Graduate Members

  • Conor Ronayne

    My name is Conor Ronayne, a senior PhD student in the Mereddy Lab. In 2014 I completed my BS in biochemistry and molecular biology and my MS in chemistry in 2017, also under the supervision of Dr. Mereddy. I graduated high school from Faribault, MN in 2010. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, outdoor sports, cooking, and spending time with friends, family, and my fiancé Kelsey. My future career goals include first obtaining a post-doctoral research fellowship in biomedical sciences or experimental therapeutics, and finally a tenure track professorship at a University or Cancer Center to establish a career practicing my passion of developing improved cancer therapies.

  • Michael Williams

    My name is Michael Williams, a PhD candidate in Dr. Mereddy's Lab. In 2013 I completed my BS in biochemistry and molecular biology and my MS in chemistry in 2017, under the supervision of Dr. Mereddy. I attended Lake Superior High School, MN and graduated in 2004. In my spare time I enjoy running, hiking, camping, fishing, spending time with family and friends along with my daughter Paige and my fiancé Julie. My career goals after finishing my degree are to obtain a post-doctoral research fellowship in the biomedical sciences followed by a tenure track professorship at a university or large research institution.

  • Greeshma Kumpati

    Hi, I am Greeshma Priyanka Kumpati pursuing graduate studies at University of Minnesota Duluth. I have completed my bachelor's degree in chemistry from Central University of Tamil Nadu India. I am currently working in Dr.Mereddy's group on a research project involving the synthesis of potential anti-bacterial and anti-cancer drugs. My future goal is to pursue a doctoral degree in the Integrated biosciences program under the supervision of Dr.Mereddy. Outside of my school I work for Cru(Christian ministry) and am also involved in international student activities at UMD. In my spare time I like to cook all varieties of Indian cuisine for myself and loved ones.

  • Jack Norman

    I am from Maple Grove, Minnesota and grew up fishing Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. In 2018, I graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a B.S. degree in biochemistry and a B.A. in chemistry. After graduate school, I will apply to veterinary school with a focus on small animal medicine.

  • Tanner Schumacher

    My name is Tanner Schumacher, a second year PhD student in the Mereddy lab. I am from Osseo, MN where I graduated high school. I finished my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2016, during which I started working in the Mereddy group. I then went on to receive my Chemistry MS here at UMD. Some of my hobbies outside of the lab are cooking, hunting, hiking, camping, and playing video games. My future career goals after receiving my PhD are to obtain a postdoctoral position in the pharmaceutical sciences or a related field, followed by a tenure track professorship to continue improving cancer treatment options.