P A T H S   T R A C K S

MD

PhD

MD / PhD

Ameglio, Ariana

Alejandro Soto, Alysa

Ayala Ceja, Melanie

Aris-Henry, Liann

Castellanos, Christian

Begay, Rene

Dolan, Olivia

Coppin, Marissa

Bouda, Abdoul

Gomez, Emilio

Escalante, Nelly

Cruz Vargas, Juan Carlos

Grace, Breona

Ezekiel, Kehinde

Das, Nabojeet

Hernandez-Demuner, Xcaret

Gaines, Tashawnee

De Florencio, Stacy

Fernandez, Alyssa

Green, Kai

De Leon Cruz, Sol

Sarfo, Rossana

Hernandez, Eduardo

Khan, Nusrat

Gouthier, Zaria

Khatun, Rahima

Lopez, Jasmine Lucero

Heng, Helen

Mahmood, Malaika

Martin, Sidney

Hercules Alfaro, Daniela

Bogale, Dagmawi

McLean, Nadiya

Josiah, John

Brooks, Lauryn

Medina Silva, Isabella

Li, Hanteng

Rodriguez-Rivera, Jean M.

Modagmesh, Hamsa

Lopez, David

Galaz, Ennis

Nyenwe, Ebenezer

Nuryan, Leila-Belle

Ruiz-Rivera, Carolyn

Randon, Peggy

Nwadiokwu, Obiajuru

Gonzalez, Valerie

Rivera Sandoz, Dianelee

Rhoden, Rhonda

Rocha De Abreu, Isadora

Ruiz, Delmy

Rodriguez, Kevin

Rodriguez, Jessica

Sajche Sapon, Antonia

Sanchez, Nayeli

Vélez-Acevedo, Omaris

Scott, Daijah

Solorzano, Nusa

Vo, James

Villalon, Reinard

Zhumi, Jennifer

Ameglio, Ariana | she,her, hers

Ariana Ameglio is a Venezuelan American that emigrated to the US at 16 years old. Growing up she experienced the injustice of health care towards women in both the US and Venezuela. This was a driving force to pursue women's care to better educate herself and other women about their health. As a Hispanic immigrant and a woman, she had to go through many financial, educational, and emotional struggles, which further strengthened her drive to pursue women’s health. Currently, she is getting a biology and applied sciences major with a minor in psychology at Florida International University and she is in the process to get into an MD program. Right now, she is a research assistant with the Herbert Wertheim College of medicine in the Nair Lab and she is working towards getting her medical assistant license after getting her phlebotomy license. During leisure time, she enjoys showjumping and reading. Showjumping is a sport that she has done since she was 11 years old, and she has continued to do throughout the years. She has won several regional and national championships in showjumping, and even competed internationally through the FEI.

Aris-Henry, Liann | she, her, hers

Liann Aris-Henry is a rising junior attending Hunter College (CUNY). She majors in Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and studies a minor in African, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies, all while on the pre-med track. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she is dedicated to becoming a doctor who can utilize data, technology, and research to improve patient experiences within her community. Aside from her studies and future innovations as an aspiring physician, Liann is the president of a Girls Who Code college chapter and the technology ambassador of the Catholic Medical Missions Board at Hunter College. She is part of a community of women and girls across all backgrounds who explore the diverse world of technology. Liann plans on becoming a Medical Assistant or Patient Care Technician to gain valuable patient care experience. Through the Program to Advance Training in Health and Science (PATHS) at Yale School of Medicine, Liann is excited to prepare for the application process to an MD program as well as the opportunity to be mentored by a current MD candidate at Yale School of Medicine.

Dolan, Olivia | she, her, hers

Olivia Dolan was born with a cleft lip and palate and had several hospital visits throughout childhood and adolescence. Through this, she grew to love the patient-physician interactions as it became her normal setting. She was blessed with a second family of medical doctors that went above and beyond the call of duty. It developed her desire to instill hope and healing to all individuals. Ms. Dolan knows about people's resource barriers when taking charge of their health. Several people in underrepresented communities are not capable of obtaining the same assets as those around them. It became essential to make a difference and create much-needed change. Ms. Dolan gained clinical experience and her patient contact started with the geriatric population. They shared stories with her and began to establish a rapport. Ms. Dolan volunteered at Baptist hospital as a tour guide to help all residents get around safely while providing emotional wellness. Presently her career involves working with the adult mental health forensic population as they navigate through gaining insight and awareness of their mental illness. Ms. Dolan constructs individualized care plans that are unique to each resident. She is an advocate for her patient's welfare and inspires to become a physician to be active in her patients' recovery. Ms. Dolan is dedicated to providing high-quality care and services. Olivia Dolan's passion for helping others led her to the path of studying medicine and pursuing a profession in health. Ms. Dolan embraces challenges, for when she falls, her determination and purpose is the wind beneath her wings to soar to new heights. Everyone deserves the right to have adequate healthcare and Ms. Dolan is determined to be a medical provider who is compassionate and devoted.

Gómez, Emilio | he, him, his

Emilio Gómez is a rising junior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in History with a Pre-Health Professions Certificate. His interest in healthcare is based on the lack of healthcare access in underserved communities that he has seen among members of his own family. He is especially interested in the latest research about the prevention, management, and treatment of diabetes, which has plagued the Latino community. He enjoys science, is motivated by social justice, and wants to pursue a career as a physician at a public hospital or medical clinic serving low-income Latinos and other minorities. He was born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Denver, Colorado where he enjoyed hiking in the Rocky Mountains and spending time outdoors with family, friends, and his dog.

Hernandez, Xcaret | she, her, hers

Xcaret is a first-generation Hispanic student originally from Miami, Florida. She attended high school at the School for Advanced Studies in Miami where she also graduated with an associate’s degree. She is a junior pre-medical student at Skidmore College where she was awarded the Skidmore Scholar in Science and Mathematics Scholarship. At Skidmore College, Xcaret is a member of the Skidmore Periclean Honors Society. While at Skidmore, Xcaret became the Founder and President of Minorities in Health – Health Disparities Awareness where she sponsored the Fall 2021 Forum on Covid Health Disparities.  Xcaret has also volunteered at various community-based organizations like Capital District Latinos in Albany, NY.  Upon graduation from medical school, Xcaret seeks to serve minorities and low-income communities in their health care needs as a dermatologist.

Grace, Breona | she, her, hers

Breona is currently a rising senior at the University of Alabama A&M, where she will be graduating with a Biology degree in 2023. Originating from her home of Daphne, Alabama she relocated to the great city of Huntsville in 2020 during Covid to take advantage of better opportunities with her boyfriend Andrew of 3 years by her side. She currently works part time as a server at Wahlburgers. She loves gray’s anatomy, traveling, and a great class of wine by a fire with friends. This summer she spent time volunteering at a mentorship program called Girls Inc, where she helped girls as young as 3 to 17 learn science, technology, engineering and math through team building exercises that inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold. She has spent time doing summer research under the advice of Dr Weems with a focus on epithelial cells and their genetic role in life. Seeking to author the stories they tell, Breona hopes to better understand how and why epithelial cells transform through genetics. After attaining her Biology degree, Breona will use her passion for helping people while shadowing the greatest minds in the field to become a reconstructive/plastic surgeon or gastroenterologist.

After becoming the doctor she plans to be, Breona hopes to open a private practice and begin a clinic and correct misinformation so widespread about digestive care. She hopes to clarify the basic foundation of good gut health. Her long term goals include running her own hospital and creating a foundation where she will challenge herself to change the face of medicine by eliminating ‘white coat syndrome’ and other stigmas in medicine. She hopes to bring comfort from the fear that so many people face when choosing to seek medical help and better the voice of health.Finally, Breona inspires to face at the forefront medicine that allows other people of the same race, creed and ethnicity to follow their aspirations and goals.

Fernandez, Alyssa | she, her, hers

Alyssa Fernandez is a Hispanic first-generation pre-medical student. She recently graduated from Florida International University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. She was also nominated to be a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, which she gratefully accepted. During her undergraduate career, she was involved in research as a research assistant for the Health Disparities and Cultural Identities lab at FIU, was the social media director for the Minority Association of Pre-health students’ organization, and worked as a Laboratory Instructor for General Biology I and did much more. Alyssa states that if there was anything she was sure of, it was her path to becoming a physician. Through the opportunities she has had at FIU, her understanding of equity became clearer. She hopes to pass on her knowledge and experience in inclusivity and diversity someday as a professor in medicine. Medicine and education are huge passions of hers and she wants to be able to combine them in her future. She is aiming toward her dream of becoming a physician so that she can make changes in the world one student at a time.

Sarfo, Rossana | she, her, hers

Rossana Sarfo was born and raised in Bronx, New York by her Ghanaian- immigrant parents. Additionally, she is a first-generation student and she recently graduated from Binghamton University where she studied Biochemistry and completed the prerequisites for medical school. This fall, she will be pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health, specializing in Health Policy and Management and shortly after, she intends to go to medical school. She would like to become a medical doctor because of her passion to contribute to the alleviation of providing adequate healthcare and closing the health inequity gap for all. Her goal is to utilize the knowledge, skills, and training from both prospective fields to advocate and provide for the black community in the United States as well as in Africa. She intends to provide adequate care in underserved communities in Africa and reconstruct their healthcare systems. Additionally, she would like to eradicate racial ideologies and beliefs that have infiltrated the health policies that have caused the deaths of many-colored people. Diseases have no understanding of race, but rather it is the people who are on the frontlines as healthcare workers who do; it is the people who are responsible for passing legislations that do. Therefore, she wants to make it her mission to get involved in these fields to be a voice for her people, so they get the care that they deserve.

Gouthier, Zaria | she, her, hers

Zaria Gouthier is originally from Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Clark Atlanta University. At the end of her freshman year, she was accepted into the Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy at Morehouse School of Medicine. Throughout her matriculation, she was a member of various campus organizations, including the Young Physicians Initiative, Campus Activity Board, and the Minority Association of Pre-health students. Since 2020, Zaria has worked as a certified nurse aide in home health and as a Covid-19 health screener. In addition, she served as a WiSTEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts in mathematics) mentor for Morehouse School of Medicine to young Black girls ages 9-14. Since discovering her passion for women’s health, she has participated in maternal health research through Morehouse School of Medicine and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Zaria aspires to be an OBGYN and develop advancements to decrease the rate of maternal health outcomes. This summer, Zaria will be working as a cardiovascular research intern at Cleveland Clinic. In the fall, she will be working to obtain her Master of Science in Medical Sciences.

Heng, Helen | she, her, hers

Helen Heng is an aspiring physician, born and raised in Sanger, California and the child of Khmer Rouge survivors. Living between extremely rural areas and visiting family from urban areas, she saw firsthand how inequities negatively affected the life outcomes of many of her surrounding family and friends - and dreamt of how she could improve the lives of those around her. She aims to pursue hospice and palliative medicine as a specialty, and to serve aging populations in rural areas due to her experiences as a caretaker throughout her undergraduate studies. She is interested in fostering connections with other aspiring physicians who have experienced medicine outside of the rural context, and hopes to compare and contrast these experiences with her own. Currently, she is deciding between post baccalaureate programs and masters programs and hopes to gain further insight into the medical school process from others. She is especially interested in connecting with non-traditional medical school applicants. In her free time, she loves to cook, to rock climb, to explore nature, and to play Dungeons and Dragons!

Hercules Alfaro, Daniela | she, her, hers

Daniela Hercules Alfaro is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received her B.S. in Biology and Neuroscience. As a first-generation student from Burlington, NC, her experience growing up in a low-income community has inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. She aspires to one day be able to increase access to more affordable health care within underserved communities and become the representation within the medical field that she wishes her younger self had been able to meet. She has recently been accepted into the NIH OITE-PEP program and will take on a post bacc position in Bethesda, MD before applying to medical school. As a Phlebotomist trainee, Daniela had the opportunity to work with pediatric patients, which cemented her passion for the pediatric subspecialties in neonatology. She hopes to complete a fellowship in Neonatology and inspire other first-generation students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Josiah, John | he, him, his

John Josiah is a sophomore who majors in Biology at Johnson C. Smith University and minors in Bioinformatics and Chemistry. He was born and brought up on the high plains of Jos, Nigeria, where he spent the first 20 years of his life. Being on the receiving end of a broken healthcare system sparked something in him that made him determined to be a part of the solution, and while there are many ways to do that, being a physician to him is not just fulfilling a burning passion, it's about serving a need.

Lopez, David | he, him, his

David is a first-generation Mexican American college student who graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, with a B.S. in Biology (emphasis in Microbiology). He plans on applying to medical school after completing a postbaccalaureate premedical program at Keck Graduate University that starts in Fall 2022. David realized his aspiration of wanting to become a forensic pathologist during his junior year at CSULA. Since this epiphany, he significantly increased his time commitment towards his studies. He became fascinated with the field of pathology while working as an office clerk for a civil rights and personal injury law firm. Beginning as an intern in high school and later becoming an employee, David came to realize the importance of medical examiners in civil rights cases, specifically in those involving police misconduct. From reading the autopsy reports and depositions of forensic pathologists who testified as expert witnesses in their cases, he came to realize they were crucial in helping clients prevail in their civil cases. David wants to help his community by providing descendants a voice and aiding their grieving families by providing them with the truth behind their loved one’s passing.

Li, Hanteng | he, him, his

Han is a Chinese American student interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics, primarily in neonatology. He wishes to work in the neonatal intensive care unit after becoming a physician, and wants to complete a fellowship program in neonatal clinical care. He’s interested in learning different types of dance.

Nwadiokwu, Obiajuru Triumph |     

he, him, his

Obiajuru Triumph Nwadiokwu is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville Florida. He has been committed to the logical sequence of the scientific world even in high school where he graduated as the Best Biology Student of the Decade. Currently, he is working with Dr. Seymour on research centered on the specific allergens that may be responsible for the high rate of asthma in the black community. We can detect the pollen and mold spores that are present in the air through the samples we obtain from the pollen counting station at my institution. This immunologic research provides the residents with first-hand information on the accurate amount of pollen at a specific location and time. Our goal is for the under-represented communitIes to be aware of their environment. In pursuit of his passion for exploring the field of molecular medicine. He will be interning this summer at the University of Delaware with Dr. Kenkel where he would be assisting with developing insulin, blood glucose, and adiponectin assays from blood samples, as these measures will help to inform the underlying metabolic and physiological processes at work that leads to heightened risk for obesity / diabetics. He will be conducting those procedures using an animal model. Obiajuru Triumph Nwadiokwu hopes to be involved in the molecular characterization of diseases to develop therapies to cure diseases affecting our world.

Nuryan, Leila | she, her, hers

Leila is currently a second-year undergraduate student at the University of California, SantaCruz. She is majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology because of both her strong inclination towards the sciences as well as her desire to pursue a career in medicine. While becoming a physician was not something that she was born knowing she wanted to do, she realized the important role that physicians play while living with her father’s battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Through this experience, she developed an immense amount of respect and admiration for health care workers and a deep understanding of how physicians can impact both the lives of the sick as well as their families. This experience serves as the main motivation behind her desire to become a physician. To advance towards this goal, she excels academically, volunteers at the American Red Cross, and has become an Emergency Medical Technician. She is very excited and extremely committed to this goal and looks forward to working with everyone in this program.

Rodriguez, Kevin | he, him, his

Kevin Rodriguez is a Hispanic First Generation College Graduate who is in the process of becoming an Emergency Medicine Physician. He obtained his Bachelor of Science with a focus in Biology from Florida International University. Despite having a love for science, being very curious about the studies in Biology, Biochemistry etc..., He still wanted to see what he had learned in the classroom applied in real life as this served to him a sense of appreciation. He started his journey of becoming a physician after deciding to become an EMT and an Emergency Room Technician during the first wave of COVID in 2020. The year 2020 was a rewarding time in which he learned what it's like to provide life saving interventions, gain compassion for patients and even acquire amazing bedside manners. It was very refreshing for him to connect something that you see in the Emergency Room with something that you learned in Human Physiology for example, and even though he was learning a lot, it was still a time where tragedies struck. Experiencing events like patient expiration, postmortem service and seeing patients being treated with a different quality of care based on their chief complaint, gave Kevin the motivation to devote himself to performing a service. His goal is to become an Emergency Medicine Physician that can listen to his patients and provide high quality medical care regardless of who the patient is and where they come from. In his off time he loves to work out and eat healthy because he believes that in order to promote and recommend to your patients to eat better and make better lifestyle choices, he must also follow his own recommendations. He also loves to attend concerts, music festivals, loves to travel, and volunteers his time by providing free healthcare to underserved communities.

Rhoden, Rhonda | she, her, hers

Rhonda Rhoden was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Rhonda Rhoden is a senior at Florida International University. She will receive a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Natural & Applied Science (Medical Track) upon graduating in the fall of 2022. Rhonda is a member of FIU’s Minority Association of Pre-Health Students and the Pre-Med American Medical Student Association clubs. She is very passionate about living a life of service, a zeal easily observed by her willingness to tutor fellow classmates, years of mentoring youths, and her care for an underserved community frequently overlooked by many: the homeless. Her interest in medicine began at the early age of two and has intensified through countless experiences, including but not limited to, her personal health journey, interactions with medical professionals and disparaged patients, participating as a member of her church’s health team, and her role as a newborn hearing screen technician at one of South Florida’s leading regional hospital. Upon completion of her undergraduate degrees, Rhonda hopes to successfully matriculate to medical school and to one day procure a residency and fellowship in the anesthesiology or neonatology specialty. A promise made to herself from a young age, Rhonda vows to be a benevolent physician, respecting and advocating for individuals of the underrepresented community, both colleagues and patients alike. She is excited to be a part of PATHS and believes that the training gained through the program will undoubtedly enhance her aspiration; being of service to the underserved through her medical expertise. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys traveling, singing, event planning, feeding the homeless, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Sanchez, Nayeli | she, her, hers

Nayeli Sanchez is a first-generation Mexican-Salvadorian undergraduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Philosophy. She is pursuing an MD career specializing in anesthesiology to work with neurosurgeons specializing in frequency and vibrations to achieve directed outcomes. After graduating, she will learn natural medicine with an indigenous tribe in Peru to make her medical career more fruitful before starting medical school. Her favorite hobby is cooking - creating new recipes and learning from existing ones. She loves to play soccer and meditate at the Redwood Grove Forest.

Solorzano, Nusa, | she, her hers

Nusa Solorzano is from Managua, Nicaragua, and she moved to the United States to obtain an undergraduate liberal art and biology degree from Florida International University. For the last two years, Nusa has worked as a medical assistant at a private clinic in Miami that primarily treated URM patients. Furthermore, she volunteered at VITAS as a hospice volunteer and at Yaya Por Vida to help people suffering from SUD. Currently, Nusa is attending the University of South Florida to finish the requirements for medical school. Additionally, she started working as a Lead Medical Scribe at Scribe-X, where she trains new scribes and is exposed to different specialties to increase her medical knowledge. Her passion for medicine originated from a family member's passing. She witnessed how the lack of medical equipment and training in a rural part of Nicaragua increased the population's mortality rate. Nusa aspires to become an MD with a specialty in Psychiatry or Dermatology. As an MD, she wishes to serve minority communities and help fix inequalities in the healthcare system. The PATHS program allows Nusa to achieve these goals by providing mentorship and a support network during the medical school application process.

Zhumi, Jennifer | she, her ,hers

Jennifer Zhumi is from Queens, New York, and a first-generation college graduate. She recently graduated from Hunter College with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a focus study minor in Psychology. She currently works as an ophthalmic technician at a private ophthalmology office in the East Village. When she is not working, she also serves as a research intern for the MOTIVATE Lab at NYU, where she is assisting with a weight management study at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. As a child of Ecuadorian immigrants, Jennifer also learned very early on about cultural and language barriers in healthcare and how they can impact access to quality medical care. Combined with her prior experience as a clinical research intern for a social determinants study at Cohen Children’s Medical center, Jennifer has developed a passion for working with and helping underserved communities in healthcare. As a physician, Jennifer strives to help address and reduce health disparities in her community. She is excited to be a PATHS scholar and is looking forward to meeting everyone else

Alesandro Soto, Alysa | she, her, hers

Alysa is a recent Biology graduate (June 2022) from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Mayaguez. During her time there, she was a track and field and cross-country athlete, as well as a participant of the MARC-USTAR program. She did not limit her four years to just the biology department since she searched for mentorship and opportunities all around. She nurtured her passion for neuroscience in the psychology department and established her commitment with equity and advocacy. Alysa’s key interests are neurodegeneration, immunology and genetics; which she aims to combine in her future graduate studies. She has participated in research projects in UPR Medical Sciences Campus, UPR Mayaguez, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, San Jorge Women and Children’s Hospital, and is now a Clinical Research Assistant at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Massachusetts General Hospital.

She presides Impacto Juventud, a nonprofit organization that promotes political and civic participation in the youth. Furthermore, she has founded Cara al Sol, a nonprofit organization that educates about sexual violence in Puerto Rico and provides services to survivors. Alysa believes that her scientific interests intersect with her commitment to health and equity. One of her biggest goals is being able to integrate research with community work, and work with communities to broaden accurate and ethical representation in research studies. She does this in her current position where she is a translator of a clinical trial and is working to connect with Hispanic communities in the area. At HMS, she works in the Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, in a project relevant to neurodegeneration and immunology. After this experience, she will continue her training journey by applying to graduate school.

Castellanos, Christian | he, him, his

Christian is a first-generation college student who was raised in Colombia and considers that such an experience has given him a unique perspective and values that motivate him to pursue a career helping others in meaningful ways. With this goal, Christian worked in a variety of institutions including the United Nations and the International Red Cross. However, he sought to further his education with a broad and global perspective with the purpose to have a more diverse and inclusive impact in his professional career. He is currently a Junior at Florida International University where he works in the department of human and molecular biology researching genetic antibiotic resistance in bacteria with a focus on major African pathogens. His research has positioned him in high regard and has taken him to various research institutions and societies like the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the American Society for Microbiology.

Along with many others, the COVID-19 pandemic and his medical research and investigations have given him a worrying perspective on the global health crises, he is troubled by the amount of hardship and suffering worldwide, yet it is this acknowledgment of such situations that drives him and motivates him to reach for new limits and continue his mission to reduce suffering in any capacity he can. This has led him to seek a Ph.D. in infectious diseases or investigative medicine where he intends to continue his work on human pathogens as he believes it is the best way to relate his academic interests with his values and principles.

Coppin, Marissa | she, her, hers

Marissa Coppin is a rising junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience after which she plans to attend graduate school in a related field. Thus far, Marissa has been working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, conducting research relating to adult neurogenesis and epilepsy mouse models. Despite obstacles conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marissa has also worked with UCLA as a part of the BRI-SURE Program, studying heart rate variability differences in PTSD rat models computationally. She hopes to apply the skills she has acquired to continue research in this field during her graduate education, possibly studying the molecular drivers of schizophrenic behavior. Marissa’s career goal is to obtain a governmental position, such as in the NIH, following her graduate education to satisfy her inner scientist and inner activist for mental health stigma. As a Puerto Rican scientist, Marissa hopes to serve as a role model for underrepresented populations in STEM throughout her career. In her free time, Marissa volunteers at the SA Clubhouse for mental health initiatives, lifts weights, and loves crafting.

Escalante, Nelly | she, her, hers

Nelly Escalante is a rising senior at the University of California, Davis where she is majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology with a minor in Archaeology. She is a first-generation college student originally from Los Angeles. Nelly is a Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Scholar which has provided her with funding to pursue undergraduate research. She is currently part of the Tsolis laboratory in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology where she investigates the role of the protein NRAMP1 in controlling Salmonella infections. She is also part of the University Honors Program and serves as a peer mentor for the PUENTE Learning Center Avanzando through College Program. Nelly hopes to obtain a PhD in immunology or microbiology, with the ultimate goal of investigating host-pathogen interactions. Additionally, she hopes to improve her skills in scientific writing to make science more accessible to the public and make the field of science more inclusive for people of historically underrepresented backgrounds.  Outside of research, she enjoys reading books, listening to music, and spending time with her family.

Ezekiel, Kehinde | she, her ,hers

Kehinde Ezekiel is an undergraduate studying Biology at Bethune Cookman University (B-CU). At B-CU, she has gained experience in research by utilizing data to answer biological questions and performing laboratory activities. She has worked with several kinds of data ranging from data about COVID-19 to oyster microbiomes, human aquaporins, and breast cancer molecular subtypes. Upon graduating, she plans to apply to a graduate school to study Molecular Medicine and Pharmacology. Kehinde is interested in medical sciences and research that help to shape the healthcare industry. She is currently an intern at Scripps Research Institute, where she is working with Dr. Xiaohua Wu, a professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine. The laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of DNA damage checkpoint and DNA double-strand break repair to maintain genome stability and prevent cancer. Kehinde is committed to learning and pursuing an advanced degree to help her understand disease mechanisms in humans and translate research-based discoveries or laboratory discoveries into patient-centered/clinical care. Kehinde loves to explore new things, take a walk, and watch YouTube videos during her leisure time.

Gaines, Tashawnee | she, her, hers

Tashawnee is a senior at University of Massachusetts Boston with a biology major and an africana studies minor. She is from Boston, Massachusetts born and raised. Her career goal was to obtain her MD degree but as she grows within her college career she is looking towards a PhD pathway currently. She hopes to find a career that she really loves and can achieve an excellent work ethic in. She is very excited to meet everyone and be a part of this program for the next 10 months!

Green, Kai | She, her, hers

Kai Green is a senior at Albany State University majoring in Biology and minoring in Dance. She is from McDonough Georgia. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to go to graduate school for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.  I have dreamed of Veterinarian since I was seven; I enjoy caring for animals and helping people. At this time, I am interested in several specialties including surgery, exotic companion animal practice.  In middle school, I was able to attend the Auburn University Junior Vet Camp (twice), the experience allowed me to enhance my knowledge of animals, science and biology.  While attending Albany State University, I have maintained  my momentum, by being a member of clubs and leadership groups on Campus.  I am a second year resident assistant and inaugural Holley Ambassador.  Being able to enhance my leadership and personal development, I have been successful with prioritizing my academic studies with a GPA of 3.6. I am currently interning with Worldstrides Envision working as an academic advisor in the Advanced Medicine Program at John Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland. Initially, I thought having a learning disability would prevent me from going to college, now I understand that it’s the courage that I have within that makes all things possible.

Khatun, Rahima | she, her, hers

Rahima  grew up in the South Bronx in New York City, the US’ poorest Congressional district, and would observe how its working-class minority population suffers poorer medical outcomes due to healthcare inaccessibility and low health literacy rates. This influenced her pursuit of public health and involvement in work experiences related to maternal-child health, health policy, and environmental health. She hopes to acquire more knowledge in these fields and is committed to using this knowledge to improve the health infrastructure of low-resource settings like the South Bronx. Regarding post-graduate objectives, she wants to pursue a Ph.D. in public health with a focus on maternal and child health to learn about the public health challenges of minority women and how to address these challenges through policy change and health promotion.

Hernandez, Eduardo | he, him, his

Eduardo is a Genentech Foundation scholar and student in the cell and molecular biology master’s program at San Francisco State University. His interests are infectious diseases and immunology. He is part of Dr. Erica Sanchez’s Lab, where he is studying the oncogenic virus called Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and its viral G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR). He is a student who seeks opportunities to learn and expand his knowledge in the biomedical sciences field. Eduardo plans to pursue a doctorate degree in the immunology field. Outside of lab research, he enjoys playing soccer, drawing in his sketchbook, and doing photography with the help of his friends.

Mahmood, Malaika | she, her, hers

Malaika Mahmood is a TEDx Speaker and recent graduate from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Biology, a minor in chemistry, and a concentration in mathematics and neuroscience. Since the age of seven, she has had a passion for public speaking and a drive to help communities. She actively served as President of Student Wellness Advisory Board, Vice President of Biology Club, and Vice President of Psychology Club, where she brought resources and events to students. She plans on continuing her passion of outreach by getting involved in local advocacy. Throughout her undergraduate career she was also heavily involved in research where she worked on developing a machine vision approach to automatically analyze mice with spinal cord injury. She is continuing her research training as a Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, where her work involves understanding pain circuitry and characterizing its responses in mice using machine learning. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring all forms of art and design. Her goal is to obtain a PhD in neuroscience and extend the bounds of our knowledge. She also hopes through her work she can influence diversity and inclusivity in the field.

Bogale, Dagmawi | he, him, his

Dagmawi was born and raised in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. He came to the United States spring of 2019 to pursue his higher education at Quinnipiac University. He graduated May 2022 with his undergraduate degree and is currently pursuing his 1 year accelerated master’s program in Biomedical Sciences. He is also currently working part time as a research assistant at UCONN. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, watching basketball/soccer games, learning new languages, reading books, and hanging out with friends. Post master’s degree, he plans to attain his PhD with the hope of making an impact in the prevention of infectious diseases.

Brooks, Lauryn A. | she, her, hers

Lauryn A. Brooks is a recent graduate of Hampton University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biochemistry. During her matriculation at Hampton, she has had the opportunity to participate in intramural and extramural research to better prepare herself for PhD or MD/PhD programs. Lauryn is currently participating in the PennPREP program at the University of Pennsylvania where she is further exploring her research interests in Developmental and Regenerative Biology. Her research focuses on repairing and improving muscle tissue following injury, which she hopes to apply to the field of sports medicine as she was a DI athlete in college. In her free time Lauryn enjoys spending time with family, watching movies and following sports. As a native to the DC metropolitan area, she is an avid Washington Nationals and Commanders fan.

Rodriguez- Rivera, Jean Michael | 

he, him, his

Jean Michael Rodriguez- Rivera is a senior at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. His interests coincide in science and art; understanding the beauty behind the body, its physiology and its homeostatic capabilities. Since highschool, health has been something that piqued Mike’s interest; knowing how to take care of himself physically, mentally and emotionally were key to cultivating it. He is majoring in natural sciences, and in the summer of 2021, he was selected to be an intern in Tufts University’s “Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences Program”, where he was able to investigate with Dr. Maribel Rios and graduate student Alice Meng “The Effects of Astrocytic mGluR5 depletion on Excitatory Synapse Density within the Ventromedial Hypothalamus on Glycemic Control”. Fascinated, and truly drawn to the complexity of glial cells and their influence in our body’s capacity to clear glucose from the blood, he redirected his focus into neuroscience, pursuing a minor concentration within the field. Mike had joined Dr. Santana’s Computational Chemistry Lab in January of 2022, where he researches Zirconium Phosphate Materials and makes cell models that simulate its physical properties. “Dr. Santana has been my biggest inspiration and supporter, writing dozens of letters of recommendation when I needed them and mentoring me during the semester consistently. I am truly grateful for the opportunities he has given me in research, and I wouldn’t have made it to this program if it wasn’t for him or Dr. Dalvin Mendez, who shared the link for this program.” His goals are to obtain a PhD in Neurobiology and investigate links between addiction, sleep and eating behavior.

Galaz, Ennis | she, her, hers

Ennis is currently working on understanding mood-disorders using the prairie vole animal model that shares similar social behaviors to humans. She has used behavioral paradigms to assess depressive-like phenotypes, collected tissue, and ran immunohistochemical techniques to understand the underlying mechanisms that drive the behavior. Her neuroscience background will help along her career path to eventually study chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. She intends to understand how a nutritious diet may or may not affect the brain’s capacity to function and develop in different regions of the world, and further understand why neurodegenerative diseases may be more prevalent in regions with low nutritional diets. Ennis’s career goal is to understand this adversity, educate the community on the correlation between diet and neurodegenerative diseases, understand its causes (environmental and/or genetic), and use it as a base for potential treatments. For Ennis continuing neuroscience research is essential to mastering the neuronal structure and aging mechanism of the brain. She is motivated to continue her studies and finish a PhD in Neuroscience to research and educate her community on how to reduce brain disparities.

Ruiz-Rivera, Carolyn M. | she, her, hers

Carolyn M. Ruiz-Rivera is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a minor concentration in Chemistry from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla campus aspiring to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacology to advance global health. Carolyn is an active member of MEDLIFE, the movement, SACNAS, and The American Cancer Society, as well as Student Council member and Student Senate at her university. As a first-generation college student, she strived to pursue the education her family could not, in their honor and her determination, she engaged in many exciting experiences such as joining two NASA sponsored programs, becoming a volunteer collaborator in the Puerto Rico Science Museum, EcoExploratorio, an undergraduate science researcher, and an overall health enthusiast. Her goal is to continue to grow, contribute to human health, and help others achieve their dreams like she has.

Gonzalez, Valerie | she, her, hers

Valerie Gonzalez is a first-generation college student completing her undergraduate degree at the University of California San Diego. Majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology, she is also active in clubs and community service at UCSD. She is a part of the Mustard Seed Project which focuses on homeless outreach, and she is a member of the Biology Undergraduate and Master’s Mentorship Program which focuses on getting under-represented people resources to be scientists. She is currently doing research in the Yeo lab trying to create a potential therapeutic for myotonic dystrophy. Valerie is a recipient of the Eureka! Scholarship, BRAP scholarship, as well as the Heart and Scholars scholarship, all of which have allowed her to gain funding for undergraduate research. She is passionate about learning and teaching others. With her bachelors from UCSD and the Program to Advance Training in Health and Science (PATHS) at Yale School of Medicine, she wishes to advance her education and pursue a PhD.

Rocha De Abreu, Isadora | she, her, hers

Isadora is a rising senior studying Neuroscience at Nova Southeastern University. She is passionate about science communication in different disciplines and she is excited by diversity in STEM spaces and including accessibility to science to all people. She loves research in biology and how interdisciplinary and collaborative biology can be. Isadora is interested in structural biology as a conduit to understand proteins, cells and organisms better. She is fascinated by the new protein solving techniques such as cryo-EM and cry-ET, and she plans on focusing on the intersection between computational studies and structural techniques. Her future plans are to pursue a doctorate degree in structural biology and continue her research endeavors as a mentor to others. In her free time she likes to browse through the protein of the month from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and she also likes to write about things she cares about on https://youcanscienceandart.medium.com.

Rodriguez, Jessica | she, her, hers

Jessica graduated from Nova Southeastern University where she received a degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Speech Communications Disorders. Jessica first wanted to become an audiologist, but made the switch to Biology after many hours of volunteering at the ER in Jackson South. She became interested in the science behind many injuries, and immune diseases. After NSU, she went to Florida International University to receive a second bachelors in biology in hopes of becoming a researcher for immunology. She began shadowing plastic surgeons, dermatologist, and ER doctors in hopes of gaining further insight and experience in the healthcare field. Through the Yale PATHS program Jessica hopes to make further connections, and advance her education in hopes of entering a PhD program. Currently, Jessica works as a medical assistant for a dermatologist where she assists in medical procedures, handles the biopsy records received at the office, and calls the patient with the results. She also assists in the research studies done at the office where they use Janus Kinase Inhibitors (JAK inhibitors) to treat inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. When she is not at school or at work, she enjoys spending time and traveling with her friends, and family.

Vélez Acevedo, Omaris | she, her, hers

Omaris Vélez Acevedo is an undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus (UPR-RP). Here, she is majoring in Cellular Molecular Biology. Throughout her years as an undergraduate student, she has conducted research in the field of neurophysiology at the UPR, Medical Sciences Campus (MSC). Her research training at UPR-MSC was provided through the Neuroscience Research Opportunity to Increase Diversity (NeuroID) program as a selected fellow of their tenth cohort. She has also participated in summer research programs where she has worked on projects focused on behavioral neuroscience and neuropharmacology. At UPR-RP, Omaris has been part of student associations such as the National Neuroscience Student Association and NeuroBoricuas. Through these associations, she has explored her passion for science communication and advocacy. Omaris is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience after graduating and aims to expand the knowledge of the mechanisms behind neuropsychiatric disorders throughout her research career.

Vo, James | he, him, his

James is currently a junior at Portland State University. With a major in biology and a minor in chemistry, he hopes to pursue a career in cancer research. He is currently conducting research at the Oregon Health and Science University. The majority of his work includes working with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and testing the efficiency and effects of various anticancer drugs. He intends on working in a research field where he is able to develop novel therapeutics for skin cancer. His personal experiences with cancer and his love for helping people have driven him to find programs that can help him achieve his goals. Coming from a low-income first-generation family, he has experienced the stress and financial struggles of paying for certain medications. He believes research can lead to innovative discoveries which in turn can lower the cost of treatment in addition to creating more effective drugs. Outside of academics, some of his hobbies include playing sports, hiking, biking, swimming, and listening to music. He hopes to travel and explore different parts of the world but for now, he is enjoying his time in Portland Oregon.

Ayala Ceja, Melanie | she, they

A native of California’s Central Valley (CV), Melanie Ayala Ceja has direct experience with healthcare inequities. Having been a field laborer in carcinogenic work conditions, they want to provide affordable, effective treatments for this underserved population. Toward this aim, they attained a B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, with a Biomedical Research minor at the University of California of Los Angeles in 2022. As a first-generation, Latine student, they enthusiastically fostered academic spaces for underrepresented students by facilitating collaborative discussion sections and advocating for the integration of anti-racism concepts alongside STEM course instructors. Moreover, they mentored college-bound high school students from the CV and wrote grants to fund subsequent educational field trips and community service events. Supported by the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, they pursued an interest in immune-oncology research in the Penichet Laboratory, where they explored prospective IgE-based therapeutics for HER2/neu+ breast cancer. Within the Mangalam Laboratory in Iowa, they also elucidated the role of interleukin 17A/F in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Most recently, they joined the Wells Laboratory, where they are optimizing the production of neural progenitor cells using NGN2-directed differentiation. Moving forward, Melanie aims to pursue an M.D./Ph.D to develop equitable cancer immunotherapeutics and further mentor under-resourced individuals.

Begay, Rene | she, her, hers

Rene Begay, M.S., CPH is (Diné/Navajo) from Arizona. She is an Indigenous geneticist and public health researcher. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Clinical Science from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Currently, she works as a Professional Research Assistant at the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health at the University of Colorado School of Public Health while studying as an online Masters of Public Health and Bloomberg Scholar with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health focusing on the topic of food systems and obesity. Some of her research interests are exploring the Cultural, Clinical, Ethical, Legal, Social implications and concerns related to genomics research that include Indigenous communities. Overall, her goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of her people as well as other Indigenous groups. Her ultimate goal is to enter into an MD/PhD program.

Bouda, Abdoul | he, him, his

Abdoul Bouda is a recent graduate of Queens College, City University of New York where he earned a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience-Biology and a bachelor's degree in Psychology. He also did minors in physics and urban studies. He was a student at the MARC program and his research focused on how chronic pain affects brain microvascular permeability and blood flow. He worked as a public health advisor for the New York City Department of Health, where he participated in the COVID-19 test and trace program. In addition to being a teaching assistant in the mathematics department at Hostos Community College where he helps students understand their classroom materials, Abdoul is a research assistant in a study examining the effects of computerized cognitive training on mood, cognition, daily functioning using fMRI data of young adults with depression. He plans to enter doctoral studies with the ultimate goal of becoming a medical scientist. He loves simplifying and giving good health advice, reading, sports and above all, he likes to explore new horizons and enjoys interacting with various groups of people.

Vargas Cruz, Juan Carlos | he, him, his

Juan Carlos was born in the United States and often traveled to the Dominican Republic to not lose touch with his parent’s homeland. He traveled back and forth but ended up staying there for 9 years while his caring grandmother raised him. As he got older, he realized how terribly constructed the healthcare system is in the Dominican Republic especially in the rural areas. As the years went by his grandmother required frequent medical attention and every doctor's visit would be at least a two-day journey because she would travel all the way to Santo Domingo, the capital of the nation, to access proper medical care. Seeing her trying to come up with ways to afford to get to the capital and pay all the medical costs broke his heart. Being a part of the medical field would eventually give him access to the resources that exist within the field. These resources would give him a better understanding of how to join the administrative side of the medical field. Then, he could come up with ways to facilitate the creation of medical institutions in rural regions. The institutions would provide preventive care to the people living in these regions.

He is currently pursuing a Chemistry degree with a concentration in Biochemistry in Skidmore College. He is a representative for the Chemistry department. In professor Madushi Raththagala’s Structural Biochemistry lab, he focuses on starch degradation and studies the enzyme Starch Excess-4 in potato and cassava. He dances with the Latinx/Caribbean club, Raices.

Research brings him joy closely related to how he feels when he thinks of being involved in the medical field. He wants to be able to put the critical thinking skills and the tools he has acquired throughout the years as a student to the test by doing research and becoming a medical doctor. He enjoys presenting his research and gaining new insights from the feedback given by fellow researchers and his peers. Collaboration is at the center of research. At the graduate-level, he will work towards making research accessible to ensure the findings are being understood by both the scientific community and the general public.

Das, Nabojeet | he, him, his

Nabojeet is a rising fourth year student at Georgia Tech studying Biology. He is a first-generation immigrant and college student and wants to be a physician-scientist one day. He plans to study infectious diseases and work at either the CDC or the NIH. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, watching, and helping freshmen and new students as a Resident Advisor (RA).

De Leon Cruz, Sol | she, her, hers

Sol De Leon Cruz is a first generation Mexican American student from Queens, New York, pursuing a double major in chemistry and computer science, and a minor in mathematics at Hunter College. Sol’s scientific interests began with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s MUREP Aerospace Academy, where she has published and presented work at the Geological Society of America, and where she continues to instruct students. She developed a multifaceted interest in the biomedical sciences following experience in veterinary shadowing and as a 2017 USDA Wallace Carver Research Fellow investigating plant pathology at Cornell University. Inspired by the potential of medicine, she then worked with health providers at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital to address drug abuse, diabetes, and other public health issues in marginalized communities, later publishing an RCSB Protein Data Bank article on Trastuzumab monoclonal antibodies—a therapeutic at the forefront of breast cancer treatment. Following this exposure, Sol pursued further opportunities at the crossroads of research and clinical medicine through a surgery pipeline program at Weill Cornell Medicine; she continues to work with WCM, NYU Langone and Bellevue Hospital as a clinical research assistant, learning the values of both basic research and patients’ experiences in a collaborative setting. Currently, Sol is a 2022 National Leadership Alliance and SUIP Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, applying her translational perspective to investigate cancer biology. She seeks to become a physician-researcher and address critical topics in modern medicine, such as trauma, endocrine surgery, oncology, therapeutics, and surgical robotics. Outside of her biomedical and technology aspirations, Sol enjoys mentoring students, writing, and revising her short books found on Amazon, spending time with her family, exploring her Roman Catholic faith, and playing board games.

De Florencio, Stacy | she, her, hers

Stacy will be graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. Next, she will be working at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) as a research assistant in Dr. Xianhua Piao’s Lab. As a first-generation Chicana college student, one form in which Stacy wishes to give back to her community is through mentorship. She is currently a mentor for two programs: Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o/x de Aztlán de UCLA (MEChA) Calmecac Calpulli Mentorship Program and Latinx Admit Student Mentorship Program. Her desire to apply research findings to create clinical impact, especially in underserved communities, has motivated her to pursue an MD/Ph.D.

Khan, Nusrat | she, her, hers

Nusrat Khan is a rising senior, currently completing her Bachelor’s in both biology and BA-MA psychology at the City College of New York and also participating in the pre-med program for getting into the school of medicine. Currently, she is a full time Clinical Lab Tech in Mirimus Inc. Her duties include but are not limited to RNA extraction of Sars-Cov virus, PCR and qPCR testing Covid-19 patients and working in a research team to further enhance Tick borne disease detection kit and dengue kits. She also volunteers in the Holford Lab working with Venomics therapeutics identifying the effects of certain venom as a cure or enhancer. She dreams become a successful Neurosurgeon and carry-on research in the field of neural surgery and cancer classifications delivering new peak to the field of health and sciences career with a degree in Md-PhD I looks forward to taking up the challenge of post-graduate education by completing her degree in to MD-PhD program.

López, Jasmine Lucero | she, her, hers

Jasmine Lucero López is a rising senior at the University of California, Riverside, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Jasmine is a first-generation Mexican American with a goal to do her part to close the healthcare gap in the marginalized community of Riverside County. She hopes to assist by specializing in psychiatry, as mental health support is the first step to eliminating health disparities in the Inland Empire. Her academic goal is to pursue the MD/PhD combined program for biomedical sciences at the University of California, Riverside to study and develop therapeutics for conditions stemming from HIV. More specifically, Jasmine’s area of interest relates to conditions encompassed in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. Jasmine is an extremely driven individual who has a strong desire to serve underserved communities and aims to work diligently to educate ostracized populations on healthy lifestyle practices, while ensuring that their needs are met.

Martin, Sidney | he, him, his

Sidney Martin recently received his B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The Memphis native is an aspiring physician-scientist who is interested in merging his passions for public health, research, and medicine in order to contribute to oncology, specifically the overlap between immunology and tumor development. In the fall, he will be a research technician for the Villani Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital. When he is not in the lab, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and watching basketball.

McLean, Nadiya | she, her, hers

Nadiya McLean is a senior Biology Pre-Medical student from Charlotte, NC. In June 2019, she graduated from Central Cabarrus High School with her STEM diploma and began school at North Carolina A&T State University in the fall. During high school, Nadiya completed dual enrollment courses to aid in receiving her Associate in Science degree from Rowan Cabarrus Community College in December 2020. Meanwhile, continuing her education at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. Nadiya McLean expects to graduate in May 2023. Postgraduate plans include enrolling in a Post-baccalaureate research program to further her interest in translational science and prepare for an MD/Ph.D. program. Her research interests include genetics, proteins, and neuroscience. Nadiya plans to research the proper treatment needed to alleviate the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases while practicing neurology and gastroenterology. While in college, Nadiya managed to create and establish a medical brand, Hope N’ Medicine. A translational research blog that advocates and highlights black women in the medical field. All while documenting her premedical and research journey and being an outlet for knowledge, resources, and encouragement. Currently, Nadiya works at her campus health center as the Public Relations Chair and a campus covid-19 vaccine ambassador on social media. Her love for STEM began in elementary school and has carried with her throughout college, where she works as a Peer Facilitator at the Student Health Center on campus. She also founded SHE, a platform that highlights HBCUs by allowing high school students access to explore the history and culture of different HBCUs. Nadiya is excited to take her love for STEM and medicine to the next level.

Medina Silva, Isabella | she, her, hers

Isabella was born in Mexico, where she resided for 15 years. Later, she moved to San Diego, California, where she attended San Pasqual High School. During high school, she was involved in many sports, academic and artistic extracurriculars, as well as academic organizations such as AVID (Advancement Via Independent Determination), and National Honors Society. She is currently a Junior at UC Davis, majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology, with a minor in Music. During her Undergraduate career, she’s been a part of the BUSP, (Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program), volunteered as a mentor for the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program (GAMP). As a mentor in GAMP, she aided international students into adapting to studying in the United States, as well as provided them with resources and a safe space for them to go to. Currently, Isabella is a volunteer researcher at the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory, where she is investigating the virulence of different strains of piscine pathogens Flavobacterium Davis, F. oreochromis, and Streptococcus iniae under different environmental parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), challenging the model, and assisting in the study of the pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in the signaling crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). Isabella grew curious about the microbiological world when she was in high school, and that curiosity and respect for microorganisms has kept growing ever since. Originally, Isabella was intending to pursue an MD and become an infectious disease specialist, in order to work at a hospital and get to work with people. As she kept working on her major, she found that she was also very intrigued with research, and specifically, the thought process behind the conduction of research. Eventually, she became interested in pursuing an MD/PhD given that it combined both career paths that she was interested in, and it was also the physician researcher mentality that she wanted to pursue to problem solve future cases and research questions.

Modagmesh, Hamsa | she, her, hers

Hamsa Modagmesh is a senior, biology pre-medical major from Damascus, Syria. Her interest in research was established when she was interned at Vistara Bioscience. She is a science avid learner which serves as one of her motivations for deciding on a pre-medical track when choosing her college major. Hamsa is a member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society. Upon completion of her B.S. in Biology, she hopes to attend graduate school to obtain her MD/Ph.D. and become a hematologist oncologist. During her free time, Hamsa reads personal growth books.

Nyenwe, Ebenezer | he, him, his

Ebenezer Nyenwe is a Nigerian-American Bioinformatics major interested in using his studies to improve the overall quality of healthcare. He has worked in research and the tech industry, and his career goals involve getting an MD/PhD in Bioinformatics in order to become a Physician-Scientist who uses the study of Bioinformatics to enhance his practice as a doctor. Another one of his career goals is to produce research that truly changes the face of medicine and improves the quality of those who are systematically disadvantaged by the healthcare system. Improving healthcare equity is another integral part of his career goals. He plans to use software and proper research techniques to change the way that healthcare handles biases based on different factors of one's identity. He plans to do this by doing research that handles genetics,pathology, and racial biases in medicine.

Randon, Peggy | she, her, hers

Peggy is a 2021 graduate of the University of Michigan Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. She is broadly interested in criminal justice reform, immunology research, and child/adolescent health. She is currently an NIH IRTA fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences studying molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer development and a research consultant at a biotechnical company in Durham, North Carolina, working with patient-derived organoids for precision medicine. Her scientific work has been published or is forthcoming in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, and Cell Stem Cell. She has been recognized for her community service and scientific pursuits as a Live Más Scholar, Projects for Peace Fellow, Cayman Biomedical Research Institute research grant recipient, U.S. Department of State Office of International Health and Biodefense Intern, and NIH Minority Health Research Training Fellow. She is applying to MD/PhD programs. As a fun fact, she also enjoys watercolor painting.

Rivera Sandoz, Dianelee | she, her, hers

Dianelee Rivera Sandoz is an upcoming senior student majoring in General Biology with minors in Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Puerto Rico - Humacao. From the town of Ceiba, Dianelee has been involved in community outreach, such as by providing relief during times when Puerto Rico has faced natural disasters and by participating in Christmas toy appeals for the children in the Dr. Antonio University Hospital. Miss Rivera also has been reinforcing ASL in an effort to be more inclusive for those who struggle with communicating on a daily basis due to being deaf. As an undergraduate, she participated in a summer program called MedSTEMPowered where she, along with her team, won first place for a Research Symposium on Natural Medicine. Currently, she is serving national associations, such as AMSA and SACNAS, as well as local organizations, such as the Approach of Medical and Industry Experiences (AMIE), and the university’s General Biology Student Association. Recently, she joined the nation’s largest leadership honor society; The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). Upon graduating, she is interested in pursuing medicine with the goal of becoming a dermatologist, as well as investigating the use of artificial intelligence applied to health disparities.

Ruiz, Delmy | she, her, hers

Delmy Ruiz is a rising senior at Pomona College majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Biology. At Pomona, Delmy is a coordinator for the non-profit Health Bridges, an organization that aims to improve the healthcare outcomes and well-being of Californians in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, specializing in individuals who identify as low-income, uninsured, or with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Delmy has also been involved in multiple research projects, in both public health and the biomedical sciences. Currently, she is conducting community-based research in her home of South Central Los Angeles. Her research looks into the current perspective of telehealth in the community and works toward implementing a Telehealth initiative for those with chronic illnesses. It is Delmy’s experiences navigating the health system and hopes to create an impact with her unique perspectives in biomedical and public health research that imbues her with a drive to pursue an MD/PhD.

Sajche Sapon, Antonia E. | She/her/hers

Antonia is a rising Chancellor Scholar senior at the University of California San Diego majoring in Neurobiology. She advocates for the underserved population by working as a Spanish Interpreter at the student-run free clinic. Additionally she has research experience working with Pediatric brain tumors, SMARCB1, stem cells, brain organoids and NPCs. She is a Guatemalan American, first generation, daughter of Latin-American immigrants and grew up in East County San Diego, CA. Her passion for medicine had developed from her mother and has encouraged her career goals. Her career goal is to obtain an MD/Ph.D and specialize in Surgery. In the long term, Antonia plans to conduct biomedical translational research while attending to patients in marginalized, underrepresented, health disparities communities.

Scott, Daijah | she, her, hers

Daijah Scott, originally from Ohio, is a first-generation college graduate from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Animal Science with a minor in Chemistry. Daijah currently works as a Laboratory Animal Technician at her alma mater while simultaneously completing a certification in emergency medical training. She chose to study lab animal science to lay a foundation for the research goals she holds. Daijah’s goal of obtaining an MD/PhD dual degree is inspired by recognizing how disproportionate socioeconomic outcomes in minority communities affect health long-term. Daijah hopes that her work in medicine/research informs policy and leads to access to quality healthcare for all populations. Also, she has research interests geared toward rare autoimmune diseases that affect populations of color. Additionally, one of Daijah’s main goals is to work at a leading public health institution like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization alongside medical epidemiologists to explore health trends to assist in advancing medicine and the “One Health” initiative. “One Health” is an interdisciplinary perspective that focuses on how human, animal, and environmental health interconnect.

Villalon, Reinard | he, him, his

Reinard Villalon is a first-generation Filipino-American alumnus of California State University, Northridge (CSUN) who recently graduated as summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in Biology. During his time at CSUN, Reinard was a tutor for medical school prerequisite classes and even instructed a supplemental biology class aimed to reinforce material learned in lecture. Furthermore, Reinard was part of an NIH funded research program which sought to help underrepresented minorities in science obtain a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. He conducted research for 5 years in a genetics lab for Dr. Ray Hong, attended and presented at multiple local and national conferences, and ultimately received a publication. His research mainly focused on identifying and characterizing novel genes that facilitate parasitic behavior in the satellite model organism, Pristionchus pacificus. In addition, Reinard has conducted mini-research projects for 3 other labs that study circadian rhythm/clock genes in Drosophila melanogaster, progenitor cell resiliency in Drosophila melanogaster, and carcinogenic organic compounds. In terms of medical related activities, he has accumulated over 1000+ clinical hours through volunteering in the emergency room for Valley Presbyterian Hospital and working at an orthopedic clinic as a P.T. aid. Because of Reinard’s personal experiences that involve his passion for both science and medicine, he aspires to combine these 2 exciting fields into a career by attaining an M.D./Ph.D.