Alumni at MSU

Thanda Wai

Christoph Benning
(PhD 1991)

After completing his doctorate with the MSU Genetics Program, Christoph stayed at MSU as a postdoctoral fellow until 1993. From 1993 to 1997, Christoph was Group Leader, Institut fuer Genbiologische Forschung Berlin GmbH, Berlin, Germany. Christoph joined the Genetics Program faculty in 1998 and is a professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Photo of Susanne Hoffmann-Benning

Suzanne Hoffmann-Benning
(PhD 1993)
 
After completing her doctorate with the MSU Genetics Program, Susanne did a postdoc at the Institute of Genbiological Research in Berlin, Germany. In 1998, Susanne returned to Michigan State University to work with the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory as a visiting research associate in the lab of Jan Zeevaart.  In 2002-2004, she served as the co-manager of the MSU Mass Spectrometry Facility.  Susanne joined the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department in 2004 as a Research Assistant Professor, and in 2009, she was offered a tenure-track position.

 

Sainan Wei

Christy Mecey-Smith
(PhD 2006)

Christy Mecey-Smith is currently serving as a Research Associate and Lab Manager in the lab of Dr. Sheng Yang He in the Plant Research Laboratories.

Jon Stoltzfus
(PhD 2003)

Since 2003, Jon has been an instructor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where he has been entrusted with several of the important upper-level undergraduate courses, with either complete responsibility as the instructor or else serving as the coordinator/course director. He has been at the forefront of the sciences at MSU in utilizing and integrating classroom technologies, including clickers, Camtasia, and in developing an on-line version of introductory biochemistry. He has also assisted in advising undergraduate biochemistry majors.

Cholani Weebadde
(PhD 2005)

Cholani Weebadde is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Associate Director of the WorldTAP Program, which coordinates international training and agricultural technology transfer to scientists, policy makers, and governmental agencies in the developing world.

Sainan Wei

Sainan Wei  
(PhD 2002)

Sainan joined the Genetics Program faculty through her appointment to a tenure-track position in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development. She pursued both her masters and graduate degrees at MSU, and is now Director for Clinical DNA Diagnostic and Cytogenetics laboratories in Pediatrics and Human Development. Before returning to MSU as an assistant professor, Sainan worked in the Henry Ford Hospital as a clinical genetics fellow. She is currently the Director and Associate Professor of the DNA Diagnostic Program in Pediatrics and Human Development

Ellen Wilch
(PhD 2010)

Ellen is currently working with Dr. Karen Friderici as a Research Associate and is an instructor for Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.