I was born in Chicago, IL at Resurrection Hospital in 1962. We moved to Huntington Woods, MI (just outside of Detroit) soon after my birth because my father Charles Okar had taken a job a the manager of a clothing warehouse. I spent the next 20 years in and around the Detroit area, growing up and beginning to develop an interest in science. When the time came for University studies I went to Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI; the wild and wonderful expanse of the Upper Peninsula. Throughout my adult life I have written stories and poems. These were usually only for the eyes of my close friends and family. But here in Minneapolis I found the outlet for my artistic adventures. Soon after arriving in the Twin Cities I began to read my work at the now defunct Irish Well at the Poetic Justice "open-microphone". Now, so many years later, that open-mic has found a home at Kieran's Irish Pub in downtown Minneapolis. I took over the role of co-host in 1997 (with Le'Nor Barry).

Biographical Sketch
My name is Chaodong Wu . I came from P. R. China. I got my Ph.D. from Beijing Medical University, 1998. Right now I am a postdoctoral associate in Dr. Lange's lab. My research interests are gene expression and adenovirus mediated gene therapy. Recently my research is focused on adenovirus mediated overexpression of bifunctional enzyme (6-phosfructose 2 kinase/fructose2,6-bisphosphatase) in regulating glucose metabolism in mice. More information about me below:

Email address: chaodong@brain.biochem.umn.edu

List of Research Experience and Publications

JT is originally from Malaysia. He graduated from Purdue with a degree in genetics. He is also a second year student in the BMBB program. He is working on baculovirus expression of catalytic G6Pase and the T1 transporter in insect cells and generation of a chimeraplast for genetic recombination of a mutant bifunctional enzyme, and who knows what else. If he wasn't so busy he would write this himself. His interests are computers, money, cars, and, well you get the idea.
 

My hometown is Madras, India; however I grew up and did most of my schooling in Kuwait. After growing up in the hot desert climate, I got a chance to experience the other extreme, a subzero Wisconsin winter. I am a graduate student in the BMBB program, working towards my PhD. My interests include insulin signaling and gene therapy. In my spare time I like to play guitar, watch a good movie, and I enjoy traveling.
 

I was born in Taiwan and came to the US when I was 12 years-old, and have been here ever since. I spent my high school years in Long Island, New York. I spent 2 years in SUNY-Albany then transfered to U of Minnesota where I got my undergraduate degree. Now I am a first year student in the BMBB program, working in Dr.Alex Lange's lab. My hobbies are basketball, baseball and working out in the gym. I also love Japanese animations! And of course I love science!
 

I am from Somalia. I am doing my undergraduate education in the University of Minnesota, College of Biological Science. My major is biology and minor is French. One of my future goals is to go to medical school. I thought it would be a good idea to get some research experience, which I believe will help me in the future. I participate in work on different projects.