President
Garima Vyas

Garima is a Technology leader focusing on Oil and Gas IT and GIS consulting. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Spatial Analytics from University of Pennsylvania. In her work, Garima blends technology and science for geospatial solutions. In her decade-long career, she has worked for a GIS software company and local government agency before switching her focus to the Oil and Gas industry for GIS Solutions. Garima appreciates any opportunity for problem solving, critical thinking, learning and mentoring. Outside of her work, Garima enjoys bike-riding, kayaking, reading fiction and biographies, practicing Krav Maga, attending Houston Symphony classical concerts and socializing at new breweries or coffee shops in Houston.

Vice President
Sandhya Sharma

Sandhya is born and raised in Nepal and came to the United States to pursue her higher education in biomedical research. After completing her bachelor’s in Biochemistry at Lee University in Tennessee, Sandhya relocated to Houston where she is currently pursuing her PhD in T-cell immunotherapy at Baylor College of Medicine. Her project focuses on enhancing the potency and efficacy of T-cells in targeting Epstein-Barr virus positive Lymphoma. Sandhya loves organizational and outreach activities and has been involved in various mentorship and leadership activities during her graduate school years. In addition, Sandhya is a strong advocate for women representation and women empowerment, and is looking forward to promoting and enhancing outstanding women and their contributions in Science so as to inspire millions of women like herself. Outside of her work, Sandhya enjoys hiking, travelling, playing sports, spending time with friends and family and shamelessly binge-watching TV series.

Heidi received her B.S. and M.S. in Environmental Science from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, with a minor in Foreign Language. After spending the bulk of her life so far living in different Texas cities, with stops in Germany, Florida, Ohio, Massachusetts and Connecticut, she recently took the opportunity of working from home during COVID-19 to relocate to eastern Tennessee. 
She has spent the last 12 years, and continues to work, as a Senior Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst for a small GIS consulting firm, performing a variety of roles including: Project Manager, Technical Writer, Course Developer/Instructor, GIS System Designer, Database Designer/Administrator, etc. 
Outside of work, Heidi volunteered for 8 years with the Houston Rodeo; was a member of the Houston Community College GIS Steering Committee for several years; and is a 9-year breast cancer survivor, proud pet mom of one dog and two cats, avid reader, nature-lover, crafter and traveler.

Secretary
Bandana Sharma Chapagain

Bandana is a PhD candidate at the University of Houston. For her research, she is conducting experimental evolution with Tetrahymena and focuses on a testing hypothesis about the importance of epigenetic inheritance for adaptive evolution. She moved to Houston after completing her Master’s in Bioinformatics from Northern Illinois University (2018).  She also worked with Bayers briefly in 2018. During her free time, she loves to code, play basketball, and dance.

Miriam is pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Houston where she studies the mechanism of ribosomal translocation. Her research is focused on understanding how the ribosome moves, and how certain proteins play a role in this process. She received her B.S. in Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences at the University of Houston in 2016. Miriam was a HAMBP fellow and currently serves as a member of the Keck Seminar Planning Committee through the Gulf Coast Consortia. In her free time, she enjoys baking, cooking, traveling, and trying different foods.