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Ariel M. (she/her)

Ariel M. (she/her)

(she/her)

PhD Candidate | Computational Biology | Mathematical Modeling | QSP | NSF Graduate Research Fellow

Graduate Research Assistant at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York, United States🇺🇸
Open to:Full-time rolesCollaborations
Preferred workplace:Remote (worldwide)Hybrid

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.

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Career: 6

Graduate Research Assistant

University at Buffalo

Nov 2022 - Present

Keywords: Mathematical Biology, Computational Modeling, Systems Biology Advisor: Ashlee Ford Versypt

Graduate Teaching Assistant

University at Buffalo

Aug 2022 - Dec 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

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Sep 2019 - Sep 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

Research Assistant

Laboratory for Laser Energetics

Mar 2018 - May 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

University of Rochester

Sep 2015 - Dec 2018

• Chemical Processes / Senior Design Laboratory • Unit Operations Laboratory • Honors Organic Chemistry I & II Laboratory

Notetaker

University of Rochester

Sep 2015 - May 2018

Provided class notes for students supported by the Disability Resources Office. • Multidimensional Calculus • Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

Skills: 10

Technical

Data AnalysisMATLABPython

Interpersonal

Public SpeakingResearchTeamwork

Other

Chemical EngineeringMathematical ModelingScientific WritingVersion Control Tools

Projects: 9

Typeshift for Two (or More)

Oct 2018 - Dec 2018

Temperature and Humidity Control Chamber for a Fuel Cell

Sep 2017 - Dec 2017

Optimizing Pilot Fluid Mixer for Oxygen Absorption

Apr 2017 - May 2017

Polymer Rheology Studies using a Pilot Extruder

Mar 2017 - Apr 2017

Gas Chromatography for Mixture Composition Analysis

Mar 2017

Mathematical Analysis of Tear Film Evaporation

Sep 2016 - Dec 2016

Computational Analysis of the Pharmacological Effects of Caffeine

Jan 2016 - Apr 2016

Transthyretin Protein Video

Jan 2016 - Apr 2016

The da Vinci Surgical System

Nov 2014 - Dec 2014

Publications: 11

stochastic scritches5 articles

on protocol moderation

notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub

Jun 2026

thought-ful @oms

notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub

Sep 2025

tips for editing Your writing

notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub

Aug 2025

like this, but on atproto

notesbyarielm.leaflet.pub

Aug 2025
Social Feeds For You, By You2 articles
Mar 2026

Video Feeds

feeds.byarielm.fyi

Jan 2026
Publication1 article

Baby's First (Atproto) App

Dec 2025

Education: 2

University at Buffalo

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Chemical and Biological Engineering

Aug 2022 - Present

University of Rochester

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Chemical Engineering

Jan 2014 - Jan 2019

Take 5 Scholar

Activities / Societies: Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW)

Courses: 14

Intro to Biomedical Engineering

BME 101

Honors Organic Chemistry I & II + Lab I & II

CHM 171, 172, 173, 210

Intro to Biology

BIO 110

Honors Biochemistry

BIO 252

Transport Phenomena in Biological Systems

CHE 259

Intro to C/C++ Programming

ECE 114

Processing Microelectronic Devices (Semiconductors)

CHE 282

Numerical Methods and Statistics (with Python)

CHE 116

Intro to CAD and Drawing (with Creo)

ME 110

Protein Engineering

CE 550

Advanced Transport Phenomena

CE 509

Mathematics and Computation (with MATLAB)

CE 531

Applied Chemical Kinetics

CE 561

Bioprocess Modeling

CE 553

Awards: 4

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)

Mar 2024

The NSF GRFP is a highly competitive fellowship program awarded to early career scientists who have demonstrated a high potential for success.

Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship

Sep 2022

This fellowship is awarded to high-achieving students pursuing advanced degrees. Students demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion.

2021 National Ignition Facility and Photon Science Directorate Award

Jun 2021

This internal award recognizes exceptional scientific achievements and individual contributions. I was recognized for my outstanding contributions to a lithium salts project.

Take 5 Scholar

Jan 2018

I received a scholarship to pursue a self-designed program entitled "Logic, Language, Meaning, and the Mind." The program focused on understanding how language is used in human thought and communication. My coursework spanned the fields of brain and cognitive science (BCS), linguistics, and philosophy. Official description: "The Take Five Scholars Program, unique to the University of Rochester, provides an additional semester or year, tuition-free. It offers the chance to pursue a demanding major and still enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the broad-based, intellectual enrichment of a liberal arts education."