Graduate Student
Mentorship Initiative (GSMI)

Olamide Afolayan is a fourth year Biomedical Engineering major at Stony Brook University, where he’s also a part of the inaugural cohort of Simons STEM Scholars program. His interest in musculoskeletal tissue engineering, particularly meniscus repair, drives him to pursue a Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering to advance strategies to engineer stronger replacements for tendons and ligaments.

Axel Agbenyegah, a Ghanaian first-generation student, received his B.A. in Chemistry from Amherst College. He is passionate about designing, developing, and characterizing small-molecule drugs for therapeutic applications to inhibit oncogenic and other disease-causing pathways. He aspires to bridge his chemical training with biological methods. As an African-American male, he is eager to promote and advocate for diversity in complex scientific environments, both within and beyond academia.

Mariangel's interest in planetary science arises from the mysteries of the cosmos: Are there others like us? She is currently studying astrophysics at the University of Florida, especially interested in exoplanets and habitable worlds. Her goals are to work for a national lab such as NASA, and eventually work in academia to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Ultimately, Mariangel aims to utilize her experiences to help create a world where anyone curious enough can thrive in science.

Aliyah Ali received her B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Comparative Literature from Queens College. She aspires to utilize computational chemistry and biophysical chemistry to understand the molecular mechanisms of reproductive based conditions and cancers. As a proud first-gen student from Queens, NY of Indo-Caribbean descent she aims to translate the hard sciences and research by bridging public health and the humanities to create digestible and accessible scientific literature for immigrant communities.

Jennifer received her B.Sc. in Genetics and Biotechnology from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima and volunteered at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Currently, she is a researcher at Bigmind Group. She is interested in understanding T cell biology to improve TCR design for CAR-T cell therapies through immunological assays, high-throughput genomic screens, and bioinformatics. She enjoys supporting initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in science in Peru.

Adreana is graduating with her B.S. in Biological Sciences and Biochemistry from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She is interested in cellular physiology and metabolism, with a particular focus on disease-associated metabolic alterations. She is passionate about helping students discover their potential in STEM, from mentoring new students in the laboratory to coaching elementary and middle school FIRST robotics teams.

Bárbara Ayala is a senior Chemical Engineering student at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). She has conducted research at UMass Lowell on biomaterial-based biomedical devices and at Caltech on the molecular effects of sugar consumption, and currently studies functional polymers for membrane applications at UPRM. She aims to pursue graduate studies to develop nanotechnologies for early detection and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Nicholas Beckles is pursing a B.S. in Marine Vertebrate Biology with a minor in Finance from Stony Brook University, where he is also apart of the inaugural cohort of the Simons STEM Scholars program. He is interested in understanding the impact of microplastics, contaminates, and disease on the health and conservation of marine life and terrestrial life along with the affects it may have on the psychology and physiology of these organisms.

Nevign is currently pursuing a B.S in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology with minors in Data Science and Public Health at California Lutheran University. She is interested in understanding molecular mechanisms behind therapeutics to find ways to enhance the effectiveness of current medical interventions for chronic illnesses such as cancer or inflammatory diseases. As a first-generation immigrant, she is passionate in ensuring that biomedical advances are accessible to underserved populations.

Jason Cabral earned his B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy from the City College of New York, where he now teaches as an adjunct lecturer. As a research assistant for the Stress in Pregnancy Lab at Queens College, his interests revolve around how prenatal stress and ADHD/ASD may shape socio-cognitive development measured by cognitive assessments and neuroimaging techniques like fMRI. As a first-generation graduate, he aims to inspire underrepresented groups to pursue careers as researchers/clinicians.

Ashlyn Cadena is a senior at Southwestern University pursuing a B.S. in Mathematics. She has conducted optimization research through SURF at Southwestern and Bayesian conservation research through the SIAM-Simons Program. Her interests lie in combinatorics, numerical analysis, and applied mathematics, especially as they connect to ecology and environmental applications. As a first-generation student, she's passionate about bringing supportive math-curious learning spaces to Title 1 schools.

Andrea is studying to receive her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and is set to graduate in May 2027. She is interested in studying alternative energies and/or carbon capture technologies utilizing electrochemistry. As the first in her family to pursue a PhD, she's an advocate for equal opportunity in higher education.

Gresia earned a B.Sc. in Biotechnology Engineering in Mexico and an M.S. in Biological Sciences from Fordham University. Her research interests include DNA damage, genome stability, DNA repair, cancer biology, and space medicine. As an international student, she is passionate about helping members of her community pursue STEM careers and making science education more accessible.

Yenesis will receive her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Her research interests center on developing polymeric and biomaterial-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools for diseases with a poor prognosis. Long-term, she aims to pursue graduate studies to drive these scientific contributions while mentoring the next generation of underrepresented scientists striving for an equitable and sustainable future.

Daniel Cline is a fourth-year undergraduate biochemistry major at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. He researches the structure and function of non-coding regulatory RNA sequences called riboswitches with Dr. Juliane Strauss-Soukup. He is interested in studying nucleic acid structure and gene regulation and leveraging these studies to design novel therapeutics. As a native of rural Nebraska, he advocates for greater awareness of research opportunities for students from small towns.

Nicolas earned both his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Tufts University. His work explores DNA repair and the mechanisms underlying genomic instability. He aspires to pursue a PhD in cancer biology/genetics. Nicolas is passionate about increasing representation in STEM. He hopes to inspire students from immigrant and historically underrepresented communities to see themselves in scientific careers while helping demystify the path to higher education.

Jeannie Correa is a senior studying Psychology and Dance at CUNY Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College. She is interested in studying sexual assault prevention and survivor centered care in immigrant, minoritized and low-income communities. As a McNair Scholar she is excited to continue learning from mentors with similar backgrounds.

Victoria Cruz received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, where she now works as a post-baccalaureate research fellow investigating neurodegenerative diseases. She is interested in using molecular biology techniques to manipulate genes and proteins, uncovering how disruptions in cell signaling and protein interactions drive disease at the molecular level. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to continue this work.

Diane received her B.S. in Biotechnology from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. She currently is a Research Assistant at Stanford University.
Diane's interest is to bridge immunology, materials science, and neurobiology to engineer therapeutic delivery strategies that overcome the blood-brain barrier for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and pediatric brain tumors.

Alim is a rising senior at Cornell University majoring in Biometry & Statistics with a computational focus. She is interested in computational modeling, dynamical systems, and the intersection of neuroscience and AI to understand how biological systems process and encode information. As the first person in her family pursuing a PhD, she is an advocate for mentorship, diversity in STEM, and broadening awareness and participation in interdisciplinary research.

Neha received her B.S. in Biology from UCSD
and has continued working there as a research technician in Dr. Justin Trotter’s lab. She’s interested in studying how affective states come about from molecular and cellular interactions in the brain, and how they might be dysregulated in psychiatric disorders. Along with continuing along the path to starting her own lab, she hopes to make science more accessible and less intimidating of a space for those that are interested in it!

Yajahira received her B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Nevada Reno and currently works as an associate production scientist at Millipore Sigma. She is interested in how vector-borne/zoonotic disease spread amongst populations and how that information can be leveraged to create therapeutics/diagnostics to prevent disease globally and equitably.

Emilia is a fourth year Developmental and Cell Biology major at UC Irvine. Her current research investigates stem cells as a viable therapy in treating macular degeneration. Her research interests include regenerative medicine, with an emphasis on age-related conditions. Emilia also enjoys writing, and is currently a committee member and writer for Morning Sign Out at UCI, an organization aiming to bridge the gap between medicine and the greater public.

Yndira Dolores-Maldonado received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería in Peru and is pursuing an M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. She is interested in designing novel biomolecules and molecular assemblies and understanding the physicochemical principles that govern their behavior. She also aspires to improve access to research opportunities and support underrepresented students pursuing careers in STEM.

Rivaldo Duran earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Fluid Mechanics, from the National University of San Marcos. He is Executive Director of Intinauta Research Center. He is interested in astronautics and space exploration. In graduate school, he hopes to create accessible research tools, advance space exploration, and help democratize aerospace science for underrepresented communities.

Adaugo received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UMD College Park in Maryland and currently works as a Prosthetics and Orthotics technician assistant in a prosthetics clinic. She is interested in studying mechanical engineering principles and biomechanics to create innovative prosthetics and orthotics that enhance mobility and quality of life for underserved populations. She is an advocate for financial aid literacy and diversity and inclusion with her level of involvement in NSBE.

Gail received her B.S. in Biochemistry from UCSD, where she now works as a staff research associate investigating HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Her research interests lie in developing precision medicine for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Her goal is to produce effective therapeutic outcomes, especially for populations underrepresented in biomedical research.

Laura graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in Psychological Science and currently works as a lab manager at Columbia University. Her research interests center on modeling psychopathology through a complex systems lens — examining how symptoms interact with one another and with the broader environment, with particular attention to how personality disorders shape social functioning.

Daniel Garbozo received his B.Sc. in Genetics and Biotechnology from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru, and is a bioinformatics researcher collaborating with labs at New York University, Rockefeller University, and Johns Hopkins University. He studies 3D genome organization through multi-omics integration (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C), and aims to build foundation models for genomics. He is committed to expanding computational biology training in Latin America.

Elda received her B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University. Her research has examined how physical activity improves cognitive outcomes following traumatic brain injury. She has also used neuroimaging techniques such as EEG and fMRI to study language acquisition, ADHD, and statistical learning in children with Autism. Elda plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology to improve early detection and interventions for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Paris Grimaldi earned her B.S. in Psychology from Drexel University and is pursuing an M.S. in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University. She works as a Research Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania and is interested in hematopoietic stem cells, cancer, and transplantation. As a nontraditional, first-generation student, she hopes to encourage career changers and advocate for women and underserved communities in science.

Viviana Hanampa received her B.S. in Electronic Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and is a Master's student in Data Science at Columbia University. She researches computational neuroscience and AI, specifically how the brain encodes multimodal information (vision, language, audio) and how machine learning can decode neural representations. As a first-generation student from Cusco, Peru, she advocates for closing gender gaps in STEM and bringing more Latinas into science.

Samara Hayes is a Biology B.S. student at Stony Brook University studying ecology and evolutionary biology. Her research focuses on how environmental changes are shaping biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and animal behavior across marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Through a PhD, she hopes to integrate comparative, field, and lab research to inform conservation efforts while promoting mentorship, inclusive scientific spaces, and representation for students from diverse backgrounds in STEM.

Dianne earned her B.S. in Engineering Science from Smith College and is a co-inventor on a patent for an improved medical device developed through a Boston Scientific-sponsored capstone project. She is an Electronics Test Tech at RTX and is pursuing a master’s in advanced materials and semiconductor manufacturing. As a first-generation Salvadoran, she founded Smith’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) chapter and is committed to expanding access to STEM for underrepresented youth.

Michael House received his B.A. in Psychology, with minors in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, from Montclair State University. He was a SURFiN Fellow at Princeton Neuroscience Institute and a Neurobehavioral Analyst at the Child Mind Institute. He is interested in using multimodal neuroimaging and computational methods to study network dynamics and co-occurring conditions in autism. As a disabled student, he advocates for accessibility and inclusion in science.

Daniel received his B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Columbia University and currently works as a junior research scientist at New York University's Margolis Lab while pursuing an M.S. in Biomedical Informatics at NYU Langone. He is interested in studying the role of the gut-brain axis in mood disorders, like anxiety and depression, visceral pain, and memory, to facilitate novel treatments. He is also committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education and science.

Subhiksha (Suba) Kanchadapu received her B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Computer Science from the University of California, Davis in Spring 2024. She works as a Lab Manager of the Bama Baby Lab, directed by Dr. Kelsey West, at the University of Alabama. As a woman of color from a first-generation, low-income household, Suba is motivated to study how caregiver psychopathology influences child development among underrepresented and neurodivergent populations.

Claire will be receiving her B.S. in Neuroscience and B.A. in Computer Science from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Her current research uses computational simulations and machine learning to discover and analyze single-molecule, multi-targeted drugs against Alzheimer's disease. She is interested in continuing to use computing to research diseases in order to develop new treatments. As a daughter of a single immigrant mother, she is passionate about intentional inclusion in the sciences.

Kyra received their B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. They currently work as a lab manager at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. They are interested in studying human genetics and human evolution, with a focus on complex disorders like POTS or autism and how they have changed over time. As a disabled student, Kyra hopes to advocate for more inclusive and collaborative research between the disabled community and scientists.

Ariana received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from San José State University and is currently an NIH-funded PRIME-PREP Fellow at Duke University. She is interested in advancing genome engineering and stem cell technologies to deliver personalized therapies optimized to each patient's unique genetic profile. A former Student Body President and passionate advocate for equity in STEM, she is preparing for a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences to drive accessible healthcare innovations.

Laila received her B.I.S. in Environmental Science from Georgia State University and currently works as a postbaccalaureate fellow in community geoscience at UC Irvine. She has strong interests in the soil legacies of allelopathic species in the Caribbean, with a desire to find accessible soil management solutions for depleted agricultural lands. Laila aspires to join a PhD program where she hopes to collaborate on independent research stations and soil-testing sites in island nations.

Rachel received her B.A. in Neuroscience with a minor in Visual Arts from Bowdoin College and currently works as a research technician at Monell Chemical Senses Center. She is interested in understanding the mechanisms behind the human sense of taste through molecular biology techniques and neuromodulation techniques. She’s also a strong advocate for breaking down systemic barriers to make science and healthcare knowledge more accessible for marginalized communities.

Mariyam Lokhandwala earned a B.S. in Neuroscience from Santa Clara University and is a research assistant in the Cocas Lab, where she studies glial biology and neurological disease in mouse models. She is interested in sensory and cross-modal neuroplasticity and hopes to combine behavioral neuroscience, human neuroimaging, and quantitative analysis in graduate school. She is also committed to expanding access to science and strengthening mentorship and training pathways for aspiring researchers.

Bryanna received her B.A. in Psychology from Skidmore College and currently works as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests focus on the cognitive, affective, behavioral, and biological processes underlying the development and course of anxiety and related symptoms in at-risk populations. As a first-generation student, she is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion in higher education and science.

Yessenia is a Senior Research Associate at UC San Diego whose research experience spans molecular tool development, gene therapy, and systems neuroscience. She hopes to pursue a PhD investigating how neural circuits give rise to emotion and mood and how dysfunction within these networks contributes to psychiatric disease. As a first-generation scientist, she is passionate about rigorous science, teaching, and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Piper is pursuing an M.S. in Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco and is a 2026 NSF Graduate Research Fellow. She earned B.S. degrees in Biomolecular Engineering and Global Health from UC Santa Cruz. Her research focuses on engineering and validating inflammation-targeted PET radiotracers to visualize immune activity across neurological, oncologic, and metabolic diseases. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. and has long term goals of leading a translational molecular imaging lab.

Melanie received her B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University. She is a clinical research coordinator for early psychosis research. She also co-leads the Spanish Advisory Board for Linguistic Development (SALUD) for a statewide psychosis program collaborative to help bridge language gaps in care for Spanish-speaking communities. Her research interests span immigrant mental health and child and adolescent developmental disorders.

Emily graduated from Colorado College with honors in Organismal Biology and Ecology. She currently works at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, studying termite ecology and carbon cycling. She is interested in studying how environmental and social systems interact, especially within urban ecosystems and conservation contexts. Her positionality as a queer woman of color in science guides her research path and her commitment to creating collaborative, inclusive scientific spaces.

Originally from Cuba, Amanda is a Neuroscience major and Medical Anthropology minor at UNC–Chapel Hill, graduating in Spring 2027. With a background in biomaterials and neuroscience, she is interested in translational medicine and developing therapies for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Beyond research, she is involved in mentorship, education, and science communication.

Jason Marte is a rising senior at Stony Brook University and is currently pursuing his B.A. in Environmental Science with a minor in Geospatial Sciences. He is interested in the Biomonitoring of urban particulate matter across an elevation gradient: using elemental analysis of passive biological samplers, calibrated against reference air quality networks. Jason is a first-gen, low-income student from the South Bronx who champions knowledge that reflects and speaks to all people.

Sidney received her B.A. in Neuroscience from Boston University and currently works as a Research Associate at City of Hope. She is interested in studying and developing various immunotherapies for solid cancers and also applying it to autoimmune diseases. Given her background as a low income first gen student, she is also an advocate for public health as well as inclusion in higher education and research.

Anthony earned a B.S. in Psychology from Fordham University and an M.S. from Mercy University. He currently serves as a Postgraduate Research Associate at the Yale Child Study Center and Post-Baccalaureate Research Collaborator at the University of Pittsburgh. His research interests center on risk and resilience factors for trauma among Latinx youth through the development of culturally responsive strengths-based interventions for families through community-based organizations.

Lizbeth received her B.A. in Neuroscience from Skidmore College. Currently, she is working as a lab technician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is interested in exploring how glial cells interact with the immune system to drive the pathogenesis of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Tania received her B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from UC Santa Barbara and currently works as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Chicago. She is passionate about community-informed research as a way to improve both research outcomes and inclusion in academia. She is interested in developing culturally-sensitive, scalable mental health and health behavior interventions for Latinx and immigrant populations.

Widnie received her B.S. in Biology from York College, CUNY, and currently works as a research technician in a neuroanatomy laboratory. Her research focuses on protecting retinal ganglion cells(RGCs), optic nerve axons, and mitochondria in both acute and chronic injury models through the use of the mitochondria-targeted peptide HDAP2. She plans to pursue a Ph.D to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying age-related neuronal degeneration.

Menessa Metayer received her B.S. in Psychology & B.A. in Sociology I am currently working as a Postgraduate Research Associate at Yale University. My research interests center on neurodevelopment, emotional processes, and mental health, with a focus on understanding how biological, developmental, and sociocultural factors shape psychological outcomes. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. integrating research and clinical science to advance culturally responsive interventions.

Bakari Moitt earned a B.A. in Neuroscience and Black Studies from Middlebury College and is currently a research technician at Harvard Medical School. In the Rachel Wilson Lab, they study how neural circuits in Drosophila melanogaster integrate sensory information to guide goal-directed behavior using behavioral experiments and electrophysiology. Their long-term research interests center on understanding how environmental experiences shape brain development and contribute to neurological disorders.

Luis A. Montalvo Rivera is a Research Technician II at the Ragon Institute of MGB, MIT, and Harvard. He earned a B.S. in Industrial Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. His interests focus on the intersection of molecular engineering, immunology, and microbiology. Luis plans to pursue a PhD in the biomedical sciences, develop engineered proteins for immune-based therapies, and advocate for greater access to mentorship and research opportunities for Puerto Rican students.

Manuela Montoya is a first-generation student from Colombia and a Psychology major at Hunter College in New York City. Her research focuses on immigrant-origin students’ identity development, mental health, and educational attainment, and on how culturally responsive schools can foster belonging and academic success among minoritized youth. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Developmental or School Psychology and work as a youth researcher and mental health advocate.

Tan graduated with a B.S. in Biotechnology from Cal Poly Pomona in Los Angeles, California. He is currently working as a research technician in Dr. Brian Finck's laboratory where he studies branched chain amino acid metabolism in diet-induced obesity and liver diseases. Tan hopes to mentor underserved students in graduate school while volunteering for initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in academia.

Marqualand Norris will start his senior year at Swarthmore college this fall, and currently researches Astrophysics at Northwestern University. He is interested in compact objects which include black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs. Before exploring compact objects, he worked on Pulsar Timing Arrays, a system for gravitational wave detection, as well as nematic liquid crystals.He believes diversity in higher education is integral in promoting creativity and different ways of thinking.

Winnie Ou is a Biology major with a Business Administration minor at the University at Albany and has extensive research experience. Her research focuses on stem cell biology, cell signaling, and disease modeling using molecular and cellular approaches. As a first-generation college student, she is committed to advancing inclusive biomedical research and aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Bioengineering.

Katherine Pardo received her B.A. in Human Biology from the University of Virginia. She currently works at the National Institutes of Health where she researches genomic and transcriptomic variation in rare disease patients. She is interested in continuing her research in the context of rare diseases and cancers through computational analysis, modeling, and pipeline development. As a Cuban-American, she is passionate about creating opportunities accessible to underrepresented communities in science.

Alisson received her B.S. in Psychology from Trinity College and her M.A. in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University and currently volunteers as a research assistant at Yale School of Medicine. She is interested in studying the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying substance use disorders among Latino and other historically underrepresented populations, with the goal of developing culturally informed, evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.

Sara is an undergraduate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County majoring in biological sciences with a minor in music. She currently conducts research in the Smith Lab, studying the role of metalloproteins in bacterial biofilm formation. She intends to pursue a Ph.D. investigating how transcriptional mechanisms can be manipulated to intervene in pathogenesis. She is additionally committed to making STEM education more accessible and engaging.

Ndongwa received her B.S. in Biology from Agnes Scott College and currently works as a Research Associate at the Broad Institute. She is interested in using molecular and single-cell approaches to study the adaptive immune response and the mechanisms pathogens use to evade it, thereby driving disease progression. Raised by a low-income single parent who did not attend college, she is also passionate about making science and research opportunities accessible to everyone.

Valentina Pérez García recently received her B.S. in Biology from Universidad Ana G. Méndez in Puerto Rico and currently holds an NSF RaMP postbaccalaureate fellowship in benthic ecology at Georgia Southern University. She is interested in coastal ecosystem conservation, oyster disease, and passive acoustic monitoring. As a Puerto Rican scientist, she is committed to community-engaged conservation and broadening representation in marine science.

Darlina Ramdhanie earned her B.A. in Biology from CUNY York College and currently works as a research technician. Her work in neuroanatomy includes 3D reconstruction of visual cortex circuits in macaque monkeys. She hopes to bridge neuroanatomy and clinical trials to advance accessible neuroprotective and repair-focused therapies for underserved communities like her own.

April received her B.A in Chemistry with a concentration in Chemical Engineering from Barnard College of Columbia University and currently works as a seasonal Lab Analyst at SGS in Anchorage, AK. She is interested in studying topics in soft matter including colloidal particles and polymer science.

Grace received her B.S. in Physics from Arkansas Tech University and is currently doing research at Argonne National Laboratory where she uses machine learning to improve neutron detection in the central part of the CLAS12 detector at Jefferson Laboratory. She is applying for a Ph.D in Medical Physics where she is interested in researching proton/heavy ion therapies as well as combining visual and language ML models to create more specific, context-based treatment plans for cancer patients.

Emma received their B.A. in Psychological Science from the University of Vermont and currently works as a research coordinator in a developmental psychology lab. They are interested in the intersections of Autism Spectrum Disorder and mental health in youth, particularly in the context of adversity. They are passionate about centering autistic and youth voices in research, and reducing barriers to accessing mental health care.

Alex is working towards his B.S in Computer Science at USC and currently works as an undergraduate researcher at Sandia National Laboratories. At school, he conducts research on broad machine learning theory including optimization, robustness, and generalization alongside the CS Theory Group and CAIS. Being a first-generation Mexican-American student, he advocates for other often marginalized students to pursue research through being president of USC SACNAS.

Jen received her B.A. in Neuroscience and Linguistics from Duke University and currently works in Duke Anesthesiology's Clinical Research Unit, where she administers cognitive tests for studies. She is interested in studying the relationship between language, memory, and cognition, particularly among multilingual individuals and with regards to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. She is passionate about community engagement and advocating for more diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Jean Michael graduated with a B.S. in Natural Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey and currently works as a Research Technician at the Ragon Institute. He is interested in epigenomics and how to leverage genetic tools to study fungal resistance. Jean would like to pursue a PhD in Immunology and open up his own lab,to teach the next generation of scientists. Part of his vision is to provide an academic safe space, nurturing curiosity and motivation within biomedicine.

Giselle Morocho Aguilar is a rising senior at Stony Brook Univeristy majoring in Civil Engineering and part of the S1 Cohort for the Simons STEM Scholars Program. She has participated in different undergraduate research programs and construction industry experiences. She is interested in studying sustainability and structural health monitoring. As a Latina in engineering she wants to help make STEM a more inclusive space.

Neslian is pursuing a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Columbia University. She is interested in industrial process design, manufacturing, and optimization, as well as the intersection of chemical and environmental engineering. As a proud Puerto Rican, QuestBridge Scholar, and first-generation, low-income student, she is committed to expanding access to STEM and uplifting Puerto Rican and broader Hispanic and Latino communities.

Cesar is a senior in track to get a B.S. in Biotechnology at The City College of New York. As an undergraduate, he is currently doing research in Vuong’s lab studying the role of Hexokinase 3 in immunometabolism. In graduate school, he is interested in investigating the development and production of immunotherapies to treat major diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes and cancer. As a first-generation student, he values mentorship and looks forward to teaching and guiding students with similar aspirations.

Sheyla Santiago recently graduated from UC Berkeley and received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Public Policy. As a first-generation Oaxacan Indigenous student, she is interested in mental health equity, identity, and the experiences of Indigenous and immigrant communities. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and work toward making mental health care more accessible for underserved communities.

Darek received his B.S. in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University and currently works as a research technician at Children's National Research Institute Center for Neuroscience Research in Washington, DC. He is interested in, and currently studying, the longitudinal effects of trisomy 21 through immunohistochemistry, in-vivo fiber photometry neural recordings, and multiple behavioral paradigms in a mouse model for Down syndrome.

Matheus is an FGLI senior at Harvard College studying Bioengineering and a researcher at the Wyss Institute in the Ingber Lab. He's interested in developing more physiologically relevant in-vitro models, through organoids and organ-chips, pushing for personalized models to capture diversity in socioeconomic, epigenetic, and geographic backgrounds that deeply influence treatment cost and success. Outside of school, Matheus runs the 300+ person NGO "Brazilian-American Life Sciences Association" (BALSA).

Ronan is a senior at Stony Brook University majoring in physics and math, with a minor in chemistry. He is interested in applying physics to biomedicine, and is currently researching biomedical optics with the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Mass General Hospital. Ronan remains involved as an advocate for equity in science, and currently serves as the Undergraduate Student Representative for the National Society for Hispanic Physicists.

Sophia Vines received her B.A. in Biology from Bryn Mawr College and is currently a lab manager, and enrolled in classes at the Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Sophia has over 8 years of research experience, including tissue culture and functional assay development for macrophage and T cell investigation in chronic inflammation models. During her Ph.D., Sophia plans to further investigate T cell function within autoimmune and chronic inflammation contexts.

Erieliz is a senior undergraduate student in Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus. She is fascinated by how living microorganisms adapt to their environments, and how we can harness those mechanisms to build more sustainable solutions. Moreover, how extremophiles can be harnessed as a powerful tool for soil bioremediation. As a Puerto Rican and first-generation aspiring grad student, she aspires to give back to her island through science and commitment to mentorship.

Audre received her B.S. in Neurobiology and Journalism from Simmons University in Boston, MA and currently works as the Science Writing Intern at Mass General Brigham. She is interested in studying how substance use influences symptom presentation, severity, and long-term outcomes in mental health, and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects. With the goal of becoming a neuroscientist, she hopes to use her training to "un-gatekeep" science and make it more accessible to the public.

Pursuing a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science at Boston College, Xander currently conducts research at Northeastern University on models for protein backbone generation. At Boston College, his computational background includes engineering BS-Detector, a computer-vision pipeline tracking cell lineage and growth in fission yeast, alongside experience combining explainable AI with time-series foundation models. Looking forward, he intends to pursue a PhD to advance generative modeling in biology.

Amy Wu graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Florida. She now works at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as a research assistant. She is excited to contribute to AI for science, especially in building systems for scientific workflows at an exascale. Being the first person in her family with a low-income background to obtain an undergraduate degree, she strives to advocate for inclusion and service within all communities within science and education.

Lance received his B.S. in Biology from Georgetown University. He is interesting in studying how glycosylation and post-translational modification of protein, to unravel the complex roles that sugar plays in cellular communication, infection, and metabolic disease. As a first-generation immigrant and college students, he had been passionate about education and science policy work that extends the scientific community to benefit the society at large.

Demi received her B.A. in biochemistry and statistics from Washington University in St. Louis and is currently a scientist at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. She is interested in understanding how genetic and epigenetic deregulations influence cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. In graduate school, she aims to integrate experimental and computational approaches to improve precision cancer therapy while promoting a more inclusive and supportive scientific community.

Isteaq Zim received his B.A. in Psychology from Hunter College, CUNY and is pursuing an M.A. in General Psychology at The City College of New York. His research focuses on the interplay between daily social experiences, sleep, and psychopathology using intensive longitudinal methods. As a first-generation low income student, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to investigate affective dynamics and inform interventions that improve mental health outcomes for underserved communities.