Beckman Scholars Profiles

• mikayla.barry@gmail.com
• Organizations & Programs: Texas A&M's Wind Symphony
  Texas A&M Wind Symphony and Advocates for Christ Today
  University Honors program
  Aggies Invent
  Engineering World Health
  BME Ambassadors Program, Discover
  Explore
  Enjoy Physics and Engineering (DEEP) 
   
• Awards & Distinctions: Advanced Light Source Doctoral Fellowship 2019-2020
  National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) 2017 –2019
  Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society Fellowship 2017
  Astronaut Scholarship (one of 40 recipients nationwide) 2016 –2017
  Texas A&M Goldwater Nominee (one of four for the University) 2016
  Texas A&M Undergraduate Research Scholar 2015 –2016
  George Bush Presidential Library Foundation Travel Grant 2015, 2016
  Beckman Scholar (first ever Texas A&M recipient) 2014 –2015
  Terry Foundation Scholar 2013 – Present
   

Mikayla Barry always knew she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, but the undergraduate biomedical engineering major had no idea she would be helping develop a potentially life-saving technology so soon after embarking upon her academic career at Texas A&M University.

As a Beckman Scholar, Mikayla joined a research team led by Professor Melissa Grunlan, an authority on biomaterials and regenerative therapies from the university’s Department of Biomedical Engineering developing a coating for medical devices that prevents clotting as well as infection. Her research excellence earned her numerous national fellowships, authorship on several publications, and acceptance into the top materials graduate programs in the country.

• b.versaw2458@email.tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Chapter
  a National Aggie Scholar Ambassador
  Texas A&M Honor Council
  University Honors Program
   
• Awards & Distinctions: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2018-2021
  Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award 2018
  Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Scholarship 2017
  Outstanding Presentation in Materials Science, Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research 2016, 2017
  First place Undergraduate Oral Presentation, TAMU Student Research Week 2016
  Beckman Scholar 2015-2017
  University Scholar 2015-2017

Currently: California Institute of Technology Dept of Chemistry graduate program with Dr. Maxwell Robb, 2018--present. Analysis of structure-property relationships in mechanochromic polymers.

Brooke was a University Honors Program freshman and a Sophomore Advisor for the Honors Housing Community. Her application for this leadership position emphasized rational thought, role modeling, and imaginative ideas to help create a sense of community between the two freshman Honors dorms. Versaw also spent her freshman year as a member of the TAMU Honor Council, which hears issues with respect to the Aggie Honor Code, the Student Affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society and as a National Aggie Scholar Ambassador.

Versaw got an early start in research, well before matriculating at Texas A&M in fall 2014.  She spent the summer of 2013 as a Robert A. Welch Foundation Chemistry Scholar with Dr. Junha Jeon at the University of Texas at Arlington investigating the mechanism of alkenyl silyl ether hydrolyzation. The following summer Versaw moved to Dr. Steve Lockless’ group in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M to study intracellular signaling using synthetic models of cellular membranes. Versaw’s interest in chemistry and chemical research was evident as early as high school, where she volunteered as a chemistry and physics tutor.

As a Beckman Scholar Versaw joined the laboratory of Dr. Karen Wooley on a research project using organic synthesis and polymerization strategies to build macromolecular structures that can be used to develop new materials.

• aggiefan18@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Biochemistry and Genetics Society
  Honors Housing Community
  University Honors program
• Awards & Distinctions: Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award 2018
  Senior Merit Award, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2018
  Nestor R. Bottino Award, Biochemistry & Biophysics, 2017
  Goldwater Scholarship Nominee – Texas A&M University 2016                
  Alpha Zeta Outstanding Sophomore Award Nominee, College of Agriculture and  Life Sciences 2016                
  Alpha Zeta Outstanding Sophomore Award, Representative for the Department of Biochemistry and Genetics 2016                
  National Aggie Scholar Ambassadors “Ambassador Award” 2016 
  ElectHer Workshop Nominated Attendee 2016 
  University Scholar – Texas A&M University 2015-2017 
  Alpha Zeta Outstanding Freshman Award Overall Winner, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2015
  
  Alpha Zeta Outstanding Freshman Award, Representative for the Department of Biochemistry and Genetics 2015
  
  Memorial Student Center First Year Involvement Award 2015
  
  Memorial Student Center Freshmen in Service and Hosting "Star Fish" Award 2014
  
  President’s Endowed Scholar at Texas A&M University 2014-2017
  
  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Honor Roll 2014-2016 
  
  National Merit Scholar 2014
  
  National Samsung American Legion Scholar 2014
   

Currently: University of Texas, SouthWestern Medical School, MD/PhD program. Research with Dr. Jennifer Kohler, 2019--present. The influence of inflammation on glycosylation of intestinal epithelial cells.

Gabrielle spent her first year in Aggieland as a member of the University Honors program and the Honors Housing Community. Her interest in research led her to join the DeBakey Undergraduate Research Program as a first semester freshman, working with a team that models the flow of fluid through the kidneys. 

Gabby received an early start on leadership development in the MSC Champe-Fitzhugh International Honors Leadership Seminar the summer before matriculating at TAMU and continued her development as a member of the MSC Freshmen Leadership Organization “Freshmen in Service and Hosting” or FISH. She has a long history of community service.

Gabby became a Beckman Scholar in the laboratory of Dr. Dorothy Shippen studying plant telomeres, the specific structures at the ends of chromosomes that keep them from unraveling. Telomeres have been implicated in aging and cancer as well as in diseases linked to chromosome instability, making telomere studies an excellent match for her interests.

• jentranxd@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Aggie Research Scholars
  Freshman Leadership Experience Service
  Biochemistry and Genetics Society
  University Honors
   
• Awards & Distinctions: PharmSci Poster Award, 2nd place 2019
  NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2018-present
  SciMED Graduate Research Scholar 2018-present
  Dean's Outstanding Award for Undergraduate Research, College of Agriculture and LIfe Sciences 2017
  Poster Recognition Award - Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages Conference August 2016
  Beckman Foundation Scholar May 2015-Present
  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Honor Roll Fall 2014, 2015, 2016
  President’s Endowed Scholar August 2014
  Brown Foundation Scholar May 2014-Present
  National Merit Scholar May 2014
   

Currently:  University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI Microbiology Doctoral Training Program 2018- present. Using CRISPRi tools to map cell envelope pathways in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Jennifer Tran ‘18 is a biochemistry and genetics double major  from Carrollton, Texas. Jennifer impressed the faculty, staff, and student reviewers and interview panel with her ability to view issues from multiple angles, her appreciation of a “eureka” moment earlier this year that changed her view of the world and her enthusiasm for problem solving. While her description of herself as “independent” and “involved” was clearly demonstrated by her many activities, the critical self-knowledge and self-deprecating humor demonstrated in her application essays made quite an impact on the application readers.

Jennifer was a University Honors freshman and member of the Biochemistry and Genetics Society. She began research her first semester at TAMU with the Aggie Research Scholars helping to build a self-regulating pressure pump and then moved to the laboratory of Dr. Vishal Gohil in the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics to study mitochondrial copper transport. Jennifer started her leadership development through the MSC Champe-Fitzhugh International Honors Leadership Seminar the summer before matriculating at TAMU and has continued as a member of the Freshman Leadership Experience Service committee. Even while in her first semester at TAMU, she continued community service she began in the Dallas area, such as her volunteer work with the Dallas Marathon.

As a Beckman Scholar, Tran joined the laboratory of Dr. Ry Young, the first Director of the Center for Phage Technology, looking for ways to identify and adapt phage particles for use as a new paradigm for antibiotic function.

• ash3.holt@gmail.com
• Organizations & Programs: Biomedical Engineering Society 
  Discover Explore Enjoy Physics and Engineering (DEEP)
  John 15 Transformers Bible Study
  University Honors Program
  Biomedical Engineering Society
  American Society of Microbiology
   
• Awards & Distinctions: Goldwater Scholar 2018
  Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Scholar 2018
  Dean's Excellence Award, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2017
  Beckman Scholar 2016-2019
  University Scholar 2016-2019
  President’s Endowed Scholarship 2015-2019

Currently: University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School.

As a Beckman Scholar, Ashley joined Dr. Ry Young’s lab to begin her work discovering the mechanism by which a specific bacteriophage, or virus that infects bacteria, destroys the outer membrane of its host cell. Ashley was excited to have the opportunity to work outside of her department and to gain interdisciplinary knowledge. Overall, in her research career, she would like to work toward the accomplishment of one of the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges: Engineering Better Medicine. Specifically, Ashley hopes to help create new and better antibiotics in order to combat the growing problem of multidrug resistant bacteria.

During her time at A&M, Ashley joined the Biomedical Engineering Society and Discover, Explore, and Enjoy Physics and Engineering (DEEP), as well as John 15 and Transformers Bible Study. She was a Women in Engineering Ambassador and a member of both the Engineering Honors and University Honors programs. Ashley was also selected as a University Scholar. Ashley is from Kingwood, Texas.

• Organizations & Programs: Texas A&M National Scholar Ambassador
  Editorial Board for Explorations: the Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal
  TAMU Tennis
   
• Awards & Distinctions: Craig C. Brown Outstanding Senior Engineer 2018
  Texas A&M Buck Weirus Spirit Award 2016
  Texas A&M Race, Identity & Social Equity (RISE) Fellow 2016        
  Goldwater Scholarship Campus Nominee 2016                
  Zachry Leadership Program Cohort 2 Delegate 2016         
  National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholar 2016                
  Beckman Scholar 2016-2017        
  University Scholar 2016-2018        
  Yucatán Initiative Delegate 2016           
      
  Texas A&M Freshman Leadership Class Star 2016   
  
  Brown Foundation Scholar 2016   
  
  Presidents Endowed Scholar 2015 
  
  National Merit Scholar 2015 

Currently:  Controls Engineer for Bray International.

As a freshman, Luke joined the lab of Dr. Melissa Grunlan to develop an implantable glucose biosensor. During his first semester at Texas A&M, Luke was an experimental researcher for the DeBakey Undergraduate Research Scholars program, studying the relationship between radiation therapy and lymphatic failure. Additionally, in the summer before his freshman year, he was contracted as a Wright Scholars Research Assistant for the Air Force Research Lab in southwestern Ohio to work with heart rate sensors.

As a Beckman Scholar Luke joined Dr. Gerard Coté’s bioinstrumentation lab, where he initiated an independent project to develop a novel biomarker platform technology that uses surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for lung cancer diagnosis.

In addition to his research endeavors, Luke has heavily involved himself in a variety of campus activities, including serving as a Texas A&M National Scholar Ambassador, joining the Editorial Board for Explorations: the Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal, and participating  in three design competitions through Aggies Invent.

He was designated as one of 15 college students in the nation to serve on an advisory board for Pearson Higher Education, where he helped to improve modern educational technologies by focusing his passions for sociology and academic empowerment. 

• Organizations & Programs: FMC Science Personal Assistant
  FMC Science Research Assistant
  Sigma Xi
  Biology Honors
  University Scholars
  Beckman Scholars
  Undergraduate Research Scholars Program
  Supplemental Instructor
  
   
• Activities: Peer Note Taking for Disability services
  TAMU Urban Farm United
• Awards & Distinctions: Fulbright Scholar
  NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
  University Scholars
  Beckman Scholars
  Explorations Author

Currently:  PhD program in Molecular Cell Biology at Stanford University.

Rachel, a molecular and cellular biology major from Kempner, Texas,worked with Dr. Steve Lockless researching ion channels in E.coli. Porter compares the fitness of a strain to observe differences in growth given different environmental conditions.

As a Beckman Scholar, Rachel joined the laboratory of Dr. Deb Bell-Pedersen studying whether ribosomes, the protein producers of the cell, have different compositions and activiities during the day and at night. Her long term goals include continuing on to graduate school to study biology. Rachel says that her time at Texas A&M has only confirmed her choice to pursue a path in research; “before starting, I thought I wanted to pursue a career in research, after joining the lab, I know I want to. I have enjoyed every aspect of research, from the work itself to the people I’ve met along the way.”

Rachel's excellence resulted in an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and acceptance into the top Molecular Biology graduate programs in the country.  She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia with Dr. Nina Gunde-Cimerman studying the Greenland ice sheet microbiome. After returning from Slovenia she started her graduate work at Stanford.

• Organizations & Programs: Biochemistry and Genetics Society
  Freshman Leadership Experience
• Awards & Distinctions: Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Scholar 2020
  Goldwater Scholar 2020
  George Bush Presidential Library Foundation Student Travel Grant 2019
  Beckman Scholar 2018-present
  President's Endowed Scholarship 2017-present
  Welch Foundation Scholarship 2017-present
   

Currently: PhD in Microbiology at University of Wisconsin-Madison in process.

Cody, a biochemistry and genetics double major from Red Oak, Texas, is particularly intrigued by the combination of science and technology in healthcare, hoping to apply microscopic phenomena in a manner that is beneficial. 

As a Beckman Scholar Cody joined the laboratory of Dr. Ry Young researching the mechanisms of bacteriophage lysis. Cody's work focused on how a new class of potential antimicrobial peptides derived from bacteriophage destroys bacterial cells. “I enjoy that medicine is not a stagnating field: Professionals must be adaptive and stay current with advances. I wouldn’t like to do the same exact thing every single day! Therefore, my dreams align quite well with my personality traits,” says Cody.

Cody also joined a Global and Local Health committee, which educates and brings awareness to health issues from a political standpoint. His long term goal is to earn a PhD and enter academic medicine as a medical geneticist researching the genetic aspects of disease.

• rr4hman17@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Beckman Scholars Program
  University Scholars Program
  American Medical Student Association
  Biology Honors Program
• Activities: Swaram A Cappella Ensemble
• Awards & Distinctions: Astronaut Scholar 2021
  Goldwater Scholar 2021
  Beckman Scholars 2019-present
  University Scholars 2019-present
   

Ryan is a biology major and neuroscience minor from Ransom Canyon, Texas. Ryan has previous medical experience working as an intern at the Trustpoint Rehabilitation Clinic in his hometown. He is active on campus in the American Medical Student Association and the Biology honors program. In addition, Ryan is a recipient of the President’s Endowed Scholarship and a National Merit Commended Scholar.

As a Beckman Scholar, Ryan joined the laboratory of Dr. Richard Gomer in the Department of Biology where he is investigating the signals that regulate bacterial destruction after engulfment by Dictyostelium discoidium. His research creativity and independence have led to several publications and National Fellowships based on research excellence.  Ryan is currently in the process of applying to MD/PhD programs.

• Brandon_Lookfong@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Biomedical Engineering American Medical Student Association
  NASA University Leadership Initiative
  Beckman Scholars Program
  University Scholars Program
  University Honors
  Engineering Honors
   
• Activities: Houston Helpers taking on COVID-19
  TAMU Build
  The Big Event
  The Special Olympics
  GTF mentor
• Awards & Distinctions: President's Endowed Scholar
  Greater Texas Foundation Scholar
  Beckman Scholars
  University Scholars

Brandon is a sophomore biomedical engineering student from Spring, Texas. Brandon has previous research experience, having completed a bio printing design project where he improved the biological printing capabilities of 3D printers by optimizing a method to isolate biological extracellular matrices. Brandon has also competed in the Aggie Challenge and Aggi-E Invent Challenge, winning with his projects on optimized patient flows and bio printing.

As a Beckman Scholar, Brandon joined the laboratory of Dr. Sarah Bondos in the Department of Molecular Medicine using materials science to address neurological disease.

• Organizations & Programs: Beckman Scholars Program
  Biology Honors Program
  University Honors Program
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholar

Allison is a Biology major from Dallas, Texas. She is fascinated in how science is able to find solutions to macroscopic problems when looking at the microscopic scale. Allison is active on campus, being a member of both the Biology Honors Program and the University Honors Program. 

As a Beckman Scholar, Allison joined the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Riley, a Professor in the Department of Biology, looking into the regeneration of hair cells and neurons of the zebrafish inner ear by testing functions of Fgf genes during development. Ultimately, Allison strives to better understand important pathways and proteins involved in molecular biology.

• Organizations & Programs: HOSA
  W.H.O.O.P.
  Lambda Sigma
  Beckman Scholars Program
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholars

Emily is a Microbiology majoring in genetics from Brownwood, Texas. She is an aspiring pediatric oncologist and cancer researcher. Emily has previous experience volunteering and shadowing at her local hospital and various health clinics in her hometown. On-campus Emily is involved in several organizations, including HOSA, W.H.O.O.P., and Lambda Sigma. Sheis a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholar as well as a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Finalist. 

As a Beckman Scholar, Emily joined the laboratory of Dr. Deborah Bell-Pedersen, a Professor in the Department of Biology, to understand the mechanisms of the Circadian Clock. Emily hopes to find a connection between protein synthesis and cellular processes.

• chbowerman@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Society of Physics Students
• Activities: Hiking
  Camping
  Rock climbing
  Kayaking
  Board games
  Movie marathons
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholars
  Honors Student for Department of Physics and Astronomy
  Eagle Scout      
   
• Experience with: detection of COVID-19, the mechanisms of bacteriophage lysis

Connor Bowerman ‘24 is a Physics major from Austin, Texas. Bowerman is the first Physics major chosen for the TAMU Beckman Scholars Program. He began his research experience as a research assistant studying the detection of COVID-19 using fluorescent nanoparticles as well as worked with enhancing the sensitivity of lateral flow assay with application to COVID-19.

As a Beckman Scholar, Connor joined the lab of Dr. Alexey Akimov to study light and its interaction with matter. Connor enjoys the rigid definitions of physics and is interested in exploring basic physics research in areas such as particle physics, nuclear energy and semiconductors. When not focused on physics, Bowerman also enjoys discussing philosophy. Describing himself as “strategic” and “ inquisitive”, his career goal is “to maximize the amount of good I do while minimizing the amount of bad I do”.

• MiriamStein@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: University Honors Program
  Explorations: The Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal
• Activities: Undergraduate Research Summer 2021: UT Health Science Center San Antonio, Dept of Cardiology
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholars
  Baumberger Endowed Scholar
  Deans Honor Roll 2021
   
• Experience with: mitochondrial physiology, calcium and magnesium signalling, confocal microscopy, spectrofluorometry, western blotting, histology and immunohistochemistry, PCR genotyping, RNA sequencing

Miriam ’24 is a Molecular & Cell Biology major from . Miriam is fascinated by genetic diseases and how the tools of molecular biology can be used to understand underlying disease mechanisms. She is currently investigating the role of copper and copper transport in zebrafish mitochondria can be regulated.

As a Beckman Scholar, Miriam joined the laboratory of Dr. Vishal Gohil, a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, looking into diseases of copper metabolism where she will be investigating how drugs transport copper into cells and whether they can be used to treat mitochondrial diseases of copper insufficiency. Ultimately, Miriam hopes to better understand important pathways regulating metabolism and disease.

• samfehlis@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: American Chemical Society, Presidential Endowed Scholars, Texas A&M Pre-Medical Society, CARPOOL
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholar

Samantha is a chemistry major with a minor in economics and a focus in biological chemistry.
She works in Dr. Karen Wooley of the Chemistry department’s lab focusing on synthetic and
organic chemistry. The group’s research attempts to make discoveries that could help reduce
environmental impact and pollution. Sam’s project in particular is about developing a new,
biodegradable plastic source to reduce plastic pollution using chitin, a sugar polymer in insect
exoskeletons and crustaceans. After getting her undergraduate degree she plans to attend
graduate or medical school.

Travis “Horton” Richard ‘25 is a biochemistry major with a minor in economics. He is in the LAUNCH University Honors Program. As a Beckman Scholar, Horton will begin working on a research project with Dr. Vishal Gohil from the department of biochemistry, where they will use Barth syndrome models to investigate how correcting mitochondrial defects could act as a treatment for patients with Barth syndrome. Barth syndrome is a disease where people lack cardiolipin, an important component of their cells’ mitochondrial membrane. Without cardiolipin the mitochondrial membrane cannot function properly, resulting in symptoms like enlargement and weakness of the heart. Horton intends to test how a chemical component known as spermidine can destroy defective mitochondria in yeast cells. He will then ask if spermidine has the same effect on human cells to investigate if it can be used as a potential treatment for this disease. Horton is excited to start this research project where he will “perform research that has some positive impact on others.” When he graduates, Horton plans on going to graduate school to pursue a lifelong vocation of research.

Samuel Idah-oze ‘25 is a general engineering major who intends a major in biomedical engineering. He is pursuing a Biomedical Research Certificate and is a LAUNCH Century Scholar and TAMU Posse Scholar. As a Beckman Scholar, Samuel will be working with Dr. Gerard Coté in the department of biomedical engineering. Dr. Coté focuses on the development of point-of-care biomedical devices, nanoparticle based biomedical sensors, and diagnostic systems. Samuel and Dr. Coté are working on defining a specific research topic for Samuel’s Beckman Scholars project. Samuel notes that he looks forward to learning more from this experience and hopes that the Beckman Scholars program will help him gain experience in research so he can later lead his own research projects in biomedical engineering. Although this is Samuel’s first research experience, he says “I have started dreaming bigger [and] undergraduate research is giving me the tools needed for me to better the world. I have a long way to go, but I’m confident in what I can eventually do.” When he graduates, Samuel intends to go directly into the biomedical engineering industry to gain experience in his field.

• trevorm8@tamu.edu
• Organizations & Programs: Aggie Research Scholar, TAMU Terry Scholar, Science Leadership Scholar, Certified Peer Visitor for the National Amputee Coalition, Aggie Astronaut Corps, 4-H and FFA Alumni
• Awards & Distinctions: Beckman Scholar

Trevor grew up in Premont, Texas and attended Bishop High School where he was heavily involved in multiple organizations especially 4-H & FFA that gave him the opportunity to gain interest particularly in Biology. During that time he expanded his knowledge and skills through competitive events such as being the 2021-2022 Reserve Grand Champion in his Agricultural Public Speaking Category at the San Antonio Livestock Show as well as 2021-2022 Finalist at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for his distinct presentation Xenografts & Genetic Modification Impacting the Swine & Medical Industries. He additionally was recognized as being the 2022 1st Place State 4-H Open Presentation winner for another presentation over Prosthetics and Synthetic Biological Attachments. Through several programs along with his previous certification as a Certified Peer Visitor for the National Amputee Coalition, he combined his passion for science and paying it forward towards getting a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and intends to go to Graduate School to pursue a further interest in Genetic Modification of Microscopic Organisms. At his time at Texas A&M University, he has been a TAMU Terry Scholar, Science Leadership Scholar, & now TAMU Beckman Scholar. He has previously worked in Dr. Bill Murphy's lab under Andrew Harris' project titled Felid phylogenomics: An exploration of the relations within the eight major cat lineages. He now works under Dr. Richard Gomer's lab which primarily focuses on understanding chemorepulsion in Dictyostelium discoideum as well as ways to combat fibrosis diseases.