Aiden Parente
aidenp2 [at] illinois.edu
B.A. Wesleyan University, Chemistry and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry (MB&B)
Aiden is from Southeastern Pennsylvania, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and molecular biology & biochemistry (MB&B) from Wesleyan University. Throughout his time at Wesleyan he performed the total synthesis of novel rocaglamide analogs and studied the ability of small molecules to inhibit stop-codon repression as a novel target in cancer therapeutics. In November of 2025 Aiden joined the Mehta lab. Aside from research, Aiden enjoys reading fantasy novels, going on hikes, and cooking.

Awards
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Enta Fellowship, UIUC
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Phi Beta Kappa, Wesleyan University
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Hawk Prize, Wesleyan University
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Sonnenblick Fellowship, Wesleyan University

Nilla assists Aiden with pest management and is an avid hunter, providing for his household.
