- May 2, 2022
- by E.C. Barrett
- Technology + Human Thriving, Alumni
A mission-driven leader
After metastatic breast cancer took the life of a close family member, Megan Wherry Menner ’96, M.S. ’03, changed the direction of her career to focus on supporting the life-saving mission of the biotech and pharma industries. As senior vice president and head of Human Resources (HR) for CRISPR Therapeutics, she has been an instrumental leader in the company’s growth from around 60 employees when she started five and a half years ago, to
- Jan 12, 2026
- by Marisa LaFalce
- Holistic Human Health, Technology + Human Thriving
Who, what, why: Marla Lujan investigates physiology to improve reproductive health
Who
Marla Lujan, associate professor of nutritional sciences, has been collecting data on ovarian morphology for 15 years. She stumbled into this research area by accident. She was investigating primate reproduction when she was asked to change her focus to another understudied population — women.
Lujan completed her postdoctoral studies in obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, where she spent three years working in an infertility clinic. During her clinical experience
M.S. Human Environment Relations
Use evidence-based design strategies to create spaces that help every user reach their unique and varied goals.
- Jun 23, 2026
- by Marisa LaFalce
- Holistic Human Health, Social Impact + Justice
Who, what, why: Roger Figueroa partners with communities to reduce food insecurity
Who: a nutrition researcher improving public health
Roger Figueroa, an assistant professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, investigates how food assistance programs — from traditional benefits like SNAP to innovative approaches like produce prescriptions and online grocery delivery — alleviate food insecurity in New York State and across the country.
Figueroa’s first introduction to public health began as a youth in Puerto Rico, where his physical education teachers inspired him to become the
M.S. Fiber Science
Conduct specialized research in an area of fiber science to create a novel solution to a materials challenge.
