Current Ambassadors
Anthony Azzi
Major(s): Biomedical ScienceContact: anthonyazzi03@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Clear Springs High School
Advisor: Dr. Jerome Menet
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Circadian Rhythm, Gene Expression
Other Projects and Publications: Alternative Polyadenylation of Plasmids and its Effect on Gene Expression.Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Texas A&M Pre-Med Society
Activities: Hospice Volunteering, Clinical Shadowing, Working Out, Basketball
Awards: Dean's List (Fall 22', Spring 23', Fall 23')
Experience: Undergraduate Research, Summer Research Internship
Years Experience: 1.5
Howdy! My name is Anthony Azzi and I am a Biomedical Sciences major and part of the class of 2026. I plan on attending medical school after I graduate in hopes of becoming physician. I am a part of Dr. Jerome Menet's undergraduate biology lab here at Texas A&M where we study circadian rhythm and gene expression. Throughout this time, my passion for both research and medicine has continuously grown and I am constantly looking for more experiences that pertain to these passions. Furthermore, I am excited to share my experiences and help others that are considering undergraduate research!
Ramya Bathala
Major(s): Biochemistry and GeneticsContact: ramya.bathala@tamu.edu
Class Year: 24
High School: Centennial High School
Advisor: Dr. William Murphy; Dr. Matthias Koch; Dr. Zhilei Chen; Dr. Karu Chockalingam
Thesis Title: Felid Phylogenomics: An exploration of the relationships within the eight major cat lineages; my focus is on the Puma Lineage
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and investigating the mechanical properties of pili in infection sites.
Chen medicinal protein lab: project tbd
Research Focus: Felid Phylogenomics, Bacterial Genome Engineering, Medicinal Proteins
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassador, Murphy lab, Koch Lab, Chen Lab, Opioid Task Force Ambassador, Aggie Research Program, Hullabaloo Peer Mentor, Akh Mastani.
Activities: Painting, Reading, Making coffee or chai, Thrifting and spending several hours making Spotify playlists or Pinterest boards
Awards: Aggie Research Scholar
Experience: Paid undergraduate research
Years Experience: 2
Hi!! My name is Ramya and I'm currently a senior double majoring in Biochemistry and Genetics. I have a strong passion for medicine and translational research and my ultimate career goal is to work in oncology. As an undergraduate, I hope to gain a solid foundation in genetics and drug discovery to prepare for my future career.
Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work in three research labs. In the Laboratory of Mammalian Comparative Genomics led by Dr. Murphy, I have been working with PhD candidate Andrew Harris to investigate the genome-wide distribution of phylogenetic signal within each of the eight cat lineages. Our goal is to unravel the complex speciation patterns within each lineage and study how genomic data types like recombination rate influence this phylogenetic landscape. This experience has allowed me to learn how to conduct computational analyses on genomic data and process genetic information, skills that can be applied to any species, including humans. I am particularly excited about the potential of genomic sequencing in the healthcare industry through precision medicine.
In addition to my work in genomics, I am also learning about bacterial genetics in Dr. Koch's lab. Specifically, we are studying Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known to cause a large percentage of hospital-acquired infections. While it is a mild infection for most people, it can be deadly to immunocompromised patients, such as chemotherapy patients. Our goal is to understand the mechanism of the bacteria and its pili’s physiological properties in infection sites, which is critical for developing effective treatments. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn microbiology techniques, bacterial genome engineering through two-step allelic exchange, and work with a species of bacteria that has significant clinical impact.
I have recently joined the Chen medicinal protein lab, and I am thrilled to work under them!
Research has been one of the most valuable experiences I have had during my undergraduate studies at TAMU. Through my research, I have gained valuable knowledge, a sense of community, and amazing mentors. Moreover, I have developed skills that will benefit my future career. I strongly encourage all A&M students to try research and I am more than happy to help anyone interested in getting involved. Please feel free to reach out to me!
Gabriel Silva Bizi
Major(s): Biomedical SciencesMinor(s): Business
Contact: gabriel_bizi@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Cypress Ranch High School
Advisor: Dr. Mendell Rimer; Anthony Matarazzo
Research Focus: Neuroscience, Cellular Biology, Alzheimer's Disease
Other Projects and Publications: Characterization of a Novel Tool to Manipulate mtDNA in Astrocytes
Organizations & Programs: Aggie Research Program, Undergraduate Research Ambassador, FEST (Freshman Year) , Biomedical Science Association, Texas A&M Bodybuilding Club
Awards: Dean's List, College Board National Recognition Scholarship, Phi Kappa Phi Dean’s Excellence Award Finalist
Years Experience: 1.5
Swapnil Dash
Major(s): Business HonorsMinor(s): Pre-Medicine
Contact: swapnildash@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Westwood High School
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Hook, Dr. Len Berry
Thesis Title: Depression, cognitive decline, and development of Alzheimer's Disease following spinal-cord injury. Effects of opiates on recovery of motor function after spinal injury.
Research Focus: Spinal-Cord Injury, Experimental Therapeutics, Business of Healthcare
Organizations & Programs: Hook Laboratory, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Business Honors, Business Student Council, Mays Healthcare Alliance, Volunteer at St. Joseph's
Activities: Tennis, Reading, Volunteering, Volleyball, Cooking
Awards: Mays Business Honors Program, University Honors, President's Endowed Scholar, Dean's Honor Roll, Professional Distinction in Healthcare
Experience: Undergraduate Research, Summer Research Internships
Years Experience: 1
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!
Peter Elhajj
Major(s): PsychologyMinor(s): History
Contact: pelhajj@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Frassati Catholic High School
Advisor: Dr. Heather C. Lench; Roy F. Chemaly, M.D., M.P.H.; Dr. Jessica Galloway-Pena
Research Focus: Infectious diseases in oncology, multi drug resistant organism (MDRO) infection in cancer patients, emotion science in social psychology.
Other Projects and Publications: COVID-19 in cancer patients: The impact of vaccination on outcomes early in the pandemic; Identifying microbial-derived products which inhibit S. mitis growth.
Organizations & Programs: UGR Ambassadors, Texas A&M Pre-Medical Society, St. Mary's Orchestra
Activities: I joined the St. Mary's Catholic Center Orchestra when I first moved here in the Fall of 2021 where I play flute. We rehearse twice a week and perform at Sunday Mass. I play on a few soccer intramural teams.
Awards: Dean's List, College of Arts and Sciences. (Fall 21', Spring 22', Fall 22', Spring 23')
Experience: Summer Research internships, biomedical research, and authorship of scientific manuscripts.
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Peter Elhajj and I am a junior Psychology student from The Woodlands, Texas. I am also minoring in history because it was my biggest passion in high school, and I still am a huge nerd about it. I want to attend medical school after graduation and pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician scientist. While here at A&M, I want to nurture and grow my passion for medicine and service with all my undergraduate experiences, like becoming an undergraduate research ambassador. I joined my first lab freshman year and have been participating in research ever since. I love the team atmosphere that goes into research tasks and I have personally helped many of my fellow pre med friends become involved in research as well, and I want to continue that kind of direct outreach with the undergraduate research ambassadors.
Gabriella Ganser
Major(s): GeneticsMinor(s): Bioinformatics, Public Health
Contact: gabriellaganser@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Ronald Reagan High School
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Cirillo
Research Focus: Tuberculosis, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Immunology, Cellular Aging
Other Projects and Publications: Experimentally Identifying Phage Lysis Genes through Lysis Complementation Assays (Advisor: Dr. Ryland Young, Spring 2023 - Spring 2024)
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Hullabaloo U Peer Mentor, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), Biochemistry & Genetics Society, MSC FLI Costa Rica Service Learning Program
Activities: Traveling, Volunteering, Journaling, Trying out coffee shops, Serving at church, (non-competitive) Pickleball
Awards: Phi Kappa Phi Dean’s Excellence Award, Dean's Honor Roll, University Honors, Biochemistry & Biophysics Departmental Honors (in Genetics)
Experience: Fall/Spring Research, Summer Research (REU), Presentations (Oral & Poster), Scientific Writing
Years Experience: 1.5
Howdy! My name is Gabriella (Gabi) Ganser, and I am a genetics major at Texas A&M University pursuing minors in bioinformatics and public health studies. This is my first year serving as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, and I am thrilled to spread enthusiasm on and off campus for undergraduate research experiences!
I have always been highly fascinated by human physiology and medical biotechnology. Originally, I started my undergraduate journey as a pre-medical student, however my career plans quickly started to change once I began my first research position in Dr. Ryland Young’s research lab at the Center for Phage Technology. For the past three semesters, I have worked under Dr. Young studying bacteriophage lysis. Bacteriophages (or “phages”) are viruses that exclusively infect bacteria, and they hold tremendous potential for fighting against antimicrobial resistant infections. My specific project focused on experimentally identifying lysis genes in a phage that targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria responsible for biofilm formation in patients with cystic fibrosis. Working in Dr. Young’s research lab not only introduced me to basic research and helped me learn technical skills, it also ignited my passion for scientific discovery and communication.
In addition to my experience in the Young Lab, I participated in the Baylor College of Medicine Summer Undergraduate Research Training (SMART) Program this past summer, working in Dr. Alison Bertuch’s telomere research lab. My project focused on a telomere regulatory protein that is frequently found to be mutated in patients with bone marrow failure. This fall, I will be transitioning to a new position in Dr. Jeffrey Cirillo’s research lab, and I cannot wait to get started. I will be researching tuberculosis (TB), specifically how TB infections lead to premature cellular aging.
Post-undergrad, I plan to pursue an MD/PhD, with an ultimate career goal of becoming a physician-scientist. I hope to practice medicine while also being actively involved in basic/translational research. Getting involved in research has without a doubt been the best decision of my undergraduate experience so far, and I highly recommend it to all students!! No matter what field you are interested in, there is a way to get involved in research. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! I would love nothing more than to guide others in their undergraduate research path :)
Tucker Gillespie
Major(s): Animal Science and NeuroscienceContact: tgillespie@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: McCook Senior High School
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Dulin
Proposed URS Thesis Title: Testing the co-dependence of glial derived neurotropic factor and glial receptor protein alpha-1 in the mediation of peripheral nerve growth in mouse DRGs.
Research Focus: Cellular Neuroscience, Stem Cell Therapy, Spinal Cord Injury
Other Projects and Publications: Aceves M, Tucker A, Chen J, Vo K, Moses J, Amar Kumar P, Thomas H, Miranda D, Dampf G, Dietz V, Chang M, Lukose A, Jang J, Nadella S, Gillespie T, Trevino C, Buxton A, Pritchard AL, Green P, McCreedy DA, Dulin JN (2023). Developmental stage of transplanted neural progenitor cells influences anatomical and functional outcomes after spinal cord injury in mice (2023).
Communications Biology 6(1): 544. PMID: 37208439. Tucker A, Baltazar A, Vo K, Thomas H, Tandon A, Moses J, Singletary B, Gillespie T, Smith A, Pauken A, Nadella S, Pitonak M, Letchuman S, Jang J, Totty M, Jalufka F, Aceves M, Blackmon H, McCreedy DA, Dulin JN. Synaptic and functional connectivity of transplanted neural progenitor cells with locomotor circuitry following spinal cord injury. In preparation.
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Texas A&M Pre-Medical Society, B.R.A.I.N.S., Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, University Honors Fellow, Fightn' Texas Aggie Ranch Horse Team, Fall Leadership Conference Director
Activities: Leather working, Running, Horse Shows
Awards: Undergraduate Research Scholar, Gathright Award for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Freshman Nominee
Experience: Presentations, Data Analysis, Inter-lab collaboration
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Tucker Gillespie and I am an Animal Science and Neuroscience double major from McCook, Nebraska. I grew up the child of two former students from Texas A&M with my father having attend vet school at A&M as well as his undergraduate. Watching the medical aspect of veterinary science taught me the basics of biology, but I always knew I was much more interested in human medicine rather than veterinary medicine. Nevertheless, I have chosen the unique path of a double major here at A&M in order to gain experience surrounding medical science from multiple points of view.
While I intend to practice medicine, I have always had a passion to understand quality research and help bridge the gap between basic science research and eventual clinical viability or clinical trials. Getting involved in research has allowed me to build on that passion. Not only am I able to have a role in current research, but I have been able to understand how to form research questions while keeping the clinical viability in mind, so that the results can be utilized in the medical field as quickly as possible. I intend to attend medical school and specialize in neurosurgery, so doing research surrounding spinal cord injury and nerve regeneration has taught me invaluable information about the field itself and where technology is headed in future years. Beyond my roles in research, I am also a competing member of the Texas A&M Ranch Horse team. I grew up riding horses, and I have never stopped. The team travels across the state throughout the fall and spring semesters competing the judged events against other schools from the south and the midwest region. My time on the ranch horse team has allowed me to bridge the gap in many ways between students from traditional STEM majors and students more involved in the agriculture side of campus. Through that experience I have been able to educate many of my peers and develop amazing relationships in the process.
Arham Hassan
Major(s): Public HealthContact: arham.hassan@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: The Village High School
Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Montemayor
Proposed URS Thesis Title: Unveiling Patterns of Cannabis Use and Associated Risk Factors Among Students & Exploring the role alcohol-related campus customs/traditions play in potential alcohol use disorder within Large Universities
Research Focus: Alcohol and Substance Use, Health Behaviors, Intentions for Substance Misuse, Drug Use Interventions
Other Projects and Publications: Alrousan, G., Hassan, A., Pillai, A. A., Atrooz, F., & Salim, S. (2022). Early Life Sleep Deprivation and Brain Development: Insights From Human and Animal Studies. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.833786
Atrooz, F., Alrousan, G., Hassan, A., & Salim, S. (2022). Early-Life Sleep Deprivation Enhanced Alcohol Consumption in Adolescent Rats. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.856120
Organizations & Programs: Texas A&M Muslim Student Association (MSA), Disaster Day Committee, Volunteers Across the World (VAW), Sling Health Organization
Activities: Tennis, Cricket, Aviation Enthusiast
Awards: School of Public Health - National Public Health Poster Contest Award: 2nd Place, Houston Howdy Scholarship Winner, Southerland Aggie Leader Scholarship Winner
Experience: Poster Presentations, Internships, Summer Research, Clinical Experience
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Arham Hassan. Born and brought up in Dubai, U.A.E., I moved to Houston when I was 10 and have been a native ever since! I actually got into research during the summer after my junior year of high school when I had the opportunity to learn laboratory techniques to analyze rats that were sleep-deprived and/or made to consume alcohol. I found the entire experience so enthralling and fascinating that I decided to join a neuroscience lab in my freshman year of college. I got to understand the inner workings of the nervous system and specifically, oligodendrocytes. Within the one-semester commitment, I witnessed and got to practice histotechniques and western blotting using rats that had Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis.
After my experience with the neuroscience labs, I was keen to explore a different part of the research spectrum: public health research. I joined the REACH (Research and Education in Alcohol and Cannabis Health Behaviors) during the first semester of my sophomore year. The lab focuses on conducting research among college student populations, more specifically those who are under-represented, to understand their motivations and intentions to partake in risky health behaviors, such as cannabis and alcohol cannabis. From creating survey questions that have been sent out nation-wide, to forming multiple abstracts, to writing research articles that are currently in progress, to applying for conferences to present our research, the lab has given me so much and has exponentially developed my academic career. With the goal of being a physician in the future, I hope to incorporate the knowledge I learned and the mindset gained from public health research into a hard-science field so that I have the advantage of utilizing the best of both worlds!
Audra Hicks
Major(s): Ecology and Conservation BiologyContact: audrahicks@tamu.edu
Class Year: 24
High School: Homeschool
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Lawling
Research Focus: Invasion Biology, Conservation Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Wildlife Ecology
Other Projects and Publications: Habitat Selection in Transient Populations of the Invasive Species, Podarcis siculus.
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, The Paleoecology, Evolution & Climate Lab
Activities: Painting, reading, playing games, being with my cats
Awards: Jordan Fellowship Program Award, ECCB Undergraduate Research Award, Jack Crawford Endowed Scholarship
Experience: Summer research, Poster presentations, International research
Years Experience: 1
Howdy! My name is Audra Hicks, and I am a junior Ecology & Conservation Biology major from Tuscumbia, Alabama! I enjoy spending my time painting, reading, playing games, or just hanging out with my cats. After graduation, I plan on furthering my education by going to graduate school for something in the realm of wildlife ecology or ecology and evolutionary biology. I hope to continue research as a career afterwards, with a focus on invasion biology and evolutionary biology.
My first experience with research was through the Aggie Research Program, where I joined Dr. Michelle Lawing's lab and worked on two different projects. The first project was over the successful invasive species called the Italian Wall Lizard . The goal of this project is to determine the role of its behavioral syndromes in its invasion success among different established populations. The second project is about Sceloporus (spiny) lizards and how their morphological shape evolved in relation to different life history factors.
Research was one of the best things I could've done in my undergraduate career here at Texas A&M. I've learned valuable skills, made connections with like-minded individuals, and really developed a sense of self from it. If you're interested in learning more about the process of starting research and how to join a project, I would love to be able to help!
Luis Hurtado
Major(s): Ecology and Conservation Biology, EntomologyMinor(s): Genetics
Contact: luisalejohurtado@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: A&M Consolidated High School
Advisor: Dr. Daniel Spalink; Dr. Joseph Veldman
Research Focus: Phylogenetics, Biogeography, Population Genetics, Paleoecology
Other Projects and Publications: 1) Niche divergence in bryophytes with extreme sex-based segregation 2) The nature of fire-vegetation relationships in tropical savanna-forest mosaics 3) Detecting the endangered South Llano springs moss and other plants from the South Llano River watershed using environmental DNA metabarcoding 4) Combining traditional survey methods and environmental DNA metabarcoding to assess marine intertidal biodiversity on Yellow Island, Washington 5) Predicting genomic offset in Olympia oyster populations under different climate change scenarios.
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, Ecology and Conservation Biology Student Ambassadors, Club Tennis
Activities: Tennis, Basketball, Violin, Latin Dance
Awards: University of Washington Doris Duke Conservation Scholar, Association of Former Students Scholarship, Sigma Xi Grant in Aid of Research, W.B. Davis Endowed Scholarship, COALS Undergraduate Research Scholar, Anderson & Crum Award for Field Research in Bryology, C.R. Butler and W.J. Patrick Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Botanical Society of America Undergraduate Student Research Award, Dean's Honor Roll, Virginia Thomas Allen Endowed Scholarship, Dependent Children of Faculty and Staff Scholarship, Ecology and Conservation Biology Undergraduate Research Award, Texas A&M National Recognition Scholarship, Hispanic Forum of Bryan/College Station Scholarship, College Hills Scholars Scholarship
Experience: Fall/Spring/Summer Research, Internships, Poster Presentations, Oral Presentations, Prospective Student Outreach, Proposal Writing, Scientific Writing, Biosafety
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Luis Hurtado, and I am an Ecology & Conservation Biology and Entomology double major from College Station, TX. After graduating, I plan to work towards a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related field. Eventually, I see myself working for a government agency like the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or as an academic researcher. Much of my research has been on non-vascular plants (mosses, hornworts, and liverworts). These inconspicuous little plants have not received the same attention as their flashy vascular counterparts, and much is left to learn about them. My initial work focused on the evolution and biogeography of bryophytes, but my most recent research has involved using environmental DNA to detect aquatic mosses in the field. My work with bryophytes opened the doors for me to pursue research in paleoecology (the study of past ecosystems), and I work as a laboratory assistant on a project that uses phytoliths (silicified plant microfossils) to predict historical vegetation patterns in the Bolivian Amazon River Basin. Plant communities are shaped by fire regimes, so learning what they were like can tell us about historic fire frequencies over the past few millennia. In summer 2024, I spent two months in the San Juan Islands Archipelago in Washington. Here, I investigated marine intertidal invertebrate and algal communities through extensive field surveys and environmental DNA metabarcoding. Additionally, I built a potential distribution model for the native Olympia oyster and projected this model into the future under different climate change scenarios to predict how the species may be affected by our rapidly changing world.
Undergraduate research has been invaluable to my development as a budding scientist and a person. I have met like-minded people, improved my hard and soft skills, and achieved more than I ever thought possible. I am incredibly grateful for all it has given me, and I cannot wait to guide future Aggies through their journeys as undergraduate researchers. My email address is listed above, so please reach out if you have any questions!
Samuel Idah-Oze
Major(s): Electronic Systems Engineering TechnologyContact: sidah@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Thurgood Marshall High School
Advisor: Dr. Gerard Cote; Dr. Sumana Datta; Dr. Leticia Palomin
Proposed URS Thesis Title: Wearable point-of-care medical devices: My research focuses on using optical techniques such as multiwavelength photoplethysmography to increase the accuracy and equitability of wearable point-of-care devices.
Research Focus: Point-of-care, medical devices, Wearables, Optic
Other Projects and Publications: Multiwavelength Photoplethysmography and Bioimpedance Multimodal Signal Analysis above the Radial Artery on the Wrist; Multiwavelength photoplethysmography signal analysis as a function of varied wrist contact pressure; Contact Pressure‐Guided Wearable Dual‐Channel Bioimpedance Device for Continuous Hemodynamic MonitoringOrganizations & Programs: Century Scholars program, Posse Foundation, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Beckman Scholars program
Activities: Basketball, Soccer, Running and Animating
Awards: Beckman Scholar, Posse Scholar, Century Scholar, Paths-Up Scholar, Valedictorian
Experience: Conducted experiments, Processed and analyzed data, Published 4 papers, Patented co-invention, Presented at conferences, software (MATLAB, SOLIDWORKS, Python, C++)
Years Experience: 2
As a biomedical engineer, I am driven by a passion for improving the standard of living through innovative medical devices. Being a Beckman and Posse scholar, I am committed to excelling in my classes while also prioritizing my research on point-of-care medical devices.
Yahya Kharbat
Major(s): BiologyMinor(s): Psychology
Contact: yahya.kharbat@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Dhahran High School
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Dulin
Research Focus: Spinal Cord Injury, Neuroscience, Chemogenetics, Chronic Pain
Organizations & Programs: Biomedical Sciences Association, Texas A&M Toastmasters, Texas A&M Emergency Care Team, Art etc., Texas A&M Reach Project CLINT Team
Activities: I enjoy public speaking, reading, creating digital art, and cooking.
Awards: Deans Excellence Award for the College of Arts and Sciences
Experience: Summer Research, Poster Presentation at LAUNCH Research Summer Poster Session, Society for Neuroscience Winter Symposium
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Yahya Kharbat, and I am a sophomore Biology major from the Woodlands, Texas. I attended highschool overseas in Saudi Arabia where I was exposed to a multitude of diverse cultures. I enjoy learning about people and their distinct backgrounds, an aspect I have come to love about Texas A&M and its large student population. After Graduation I plan to pursue a medical degree with the hopes of becoming a Neurologist and Interventional Surgeon.
I have been privileged to be a part of the Dulin Lab where we conduct research on spinal cord injury and developing robust treatments using rodent models. After meeting Dr. Dulin I was introduced to my graduate mentor Prakruthi Amar Kumar, who has become a great source of learning and guidance. The project I have been working on involves the chemogenetic silencing of nociceptors to alleviate sensory hyperactivity and improve functional recovery after spinal cord injury. This is done by directly targeting the nociceptors, our pain sensing neurons, located within the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). We utilized DREADDS delivered through AAV6 viral vectors, then activated through CNO ligand. We performed behavioral and locomotive tests and the results showed that early chemogenetic silencing of nociceptors improved hindlimb locomotor recovery while significantly reducing thermal hyperalgesia throughout the subacute phases of injury compared to control subjects.
Outside of the lab, I am passionate about public speaking and continue to look for opportunities to incorporate that into my endeavors, whether it be in presenting research, or patient advocacy. It is through research that I learned the value of knowledge in the scientific and medical community, and as an aspiring physician it is my goal to work towards communicating that knowledge to my patients and the people whose lives I strive to improve.
Emily Lightfoot
Major(s): Economics & Applied MathContact: emlightfoot@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Paetow High School
Advisor: Dr. Chelsea Strickland; Dr. Fernando Luco
URS Thesis Title: Firm Decision-Making After Hurricane Harvey
Research Focus: Economics, Climate Change, Applied Microeconomics
Other Projects and Publications:
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Scholars, Economic Research Program, MOVE Texas A&M, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors
Activities: Tennis, Reading
Awards: Dean's List, Undergraduate Research Scholar
Experience: Internships, Summer Research, Presentations, Research Assistant at the University of Chicago Becker Friedman Institute
Years Experience: 2
I am an Economics and Applied Math double major who is looking to pursue a PhD in Economics. I have spent two summers working as an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Chicago. Along with this experience, I have also been working on an individual research project through the TAMU Economic Research Program. I hope to someday pursue research on the intersection of economics and either climate change or the criminal justice system.
Samhitha Mada
Major(s): PsychologyMinor(s): Public Health, Neuroscience
Contact: samhitha.mada@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Uplift North Hills Preparatory
Advisor: Samba Reddy; Purdur Jagadeeswaran
Research Focus: Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics
Other Projects and Publications: Sterology/Neurohistology
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, TAMU Iktara, TAMU Sahithya
Activities: EMT, Dance, Music, Cooking
Awards: BroadStreet Honor Society, International Baccalaureate Diploma, President's Volunteer Service Award
Experience: Summer Research, Meta-analysis Research, Major Switch, Medical Shadowing/Volunteering
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Samhitha Mada and I am a sophomore from Coppell, Texas. Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work under two different labs as well as my own research experience.
I began research under Dr. Purdur Jagadeeswaran at University of North Texas focusing on using zebrafish as an animal model to investigate the RNaseH-mediated simultaneous piggyback knockdown of genes associated with factor IXa expression in adult zebrafish. Additionally, I worked to create a database to help understand how to use the zebrafish model and make it more accessible to a larger population of molecular biologists. I also conducted my own research project for my IB Diploma as well as building upon it for my BroadStreet Public Health Honors class in investigating the impact of social media on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic throguh a meta analysis for over 20 publications to explore how social media exacerbates symptoms of depression in adolescents amidst the pandemic. Currently, I work at Reddy lab with my primary focus within the lab centering on stereology and neuroscience histology, where I analyze brain structures to elucidate the effects of therapeutic interventions on epilepsy. Understanding stereological techniques allowed me to accurately quantify cellular structures and neuronal populations within brain tissue sections, providing valuable data for understanding the effects of experimental treatments on neural architecture and function.
Outside of academics, I am a trained dancer of 13 years and hold a diploma of Kuchipudi. I have competed with our very own Indian classical competitive team, TAMU Sahithya, for two years as well as have been internationally acclaimed! I have recently started a Bollywood dance competition, TAMU Iktara, which serves as a platform to raise awareness to the South Asian arts and helps national charities. After graduating, I plan on attending medical school with the hopes of becoming a physician and opening up my own clinic!
Kylie McDaniel
Major(s): Behavioral and Cognitive NeuroscienceMinor(s): Spanish
Contact: knmcdaniel25@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Seven Lakes High School
Advisor: Dr. Rebecca J. Brooker; Dr. Karen L. Cropsey; Dr. Karen L. Gamble
URS Thesis Title: Mother-Infant Neural Synchrony in the Case of Depressed Mothers: Helpful or Harmful to Infant Development?
Research Focus: Affective Neuroscience, Neuroimaging, Health Disparities, Circadian Rhythm
Other Projects and Publications: Mallin, E.L., Schorn-Pagel, S., Van Noy, C., Varghese, A.S., McDaniel, K.N. Mother-Infant Interpersonal Neural Synchrony in the Case of Depressed Mothers: An Electrocortical Study of the Impact on Infant Development. [Manuscript in preparation].
Qiping Fan, Li Wen Jan, Kylie McDaniel, Moniola Olawoye, Kim Le, Oluyomi Oloruntoba, David Doyle, Minh-Nguyet Hoang, Jeswin Vennatt, Carter Radocha, Logan DuBose, Tokunbo Falohun, Matthew Lee Smith, Ping Ma. "National trends, prevalence, and determinants of illicit drug use and alcohol use among older adults in the United States from 2010 to 2019", American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.
Qiping Fan, Oluyomi Oluruntoba, Li Wen Jan, Kylie McDaniel, Moniola Olawoye, Kim Le, David Doyle, Novelle Kew, Logan DuBose, Tokunbo Falohun, Matthew Lee Smith, Marcia Ory, Ping Ma. "Disparities in the prevalence of mental illness and mental health treatment among U.S. older adults from 2010 to 2019", American Public Health Association 150th Annual Meeting, Boston, USA, Nov 6-9, 2022.
Organizations & Programs: Aggie Baptist Student Ministry, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, Development of Mind and Emotions (DOME) Lab, Fade to Black Hip Hop Ensemble, Maroon & White Leadership Fellows, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Undergraduate Research Scholars, University Honors Program
Awards: Gathright Dean's Excellence Award Honorable Mention, Undergraduate Research Scholars, University Honors Program
Experience: UAB Heersink School of Medicine Summer in Biomedical Sciences Program, actigraphy, electroencephalography (EEG), oral presentations, poster presentations, three-minute thesis, undergraduate research, venipuncture
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Kylie McDaniel, and I am a Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience major with a minor in Spanish from Katy, Texas. Upon graduating, I plan to serve as an English teaching assistant abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Scholars Program, pending a successful application, and will then pursue my M.D./Ph.D. in medical school.
I had no idea I wanted to pursue research as part of my career when I first entered university, nor was I aware of the unique opportunities a physician-scientist had to contribute to science; I was simply interested in trying out research to see what it was like. I struggled to figure out how to get started in research, but I did eventually find a position in the Development of Mind and Emotions (DOME) Lab. In our lab, we study the socioemotional development of infants and their mothers through interactive games and electroencephalography (EEG). Through working with our participants, I have found how passionate I am about people and neuroimaging; it just fascinates me to see the brainwaves of people in real time.
Neuroscience research has ineffably enriched my college experience. Not only have I found a tight knit community of students and faculty who share my same academic interests, but I have also gained the opportunity to see how lecture concepts can apply (or not apply) to participants in real life. Furthermore, these experiences have added significant nuance to my understanding of parenting, how people develop, and how childhood experiences, even before memory develops, can affect someone for their whole life. I would highly recommend anyone even remotely interested in research to just try and see what it is like; you never know when you will find the lab that changes the direction of your undergraduate experience and future career.
Jordan Moore
Major(s): Public HealthMinor(s): Biomedical Sciences
Contact: jmoore2003@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Klein Oak High School
Advisor: Dr. Michael Lopez
URS Thesis Title: Walk Across Texas: An Analysis of the Economic Impact of an Online, Community-Based Physical Activity Program
Research Focus: Public Health, Health Equity, Genetics, Oncology
Other Projects and Publications: Grand Challenges in Clinicogenomic Documentation of the Patient Journey from Risk to Cancer Diagnosis
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Undergraduate Research Scholars, Aggies Against Cancer, Partners in Health - Engage, Aggie Elevate, Undergraduate Academic Appeals Panel, Gift of Life Campus Ambassador Program, Aggie Research Program, Biomedical Research Certificate Program, Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate, Health Communication Certificate, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Students for Health Equity, Aggie Global Guides
Activities: Hiking, Thrifting, Volunteering
Awards: Student Research Week 2022 - Life Sciences Subject 1st Place Winner, Dean's List, Distinguished Student Award
Experience: Presentations, Internships, Symposiums, Scientific Writing, Fall/Spring Research, Conferences, Thesis Writing. Practicums, Study Abroad
Years Experience: 3.5
Hi! My name is Jordan, and I am a Public Health major from Spring, Texas. I am minoring in Biomedical Sciences and pursuing certificate programs in Biomedical Research, Health Communication, and Nonprofit Management. After completing my bachelor's degree, I hope to go to graduate school to earn my master's (and eventually PhD) in health policy. I hope to pursue a career in health equity and to start my own nonprofit to help cancer patients.
I have been doing research since the beginning of my freshman year. As a freshman, I worked in a genetics/entomology lab with Dr. Hojun Song. In this lab, my research project focused on describing the morphology and genetic makeup of two newfound gregarine species found in crickets' guts on the Texas A&M University campus. Sophomore year, I worked in Dr. Singh's lab and focused on oncology research. My major role in this lab was contributing to the development of a bioprinted glioblastoma model in order to understand the relationship between brain endothelial cells (EC) and glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSC). With my internship at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, I worked on a cancer clinical trial and research associated with that. Through the ARP program, I work on implementing physical activity programs and analyzing their benefits (ie: health outcomes, economic benefits, etc), which is what my URS thesis focuses on. Research has been one of the best things I have been involved in during my time at Texas A&M, and I encourage everyone to get involved! Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Elaina Moss
Major(s): Biomedical SciencesContact: elainam3@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Friendswood High School
Advisor: Dr. Tapasree Roy Sarkar
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Cancer Biology, Cancer Bioinformatics, Cancer Metabolomics, Nanotechnology
Other Projects and Publications: The undergraduate research project that I am working on focuses on the anti-cancer effects of novel nanomaterials in breast cancer. The current experiments are on the cytotoxicity and motility inhibitory effect of FA-Hep-CuS nanoparticles on triple negative breast cancer cells.
Organizations & Programs: Texas A&M Fencing Team, StandUp For Kids, Texas A&M Emergency Care Team, Big Event Staff Assistant, Texas A&M American Medical Student Association, National Rifle Association
Activities: Writing, composing music, tutoring, and participating in water sports
Awards: University Honors, President’s Endowed Scholarship
Experience: Presented at Texas A&M Student Research Week, Fall/Spring Research, Summer Research
Years Experience: 1
Howdy! My name is Elaina Moss and I am a sophomore Biomedical Sciences major from Houston, Texas! After graduating from Texas A&M, I plan on attending medical school with hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. I am currently conducting my research experience as part of Sarkar lab. My research focuses on the anti-cancer properties of novel nanomaterials in breast cancer.
Triple-negative breast cancer’s (TNBC) lack of endocrine receptors such as estrogen, HER2, and progesterone poses a challenge for treatment. This aggressive cancer exhibits high levels of recurrence and metastasis. Nanoparticles present an intriguing alternative to chemotherapy and cytotoxic drugs, as these tend to be toxic to healthy cells and cause adverse systemic side effects for TNBC patients. My research uses the Fa-Hep-CuS nanoparticles to target the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is the transformation of epithelial cells to mesenchymal stem cells. Distal metastasis is increased as a result of the mesenchymal migratory capacity. Photothermal therapy (PTT) using near-infrared radiation (NIR) has also been a useful tool for inhibiting the progression of tumors. It does so through ablation of cancer cells through hyperthermia. This new form of treatment that combines anti-EMT technology with the non-invasive PTT has the possibility to not only revolutionize cancer treatment, but also make the therapy more manageable for patients. I have learned so much being a part of this lab and am excited to continue my research experience. Outside of research, I enjoy spending time building my passions and learning new skills. I believe in maximizing my positive impact on society, and do so by connecting with others through topics/projects I enjoy! I am so excited to share more about my research experience!
Christian Nguyen
Major(s): BiologyContact: christiannguyen@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Colleyville Heritage High School
Advisor: Dr. Tapasree Roy Sarkar
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Cancer Biology, Tumor Microenvironment, Circadian Biology, Nanotechnology
Other Projects and Publications: Investigating the Anti-Cancer Properties of a Novel Nanomaterial in Breast Cancer; Investigating the Impact of Circadian Disruption on Mammary Tumorigenesis and Mammary Microenvironment
Ogunlusi, O., Sarkar, M., Chakrabarti, A., Boland, D., Nguyen, T., Sampson., J., Nguyen, C., Falis, D., Jones-Hall, Y., Fu, L., Mallick., B., Keene, A., Jones, J., Sarkar, TR. Circadian rhythm disruption alters mammary gland morphology and accelerates cold aggressive tumorigenesis through a LILRB4-dependent pathway. BioRxiv. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.03.19.585534
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Sarkar Lab, Hand-and-Hand Share Missions, TAMU BUILD, Texas A&M Pre-Medical Society, Texas A&M Club Tennis
Activities: Traveling, Tennis, Backpacking/Hiking/Camping, Cooking, Piano
Experience: Summer Research, Oral and Poster Presentations
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Christian and I’m a junior Biological Sciences major from Colleyville, Texas. Upon graduating, I plan on attending medical school while pursuing research on the side.
A little about my research background: In the summer leading up to my freshman year, I was afforded an opportunity to pursue cancer research under my principal investigator, Dr. Tapasree Roy Sarkar. I immediately got to work building circadian cabinets that would be utilized for a project that involves investigating the impact of circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) on tumor initiation and progression. Currently, epidemiological studies have shown a link between CRD and an increased risk for the onset of breast cancer. In the summer of 2023, I worked alongside Ph.D. student, Olajumoke Ogunlusi, and Dr. Mrinmoy Sarkar in hopes of identifying the underlying molecular mechanism behind this occurrence. My current project involves investigating the anti-cancer properties of a novel nanomaterial, Fa-CuS, in triple negative breast cancer cell lines (TNBC). TNBC presents a particular challenge for treatment because of its lack of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor (HER2) receptors. Novel nanomaterials are an up-and-coming treatment option for TNBC because of its high targeting abilities, reduced toxicity, and biocompatibility, and FA-CuS in particular has showcased promising results in its ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.
Working in the lab, I learned how to think critically, how to work alongside peers in a collaborative effort, and how to better bounce back from failure–skills that will carry me through the rest of my future endeavors. I also had the chance to meet wonderful people and mentors who inspire me each day on my path to becoming a physician. For anyone with any research related questions, or are wanting to give research a shot but don’t know where to start, please reach out!
Owen North
Major(s): BiologyContact: owennorth@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: College Station High School
Advisor: Dr. Alex Keene
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Sleep, Neurogenetics, Brain Evolution, Behavior
Other Projects and Publications: I am currently leading 2 projects in the Keene lab. The first is a collaborative project with a group from UNAM in Mexico City. We are seeking to test if sleep loss is ubiquitous across multiple independently evolved Astyanax mexicanus cavefish populations. This project will give us insight into the fundamental principles of sleep evolution and will pave the way for future research into the underlying neurogenetic factors that are driving this conserved behavior. In my second project, I am working with 4 species of African Cichlids and trying to define and quantify behaviors that are consistent with sleep/rest phases.
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Scholar, Undergraduate Research Ambassador, Keene Laboratory
Activities: Basketball, Reading, Video Games, Cooking
Awards: Dean's List, Dependent Children of Faculty and Staff Scholarship
Experience: Summer Research, Presentations, Student Research Week, Research Conference, Internships
Years Experience: 2
My name is Owen North and I am a rising senior biology major working with the Keene lab. I started working with Dr. Keene in the summer of my freshman year and have been researching brain evolution and sleep through our model species Astyanax mexicanus ever since. As I progressed through my undergraduate classwork and research I discovered that I want to pursue a career in academia and continue researching neurogenetics and behavior at the graduate level. I aspire to become a professor and lead my own research group in the future, hopefully being able to inspire the next generation to pursue their curiosities and uncover the mysteries of how our brain functions.
Travis Horton Richard
Major(s): BiochemistryMinor(s): Chemistry, Genetics
Contact: hortonr611@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Cistercian Preparatory School
Advisor: Dr. Gohil, Dr. Panin
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Protein Glycosylation, Biochemistry, Drosophila model system
Other Projects and Publications: Interactions between receptor protein tyrosine phosphotases and glysosylating proteins, as well as the generation of a usable Sialyl Transferase mutant strain of flies.
Mitochondrial Phospholipid Metabolism in Health and Disease
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Scholars, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Freudian Slip Improv Alpha Psi Omega, University Honors
Awards: Beckman Scholar, Gathright Phi Kappa Phi x2
Experience: Poster Presentation x1 and conference attendance x2 at Beckman symposium; Lab meeting presentations; Summer full time research for 2 years in Dr. Gohil’s lab.
Years Experience: 3
I am a hard working undergraduate committed to a career in Biochemical research, with research having been my intended career path since childhood. I have performed exceptionally well in my academic pursuits as acknowledged by my position as a Beckman Scholar and two time selection as Gathright Phi Kappa Phi award winner, signifying that I was the highest performing Freshman, and subsequently the highest performing Sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. I have extensive research experience, and have participated in the writing of a review article, as well as learning several research techniques, some of which are standard in almost any biochemical lab, and some of which are typically not performed by undergraduate level students.
Samika Sequeira
Major(s): PsychologyMinor(s): Neuroscience
Contact: samika@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Obra D. Tompkins High School
Advisor: Dr. Heather Lench
URS Thesis Title: The Influence of Subcultures on Moral Foundations: Comparison between Westerners and Easterners in the United States
Research Focus: Social Psychology, Cultural Psychology, Moral Psychology, Emotional Psychology
Other Projects and Publications: (1) Thesis (2023-2024) and (2) Explorations vol. 16 (ongoing): The Influence of Subcultures on Moral Foundations: Comparison between Westerners and Easterners in the United States; (3) Research Assistant with Dr. Heather Lench in the Emotion Science Lab; (4) Research Assistant with Dr. Allegra Midgette in the Moral Development Lab
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Freshmen Leaders in ArtSci Reaching Excellence (Community Service and Inclusion Officer, 2022-2024), Council of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (2022-2023), St. Mary's Catholic Church Music Ministry
Awards: Undergraduate Research Scholar, Dean's Honor Roll (Spring 2023 & Fall 2023), Psychological and Brain Sciences Honors
Experience: Undergraduate Thesis Writing, Presentations (URS Symposium 2024); Data Analysis: Jamovi, SPSS, Google Sheets; Data Collection Tools: DirectRT, MATLAB, PsychoPy, Qualtrics
Years Experience: 1.5
Samika is a second-year Psychology honors student with a minor in Neuroscience and a certificate in Psychology of Diversity. She plans on graduating in May of 2025. Her research experience includes the Undergraduate Reserach Scholars, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Explorations vol. 16 journal (Author), Emotion Science Lab (Research Assistant), and Moral Development Lab (Research Assistant). Samika’s undergraduate thesis was titled “The Influence of Subcultures on Moral Foundations: Comparison between Westerners and Easterners in the United States” that explored cultural differences in morals between Westerners and Easterners and the impact of assimilation in the United States. At Texas A&M, Samika is also involved in the St. Mary’s Music Ministry and is a former member of Freshmen Leaders in ArtSci Reaching Excellence (Community Service and Inclusion Officer, 2022-2024) and Council of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (2022-2023).
Mariam Sharief
Major(s): BiologyMinor(s): Business
Contact: mariam_sharief03@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Elkins High School
Advisor: Dr. Shogo Sato
Thesis Title: Effects of Time-Dependent Exercise on Inflammatory Markers in Aging Mice. Group Project/ Publication Project: Time-of-Day Reveals Divergent Phenotypic Responses in Aged vs. Young Mice Following Exercise
Research Focus: Metabolism, Circadian Rhythm, Exercise, Immunology
Organizations & Programs: Minority Association of Pre-Health Students, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Supplemental Instruction Leader, VIDA Volunteer Abroad Program - Guatemala
Activities: Physician Shadowing, Next Level Urgent Care- Intern, Family Physician- Receptionist, Working Out, Reading, Painting/ Drawing
Experience: Undergraduate Research Assistant at Sato Lab, Undergraduate Research Poster Symposiums, Internships
Years Experience: 1
Howdy! My name is Mariam Sharief. I am a Biology Major and Business Minor from Houston, Texas. My current aspirations include attending Medical School post-undergrad, and then working my way towards becoming a specialized surgeon.
Ashley Smith
Major(s): GeneticsMinor(s): Neuroscience, Public Health
Contact: ashley_nico1e@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Lakeland Senior High School
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Dulin
Proposed URS Thesis Title: Effects of manipulating anterior or posterior identity of spinal cord neural progenitor cell grafts for spinal cord injury
Research Focus: Spinal Cord Injury, Stem Cell Transplantation, Neuroscience, Motor Function Recovery
Other Projects and Publications: Functional synaptic connectivity of transplant-derived neurons with locomotor circuitry in the injured spinal cord. (In preparation)
The Importance of Undergraduate Research Experiences. (2024 eNeuro).
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Scholars, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Texas A&M Spinal Cord Initiative, Pre-Med Society, Med-Life, TAMU Bioethics Forum
Activities: Emergency Department Medical Scribe, Hullabaloo U Peer Mentor, Private Tutor
Experience: Pathology Reference Lab Internship, St. Joseph Regional Hospital Scribe, Student Research Week Presentations
Years Experience: 1.5
I am a junior from Coeur D' Alene, Idaho majoring in Genetics with minors in Neuroscience and Public Health. I am currently in Dr. Jennifer Dulin's lab who focuses on analyzing how stem cells can be integrated into host circuitry to repair motor function after spinal cord injury. After graduation, I plan to go to medical school with the hope of becoming an anesthesiologist.
Vansh Tandon
Major(s): Biomedical EngineeringContact: vanshtandon@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Seven Lakes High School
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Dulin
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Stem Cells, Spinal Cord Injury
Other Projects and Publications: The goal of the project I am currently working on is to understand the way in which transplanted Neural Progentior Cells (NPCs) integrate within the host nervous system following spinal cord injury. Following this project, we hope to ventralize grafts in order to improve the likelihood that grafted cells will differentiate into motor neurons. We hope that this research serves as a precursor for treatments to re-establish motor function for individuals paralyzed by spinal cord injury.
Organizations & Programs: VOOM Ambassadors, Engineering Honors Ambassador, Engineering Honors Executive Committee
Awards: Dean's Honor Roll, Engineering Honors
Experience: Presented at Student Research Week and TAMIN Spring Symposium, Aggies Invent
Years Experience: 1
Howdy! My name is Vansh Tandon, and I am a sophomore Biomedical Engineering major from Katy, TX! I'm very grateful to serve as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, since participating in research has allowed me to grow tremendously as a student and scientist. Throughout my time as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, I hope to increase the accessibility of research opportunities for students of all age groups and majors at Texas A&M. I hope to accomplish this by increasing awareness regarding the wide variety of research opportunities available to students at Texas A&M, and by establishing a mentorship program so that students seeking out research opportunities can ask a peer for guidance. In the future, I hope to apply my engineering and research skills to develop novel and affordable technologies that can increase healthcare access for communities all throughout the world.
Hannah Thomas
Major(s): Biomedical SciencesContact: hannah.thomas28@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Elkins High School
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Dulin
Research Focus: Neuroscience, Stem Cell Transplantation, Spinal Cord Injury
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Dulin Lab, VIDA, Youth Impact
Activities: Clinical Shadowing, Volunteering, Voice Lesson Teacher for Kids, Calligraphy
Experience: Undergraduate Research, Presentations
Years Experience: 1
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!
Eliana Tijerina
Major(s): Molecular Cell NeuroscienceContact: elianatijerina@tamu.edu
Class Year: 25
High School: Pearland High School
Advisor: Dr. Rahul Srinivasan; Daniela Ayala
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Parkinson's Disease, Astrocytic Mitochondria
Other Projects and Publications: Using an AAV expressing the restriction enzyme PstI (Mito-PstI) under the astrocyte GfaABC1D promoter, targeted specifically to astrocytic mitochondria, we induced damage to astrocytic mitochondrial DNA. In this project, we propose to disrupt astrocyte mitochondrial function within specific regions of the mouse brain to observe whether it accelerates Parkinsonism and the presence of motor symptoms using a 6-OHDA mouse model.
Heterogeneous brain region-specific responses to astrocytic mitochondrial DNA damage in mice
Organizations & Programs: AAUW Vice President/President, BRAINS, WISE, TAMU Ballet Folklorico Celestial, Hullabaloo U Peer Mentor, Undergraduate Research Ambassador.
Activities: Reading, Trying new food, Thrifting
Awards: Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Research Scholar, Dean's Honor Roll, Distinguished Students List, 2nd Place Poster Presentation- TAMUS LSAMP Symposium.
Experience: Baylor College of Medicine Summer Intern- Integrative Physiology; McGovern Medical School UTHealth- BRAINS Summer Research Program; Poster Presentations
Years Experience: 2
Howdy! My name is Eliana, and I am a senior molecular cell neuroscience major from Pearland, TX!
I joined research my sophomore year in the Srinivasan Lab, and I fell in love. It was not only amazing to see conceptualized topics from my classes being brought to life before my eyes, but also it was rewarding to participate in discovery. The Srinivasan lab is where I met my graduate mentor, Daniela Ayala, who has given me endless support in my academic and personal life goals. Joining the Srinivasan Lab was the first time in college that I felt like I knew what I wanted to do with my future career. My project currently focuses on working with an AAV called Mito-Pst1 that causes astrocytic mitochondrial dysfunction in a 6-OHDA mouse model. We inject Mito-Pst1 and perform behavioral tests to assess grip strength, gait patterns, and dopamine release. Little is known about Parkinson’s Disease and by experimenting with Mito-Pst1 we hope to learn more about the mechanisms behind this neurodegenerative disease.
Looking into the future, I hope to earn a Ph.D. in neurobiology after I complete my undergraduate studies. Neuroscience is something I’m passionate about and I hope to be able to continue in my studies and research in it. Joining undergraduate research was one of the best decisions I have made at my time at TAMU. I have had the opportunity to think critically and independently, meet like-minded people, and expand my knowledge of the world of science. I would love to help undergraduates become involved in research and share the same passion for science as I have! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Alisha Turner
Major(s): BiologyContact: aturner22@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Winston Churchill High School
Advisor: Dr. Mahul Chakraborty
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Genetics, Adaptive Evolution, Phenotypic Variation, Drosophila melanogaster
Other Projects and Publications: The effect of transposable elements on adaptive evolution within the insulin receptor gene of Drosophila melanogaster.
Organizations & Programs: Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, Chakraborty Lab, Freshman Aggies in Medicine (staff)
Activities: Reading, watching true crime documentaries, baking, making Spotify playlists, board games
Awards: Dean's List Fall 2023
Experience: Fall/Spring semester research
Years Experience: 1
Howdy! I am a Junior biology major (pre-med track) from San Antonio, Texas. I am currently a research student in the Chakraborty lab, a genetics and genomics centered lab. Through research I am hoping to diversify my experience by learning new techniques as well as create my own project to research and publish in the future. Alongside research, I am planning on volunteering at St. Joseph's Hospital this upcoming semester. I am hoping to go into medical school with a focus on pediatrics, thus volunteering in the NICU would be ideal. I've been fortunate to travel to multiple countries and experience different cultures, which has helped to broaden my perspective on world cultures and communicate with a diverse range of people. I have a working knowledge of Spanish which I'm hoping to expand upon and use in my future medical career.
Aditya Tripathy
Major(s): BiologyContact: aditya.tripathy@tamu.edu
Class Year: 26
High School: Heritage High School
Advisor: Dr. Lee Shapiro
Research Focus: Molecular biology, neurodegenerative conditions, TBI, Male reproductive biology
Other Projects and Publications: Investigating the Effects of Biomechanical Factors and Material Properties to Improve In Vitro Models of the Seminiferous Epithelium.
Organizations & Programs: Shapiro Lab, Aggies & Mentors, Undergraduate Research Ambassador, Aggies Special Olympics of Texas Volunteers, SLING
Activities: Basketball, Biking, Music, Chess
Awards: Student Research Week- Medical Sciences 1st Place Winner, Pericarditis research selected for Collin-College District Symposium, Biology Honors
Experience: Poster Presentations, Clinical Patient Care Technician
Years Experience: 1
Last year, I was a student researcher at Dr. Tracy Clement’s lab where I researched how different biomechanical and material properties impacted the rate at which spermatogenesis occurs in in vitro models. This research was vital as it played a dual purpose, potentially aiding infertile males by increasing the rate of spermatogenesis and alternatively decreasing the rate, thereby acting as a contraceptive. Through this lab, I developed foundational hands-on laboratory skills and gained reproductive biology knowledge, which I was able to display through a poster presentation during TAMU Student Research Week!
For my current research project, I am a part of Dr. Lee Shapiro’s lab, which specializes in research about neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). My goal in this research lab is to gain knowledge to understand the extent to which neurological diseases and injuries impact the inner workings of the neurological system.
After I graduate, I aim to pursue medical school and become a physician. The research experiences I’m gaining as an undergraduate are instrumental as I continue with my career.