News
28 August 2026
2026 Lab Coat Ceremony welcomes graduate students to their thesis labs
An annual tradition marks the start of scientific discovery for the 2025 entering class of Stowers Graduate School students.
Read Article
News
2025 Lab Coat Ceremony Welcomes Graduate Students To Their Thesis Labs
An annual tradition marks the start of scientific discovery for the 2024-2025 class of Stowers Graduate School students.
The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute recently held its 2025 Lab Coat Ceremony, a milestone event welcoming the cohort of Ph.D. students to the Stowers Institute’s research community. The ceremony marked the beginning of their research journey in their thesis labs at the Institute. Each student delivered a brief presentation introducing their scientific interests and outlining the questions they will investigate during their Ph.D. studies.
Following the presentations, students were joined on stage by their Thesis Advisors, who presented them with their Stowers lab coats. The moment represented both a personal milestone and a welcome into the collaborative, mentorship-driven environment that defines the Institute.
As each Advisor introduced their new student, they offered words of encouragement and insight into the discoveries awaiting them. The event underscored the Graduate School’s commitment to curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific rigor—principles that guide students as they begin their research journeys at the Institute.
The 2024–2025 Stowers Graduate School Class
Alejandra Alonso Quintana, Sankari Lab
Zhengda An, Sauka-Spengler Lab
Sergio Barroso Bordon, Sankari Lab
Adam Cogan, Si Lab
Michael Epp, Özel Lab
Grace McKown, Kostova Lab
Shao-Fu Nien, Sánchez Alvarado and Kostova Lab
Dilan Sakinci, Zanders Lab
Shrutika Sansaria, Halfmann Lab
Ritvee Talele, Sankari Lab
Learn more about the class here.
Related News
News
25 August 2026
A Summer of Discovery
Reflecting on the 2026 Stowers Summer Scholars Program
Read Article
News
14 August 2026
Understanding the Language of DNA: A Stowers Summer Scholar explores how genes can turn on and off
Tehseen Bukhari is studying how proteins control access to genes in the Zeitlinger Lab, building experimental and computational skills through the Stowers Graduate School’s Summer Scholars Program.
Read Article
