Hello! I'm Aashish Ananthanarayan and I am a senior, Computer Science major at Texas A&M. My hometown is Mumbai, India and I moved to the United States in 2017. My areas of interest are Deep Learning and Cybersecurity and I love working on challenging and exciting projects in these areas. I also love traveling, meeting people from various countries and experiencing different cultures, playing tennis and cooking. A lot of times, you'll find me at one of the bubble tea places trying out different flavors and working on my assignments or projects. Being part of the Explorations board has been an amazing experience for me as it allows me to meet people from different backgrounds with the common goal of promoting Undergraduate Research and Learning at Texas A&M University and recognizing the amazing work done by undergraduate students during the academic year.

Howdy! My name is Mack Cleveland and I am a materials science and engineering major from Bedford, Texas. My interests range from chemistry and mathematics to philosophy and classics. I am passionate about interdisciplinary learning, and I am excited by research because it offers an amazing opportunity to advance the boundaries of human knowledge. I am thrilled to be able to unite my passions as part of the Explorations Board. I hope to contribute to the intellectual discourse on campus through the spread of ideas and the inspiration of future researchers.

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Howdy! My name is Jiles Finch and I am a senior Biomedical Sciences major from Midland, Texas. I am a Pre-med student that is also involved in the Biomedical Research Certificate Program. After graduation, I plan to get my master’s in biomedical science or Microbiology and then continue to medical school. Beyond school, I enjoy playing tennis, walking my dog, and hanging with friends. Being a part of Explorations is great because it allows me to connect to all areas of research across the entire university.

Howdy! My name is Annaliese Fowler, and I am a biomedical engineering major with a minor in bioinformatics. I am a third-generation Aggie from Houston, Texas. I am incredibly interested in research, and hope to eventually earn a Ph.D. in biostatistics. Through Explorations, I aim to become more involved in the undergraduate research community and to learn more about the fantastic research going on at Texas A&M.

Howdy, my name is Jenna Glotfelty, and I am a junior psychology major from Frisco, Texas! I hope to one day be accepted in a PhD program with a focus in clinical or cognitive psychology. Once I graduate, I wish to pursue a career in research and help better the understanding of the human brain. Through my undergraduate research experiences, I have found an interest in attentional biases and habit learning in regard to a variety of mental health disorders and compulsive habits. I hope to be able to improve diagnostic approaches and treatments for mental health through my research. I've always been passionate about mental health and hope to help reduce the stigma surrounding it with my work. By being a part of Explorations I hope to help my fellow undergrads see their work be recognized and be introduced to different types of research outside of my field!

Howdy! My name is Ellie Hall. As the youngest of four children, I have always been very inspired and goal driven. However, having such a wide variety of interest I have never had one specific career path in mind. Coming into college here at A&M, I'm seeking to find that direction that allows me to blend many of my interest and skills. I've also been very excited to learn and explore a variety of career options, and the range of courses I've taken so far have enabled me to do so. I've already  found that I am very interested in economics, and intend to double major in this field in the coming years. Getting to work on a board such as Explorations, will allow me to explore and even more of my potential and see what I really do value and enjoy. I've always loved writing and graphic design, and have more recently found an interest in editing. I'm hoping to pursue a future career path that allows me to combine all of my interest and skills in a way that sustains meaning in my everyday life, and hopefully the lives of those that I may work with or influence. I'm looking forward to getting to make more connections with the variety of students here at A&M and find out what my future has in store over my next several years in college!

Howdy! My name is Nabila, and I'm an Economics major from Sugar Land, Texas. I am always curious about the ways that economic models can be applied to real-world situations, which is one of the reasons I decided to join the Explorations editorial board. I enjoy doing research and exploring topics through the lens of creative writing. Additionally, I'm also interested in learning other languages. I learned French for 3 years in high school, and I'm currently taking my first semester of Arabic language class at A&M. In terms of future plans, I hope to find a career where I can keep learning more about the world around me. I've always been driven by curiosity, and I'm really excited to get a look at the variety of topics that authors will be exploring in this year's journal!

Howdy! My name is Thao Ho, and I am a junior studying Bioinformatics here at Texas A&M University. My passion revolves around research and medicine. I wish to one day pursue an M.D./Ph.D. program. I am a highly curious individual; therefore I love learning and experiencing new things. Explorations has provided me the opportunity to learn about the amazing different research being conducted across campus as well as learn from talented authors and editors. I hope to be able to utilize all the hard and soft skills I've learned at Explorations in the classroom and future jobs.

I am currently a research assistant for Dr. Dmitry Kurouski's Lab in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics building. I love using science to build a story whether it's from identifying traces of some compound whose origin matches that of a crime scene, on a piece of clothing, or qualitatively presenting evidence of an organism that can quickly change its genetic makeup when exposed to stressors. My current research is primarily forensics-focused, specifically forensic hair-colorant analysis. I'm interested in discovering new and accurate victim identification methods as well as techniques that aid in the cultivation of medicine in forensics. Outside of classes and research, I love to paint and draw until my supplies run dry and my walls are white-less. Future forensic pathologist!

Howdy! My name is Eunhye Jeon, and I am a biology major with minors in psychology and biochemistry from Belton, Texas. My primary interest lies in algebraic modeling and health disparity. Although my major, minors, and interest seem to be mismatched, my end goal is to help decrease the socioeconomic gap in healthcare. After graduation, I hope to attend medical school and practice medicine in needed places. As an Explorations board member, I am excited to learn about different undergraduate works on campus and imagine how these studies will positively impact our society in the future.

I am a Mathematics major from Nashville, Tennessee. I have a special love in my heart for the more abstract problems in number theory, as well as the great unsolved conjectures in the mathematical field. After undergraduate, I hope to complete a M.S. Business through Mays Business School at Texas A&M and then use both my STEM background and business experience to make a positive impact on the world.

Howdy! I am a junior USAR major with minors in New Media Art and English from Spring, Texas. I currently work as a teaching assistant for the College of Engineering. In my spare time I enjoy science fiction novels, baking, and country western dancing, but my true passions are design and writing. I look forward to a career in technical writing. By joining the Explorations Board, I have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with a multitude of people who share my passions. 

Howdy! My name is Michael Lord and I am studying biochemistry! More specifically, my research involves studying the interactions of proteins and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis ribosome for developing drugs using Cryo-EM. I am interested in this field because I want to help those suffering from this disease for whom it drastically affects the Philippine population. Once my days in undergrad are over, I will continue to invest time in research involving ribosomal-targeting therapeutics as well as drug discovery for other bacterial diseases. My long-term goal is to contribute to the impact that medicine has on our quality of life by developing novel therapeutics that will reform our public health. By contributing to such research, I aspire to develop opportunities for our disadvantaged populations to be relieved of disease.

Howdy! My name is Alyssa Low, and I am a junior biochemistry and genetics major from McKinney, Texas. After getting involved with research my freshman year, I have become passionate about research and the infinite potential it has to expand new horizons. I aim to become a physician, and plan to still be involved with research throughout my professional career. I work as a phlebotomist at Texas A&M's Student Health Services, and I am also a part of the American Medical Student Association and Honors Student Council. I am thrilled to join Explorations, and I look forward to encouraging the many creative research endeavors in the works!

Howdy! I am a freshman engineering major hoping to receive a degree in aerospace engineering with a minor in math and computer science! I am originally from Weslaco, TX and plan to attend graduate school after I graduate. My main passion, however, is music. Having been a member of the Crossmen Drum Corps, A&M's own engineering choir, and the Hullabaloo Pep Band, I wish to bring a multidisciplinary background to the Explorations Board that allows for an appreciation of the diversity of research being conducted by our undergraduate peers.

Howdy! My name is Andrea Meier and I am a senior civil engineering major from Allen, Texas. My interest in civil engineering is focused in water resources, and I intend to work in the water infrastructure planning field after graduation. Throughout my time at Texas A&M, I have had the chance to explore many interests through involvement in organizations like Explorations, and in student committees like MSC Business Associates and the MSC Wiley
Lecture Series. Although my extracurricular activities are now focused primarily on Explorations, all of the organizations I have been a part of on campus have provided an invaluable opportunity to pursue knowledge and experiences outside the scope of my degree. In my free time, I love spending time outside and with friends, reading, and volunteering with Aggie Habitat for Humanity.

Howdy! My name is Ayesha Nagaria and I am a public health major from Katy, Texas. My interest in public health is focused in healthcare disparities and after graduation I hope to attend medical school while continuing my involvement in the population health arena. I'm a big believer that strong public health programs are based in a health-first and evidence-based approach, which means that research is essential to the process. Through Explorations, I hope to learn more about our incredible undergraduate research and help to further connect our wonderful research community here at Texas A&M.

Howdy! My name is Urenna Orazulike and I am a third-year Public Health major here at Texas A&M. I was born in Philly, but moved to Nigeria when I was three where I spent a huge part of my childhood. I returned to the U.S. in 2015 and completed my high school education in Erie, Pennsylvania, graduating with thirteen other students under completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Afterwards, I moved south (to Texas) where the rest of my family had settled down and, in the Fall of 2017, began my journey as an Aggie. I have since acclimated well to the warmth and spirit of the Aggie Family. In addition to my academic pursuits as a pre-med student, I am currently a member of the Minorities Association of Pre-med and Pre-Health students, the Texas Joint Admissions Medical Program, as well as the Biology Learning Community. I also work part-time as an intern at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, reading and writing, listening to music, water-painting and playing badminton.

Howdy! My name is Nidhi Pawate, and I am a sophomore studying Genetics here at Texas A&M University. The ability to manipulate the information and create our own solutions is what drives me towards research. I am an aspiring physician, and I want to continue to pursue research throughout my time as a doctor. I am excited to be a part of the Explorations board and work with my classmates in spreading opportunities for research. My other interests include spending time with family and friends and volunteering!

Howdy! My name is Ananya Pillai and I am a Biomedical Sciences major from Frisco, Texas. I became interested in research after I was involved in an Independent Study and Mentorship class in high school. There are many things I have learned through the process of proposing, writing, drafting, and editing my own papers such as targeting key audiences, publishing workflow, editing/drafting schedule, and frequency to maximize one's article's reach and engagement. After high school, I was looking for ways in which I can combine my passion for healthcare and research. I am extremely excited to contribute my experiences in article writing as well as learn from the members of the Explorations Board and faculty as they can aid Texas A&M's future endeavors in the spheres of research and publishing. After graduating, I plan to attend medical school in an effort to minimize healthcare disparities in Texas. Outside the lab, I love all things breakfast food, working out, and listening to podcasts.

As a child, my most cherished memories are from an upbringing in rural Alabama with the rare visit to pastoral India. I was taught in schools with limited resources and funding. However, I never lost sight of the eventual goal of becoming a medical professional. When I moved to Texas, a much larger environment, I was introduced to the idea of dedication and teamwork in the form of marching band. As a section leader I was exposed to "the process," a phrase denoting the consistent effort displayed by individuals to eventually achieve a goal. This very belief in the process now drives me in my education as a molecular and cell biology major at Texas A&M. Once I achieve my goal, I will continue to strive for advancement, whether it be medical school or graduate school in the biological field. Finally, I plan to use my research or medical training to give back to the rural communities which have given me so much.

Howdy! I'm Nushrat Rashid, and I'm a Biochemistry and Genetics student with a minor in Bioinformatics from Plano, TX. I became involved with research my freshmen year, and have become passionate about learning more about evolution and genetics ever since. I wish to pursue an M.D or Ph.D. in the field of genetics. I love learning new things, and I am excited to be part of Explorations to see all the amazing work undergraduate students in all sorts of fields are doing here on campus. 

Hi! My name is Suchitaa and I am an engineering major from Dallas, Texas. My fascination with science and vaccinations began at a young age. As I have gotten older, I have made an effort to learn about the vaccine development process so that, eventually, I can work on developing vaccines. Additionally, inspired by my passion for science and love for helping others, I hope to pursue a career in medicine. I cannot wait to be able to relieve people of their pain or cure their illnesses. By joining the Explorations Board I am eager to share different thoughts and views with a diverse community. I hope to restore the public's faith in the healthcare system by becoming a healthcare advocate for my future patients. My other interests include spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and volunteering.

Howdy! My name is Ron Sellers, and I am a senior industrial and systems engineering major from Dallas, Texas. I am minoring in biomedical engineering and mathematics. My passion is to work on additive manufacturing and processes of medical devices, which is why I plan to pursue a master's in mechanical engineering and then a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering after college. I absolutely love doing research because of all the innovative and interesting opportunities that it presents. I am excited to join Explorations, where I hope to contribute back to the community and help push others towards greatness.

Howdy! My name is Aryan and I am a junior here at Texas A&M. I am majoring in computer science and building a machine learning model as part of the URS program. I'm hoping to pursue a Masters degree in the same field as well. I really enjoy watching sports - soccer (football!!), MMA, and all the likes. I grew up in Dubai (hence the football in parentheses around soccer) and have loved experiencing everything Texas has to offer. I love being a part of the Explorations team as it gives me an opportunity to talk to some really cool people and understand what their amazing projects are all about. Being a part of this team helps me represent the best and brightest of the university and that is a role I cherish!

Howdy! My name is Zachary Skrehot and I am a senior accounting major with minors in economics and psychology from Spring, Texas. I became interested in research after my first back surgery in 2018, at which time I joined the Social Neuroscience of Pain Disparities Lab. Soon after, I began looking for ways in which I can combine my business background with my passion for healthcare. The paper I wrote for Explorations Volume 12 was my first encounter with research on healthcare quality and cost, and since then I have been committed to pursuing a career in either healthcare consulting, hospital administration, or health policy. Upon graduation this May, I will join Berkeley Research Group as an associate in their Houston office.

Howdy! My name is Miriam Stein and I am a freshman molecular and cell biology major from San Antonio, Texas. My interest in biology lies mainly in genetics, and I hope to work as a genetic engineer during and after graduate school. Genetic engineering is fascinating to me and I am excited to be part of such a creative and pioneering field. I am a strong advocate for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration, and feel passion for art and literature alongside science. Being on the Explorations Board is an incredible opportunity. I am excited to help my fellow undergraduates publish research and contribute to the growth and spread of knowledge at Texas A&M.

Howdy! My name is Jeremy Thomas and I am a sophomore biomedical engineering major from Highland Village, Texas. My main interest in biomedical engineering is focused in biomaterials, and I enjoy conducting research to learn more about the field. Research is my primary passion, and after graduation I plan on attending graduate school to earn a Ph.D. and eventually become an engineering professor. As a professor I hope to both conduct groundbreaking research as well as inspire future researchers through teaching. I am very excited to be part of the Explorations Board, and hope to both promote intellectual discourse and inspire undergraduate researchers on campus.

Howdy! My name is Avery Travis and I am a sophomore Statistics major with a double minor in Math and Industrial Engineering. I love horseback riding, cooking, and listening to music. I joined Explorations with the belief that publishing the research done by students will not only help increase the prestige of our school, but also provide inspiration to those who may not know where to start in their own pursuit for research. I am excited to collaborate with my fellow board members to create something really special for our tenth volume.

Howdy! I am Abhinav Vadassery from Sugar Land, TX. I am a biology major and in the cohort of Science to Medicine Program. Through Explorations, I plan to involve and collaborate with the Texas A&M research community and promote scientific knowledge to the campus. During my free time, I enjoy traveling, playing and watching sports. 

Although my name is Andrea, everyone calls me Andie. I am an Applied Math major, class of 2023, with a double minor in art history and economics. I am born and bred in Houston, Tx, but I love to travel whenever I can. I am an aspiring actuary, who hopes to work in underwriting for art insurance. I am passionate about all things related to math, journalism and art. I love meeting new people and having new experiences, with the hope to live oversees one day in order to learn and experience new cultures.

Howdy! My name is Lesley Villafuerte, and I am an English major with a minor in sociology from Crosby, Texas, and my interests include art, embroidery, and reading. I have always wanted to know the "why?", "what?" and "how?" for everything. My growing curiosity led to my interest in critical thinking and analysis in research, and I wanted to understand how literature can contribute to the public, and as a first-generation college student, I did not know how to. I then discovered that research is the key, and I wanted to learn more about what research was and how it is related to finding answers to questions, which led me to Explorations. Explorations allows me to know more about students who are just as curious as I am and see what exactly goes on in undergraduate research and let me be a part of it. I hope that throughout my time in Explorations, I can learn about the foundations of research to help the start of my career in research and curiosity.  

Hello! My name is Eber and I am a junior Biochemistry and Genetics major from Pearland, TX. I plan on attending medical school to later become a surgeon. I am passionate about helping underrepresented areas and minority groups as well as increasing the diversity in the medical field. Through Explorations, I plan on learning all about the interdisciplinary research done here at Texas A&M as well as how to communicate complex research to a general audience.

My name is Judy Yang and I am a junior Accounting major with a minor in Art from Arlington, TX. My hobbies are playing violin, playing tennis, and cooking, but my passion is art and design. From little doodles to original artworks on paper and computer, my passion for art and design continues to grow and blossom. My cover art submission for Volume 7 of Explorations is an eye-opener to what it’s like to work as a graphic artist in a professional environment. It also boosted my confidence in considering a design and art career. However, I still have a long way to go to becoming a professional designer, and practice makes perfect. By joining the Explorations Board, I have an opportunity to continue to practice in a professional environment in addition to working with other people who share my passion. Furthermore, I love working with a group of people whom I can take inspiration from and bounce my ideas off of. Joining the Explorations Board will help prepare me in my dream of becoming a graphic designer.

Howdy! My name is Rebecca Zivley, and I am a freshman general engineering student from Houston, Texas. I am passionate about research and learning, and these interests led me to Explorations. It is my goal to become an engineering professor so that I can continue researching and sharing knowledge as part of my professional career. I am excited to be a part of Explorations because I love learning about and promoting the projects and ideas my fellow undergraduates are working on.