Sazeda Akter is a veterinarian, having earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU). She went on to complete her Master’s in Medicine from the Department of Medicine and Surgery at CVASU. Her research background centers on infectious bacterial diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Building on that foundation, she is now expanding into viral diseases for her PhD, with a particular focus on understanding the ecological drivers and predictive modeling of Nipah virus encephalitis in potential outbreak areas of Bangladesh. Alongside this, she will also be investigating the dynamics of dengue transmission within a One Health framework. Her long-term vision is to contribute meaningfully to mitigating emerging infectious zoonotic disease outbreaks and to bring that knowledge back to colleagues and students in Bangladesh.

Emily is a doctoral student in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW–Madison. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Conservation from UW–Madison and a B.S. in Natural Resources Conservation (Water Concentration) from UMass Amherst.

Her research focuses on community-based river restoration, dam removal governance, and the intersections of ecological health, public health, and environmental justice. She partners with Tribal Nations and local organizations in the Great Lakes region to explore how collaborative approaches, such as co-management, capacity building, and storytelling can support long-term restoration and resilience.

Her dissertation brings together ecological monitoring, governance analysis, and One Health frameworks to better understand how rivers, people, and policies shape one another. Prior to graduate school, Emily served with AmeriCorps Montana and worked in the nonprofit sector on conservation and community-engagement projects. She is committed to scholarship that centers reciprocity, place-based knowledge, and community-defined goals.

Gabbie received her Bachelor's degree from UW Madison in 2023 and is currently pursuing her Master's in Public Health. During her undergraduate years, Gabbie was a part of the Masson Lab with the Department of Genetics. She did plant genetics research using Brachypodium distachyon as a model organism. She conducted research on root growth, specifically with plant hormones, embryo grafting, and 3D camera models. After graduation, she became a Clinical Research Coordinator for the UW Osteoporosis Research Program through the Institute on Aging. During her time there, she primarily did dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans on patients and study participants to track osteoporsis and other bone-degenerative disease. Currently, she is a Master of Public Health student with an interest in climate change, food insecurity, and rural health. 

Bio coming soon!

Rachel is pursuing a Master’s in Epidemiology at UW-Madison. Her research interests center on zoonotic spillover and disease ecology, with a particular focus on how environmental and social factors contribute to the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases. She is particularly interested in using epidemiology to understand and prevent the transmission of pathogens.

I'm a Computer Science graduate student at UW-Madison with a passion for building AI-powered solutions that make a real impact. From developing multi-agent AI pipelines at Nutanix to leading full-stack development teams, I thrive at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and practical problem-solving. When I'm not architecting scalable systems or diving into machine learning research, you'll find me on the cricket field—where I helped bring home a national championship. I believe the best software bridges complex technology with human needs, and I'm excited to continue pushing those boundaries in my upcoming roles at Amazon and beyond.ming soon!

Bikram is a Ph.D. student in Epidemiology at UW-Madison. He earned a Bachelor of Public Health from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and a Master of Public Health from UW-Madison. His MPH Applied Practice Experience with the WI Department of Health Services focused on a landscape assessment of zoning and planning policies to support active living and chronic disease prevention. He has also contributed to research on antimicrobial resistance in long-term care facilities in the U.S. Before coming to the U.S., Bikram investigated snakebite management in Nepal and collaborated on health system readiness during the 2022 dengue outbreak in the Kathmandu Valley.

His research interests center on chronic disease prevention, health equity, and implementation science, and through his rotation in the Uelmen Lab, he is excited to expand his work into the intersection of infectious diseases, climate change, and health systems. Outside of research, Bikram enjoys soccer, hiking, and spending time with friends.

Madie is currently an M2 at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Her interests include global health, One Health, and infectious disease, especially Chagas disease and other vector-borne diseases. 

MD/PhD student at UW–Madison with a focus on global health, health equity, and epidemiologic methods. Interested in leveraging population-level research to address systemic inequities and improve health outcomes locally and globally. Passionate about moving from data to action and using medicine and epidemiology to build a more just, resilient world

Amanda holds a B.S. degree in Global Health and Environmental Studies from UW-Madison and is currently pursuing a M.S. in Population Health: Epidemiology. Prior to beginning graduate school, she completed a research fellowship with the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease (MCEVBD), where she researched Lyme disease prevalence in local reservoir animals. Her research interests include disease ecology and the role of climatic changes in infectious disease spread, with a specific focus on medical entomology.

I am a Graduate Research Assistant at The Turner Lab, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin – Madison. My current research is centered on investigating the behaviors of white-tailed deer relevant to the transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This involves analyzing video data of deer behaviors, including footage from camera traps and GPS collars fitted with video cameras. Before this, I served as a Technical Advisor at GHD|EMPHNET, leveraging my expertise in outbreak investigation and One Health surveillance design to address challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases and neglected zoonotic diseases. With a focus on wildlife health and nature conservation, I have over eight years of experience in the field. My career highlights include researching Nipah Encephalitis, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and conservation research on bats. In addition, I have served as a Veterinary Consultant (One Health) for the Global Health Security Agenda at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). My commitment lies in advancing solutions that promote global health security and protect wildlife health. My key skills include Disease Ecology, One Health, Emerging Infectious Diseases, wildlife health, outbreak investigation, and global health security.

Personal Website

Dedicated quantitative analyst with a passion for big-data analytics, visualization, and life science.

Bio coming soon!

Anna is a senior studying Communication Science and Disorders along with Global Health! She has a strong interest in infectious disease & the behavior of viruses and how those impact communities and environments. She plans to attend graduate school in the future and continue to explore research interests. Anna is grateful to be part of the Uelmen Lab and excited to learn! 

Reilly is a junior at UW-Madison working towards her bachelor's degree. She is interested in the relationship between public health and climate change, as well as how social determinants affect related health disparities. 

Bio coming soon!

Hello, I'm Asma Sulieman an undergraduate. I am fascinated by the multidisciplinary approach through the one health lens; The infectious disease aspect and how pathogens spread. Alongside the breaking and formulating interventions of such disease cycles. I look forward to getting exposure to more areas through Dr. Uelmen's lab.

Jasmine Cheng is a fourth-year pre-med student working toward a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Human Development and Family Studies, and she has recently completed an Asian American Studies Certificate with an HMoob Emphasis. Furthermore, she is an active scholar in the Center for Educational Opportunities (CeO) program at UW–Madison. CeO has also given her the opportunity to work as a Peer Mentor for first-year students, working alongside many other HMoob scholars and allowing her to connect on a deeper level and share her experiences as a first-generation HMoob student. 

Lily received her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is committed to advancing health equity and improving access to accurate health information. Her research interests include vector-borne diseases as well as how various environmental and social factors influence vaccine adherence and hesitancy over time. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, running outdoors, and trying new foods.

Madison is a junior studying Global Health, Conservation Biology, and Environmental Studies, along with certificates in Public Policy and International Development & Education. She is particularly interested in the interrelated nature of environmental health and human health - particularly the increased distribution and incidence of both zoonotic and vector-borne diseases brought about by climate change. She is eager to learn and excited to contribute to the Uelmen Lab!

As a Health Science undergraduate at the University of Florida, I’m an aspiring physician with a deep commitment to education and community health. Across my work in public health research, clinical service, and youth mentoring, I’ve seen how educational outreach has the power to build long-term wellbeing. I’m motivated by the impact that clear and compassionate health communication can have.

I am always open to new opportunities to learn and contribute – let's connect! Feel free to reach out at nehasenthilkumar@ufl.edu!

Advisor: Dr. Sadie Ryan

Biochemistry & Data Science B.S. Undergraduate Student

Arianna is an undergraduate student studying Biochemistry and Data Science. She is interested in infectious diseases, clinical research, and how data-driven approaches can be used to better understand disease dynamics and improve health outcomes. She plans to pursue an MD or PhD in the future and is grateful to be part of the Uelmen Lab, where she is excited to learn and contribute to interdisciplinary research.

Chloe is an undergraduate student studying Wildlife Ecology with a certificate in Freshwater and Marine Science. With a strong passion for animals, she is interested in the One Health approach to zoonotic disease transmission and Vector-Borne diseases, with a primary focus on animal health and ecological effects. In the future, she plans to pursue a DVM for Zoo Medicine or a Master's Degree. She is excited to start and learn more with the Uelmen Lab!

Bio coming soon!