **Temperature and Humidity Control Chamber for a Fuel Cell**
- **Transthyretin Protein Video**
- **Polymer Rheology Studies using a Pilot Extruder**

## Publications

- on protocol moderation — notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub (https://notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub/3mo7sbav7x22t)
- Making Feeds: Custom Logic Requests — feeds.byarielm.fyi (https://feeds.byarielm.fyi/3mh2emfart22s)
- Video Feeds — feeds.byarielm.fyi (https://feeds.byarielm.fyi/3md5hidoes222)
- Unified ATProtocol Signup/Create Account UI Mockup — notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub (https://notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub/3malzelngxs24)
- Baby's First (Atproto) App
- thought-ful @oms — notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub (https://notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub/3lyo7lay5lk2x)
- tips for editing Your writing — notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub (https://notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub/3lwhiqpsgv226)
- like this, but on atproto — notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub (https://notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub/3lwhijkeaos2s)
- A review of mathematical modeling of bone remodeling from a systems biology perspective — Frontiers in Systems Biology (https://doi.org/10.3389/fsysb.2024.1368555)
- Transparent Polyimide Aerogels: Controlled Porosity via Minimizing the Phase Separation — ACS Applied Polymer Materials (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.2c00957)
- Hypothesis tests with functional data for surface quality change detection in surface finishing processes — IISE Transactions (https://doi.org/10.1080/24725854.2022.2113481)

## Honors and awards

- 2021 National Ignition Facility and Photon Science Directorate Award
- Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)
- Take 5 Scholar

## Other profiles

- bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:dvyl6rnuy436idbywwddf72g
- bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/atlast.byarielm.fyi
- bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/feeds.byarielm.fyi
- github: https://github.com/byarielm