IMSD Students Are Beginning Exciting Summer Research Projects!

Having completed another successful academic year, our IMSD and BEP program scholars are now focusing their energy on their research full-time, both in on-campus labs and at other universities. This year, a total of 9 IMSD and BEP students were accepted to summer REU programs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) across the U.S.  Our scholars are spreading their wings, working with new mentors on different research projects, and trying out life in a different state. It is an exciting time for all of our students, and we look forward to learning about their summer research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium this September!

 

Headshot of IMSD Scholars and Dr. Tong

 

Student Name REU Name Research Mentor Research Topic
Rey Ayon (IMSD) San Diego State University Rulon Clark, PhD Rattlesnake encounters alter vigilance of California ground squirrels
Rosannae Chhouk (IMSD) University of Wisconsin-Madison, Integrated Biological Sciences Summer Research Program Matthew Ginder-Vogel, PhD and Christina Remucal, PhD Analysis of how manganese oxides work to deteriorate bisphenol A and 17 β-estradiol
Elizabeth Fortin (IMSD) NC State ASSIST REU Yong Zhu, PhD Development of a flexible and wearable skin hydration sensor made of silver nanowires and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
Erika Garcia (IMSD) San Diego State University Marshal Hedin Multilocus species delimitation in the Bishopella laciniosa species complex (Arachnida, Opiliones) from the southern Appalachian Mountains
Nadia Ott (IMSD) Cornell REU Robert S. Strichartz, PhD Analysis of differential equations on fractals  to further the understanding of analysis over rough manifolds
Sashary Ramos (BEP) University of Michigan Interdisciplinary REU Program Gustavo Rosania, PhD Use of transmitted light and polarization microscopy to characterize fluticasone propionate crystals
Efren Reyes (IMSD) San Diego State University Kelly Doran, PhD Mechanism of blood-brain barrier disruption by Group B Streptococcus
Savanna Tierney (IMSD) University of Oregon SPUR Jennifer Phillips Study the role of Usher 2A gene in generating the phenotype of Usher type 2a, using a multidisciplinary approach
Jerrell Tisnado (IMSD) Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) Internship Program Richard Gregory, PhD Investigating the roles of tRNA-derived small RNAs and associated proteins in embryonic stem cells
Duyen Trang (BEP) University of Iowa – School of Psychology Stewart Ehly, PhD Exploration of whether the interaction between social class and race can predict mental health service utilization among children and adolescents
Aaron Ward (IMSD) San Diego State University Thomas Huxford, PhD Metalloantibody metal binding characteristics
Annalia Valdivia (IMSD) University of Arizona Summer Program Antonio Estrada, PhD Access to mental health care among immigrants and non-Hispanic whites
Alicia Zamudio (IMSD) MIT Summer Research Program in Biology and Neuroscience Li-Huei Tsai, PhD Investigation of the role of HDAC3 (an enzyme that can hinder gene expression) in cognitive impairment