Current Ambassadors

• eangelb29@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Scholars, Engineering Honors Ambassadors, MSC Spencer, Student Success Operation Committee, Student Government Association, TAMU Symphonic Winds
• Activities: Baking, Playing the flute, Being with my cat
• Awards & Distinctions: Undergraduate Research Scholar, Deans Excellence Award for the College of Engineering, Engineering Honors Program, University Honors Program, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Experience with: Summer Research (REU), Presentations, Undergraduate Thesis Writing

Howdy! My name is Angelina Baltazar and I am a sophomore Biomedical Engineering major from College Station, Texas. After graduation I plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Neuroscience to focus on stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. When coming to Texas A&M I was questioning my major. After talking to multiple colleagues in the Biomedical Engineering Department and the Biology Department, I stumbled my way into Dr. Jennifer Dulin's lab when I met my graduate mentor Ashley Tucker, who graduated with a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M. She encouraged me to stay in my major, but also offered me a position in the lab based on how close my research interests aligned with the Dulin lab. Since then I have learned the basics of neuroscience, stem cell biology, and just recently completed my undergraduate research thesis. My thesis covers the differences in neural progenitor cell transplantation between short and long time points for treating spinal cord injury.

Outside of research, I am passionate about promoting equity. I noticed all ethnic groups at Texas A&M are not represented equally in faculty and leadership positions. The current culture is not inclusive of minority students due to the low retention rate of minority students. I ran for the Student Senate to increase minority retention. As a member of the Student Success Operations Committee, I have increased virtual resources, publicized the progress of projects, and increased student feedback. Through my involvement I noticed how powerful research is for gaining critical thinking skills an providing a community.

Through these different experiences I want to show what an impact research has made in my future and provide that opportunity for others at Texas A&M. Research is full of mentorship, bonding, and a lifelong impact in one's life.

• eangelb29@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Scholars, Engineering Honors Ambassadors, MSC Spencer, Student Success Operation Committee, Student Government Association, TAMU Symphonic Winds
• Activities: Baking, Playing the flute, Being with my cat
• Awards & Distinctions: Undergraduate Research Scholar, Deans Excellence Award for the College of Engineering, Engineering Honors Program, University Honors Program, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
• Experience with: Summer Research (REU), Presentations, Undergraduate Thesis Writing

Howdy! My name is Angelina Baltazar and I am a sophomore Biomedical Engineering major from College Station, Texas. After graduation I plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Neuroscience to focus on stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. When coming to Texas A&M I was questioning my major. After talking to multiple colleagues in the Biomedical Engineering Department and the Biology Department, I stumbled my way into Dr. Jennifer Dulin's lab when I met my graduate mentor Ashley Tucker, who graduated with a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M. She encouraged me to stay in my major, but also offered me a position in the lab based on how close my research interests aligned with the Dulin lab. Since then I have learned the basics of neuroscience, stem cell biology, and just recently completed my undergraduate research thesis. My thesis covers the differences in neural progenitor cell transplantation between short and long time points for treating spinal cord injury.

Outside of research, I am passionate about promoting equity. I noticed all ethnic groups at Texas A&M are not represented equally in faculty and leadership positions. The current culture is not inclusive of minority students due to the low retention rate of minority students. I ran for the Student Senate to increase minority retention. As a member of the Student Success Operations Committee, I have increased virtual resources, publicized the progress of projects, and increased student feedback. Through my involvement I noticed how powerful research is for gaining critical thinking skills an providing a community.

Through these different experiences I want to show what an impact research has made in my future and provide that opportunity for others at Texas A&M. Research is full of mentorship, bonding, and a lifelong impact in one's life.

• chbowerman@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs:  Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Beckman Scholars, Society of Physics Students
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholar, Dean's Excellence Award
• Experience with: Summer Research, Presentations, Nanofabrication

Howdy, my name is Connor Bowerman and I am a sophomore from Austin, Texas. I am a physics student, as well as a Beckman Scholar. I have been doing research in Dr. Alexey Akimov's lab, which focuses on nonlinear optics. Specifically, I have been working to create a system of quantum memory. This device would be able to take in a quantum-encoded signal, for example from a quantum computer, and then repeat that signal without reading it. This would allow the signal to travel greater distances, without the quantum nature of the signal being destroyed. In practicality, most of my day-to-day research involves aligning lasers and testing experimental designs. In the future, I plan to do research as a career, and get my PhD eventually. For now, though, I'm excited to help guide new students and help them get started in undergraduate research!

• swapnildash@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Hook Laboratory, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Business Honors, Business Student Council, Mays Healthcare Alliance, Club Tennis, University Honors, AMSA, IDEAAL, Volunteer at St. Joseph's
• Activities: Tennis, Reading, Volunteering, Volleyball, Cooking
• Awards & Distinctions: Mays Business Honors Program, University Honors, President's Endowed Scholar, Dean's Honor Roll, Professional Distinction in Healthcare, National Merit Scholar Finalist, International Baccalaureate Diploma Recipient
• Experience with: Undergraduate Research, Summer Research Internships

Hi! My name is Swapnil Dash and I am a Business Honors major from Austin, TX. After I complete my undergraduate studies, I plan on attending medical school with the hopes of serving as a physician and a leader in improving the service quality of healthcare for patients and their families.

My first experience with research was during the fall semester of my freshman year under Dr. Michelle Hook, in the department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics. Currently, my undergraduate research project focuses on depression and cognitive decline after spinal cord injury (SCI) in a transgenic rat model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Hundreds of thousands of people live with SCI, impairing the quality of life and providing many physical and psychological challenges post-injury for both patients and their caretaker(s). Up to 60% of people living with SCI develop chronic challenges with learning and memory, executive function, attention, and processing speed. Patients with SCI are also two times more likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, which rob them of memory and cognitive abilities, impacting daily functioning and quality of life. By investigating the molecular changes induced by SCI and identifying the causal factor(s), I hope to contribute to the understanding of depression, cognitive dysfunction, and neuropathology after SCI and improve quality of life for people living with this injury, and subsequently, the general public.

Moreover, I hope to begin pursuing research relating to the business of healthcare under Dr. Len Berry. We hope to improve the service quality of healthcare, specifically in end-of-life and cancer care. By engaging with undergraduate research, I have experienced numerous benefits, including the ability to work efficiently with a team, better understand research publications, and explore my areas of interest. Finally, my exposure to research has affirmed my interest in pursuing a medical education.

When I am not in the classroom or in the lab, you can usually find me reading a good book or exploring new coffee and boba shops! I also enjoy playing tennis and volleyball with my friends and watching movies (La La Land is my favorite)!

If you are thinking about joining a lab or you want to learn more about undergraduate research, I would love to talk to you about it!

• Aisha.Jalal@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors,Texas A&M Pre-Medical Society, Pakistani Student Association, Hullabaloo U Peer Mentor
• Activities: Healthcare Summer Staff Counselor, Hospital Volunteering, Physician Shadowing, Tutoring
   
• Awards & Distinctions: University Honors Program, Broad Street Society Honors
• Experience with: Summer Research, Fall/Spring Research, Clinical Experiences

Howdy! My name is Aisha Jalal and I am a public health major in my junior year from Sugar Land, Texas. After obtaining my Bachelor's degree in public health, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in public health at a university in Texas. While pursuing my Master's degree, I plan to simultaneously continue my research in public health. After completing my Master's degree, I intend to further my education and apply to medical school.

I began research with Dr. Ping Ma after my first year at Texas A&M University. I have now had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ma for 3 semesters on 2 projects. Our work together primarily focuses on the impact external factors have on the human body. My first project was a systematic review on horticulture therapy and analyzing its impacts on the psychosocial health and wellbeing of older adults. My role on the project was reading and extracting information from a plethora of scientific publications on nature-based interventions. After extracting this information, my research team and I cross checked and performed quality assessments on all articles that met the working protocol criteria. After being thoroughly filtered, this data was then imputed into a table which will be utilized in the published manuscript. My experience working on this project ignited my interest and passion for public health and research.

During the spring semester of my sophomore year, I joined Dr. Lei-Shih Chen and Dr. Ma's research team. Our current project focuses on creating a smoking-cessation program for pregnant women. This program aims to assist Texas women and their household members in quitting smoking during and after pregnancy. My role in this project is to create manuals and documents for participants and councilors to conduct counseling sessions. During my time thus far on this project, I have been fortunate to work with a supportive team and have further developed my critical thinking skills.

If anyone is interested in joining Undergraduate Research and has questions, I would love to help you!

• yilinli@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Aggie Minority Women in Law
• Activities: Bouldering, Hiking, Painting, Exploring libraries
• Awards & Distinctions: Dean's List
• Experience with: Internships, Summer Research, Presentations

Howdy! My name is Yilin Li, and I am a sophomore Economics and Mathematics double major with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Currently, I am interested in pursuing a career in law or research after graduation focused on promoting gender equality.

I was introduced to research by the amazing Claye Epperson in my freshman year. Since then, I have worked with Dr. Samuel Cohn and the Leontief research team for over a year. We analyze industry multipliers created from Leontief matrices to study and compare different nation's economies. Our study examines three types of multipliers that represent different indicators of economic growth, and we run econometric analyses to find relationships with other economic development indicators (GDP, Female Labor Force Participation, etc.).

I aspire to apply the skills I have gained to work on projects focused on gender inequality, gender-based violence, or gender discrimination. Recently, I have started researching the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Program, which helps survivors of sexual assault with related expenses. Outside of research, I interned with the Department of Justice's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Office in Washington D.C. through the university's Public Policy Internship Program. I also interned with the National Women's Political Caucus and participated with the Becker Friedman Institute's Expanding Diversity in Economics Program. This summer, I will be a research assistant to Dr. Christina Patterson at the University of Chicago.

In my free time, I love to boulder, propagate plants, complete paint by numbers, hike, listen to musical soundtracks, and order tea in unique coffeeshops. Research and the people I have met through research has completely changed the trajectory of my life and provided me with opportunities I never knew were possible. If anything I have done interests you or if I can help you discover a love for research, please reach out! 

• jmoore2003@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Biochemistry and Genetics Society, Starlight Aggies, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Song Lab, Singh/Gaharwar Lab, Biomedical Research Certificate Program.
• Activities: Hiking, Thrifting, Volunteering
• Awards & Distinctions: Student Research Week 2022 - Life Sciences Subject 1st Place Winner
• Experience with: Presentations, Internships, Symposiums, Scientific Writing, Fall/Spring Research

Howdy! My name is Jordan Moore, and I am a sophomore Genetics major and Biomedical Sciences/Public Health minor from Spring, Texas.  I hope to go to graduate school to earn my PhD in genetics. I would like to pursue a career in oncology research. Ideally, I would like to one day develop a cure to cancer. I began research at Texas A&M University in September of my freshman year. I have previously worked in the Song Lab alongside a PhD student to assist him in the molecular aspect of his research. In this lab, my primary task was to perform DNA extractions, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis with the ultimate goal of molecularly delineating the two new gregarine species that we have discovered on Texas A&M's campus. Currently, I am working in the Singh Lab. In this lab, I will focus on helping develop a 3D bioprinted glioblastoma organoid model.

• keerthana.prayaga@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, March of Dimes National Collegiate Council, A&M Red Cross, Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors, On to Medicine, SAFER Ambassador
• Activities: Dancing, Music, Baking, Reading
• Awards & Distinctions: Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Deans List, Partnership For Primary Care
• Experience with: Summer Research, IRB applications/approvals, Presentations

Howdy!! My name is Keerthana Prayaga and I'm a sophomore public health major. After graduation, I hope to attend Texas A&M's College of Medicine through the Partnership for Primary Care program and become a physician! I began my journey in research during high school assisting Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee with pancreatic cancer research at Johns Hopkins University. This experience helped me fall in love with research and I can't wait to help students across campus fall in love with it too! Currently, I am working as a coauthor  on a research project in neonatal health and toxicology with Dr. Natalie Johnson at the School of Public Health. Our research project is a human subjects study focused on investigating the lactational transfer of sulforaphane. SFN is a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables that has proven to activate antioxidant response pathways to protect against air pollution-induced adverse effects. Currently, we are evaluating if SFN and its metabolites are transferred to breast milk and if this can mitigate infant respiratory infection severity. With this project, I have had the incredible opportunity to help develop recruitment material, participant consent forms, dietary questionnaires, and logistical plans for breast milk sample pick up and storage. I have also been involved in data collection and the development of the analytical assay to measure SFN using HPLC-Mass Spectrometry. Additionally, I also assist in research at Dr. Shetty's lab within the College of Medicine. Conducting research at A&M has helped me meet many incredible scientists, friends, and mentors. It has helped me improve my communication, presentation, and networking skills along with finding a place at A&M for myself where I feel a sense of belonging. This has been an incredible experience for me and I truly hope that everyone can find the same joy in undergraduate research here at A&M!

• sameeksha_sharma@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: BUILD, Texas A&M Emergency Care Team, Medical Scribe
• Activities: Running, Bouldering, Studio Art 
• Awards & Distinctions: Texas A&M College of Medicine Dean's Recognition Award, Undergraduate Research Scholar, University Honors 
• Experience with: Texas A&M College of Medicine Summer Research Program, Holster Summer Research Proposal Program, Biomedical Engineering Research, Presentations, Poster Sessions, Research Proposal Writing, and Thesis Writing

Hey y'all! I'm Sameeksha Sharma, a junior biomedical engineering student from Chelmsford, Massachusetts. I've become increasingly interested in research as I have worked to acquire molecular, clinical, and practical knowledge in the field of regenerative medicine. Research may seem like a wayward journey, but it is a worthwhile one, regardless of which discipline. 

My work in research started off as a fascination with epigenetics which allowed me to learn primary molecular techniques from Dr. Rachel O'Neill at the University of Connecticut. I followed that up by writing a research proposal about stem cell reprogramming which was selected and funded by the Holster Summer Program. 

After moving to Texas A&M University, I maintained my focus on stem cell research by becoming a part of Dr. Feng Zhao's lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. This gave me insight into the application of stem cell reprogramming and differentiation as it relates to regenerative medicine. Since then I've been involved with the regenerative cardiac patch project focused on designing a patient-specific cardiac patch by naturally fabricating sheets of extracellular matrix. 

To expand my portfolio, I worked in Dr. Samba Reddy's lab over the summer to explore a new field of research. There I was able to learn histology, image processing and analysis while studying the effects of toxic nerve agents on pediatric rat brains through the Texas A&M College of Medicine Summer Research Program. 

I was once told that no one is born a researcher. It's simply a pursuit of curiosity, albeit a pretty slow one. I believe this wholeheartedly. Research is constructive and critical curiosity that pushes the bounds of knowledge, which is why it is also uniquely rewarding. It allows you to contribute to the current pool of knowledge and engage in meaningful conversations with other professionals and peers. All you have to do is dare to ask the question.

• miriamstein@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: University Honors Program, Explorations: The Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal, Active Minds
• Activities: Volunteering, Reading, Painting
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholar, Baumberger Endowment Scholar, Dean's Honor Roll
• Experience with: Fall/Spring Semester Research, Summer Research, Internships

Howdy! My name is Miriam Stein and I am a molecular and cell biology major with a bioinformatics minor from San Antonio, Texas. After earning my Bachelors degree, I plan to attend graduate school and earn a PhD in a field related to biomedical research and drug development.

I have been participating in undergraduate research since the summer following my freshman year of college, where I worked in a biomedical research lab at UT Health San Antonio under Dr. Madesh Muniswamy. My research there focused on magnesium signaling and its connection to mitochondrial metabolism and metabolic disease.

I then transitioned to my current lab at Texas A&M under Dr. Vishal Gohil. My project seeks to develop a novel treatment for fatal genetic disorders of copper deficiency, for which no effective treatments exist. The Gohil lab has identified a potential therapeutic for these disorders and, in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company, we are exploring its mechanism of action and prospective use in human patients.

Participating in undergraduate research has allowed me to delve deeply into my scientific interests and gain hands-on laboratory experience at an early point in my career. I've developed professional relationships, improved my communication skills, and become familiar with the process of scientific inquiry and experimental design. I feel very passionate about the work I do, challenges and all, and I am excited to share my experience and knowledge with younger generations of Aggies!
 

• hannah.thomas28@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Dulin Lab, VIDA, Youth Impact
• Activities: Clinical Shadowing, Volunteering, Voice Lesson Teacher for Kids, Calligraphy
• Experience with: Undergraduate Research, Presentations

Howdy! My name is Hannah and I am a freshman Biomedical Sciences major from Houston, Texas! After graduating from Texas A&M, I plan on attending medical school with hopes of becoming a pediatrician. I began my research experience my first semester here at A&M and I am extremely grateful I did! I have had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Dulin Lab which focuses on using stem cell transplantation to promote recovery after spinal cord injury. I am currently working under our postdoc, Dr. Aceves, whose project focuses on the use of a type of stem cell, neural progenitor cells, as a therapeutic strategy to promote recovery following spinal cord injury. By looking at different time points in model embryonic spinal cords, we are able to developmentally restrict these cells and see how they can support reestablishment of damaged areas in the spinal cord. Spinal cord injury is extremely devastating and completely reduces one's quality of life as it causes damage to motor, sensory and autonomic function. However, as we look into this project in our experimental model, we can use this to see how cell transplantation can be effectively carried out in the clinical setting. There are many different cell transplantation strategies being researched and being able to be a part of this project has been really exciting! I have learned so much being a part of this project and lab and am really excited to continue my research experience. Outside of research, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and doing anything creative! I am really passionate about reaching under-resourced communities and am a part of an organization where I am able to partner and mentor kids in the Bryan/College Station area. I am really thankful to be a part of research as an undergraduate and I can't wait to share my experience! 
 

• trikurm@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Aggie Research Program
• Activities: Cooking, Baking, Painting, Reading, Thrifting
• Experience with: Team-based Research Projects

Howdy! My name is Meera Trikur and I am a junior Materials Science & Engineering major from Frisco, Texas. I was introduced to research through the Aggie Research Program and work with Dr. J. Carlee Purdum on a project that focuses on the impact of hazards and disasters on prisons and incarcerated populations.  The research explores the social vulnerability that incarcerated people experience due to environmental and technological hazards in Texas, focusing on the issues of extreme temperatures, water quality, and medical care. We work closely with a nonprofit organization called Texas Prisons Air-Conditioning Advocates. They advocate for incarcerated people and their loved ones about the conditions that they experience within Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities. My role within the project is to collect and analyze data within surveys, help create social media posts for TPAA, and write written reports based on news media and survey data. By analyzing these surveys filled by people who are suffering through unfair conditions, I've been able to better understand the nuances of what incarcerated people go through. I have always had multidisciplinary interests and wanted to explore outside of engineering and through research, I was given that chance. Participating in research topics that aren't directly related to my major has allowed me to interact with a more diverse set of people and even observe connections between my major and my research. I am very excited to be a part of this program and see what opportunities lie ahead!