Current Fellows
Christina Roca
- 2021-2023
- Christina is currently pursuing a Behavioral Neuroscience major along with a second major in Natural and Applied Sciences. She is conducting her thesis project at Dr. Timothy A. Allen's lab in the Psychology Department at FIU, where she investigates the influence of thalamic input (via optogenetic stimulations) on the firing properties of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Christina plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience after graduating from FIU in 2023.
Summer Research Experience 2022
- Christina was part of MIT's Summer Research Program in Biology/Neuroscience this past summer in 2022, where she worked at Dr. Fan Wang's lab identifying neurons in the pedunculopontine nucleus that express key markers implicated in OCD/Tourette phenotypes.
Tyler Sanford
- 2021-2023
- Tyler is a Biology and Natural/Applied Sciences double major with a minor in Chemistry. He is a part of Dr. Philip K. Stoddards Lab in the Biological Sciences Department at FIU. His research project investigates the concepts of Aedes aegypti vector mosquitoes with regard to their activity levels. By understanding how factors such as age, social environment, domestication, and locality affect activity levels, Tyler hopes to be able to expand the understanding and research field of mosquito research and public health.
Summer Research Experience 2022
- Tyler was funded to go to a bush camp in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to spend two months researching Nile Crocodiles, Giraffes, and implement environmental management plans to the delicate nature reserves of the province. He also worked on anti-poaching projects and public relations awareness during his stay.
Javonte Thelwell
- 2021-2023
- Javonte is a member of the FIU Honors College and is currently working towards his B.S. in Biochemistry. He has worked in Dr. Yuan Liu’s laboratory since January 2021. His research focuses on the effect that endogenous and environmentally-induced oxidative DNA damage has on the gene expression of DNA Repair proteins in human cells.
Summer Research Experience 2022
Javonte was invited to MIT for the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP BIO). During the 10-week program, he worked in Dr. Steve Bell’s lab to determine the in vivo defects of mutations in the eukaryotic single-stranded DNA-binding protein, RPA.
Melanie Perez
- 2021-2023
- Melanie is working towards her Biology and Natural & Applied Sciences double major under the Honors College and QBIC program. She has worked in Dr. Wenrui Duan’s cancer genetics lab since July 2020. Her research focuses on the influence of KRAS mutations on tumor resistance in a transgenic non-small cell lung cancer mice model treated with PRIMA-1. She is currently being co-mentored by Dr. DeEtta Mills on her undergraduate thesis through the Honors in Biology program. Melanie plans on pursuing an MD/Ph.D. in Cancer Biology/Genetics after graduating from FIU in 2023.
Summer Research Experience 2022
Melanie participated in the Medical Scientist Training Program Summer Research Program, where she worked under the mentorship of Dr. Heather Pua in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. She investigated the forms and kinetics of extracellular YRNA packaging and secretion by murine macrophages. Evidence from this work suggests that YRNAs are a cargo of extracellular vesicles produced by macrophages. Determining which YRNAs and understanding how macrophages secrete them is a stepping stone toward clarifying their potential role in innate immune responses.
Christian Castellanos
- 2022-2024
Christian is a Biology major and an Honors College fellow who has been working in Dr. Kalai Mathees’ Lab in the department of Human and Molecular Genetics at HWCOM. His research focuses on the genetic surveillance of bacterial pathogens and the raising issue of antibiotic resistance. He hopes that his research highlights the importance of global health issues and that by doing so he may help as many people as he can. In the future, Christian expects to further his pathogen research by earning a Ph.D. in infectious diseases and investigative medicine.
Diana Lima
- 2022 - 2024
Diana Lima is a transfer student from Miami Dade College, where she earned her Associate of Arts in Chemical Engineering. At FIU, she is working towards a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and is a member of the honors college. Currently, Diana is part of Dr. Miksovska’s laboratory in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. Her research focuses on using the application of photoacoustic calorimetry to investigate the effects viscosity would have on the ligand binding and kinetics of the Globin X protein.
Thomas Silva
- 2022-2024
Thomas Silva is majoring in Biology at Florida International University and is currently working in Dr. Liu’s lab, where he focuses on projects related to prostate cancer and DNA/RNA repair under metal ion exposure. After graduation, Thomas hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences. Outside of research, Thomas loves to read and play tennis.
Jocelyne Yataco
- 2022-2024
Jocelyne Yataco is majoring in Electrical Engineering and is also in the Honors Program at Florida International University. Her interests are social robotics and mental health. She is working in Dr. Ou Bai’s lab to develop a socially assistive robot that can identify the deterioration of mental health.
Andrea Rivera
- 2022-2024
Andrea Rivera is a junior undergraduate student pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, with a Minor in Chemistry. She is currently part of Dr. Hutcheson's Cardiovascular Matrix Remodeling Laboratory and her research project pertains to aortic valve disease. Specifically, she is working on optimizing a new method to mechanically test mouse aortic valve leaflets.
Isabella Milanes
- 2022-2024
Isabella Milanes is a junior undergraduate student in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Minor in Computer Science. She is currently working with Dr. Jessica Liberles and her team on projects involving computational and structural biology that leverage algorithmic capabilities to analyze genomic data.
Recent MARC U*STAR Graduates
Alejandra Ramos
At FIU, Alejandra worked in the Chambers Lab at FIU, where she investigated the JNK signaling pathway and its relationship with mitochondrial dysfunction and Parkinson’s Disease. Alejandra graduated in the Spring 2022 semester with a bachelor’s in science in Biochemistry and another one in Natural and Applied Sciences. She is now attending MIT pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology as a Dean of Science Fellow.
Ana Ruas
Ana graduated from Florida International University in April 2022 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a B.A. in English Literature. She completed her Biology Honors thesis in the lab of Dr. Deodutta Roy, where she investigated the role of the transcription factor NRF1 in the progression and aggression of ovarian cancer. Ana has begun working with cardiologist Dr. Jorge Bordenave as his medical assistant (MA) to gain more clinical experience before applying for admission to M.D./Ph.D. programs. She also continues her role on the FIU URJ Editorial Board and serves as a Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Leader for Biology students enrolled in General Biology II and General Microbiology courses.
Andy Garcia
Andy Garcia is a graduate student at New York University. He is currently rotating in Gyuri Buzsaki’s lab as he decides which labhe will be doing his Ph.D. in neuroscience in. He recently (10/07/22) had a paper submitted in Nature with research conducted for his undergraduate thesis through the MARC U*STAR program under Dr. Timothy Allen. His research was also used to create a Biology Honors thesis, which he defended at the end of his senior year.
Celeste Marin
Celeste graduated from FIU with a BS in Biochemistry. During her time at FIU, she completed her honors thesis work which proposed a link between the base excision repair pathway and mutations found in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes associated with Prostate Cancer. Currently, Celeste is a first-year graduate student at Duke University working toward her Biochemistry Ph.D. She has joined the Nicchitta Lab and Hargrove Lab under a co-mentorship where she aims to bridge the understanding between RNA localization and granule assembly by studying RNA tertiary structure. Celeste is the Vice president of the Biochemistry Graduate Student Council (BGSC) and is involved in the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee at Duke.
Ra'Mal Harris
Ra'Mal Harris is a post-baccalaureate working and attending classes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) until 2024. He works with Dr. Matthew D. Shoulders in the Shoulders lab studying Directed Evolution in Mammalian Cells using Human Adenovirus. He is supported in his work by the "Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research" from the NIH. He was chosen for and awarded this supplement in August 2022. He will be applying to graduate school to pursue his Ph.D. after the training period for this award expires. Ra'Malhas graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Florida International University (FIU), submitting an undergraduate thesis titled "Differentiating Sensory and Motor Axons for LIFE Implantation." He worked in the lab of Dr. Ranu Jung, where he started this research, and in the lab of Dr. Joshua Hutcheson, where he completed it. He has also completed numerous summer programs at institutions such as FIU, Michigan State University (MSU), and MIT.
Sophia Gandarillas
Sophia Gandarillas is a first-year medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine, where she was accepted to pursue an MD. She currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Honors, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, a minor in Spanish, and a minor in Chemistry from Florida International University. She graduated from the Honors College with Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa distinctions. In the spring of 2022, she completed and presented her honors thesis titled “The role of POMT1 in melanoma metastasis” regarding her work done in the laboratory of Dr. Lidia Kos from Florida International University.
Past Fellows
- Alejandra Ramos
- 2020 -2022
- Ph.D. Student, Biochemistry, MIT
- Ana Ruas
- 2020 - 2022
- Applying to MD/ Ph.D. Programs
- Andy Garcia
- 2020 - 2022
- Ph.D. Student, New York University
- Celeste Marin
- 2020 - 2022 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student, Biochemistry, Duke University
- Ra'Mal Harris
- 2020 - 2022 Fellow
- Post-Baccalaureate Program at MIT
- Sophia Gandarillas
- 2020-2022 Fellow
- Wayne State University
- Amanda Barreto
- 2019 - 2021 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student, Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
- Daniel Cambron
- 2019 - 2021 (Affiliate | Provost Research Scholar)
- IRTA Postbaccalaureate Fellow | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- MS Student, University of Florida Microbiology and Cell Science
- Nicole Diaz
- 2019 - 2021 Fellow
- IRTA Postbaccalaureate Fellow | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- Medical Lab Technician | CDR Maguire
- Kaitlyn Alzugaray
- 2019 - 2021 (Affiliate | Provost Research Scholar)
- Alexandra Tchir
- 2018-2020 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Medical Engineering and Medical PhysicsHarvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology
- Erika Lozano
- 2018-2020 Fellow
- Admitted to Ph.D. Program | University of Toronto
- Jesenia Perez
- 2018-2020 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Minnesota
- Maria Santiago
- 2018-2020 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University
- NIH T32 Fellow 2020
- Matthew Pasteris
- 2018-2020 Fellow
- Sarah Colon
- 2018-2020 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder
- Camila Sarcone (Affiliate | Provost Research Scholar)
- 2017-2019
- Joan Glenny-Pescov
- 2017-2018 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Biomedical Sciences, University of Miami
- Jovany Betancourt (Affiliate | Provost Research Scholar)
- 2017-2019 Affiliate
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Student | University of Minnesota
- Kiani Oro
- 2017-2018 Fellow
- Graduate Student | New York University (NYU) Steinhardt
- Alexander Durango
- 2016-2018 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Neuroscience Stanford University
- Daniela Alvarez
- 2016-2018 Fellow
- EDGE Research Fellow | University of California Irvine Graduate Research Program
- Graduate Research Fellowship Recipient 2019
- Karla Montejo
- 2016-2018 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Brain and Cognitive Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Mariluz Soula
- 2016-2018 Fellow
- Graduate Student | David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience
- HHMI Gilliam Fellowship Recipient 2020
- Haroldo Rodriguez (2015-2016 Affiliate)
- 2016-2017 Fellow
- Ph.D. Student | Molecular Medicine & Mechanisms of Disease, University of Washington
- Joseph Hernandez (2015-2016 Affiliate)
- 2016-2017 Fellow
- Angie Estrada
- 2014-2016 Fellow
- Brian Ho
- 2014-2016 Fellow
- Graduate Student | Stanford University Microbiology & Immunology
- Janiel Ahkin Chin-Tai
- 2014-2016 Fellow
- Ph.D. Candidate | Purdue University
- Jiali Lei
- 2014-2016 Fellow
- Translational Medicine, University of California, Berkley & San Francisco
- Intern | Genentech
- Marisol Soula
- 2014-2016 Fellow
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Student | New York School of Medicine’s Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences
- Ricardo Perez-Dulzaides
- 2014-2016 Fellow
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)| Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Daniel Gonzalez
- 2013-2014
- Aneysis Gonzalez
- 2012-2014
- Chavely Valdez-Sanchez
- 2012-2014
- Liana Apolis
- 2012-2014
- Patricia Theard
- 2012-2014
- Richard Barrios
- 2012-2014
- Daniel Tapanes
- 2011-2013
- Heysell Ortiz
- 2011-2013
- Ivana Lamboglia
- 2011-2013
- Ivonne Lollet
- 2011-2013
- Ruslan Garcia
- 2011-2013
- Kymberlee Osborne
- 2011-2013
- Alana Van Dervort
- 2010-2012
- Daniel Lumpuy
- 2010-2012
- James Ortega
- 2010-2012
- James Roach
- 2010-2012
- Nathalie Rivero
- 2010-2012
- Abner Murray
- 2009-2011
- Genesis Perez
- 2009-2011
- Jacqueline Zayas
- 2009-2011
- Katherine Leonard
- 2009-2011
- Laura Cabrera
- 2009-2011
- Tram Ta
- 2009-2011
- Ana Pena
- 2008-2010
- Eric Maranda
- 2008-2010
- Jackie Rodriguez
- 2008-2010
- Juan Molina
- 2008-2010
- Laura Florez
- 2008-2010
- Myron Evans
- 2008-2010