Brandeis Magazine

Karen Allen, GSAS PhD’90, earned the 2022 Abeles and Jencks Award from the American Chemical Society for her work on the structure, function, catalytic mechanisms, and evolution of enzymes. The award is named for Brandeis professors Robert Abeles and William Jencks, who were pioneers working at the interface of chemistry and biology. Karen is chair of the chemistry department at Boston University. Tanya Marten, GSAS MFA’90, writes, “Currently in development for the feature film ‘Euphoric Tendencies.’” Steve Anderson, GSAS MFA’91, reports he landed the role of Adam Comley in Philippe Van Leeuw’s film “The Wall,” which stars Vicky Krieps (of “Phantom Thread”). Steve writes, “My scenes were outdoors and with just Vicky — a very safe way to work during a pandemic. What a lovely experience it was.” David Jenkins, GSAS MA’92, PhD’98, is the author of “Nature and Bureaucracy: The Wildness of Managed Landscapes,” published by Routledge in September. Yesim Roth, IBS MA’92, is chief financial officer at Nature’s Toolbox, a life-sciences company focused on novel RNA product development. Tom Bigongiari, GSAS MFA’93, lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife of five years, working for a nonprofit and doing community theater. He writes, “My wife had three children and four grandchildren when we got married, so I became an instant grandfather. Rochester has a great community-theater scene. Please reach out if you will be in the area.” Johnathan Brownlee, GSAS MFA’93, is prepping his next feature film, “Brew Master: First Taste,” and casting “Montserrat,” which he will direct in Spain. Michael Schieffelin, Heller MMHS’96, worked in Philadelphia in health care for 11 years, then moved to Sugar Land, Texas, and worked with several organizations as a senior data analyst. He is currently seeking new employment opportunities while doing part-time program evaluation work at the Houston Recovery Center, which helps underserved individuals affected by substance use. Felicia Herman, GSAS MA’97, PhD’02, was honored at a gala celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Natan Fund, where she served as president for nearly 17 years. She is now chief operating officer at Maimonides Fund. Alicia DeNicola, GSAS MA’99, is an associate professor of anthropology at Oxford College at Emory University. Her latest projects include a book on authenticity and another on community news media. She recently bought a sailboat, and is learning to sail and work on diesel boat engines. Lane Sparber, GSAS MFA’99, is an Emmy-nominated lighting designer working in NYC at the Lighting Design Group. He has worked on programs at CNN, MTV, VH1, Fuse, and the Food Network, and is now lighting director for “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network. Lane is married to Jolyn Kramberg ’99. They live in Fresh Meadows, New York, and have two children.