Recruited in 2020
Brittany Yancey - Major: Biology
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2021
Joined Dr. Whelan’s Lab as a Junior in the fall of 2020.
Project Title: Exploring the relationship between race/ethnicity and the clinical and molecular features of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Accepted to Temple University Summer Research Opportunities Program in the summer of 2021.
Support Scientist at the Charles River Laboratories site in Horsham, PA.
Zamienta Coido - Biology BS
Graduation Date: May 2021
Joined Dr. Sapienza’s Lab as a Senior in the fall of 2020.
Project Title: Comparison of Bacterial Species in 16S Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer Patients of Different Ethnicities
Participated in the Summer Cancer Research Institute in the summer of 2021.
Currently in medical school at Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Alex Armstead - Major: Biology (premed track, minor in Public Health)
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Joined Dr. Soboloff’s Lab as a Sophomore in the fall of 2020.
Project Title: Calcium-dependent O-GlcNAcylation controls melanoma invasiveness
TU MARC program scholar (summer of 2021-present).
Accepted to the UCLA RMUF program in the summer of 2022.
Former E-Board for Temple University's APSA, FIMRC, and Health Link Society organizations and was a Public Relations Chair and DE&I Chair for Phi Delta Epsilon. He is in the UPenn with the Pennsylvania Hospital Premed Volunteer Program. He is applying to medical school to complete an MD/PhD.
Jasmine Cruz - Major: Biochemistry
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2021
Joined Dr. Whelan’s Lab as a Junior in the fall of 2020.
Project Title: Mitochondria as a noninvasive biomarker for Eosinophilic Esophagitis
LSAMP/MAK fellowship in the summer of 2021.
Temple University Biology Journal Club Co-President (2021 to 2022)
Currently in a postbac program (PREP) at Virginia Commonwealth University, doing research in Dr. Kimberly Jefferson's lab on identifying the binding region of cytopathic toxin A in Sneathia vaginalis
Accepted to the University of Virginia PhD Program for Fall 2023
Jasmine Green - Major: Biology
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2021
Joined Dr. Swayam’s Lab as a Junior in the fall of 2020.
Project Title: Glycoengineering mesenchymal stem cells for ovarian cancer targeting; ultimately improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy
Participated in the CST Undergraduate Research Program in the summer of 2021.
After graduation, Jasmine plans on applying to graduate schools to gain more research experience relative to complications in female reproductive organs.
Jasmine hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Elaine Vaughan-Williams, Biology BS - May 2021
Joined Dr. Sapienza's Lab as a Senior in the fall of 2020
Project Title: “Validation Study to Compare Methylation Differences in Fresh vs Frozen Embryo”
Hired as a research assistant in the summer of 2021
Elaine will be pursuing a Master's degree in Biological Sciences to expand upon her research experience and hopes to attend medical school in the future.
Recruited in 2021
Alex Martinez - Major: Biology, Minor in Psychology
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2022
Joined Dr. Sapienzas’s Lab as a Senior in the summer of 2021.
Project Title: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in a Center of the Study for Epigenetics in Reproduction
Participated in the summer CST Undergraduate Research Program in 2021.
Alex, who is currently a Cell Culture Specialist at AnaBios Corporation, wants to continue expanding her research experience and plans on applying to a Master’s Program in Genetic Counselling.
Joy Gonzalez - Major: Biology, Minor: Psychology
Graduation Date: May 2022
Joined Dr. Graña’s Lab as a Senior in the summer of 2021.
Project Title: Tumor Suppressor PP2A/B55ɑ’s Substrate Recruitment and Binding Patterns with Model Substrate p107.
Participated in the 2021 U54 Summer Cancer Research Institute program.
Joy has been accepted to Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and will be starting medical school in 2023. She hopes to continue research and explore the field of pediatric oncology.
Seren Palacio - Major: Biology
Graduation Date: December 2022
Joined Dr. Graña's lab as a Junior in the Summer of 2021
Project Title: Regulation of the PPP2R2A Tumor Suppressor in Cellular Processes and Cancer.
Participated in the CST Undergraduate Research Program (fall of 2021)
Diamond Research Scholar program Summer-fall 2022
Accepted to SCRI in the summer of 2021
Seren was the secretary of Temple Talking Hands (ASL) and a certified EMT. She is working as an Ophthalmic Technician at Wills Eye Hospital's department of Neuro-ophthalmology in preparation for attending medical school.
Aidan Douglas - Major: Biology
Expected Graduation Date: May 2023
Joined Dr. Soboloff's Lab as a Junior in the Fall of 2021
Project Title: SOCE and Dose Response of NMP on Stable HEK Cell Lines
Participated in the 2022 U54 Summer Cancer Research Institute program.
TU CST Undergraduate Research Program 2023
Aidan has been accepted in the Biomedical Science PhD Graduate Program at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and will start in the fall of 2023.
William Nazario-Lugo - Major: Neuroscience: Cellular & Molecular
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Joined Dr. Zaidi’s lab as a freshman fall of 2021
Project title: Molecular mechanisms of UV radiation-induced melanomagenesis
Volunteer Interpreter at Puentes de Salud
Director of Finance for the Asociación de Estudiantes Latinos at Temple
Treasurer for Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Inc.
STARS Coordinator for SALUD+
CST Undergraduate Research Program 2023
Leonny Gathuka – Major: Bioengineering - Medical Devices
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2023
Project Title: Exploring the role of eosinophil in esophageal cancer.
Joined Dr. Kelly Whelan’s lab as a junior fall of 2021
Part of Temple’s Prosthetic and Orthotics club
Recruited in 2022
Kendall Tyler - Major: Biochemistry
Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Joined Dr. Soboloff's Lab as a Junior in the summer of 2022.
Project Title: Targeting TRPC vs Orai1 for Control of Arthritis Induced Bone Erosion
Temple University's URP in the summer of 2022 and fall of 2022
Member of TU's dance organization Dare to Dance
Her future goals are to attend medical to complete a MD/PhD.
Christopher Mejia-Gonzales - Major: Science in Genomic Medicine
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Joined Dr. Graña's lab as a Sophomore in the fall of 2022
Project Title: Regulation of the PP2A/B55a phosphatase.
Participated in the CST Undergraduate Research Program in the fall of 2022.
Accepted to the TU-MARC program starting in June 2023.
Christopher is exploring Biomedical research and has an interest in medical practice.
Recruited in 2023
Tamai Mulbah, BS – Major: Neuroscience: Cellular and Molecular
Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Program Mentor: Dr. Graña (joined as Junior in Fall 2023)
Project Title: Investigating the role of the PP2A/B55a inhibitor
FAM122A in the cell cycle progression of glioblastoma cells
Honors: CST Research Scholars Program, Summer, 2024; Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Research Program, Summer, 2024
Professional Achievements: Research Technician, Fels Institute
Olivia Harrison, BS – Major: Public Health Major, Minor: Applied Epidemiology
Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Program Mentor: Dr. Whelan (joined lab as a senior in Fall 2023)
Project Title: Molecular mechansisms through which allergy limts esophageal cancer
Honors: Accepted into the 4+1 Accelerated MPH Program, Fall 2022
Professional Achievements: MPH Program Epidemiology, Temple University, 2024-Present
Graduate Research Assistant, Temple University, 2024-Present
Community Service Chair for the National Society of Leadership
Plans to apply to Infectious Disease Epidemiology PhD program
Korrey W. Hart, BS – Major: Biochemistry
Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Program Mentor: Dr. Torres-Ayuso (joined the lab as a Junior in Summer 2023)
Project Title: Investigating TNIK’s mechanistic role in promoting lung cancer and as a therapeutic target
Honors: Summer Cancer Research Institute, 2024
Professional Achievements: Research Technician, Department of Cancer & Cellular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Siani Barnes, BS – Major: Biology, minor: Art
Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Program Mentors: Dr. Whelan (joined lab as a Senior in Fall 2023); Dr. Ghosh (joined the lab as a Senior in Spring 2024)
Project Titles: Mechanisms of esophageal epithelial homeostasis
(Whelan); Validation study to compare methylation differences in fresh vs frozen embryo (Ghosh)
Career Goals: Become a genetic counselor then transition into a lab setting
Recruited in 2024
Courtney Worrell – Major: Biology
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Program Mentor: Dr. Whelan (joined the lab as a rising Sophomore in Summer 2024)
Project Title: Functional role of mitochondria in eosinophilic esophagitis
Other activities: Peer Mentor and Ambassador, Temple Honors Program; Dancer and Social Media Chair, Temple Owlettes.
Career Goals: Attend medical school to complete an MD/PhD and pursue a career in medical research.
Travis Bordner – Major: Biology
Expected graduation: Spring 2025
Program Mentor: Dr. Whelan ( joined the lab as a rising Senior in Summer 2024)
Project Title: Investigating underlying mechanisms involved in eosinophilic esophagitis-associated senescence
Honors: Temple's Research Scholars Program, Fall 2023-Spring 2024; Summer Cancer Research Institute Program, 2024
Career Goals: Pursue either an MD or PhD degree
Elena Reyes Plazola – Major: Bioengineering, Cellular Engineering Concentration
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Program Mentor: Dr. Graña (joined the lab as a Junior in Fall 2024)
Project Title: Ser/Thr phosphahatases in the cell cycle
Honors: SWE Collegiate Leadership Institute Awardee, 2024-2025; Russell Conwell Global Scholar
Other activities: President of the Society of Women Engineers TU Chapter and Honorables of Color
Career Goals: To work in R&D in the pharmaceutical industry and attend graduate school
Mya Lygans – Major: Neuroscience: Cellular and Molecular
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2028
Program Mentor: Dr. Abdul-Aziz and Dr. Small (joined the labs as a Freshman in Fall 2024)
Project Title: Investigating stromal metabolism in leukemia
Other activities: Member of Black Professional Health Association and Premed Neuroscience Alliance
Career Goals: Attend medical school to complete an MD/PhD
Danielle Waheed – Major: Neuroscience: System and Behavior
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Program Mentor: Dr. Whelan (joined the lab as a Senior in Fall 2024)
Project Title: Mechanisms of esophageal epithelial homeostasis
President of the Black Professional Health Association and Honors Ambassador to Temple
Career Goals: Becoming a clinician scientist.
Jason McClean – Major: Biochemistry (Premed Track)
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2027
Program Mentor Dr. Graña (joined the lab as a Sophomore in Spring 2025)
Project Title: Cell cycle regulation in normal and cancer cells
Other activities: Volunteer at Temple University Hospital Patient Experience Department through the “At Your Service” Internship Program
Career Goals: Obtain MD and PhD.