Speakers - CRDWC 2025

Biography

Ashley Banas is a third year PhD graduate student in the Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Science program at UMass Amherst. Ashley graduated magna cum laude in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire. Ashley has a passion for the biomedical sciences and is currently investigating how chronic inflammation affects DNA methylation (overall and site specific) in relation to breast cancer in Dr. Arcaro's research laboratory. Ashley is enthusiastic about helping others learn and understand the biomedical sciences, with a main interest in cell culture and microbiology. Ashley has shared her content knowledge with peers as a graduate teaching assistant in Dr. Arcaro’s veterinary oncology laboratory. Ashley is deeply committed to advising and inspiring curiosity in the five undergraduate students she is mentoring. She eagerly guides them through an exciting parallel research project, investigating whether chronic inflammation alters DNA methylation patterns using a different cell culture model. Through her mentorship, she hopes to empower her students to develop critical research skills, fostering their growth as future scientists. In her free time, Ashley enjoys snowboarding, painting, arts and crafts, gardening, spending time with her family and her cat Nala.