Lambert iGEM is an intensive program that has developed many innovative synthetic biology projects in order to address real-world problems. The iGEM competition team recently represented Lambert at the annual Paris Jamboree, where they were named top ten internationally, and were nominated for Best Model, Best Education, Best Wiki and Best Village Project and won Best Software tool. Their strive for excellence is seen through their tireless effort and numerous awards.
Captain of iGEM and senior at Lambert, Julia Rho leads the Human Practices team, which focuses on spreading awareness of their project out into the world. Furthermore, their project is called LANCET and is a Lyme disease tool kit that creates a faster way to diagnose Lyme using synthetic biology. In preparation for Jamboree, Rho worked with the Human Practices committee on the outreach, education, inclusivity and safety aspects of their creative models, hoping to win the “Integrated Human Practices award”.
“Human practices is all about how we bring our project into the world, so that we are able to help people. ” Rho emphasized.
Though they did not win the “Integrated Human Practices” award, Rho gained a lot of knowledge that she intends to use this year. Rho was full of joy when she heard the judges announce that Lambert iGEM won Best Software Tool and was nominated for multiple awards (Best Model, Best Education, Best Wiki and Best Village Project).
“It was so awesome seeing the team win the best software tool and place in the top 10,” Rho highlighted. “When you get a nomination it’s really good…but we are not able to go on stage, so when we won best software tool we were able to get up there, and it was awesome.”
Veda Vudithyala, junior at Lambert and “newbie” of iGEM’s competition team, was thrilled with the success they had at this year’s Jamboree. Vudithyala is mainly part of the wet lab committee, where she and her teammates run experiments involving liquid substances.
“If you look at me from the beginning of the year to how I am now, I’ve grown so much intellectually because I’m surrounded by so many people that have the same interests as me,” Vudithyala mentioned.
Vudithyala has learned so much about synthetic biology by being around peers who have a strong passion for it. She appreciates how connected the team is and because they spend so much time together, they consider themselves family.
“Lambert’s iGEM team is connected,” Vudithyala said. “We spend so much time together…it’s almost like the team is a family.”
Lambert iGEM has had an incredibly successful season from all the innovative models they have created to an incredible outcome at Paris Jamboree. With seniors like Rho, and new members like Vudithyala, iGEM is without a doubt certain to continue to grow and achieve more and more each year.
