Labibah Balogun
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
Studying Psychology with minor in Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Graduation Date: 2025
LAB & MENTORS
Neuronal Ensembles in Addiction Section – Leslie Ramsey and Bruce Hope
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Behavioral Science and Addiction Science
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
Clinical Psychologist / Behavioral Scientist
FUN FACT
I have a twin sister!
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS
Crafting, Hiking and Biking
Kacey Brown
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science, Morgan State University
Graduation Date: May 2024
LAB & MENTORS
Neuronal Networks Section – Marisela Morales, Ph.D. ; Raul Garcia, Ph.D.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am interested in the relationships between health, disease, and environmental factors of the genetic, genomic and metabolic variations.
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
After receiving my bachelor’s degree in MLS, I plan to study abroad while obtaining my master’s degree in genetic counseling.
FUN FACT
One of my favorite quotes is, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours,” by Dolly Parton.
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS
- Public Relations Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Club at Morgan State University
- Working Out
- Sewing
- Traveling
Alexis Christian
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
Studying at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Graduation Date: Fall 2025
LAB & MENTORS
Neural Engineering Unit – Nicholas Beacher and Da-Ting Lin
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am interested in studying addiction and it’s phsyical and psychological effects on the body.
HUMAN INTERESTS
I am interested in seeing other people’s perspectives of the world around them.
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
I plan on going to graduate school and getting a masters in biology.
FUN FACTS/FAV QUOTE
A fun fact I enjoy is that elephants actually have really good memories.
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS:
I enjoy reading, watching TV, or taking walks on my free-time.
THOUGHTS ON BEING A URIP FELLOW
Although it can be challenging, I really enjoy being a URIP fellow. Going to the lab is one of the highlights of my week. Learning and participating in lab procedures is one of the things that I have always enjoyed and I am lucky that I get to do it in my undergraduate years!
PUBLICATIONS/ABSTRACTS/POSTERS
NICOTINE-INDUCED ASSOCIATIVE LEARNING IN CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS
COULD A BACTERIOPHAGE FOUND IN PHAGE HUNTERS PROGRAM HAVE ENDOLYSINS THAT CAN BE USED IN FUTURE PHAGE THERAPY?
Angela Taeyeon Kim
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Graduation Date: Fall 2023
LAB & MENTORS
Neuronal Circuits and Behavior Section – Yeka Aponte, Ph.D.; Pamela Miranda Tapia, Ph.D.; Sarah Sarsfield, M.S.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Neuroscience
- Viruses and Bacteriophages
- Bioengineering
HUMAN INTERESTS
- Becoming a part of a research that could benefits public health
- Reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of the medical cares through my research to increase the accessibility of medical cares to general public
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
- Work experience
- Postbaccalaureate program
- Graduate school
- Research fellow at NIH
FUN FACTS/FAV QUOTE
I have lived in Thailand for 8 years and South Korea for 4 years
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS:
Arcylic painitngs/drawings
THOUGHTS ON BEING A URIP FELLOW
My ultimate career goal is becoming a research fellow in NIH, so I was so excited to becoming a URIP fellow at NIH NIDA. It is very honorable that I could work as a student IRTA, and I am learning and developing a lot of practical and soft skills as a future researcher. I am so thankful to have this opportunity!
PUBLICATIONS/ABSTRACTS/POSTERS
Correlation between the Minor Tail Proteins and Bacteriophages and the Host, UMBC Summer Undergraduate Research Fest (Poster) – August 2020
Correlation between Age and Prevalence of Corynebacterium, UMBC Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences (Poster) – October 2019
Jan Iringan
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
Studying Biological Sciences at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Graduation Date: 2026
LAB & MENTORS
Neural Engineering Unit – Nicholas Beacher and Da-Ting Lin
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Neuroscience, Immunology
HUMAN INTERESTS
Philosophy, especially bioethics
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
Seeking to decipher the enigmatic dance between the nervous and immune systems by obtaining an MD or an MD/PhD.
FUN FACTS/FAV QUOTE
“There is a pleasure in finding things out.” – Richard Feynman
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS:
Awakening the hidden melodies of the kalimba, savoring the forbidden fruits of banned and challenged literature, and unraveling the ballads of different cultures through travel
THOUGHTS ON BEING A URIP FELLOW
As someone from Baltimore, I have always been aware of the shadows cast by the weight of drug addiction. In this opportunity to work at NIH/NIDA under the Undergraduate Research Internship Program, I find not only a chance to learn new skills but also a calling to help those who struggle with drug abuse and addiction around me.
Amaya Kelly
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
Studying Chemistry at Morgan State University
Graduation Date: 2024
LAB & MENTORS
Neuronal Ensembles in Drug Addiction Section – Javier Rubio and Bruce Hope
Additional Mentors: Emem Ukpong
Read more about AmayaRESEARCH INTERESTS
I have interests in cancer research and I am interested in my current project where we are researching the changes in dendritic spines from neurons activated by cocaine cues compared to those from non-activated neurons in the same region of the brain.
HUMAN INTERESTS
Volunteering, Traveling,Gymnastics/Cheerleading
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
Go to medical school and become an Anesthesiologist
FUN FACTS/FAV QUOTE
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure”
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS:
Volunteering, Exercising, Traveling, Child Care
ORGANIZATIONS & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Organizations: Active Minds Member
- Chemistry Club, Miss American Chemical Society
- National Black Women in Medicine Member
THOUGHTS ON BEING A URIP FELLOW
I am very appreciative of this opportunity and the journey to come. I am ready and excited to expand my horizon in the research world. This is my first research project/ experience and I am eager to learn, work and grow.
Taylor Scott
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
B.A in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Graduation Date: 2024
LAB & MENTORS
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Section – Hanbing Lu, Ph.d.; Samantha Hoffman, Ph.D.; Charlotte Li, Ph.D.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My general research interests are genetics and neurobiology. I am currently interested in the genetic basis of cancer and identifying or studying different genes with mutations that are linked to hereditary cancer risk. I also have an interest in studying the neurobiology of drug addiction and finding new treatments to address drug addiction. Lastly, another interest I have is studying the pathophysiology of pains and researching pain disorders.
HUMAN INTERESTS
- Patient care
- Increasing Mental Health awareness in disadvantaged communities
- Increasing diversity and representation in medical and science field
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
I plan to pursue an MD/PhD degree with a specialization In either oncology or neuroscience. At a young age, I was able to witness how damaging physical diseases/ailments, like cancer and sports injures, can be to the people around me which influenced my interest in medicine and motivated me to pursue the path of a physician. As I got older and met different oncologists, I realized that in medicine, not everyone has the answers and that there is no “cure” for not only cancer but many other diseases. After this realization, I made it my goal to pursue not only medicine but research so that I can be behind the scenes of treatment for people with ailments that don’t quite have a cure.
FUN FACTS/FAV QUOTE
“There are far, far, better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS:
– Dancing, photography, traveling, exploring new cultures, watching films, and learning new things like the guitar and Korean
Sophia Selenou-Yemgang
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
Biology, Morgan State University
Graduation Date: 2024
LAB & MENTORS
Real-world Assessment, Prediction, and Treatment Unit – David Epstein, Ph.D., Kirsten Smith, Ph.D., Jeffery Rogers, B.A.
Read more about SophiaRESEARCH INTERESTS
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Drug Abuse, Maternal Mortality, Epigenomics, Neurobiology of HIV, Risk Behaviors of Teens, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Immunology
HUMAN INTERESTS
Women’s Health, Medical Bias, Health Disparities, Mental Health, Community Health, Accessibility in Healthcare
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
I plan to attend medical school with hopes of becoming a Maternal Fetal Specialist, an OB/GYN that specializes in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies. In addition, I want to place an emphasis on educating young women about their reproductive health and rights as early as possible. I also plan on possibly attaining a PhD or MPH and using the knowledge and perspectives gained from my research to care for my patients in the best way possible.
FUN FACTS/FAV QUOTE
My favorite color is lavender.
HOBBIES/FREE TIME ACTIVITIES or ORGANIZATIONS:
Cooking, Listening to Music, Going to the Gym, Reading, Watching TV
ORGANIZATIONS & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Current Vice President of Student Research Center
- Current Vice President of My Sister’s Keeper
- Member of the National Council of Negro Women
- N.O.U.R.I.S.H Doula Training Program Graduate
Eleni Olivea Varlas
she/her/hers
EDUCATION
Studying Biological Sciences at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Graduation Date: 2024
LAB & MENTORS
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Section – Hanbing Lu and Yihong Yang, Ph.D.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Neuroscience or cancer research
HUMAN INTERESTS
Volunteering at local shelters, churches, and mentoring younger students in their pursuit of STEM careers
CAREER ASPIRATONS/PLANS
Pursuing an MD-PhD focusing on neuroscience or cancer research