Irina is a third-year PhD candidate in Bioengineering working in Dr. Derek Oldridge’s lab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Her research focuses on computational biology and digital pathology, utilizing spatial transcriptomics and foundation models to develop AI-driven diagnostic tools. Prior to Penn, Irina earned her B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science (Biomedical Engineering track) with a minor in Engineering Business from the University of Toronto, followed by an M.S. in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. She has been actively involved with the Penn Biotech Group (PBG) for two years, initially serving as a Team Member on a pro bono consulting project, where she was recognized as Team Member of the Year. As Co-VP of Marketing this year, she is excited to elevate PBG's digital presence from purely informational to highly engaging. Outside of the lab, Irina stays active through running, tennis, and gym workouts. She also loves traveling, exploring new food scenes, and unwinding with a good movie or TV show.