Meet the Team Leading Science Career Development at the Danforth Center This Year
It's time to meet the faces behind the Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring’s leadership team, and we're excited to introduce the people who will be at the helm in 2026! The Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring (CSTM) is designed to bring career training and development opportunities to the scientific staff within the Danforth Center, foster a sense of community through scientific discussions and social functions, and facilitate communication throughout all levels of the Center. Every scientific staff member at the Danforth Center is automatically a member and has full access to participate in all the opportunities CSTM offers.
From career workshops and travel grants to BioBash and community-building events, CSTM’s leadership team works year-round to equip members with the tools, connections, and opportunities they need to thrive at every stage of their scientific journey. Leadership rotates annually, ensuring the committee continues to reflect the evolving needs and voices of its members. This year, we're excited to welcome a new cohort of dedicated scientists stepping up to lead. Get to know them and their roles in CSTM below!
Max Braud: Co-Chair
In addition to CSTM Co-Chair, Max Braud is a senior research associate in the Eveland Lab.
My work focuses on understanding the mechanisms of drought resilience in crop grasses, mostly working with sorghum. As a molecular biologist, I develop protocols and generate -omics datasets to mine for genes that might become targets for crop improvement. I have a goal to learn how to navigate the challenges facing scientific research in the U.S. and provide tools for my colleagues at the Danforth Center to learn and develop their careers. I enjoy baking desserts for my family, going on short hikes when the weather is nice, playing video games, and doting on my cat.
Ana Wisa: Co-Chair
In addition to CSTM Co-Chair, Ana Wisa is a horticulturist in our Plant Growth Facility.
My work focuses on plant care in our Plant Growth Facility (PGF) and maintaining a clean greenhouse environment that is most suitable for the plants in each house. I am excited about getting more involved at the Center and networking with people in the scientific community. This year, I hope to get the Danforth Community more involved and excited about all of the CSTM events that the leadership team is planning. Outside of the Danforth Center, I also like to run and play volleyball.
Sam Shinkle: Co-Chair
In addition to CSTM Co-Chair, Sam Shinkle is a horticulturist in our Plant Growth Facility.
My work focuses on plant care in PGF. As a CSTM Co-Chair, I’m most looking forward to helping with the Food for Thought series, a new lunch & learn series that will give people a chance to present their projects to colleagues in a casual setting. I like playing video games and tabletop role-playing games. I’m also a huge baseball fan and am especially looking forward to watching the World Baseball Classic tournament in March. I enjoy going to parks around St. Louis with my kids, especially Tower Grove Park.
Matt Adams: Co-Chair
In addition to CSTM CO-Chair, Matt Adams is a horticulturist in our Plant Growth Facility.
I provide optimal care for researchers' plants in PGF so they can focus on the science. I'm excited to continue building up the Danforth Center community and provide people with the space to continue to learn, grow, and connect. I love finding new music, watching movies, and playing tabletop games or video games.
Pratibha Demiwal: Seminar Coordinator
In addition to CSTM Seminar Coordinator, Pratibha Demiwal is a postdoctoral associate in the Allen Lab.
My research primarily focuses on understanding plant–microbe interactions using stable isotope labeling combined with metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics approaches. For me, CSTM is about recognizing that science isn’t just bench work. It’s about meeting people, sharing what you’ve learned, learning from others, and building connections within the broader scientific community. I believe science can be enjoyable as well as rigorous. My goal is to create a space where researchers can pause, exchange ideas, and recharge between experiments without pressure or burden. Experiments don’t always go as planned and that’s okay, so I want to foster an environment where people can talk openly about challenges, relax their minds, and continue to enjoy the journey of doing science. In my free time, I enjoy watching thriller movies, cooking for my friends, and immersing myself in music, which is one of my biggest passions.
Abigail Bryson: Communications Coordinator
In addition to CSTM Communications Coordinator, Abigail Bryson is a postdoctoral associate in the Slotkin Lab.
I study transposable element architecture in plant genomes, especially in soybeans. I am a data scientist and a genomicist, so I use big data to identify active transposable elements and figure out how they can help improve crops. I am excited to get to work with the other CSTM leaders and to be more active in the DDPSC community. I want to facilitate connections and make sure that the CSTM agenda is disseminated to everyone involved. In my free time, I mostly enjoy creating—I love gardening, crocheting, reading, and running.
Evy Wolfe: Outreach Co-Coordinator
In addition to CSTM Outreach Co-Coordinator, Evy Wolfe is a horticulturist in the Plant Growth Facility.
As a horticulturist, I care for plants from many different labs and projects. Some of plants I work with currently include cassava, pennycress, sweet potatoes, beets, radishes, and more! One of my big goals as an outreach coordinator is to expand the role that PGF plays in outreach here at the Center and to provide more opportunities for people to learn more about horticulture as a whole. I am somewhat new to the Center, and I am excited to meet more people through my role in CSTM leadership! I enjoy playing tennis, crocheting, reading, and I love to cook.
Ellen Krall: Outreach Co-Coordinator
In addition to CSTM Outreach Co-Coordinator, Ellen Krall is a postdoctoral associate in the Bravo Lab.
My work focuses on identifying and understanding the genes that regulate nutrient exchange between plants and beneficial fungi, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). I study how these genes shape symbiosis efficiency and plant nutrient acquisition. I'm excited to strengthen relationships with our existing partners, like the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food Agriculture Nutrition Innovation Center (JJK FAN) as well as provide more opportunities to volunteer around our community. I play the fiddle in old-time groups around St. Louis and beyond, and I sometimes play for contra dances (which are kind of like square dances).
Vince Vanyo: Graduate Student Ambassador
In addition to CSTM Graduate Student Ambassador, Vice Vanyo is a graduate student in the Bravo Lab.
My research focuses on how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi acquire nutrients from plant hosts. I’m excited to make CSTM feel like a home and a resource for graduate students. My goal is to strengthen the grad student community through initiatives that provide tangible support and create more opportunities for us to connect across programs. I enjoy running, and I am currently training for a marathon in the spring. I also like to play board games with friends and read books about urbanism.
Jacob D. Zobrist: Responsible Conduct of Research Coordinator
In addition to CSTM Responsible Conduct of Research Coordinator, Jacob D. Zobrist is a research scientist in the Slotkin Lab.
My research focuses on transformation and gene editing technologies, especially in soybeans. I am excited to be a part of an incredible CSTM community and to contribute to the well-being and success of the Center.
Looking Ahead
We're grateful to this year's leadership team for committing their time and energy to make CSTM a valuable resource for the entire Danforth Center community. Their efforts are key to helping our scientists flourish. Here's to a great 2026!