The most recently graduated member of the Yunker Lab, Thomas studies how physics constrains the evolution of early multicellular organisms. He grew up in the small town of Haddam, Connecticut, and ran Cross Country and Track & Field at Lafayette College while pursuing his undergraduate degree. At Georgia Tech, he kindled a new love for long bike rides. Among other activities, he also enjoys playing and listening to live music; this has led to an emergence of an N+1 problem, regarding how many instruments he owns vs. how many he needs.

*Successfully defended thesis February 2023 – Biophysical Constraints of Multicellularity: Building a Darwinian Material

Aawaz is originally from a small town in Nepal named Pokhara. He completed his undergraduate at Gettysburg College where he did his research thesis on the role of gradient sensing in collective behavior in fish. In the Yunker lab, he focuses on shape and geometry of biofilms. Currently, he is working on exploring the role of surface forces on the expansion of biofilms. He is also interested in how different growth rate of cells lead to different packing configurations in biofilms. In his free time, Aawaz enjoys reading existential philosophy (mostly Dostoevsky), playing guitar, cooking Thai food, and exploring hiking trails around Atlanta.

Pablo is originally from Chile. He completed his undergraduate in physics at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. In the Yunker Lab, he is examining the surface-air interface of biofilms and what it can describe about their history and composition. He is mostly interested in bulk microbial community dynamics. In his free time, Pablo enjoys grabbing a coffee and reading at a local coffee shop in Midtown, Atlanta or making a mean Barbeque.

Adam is originally from Wisconsin, but he completed his undergraduate degree in physics at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI. In the Yunker Lab, he is studying microbial heteroresistance and how it can be better detected and understood. He is also interested in physics in medicine. In his free time, Adam enjoys golfing, cheering on his favorite sports teams (Go Pack Go), and playing in the snow. He also enjoys eating and trying new foods even though he can’t handle spice.

Emma grew up in the temperate beaches around Wilmington, North Carolina, before moving to frigid Boston for college at MIT where she studied physics and political science. She is co-advised in the Yunker and Ratcliff Labs, studying the physics of evolution of multicellular life. She enjoys healthful walks in the park and reading, especially about sociology and politics.

Raymond is from Atlanta and received his undergraduate degree in physics from Georgia Tech. While an undergrad, he worked in the Yunker Lab and has decided to stay for his PhD. He simulates bacterial communities studying antagonistic microbial interactions such as mutual killing. Outside of the lab, Ray enjoys playing chess.

Maryam is from Iran and got her undergraduate degree in physics from Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. In the Yunker Lab, she is studying bacterial communities and dynamics…