Current Leadership

Natalie Tanke | Programming & Inviting Board

Natalie Tanke is a Ph.D. student in the Cell Biology and Physiology Department at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her research in Victoria Bautch’s lab focuses on understanding how endothelial cells in the vasculature respond to blood flow. Specifically, she assesses changes at the cell cycle level and collaborates with Jean Cook’s lab for cell cycle mentorship. Outside of the lab, Natalie has advocated for science communication through various platforms, including Science in the Stacks (SITS), DNA Day, and the ComSciCon-Triangle leadership team. She is grateful for the opportunity to be on the MedRAC at UNC leadership team and has found it highly beneficial to expand networking opportunities and learn about different career options.

Danielle Chappell | Programming & Inviting Board, Technology & Logistics

Danielle is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Pharmacology department in the lab of Professor Blossom Damania focusing on viral oncology of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Danielle has earned many prestigious awards including a 5-year fellowship through the Royster Society of Fellows and a pharmacology student school award through the department of pharmacology at UNC. She has also earned certificates in science communication through the IMPACTS program at the Morehead Science Center as well as certificates of completion for regulatory affairs from Duke University. Danielle enjoys learning about different career options and staying up to date on all clinical trials. She aims to help our members gain insights into crucial skills to make MedRAC@UNC members establish connections and stand out overall amongst other applicants.

Ashley Trojiniak | Programming & Inviting Board, Secretary & Treasurer

Ashley completed her undergraduate studies at Hope College where she earned a BS in Chemistry and a BA in Global French Studies. While at Hope, she joined the lab of Dr. Mary Anderson where she researched thin films. She is now at UNC-CH in the Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry (CBMC) researching biased kappa opioid receptor agonists in the Aube lab.

Mandy Munsch | Technology & Logistics

Mandy Munsch is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. She seeks to promote long-term knee joint health through a rehabilitation engineering approach. Her research in the Applied Biomechanics Lab assesses interactions between muscle mechanical behavior, cartilage loading, and biochemical risk factors for osteoarthritis to inform the development of knee rehabilitation programs.