Born and raised in South Dakota, Israel Wipf is a PhD candidate in Cell and Developmental Biology working in the lab of Dr. Tina Tootle. His thesis research is focused on uncovering the mechanisms controlling collective cell migration, particularly the role of lipid droplets, which is crucial for understanding processes like human embryonic development and cancer metastasis. Before pursuing his PhD, Israel earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Vanderbilt University, followed by a Master’s degree in Biology from the University of Northern Colorado, where he first learned many of the laboratory techniques he uses today. Additionally, he has diverse teaching experience ranging from middle and high school science to assistant teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in biology.

 In the future, he hopes to leverage his passions for research and teaching as a professor in the sciences. Beyond science, Israel has interests in both literature and music. His first short story, White Elephant, was recently published in The African American Review (Johns Hopkins University Press), and prior to beginning his scientific career, he played drums for the heavy metal band, Colossus (Facedown Records). Lately, he spends his free time weight training, hanging out with his cats, Link & Zelda, and drumming for the Iowa City-based rock band, Second Half.