Adriana Morales Gómez (she/her/ella) - Mayo Clinic / Clinical and Translational Science

Adriana Morales Gómez is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Clinical and Translational Science track at Mayo Clinic. Originally from Puerto Rico, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Ithaca College. During her undergraduate years, she researched population genetics and pollination biology. Post-graduation, she conducted diverse research at Cornell University, focusing on equine motor neuron disease and assessing racing injury incidence in racetrack horses. In 2020, Adriana embarked on her Ph.D. journey at Mayo Clinic, co-mentored by Drs. Steven Ekker and Nathan Staff. Her research focuses on the realm of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and gene editing applications. Specifically, she investigates transcriptional adaptation, a relatively understudied genetic compensatory mechanism in humans, with potential implications for future therapeutic avenues. Outside of her studies, Adriana actively participates in the scientific community and maintains an active lifestyle through sports. In the long run, she aspires to make significant contributions to the field of translational science.

 

 

Albersy Armina-Rodríguez (she/her/hers) - University of Puerto Rico / Microbiology Department

Albersy Armina-Rodríguez, currently in her fourth year, is pursuing a Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences campus (UPR-MSC). She previously earned her master’s degree in Microbiology from UPR-MSC, collaborating with the CDC-Dengue Branch. Her master's thesis focused on developing an assay to detect neutralizing antibodies against Dengue and Zika viruses using a reporter virus, with the aim of applying this technique in seroprevalence studies. Prior to her master's degree, Albersy completed her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology at UPR-Arecibo campus. Following her undergraduate studies, she gained several years of experience in the industrial pharmaceutics industry before pursuing further education. Her doctoral research centers on the parasitic helminth recombinant fatty acid binding protein (Fh15) and its therapeutic potential, exploring its role in macrophage activation and its impact on proteins associated with inflammatory pathways. In addition to receiving multiple awards for conference presentations and travel, Albersy has been recognized with the 2023 American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Careers in Immunology Fellowship and the 2022 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship. Beyond her academic pursuits, she mentors young girls interested in STEM through programs like Semillas de Triunfo, and Loreal for Girls in Science. Driven by her passion for science communication, she co-founded Vistazo A La Ciencia, a digital platform aimed at explaining and discussing science to contribute to societal well-being. Her ultimate career goal is to teach undergraduate students and provide early career guidance and mentorship.

 

 

 

Almarely Berríos-Negrón (she/her/hers) - Ponce Health Sciences University / Clinical Psychology Department

Almarely L. Berríos Negrón is currently a fourth year Clinical Psychology PhD candidate at Ponce Health Sciences University. She earned her Bachelor of Science with emphasis in Natural Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. As part of her research work, she is currently working on learning more about how visual arts and aesthetics can facilitate the measurement of sustained attention in young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Additionally, she's working on exploring the relationship of how adverse childhood experiences, resilience and social support impact mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in Puerto Rican adults. During her graduate studies, she has been able to participate in programs such as the Summer Program in Neuroscience, Excellence and Success (SPINES) at the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Neuroscience Scholars Program from the Society for Neuroscience. As part of her outreach work, she created the project “Estoy Sanando'' to actively advocate for mental health and healing among the Caribbean Hispanic/Latinx community through creative, inclusive, and informative publications available in Spanish. She recently founded the “Latinas In Neuro '' organization to foster a vibrant and inclusive community that empowers Latinas in all neuro-related research, education, and practice. She is also very passionate about mentorship, science communication, public policy and advocacy. In her “free” time, you will find her creating art or binge-watching cooking shows.

 

 

 

Andrea Haidar (she/her/hers) - Northwestern University / Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Andrea Haidar is a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She also holds a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Chicago, where she graduated with honors. Her research focuses on increasing the accessibility of mental health care for racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, and refugees. Her dissertation project, which seeks to develop and test a culturally adapted mindfulness-based intervention for stress reduction among Arab Americans, was recently awarded a Varela Grant from the Mind & Life Institute. With her experiences as a Lebanese and Venezuelan American and as a Muslim, Andrea is attentive to the complexities of culture and identity in her research and clinical work.  She has worked in a range of clinical settings and provided care for patients in Arabic, Spanish, and English. She is also a certified yoga teacher and integrates a mind-body perspective on wellbeing in her work. Andrea is the recipient of national awards including the Truman Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, and Critical Language Scholarship.

 

 

 

Carmín Centeno (she/her/hers) - Ponce Health Sciences University / Clinical Psychology Department

Carmín A. Centeno Román is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology at Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico. She earned her bachelor's degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, majoring in General Science with a minor in English. Her doctoral research, funded by the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (SBSS) Pilot Project Award, investigates the cognitive and neurophysiological effects of Long-COVID on Puerto Rican adults using cognitive assessments and functional neuroimaging techniques. In addition to her research, Carmín is an active clinical practitioner in neuropsychology, specializing in conducting assessments for older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. She serves as an Ambassador for the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART), contributes as an assistant editor to the Iberoamerican Journal of Neuropsychology, and is a member of the Publications Committee of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Carmín's career goals include becoming an academic researcher focusing on cognitive impairments in underserved communities, with a particular emphasis on Latinos affected by SARS-CoV-2 and older adults with Alzheimer's disease. She is committed to mitigating health disparities experienced by Latino adults and older adults, aiming to contribute significantly to bridging these gaps. Additionally, Carmín plans to become a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, providing culturally and linguistically tailored neuropsychological services to diverse populations. Beyond her academic pursuits, she is passionate about mentoring young women in STEM fields. She is also an avid reader with a profound appreciation for literature.

 

 

 

Celina Morales (she/her/hers) - University of California, Irvine / Public Health with an emphasis in Global Health

Celina Morales is a third-year doctoral student in the Public Health Program at the University of California, Irvine. Celina is a first-generation college student who completed her undergraduate degree in public health as a MARC-U-STAR scholar and an MBRS-RISE scholar. During her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Applied Epidemiology, Celina was an MHRT scholar and conducted impactful research in Thailand, gaining valuable hands-on experience. As a Eugene-Cota Robles fellow at UC Irvine, Celina is actively involved in research projects investigating barriers to healthcare, access to life-saving treatments, and how adults navigate formal and informal care methods. Her research interests are motivated and informed by her experiences and community background as a first-generation American born to Salvadoran and Mexican immigrants. From an early age, Celina encountered the complexities of the US healthcare system, recognizing the various barriers limiting access to quality care. Celina’s academic contributions include published articles and presentations highlighting the interaction between social-ecological and sociocultural factors in health behaviors among underserved communities. Driven by a commitment to effecting meaningful change, Celina hopes her research findings will inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions and policies urgently needed to address health disparities. She is dedicated to mentoring students from similar backgrounds and providing guidance to those considering higher education or public health careers. Following the completion of her PhD, she will pursue a professorship to continue conducting impactful research and mentoring students. 

 

 

 

Clarencetine (Teena) Brooks (she/her/hers) - The Graduate Center, CUNY / Social Welfare

Clarencetine (Teena) Brooks, is a PhD candidate at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in the Social Welfare program.  Her research interests include Black/African American women’s health, sexual minority women of color health, trauma-responsive organizational readiness, and the impact of Diabetes on the Black/African American community. Her dissertation focuses on factors impacting physical activity among Black/African American bisexual women with type 2 diabetes. She has worked in the Adult behavioral health system for many years in a range of clinical and non-clinical positions. Teena currently works at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In her position, Teena advocates for the inclusion of the consumer/peer perspective(s) in her Divisions policy development and community engagement work. Her current scope of work includes Medicaid Managed Care, City Planning, Research, Policy Analysis, Equity, and Trauma-informed Care. Before joining the health department, she worked at a legal advocacy organization.  In her position, Teena worked to support the development of impact litigation and public policy strategies to address the criminalization of people with mental health conditions. Teena has been a lecturer and adjunct professor for over thirteen years at Columbia University School of Social Work and has taught social welfare policy at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service and Touro School of Social Work. She also identifies as a psychiatric survivor and queer woman. 

 

 

 

Cristina Rivera Quiles (she/her/hers) - Michigan State University / Neuroscience Department

Cristina Marie Rivera Quiles is a fourth-year neuroscience PhD candidate at Michigan State University (MSU) and holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. Her academic journey includes multiple research experiences, notably as part of the NIH-funded RISE program during her undergraduate studies. She sought out further research opportunities with programs such as the NIH-ENDURE at MSU and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) EXROP program at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital. Currently conducting research in the Mazei-Robison laboratory, Cristina explores the role of ventral tegmental area neuropeptides on morphine behaviors using mouse models. Her work aims to advance opioid use disorder prevention and treatment strategies. She has received awards such as the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the HHMI Gilliam Fellowship, to support her doctoral research and career development. Beyond her research, Cristina actively contributes to the academic community as president of the Neuroscience Program Graduate Student Council. She is deeply committed to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, as evidenced by her involvement in outreach committees and programs aimed at increasing the representation of historically excluded minorities in STEM fields. In her spare time, Cristina enjoys spending time with her dog, playing tennis, and going to the movies.

 

 

 

 

Edwin G. Peña-Martínez - (he/him/his) / University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras

Edwin G. Peña-Martínez is a 5th year Ph.D. candidate at the UPR- Río Piedras Campus, completing his doctoral degree in Biochemistry. In 2019, Edwin graduated as the top student in his class (4.0 GPA in major) as a Biology major with an Experimental Biotechnology minor. While completing his bachelor’s degree, he began undergraduate research in Biostatistics and Protein Biochemistry. While researching as an undergraduate student, Edwin was funded by the NSF PR-LSAMP and NASA Space Grant undergraduate fellowships. Currently, Edwin is researching the molecular mechanisms behind cardiovascular disease-associated mutations under the mentorship of Dr. José A. Rodríguez-Martínez. Specifically, he wants to decipher how these mutations alter protein-DNA interactions of cardiac transcription factors essential for heart development.During his PhD, Edwin was awarded two NSF fellowships, such as the PR-LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate And BioXFEL fellowships, including a GRFP Honorable Mention. Currently, he is an NIH RISE fellow expecting to complete his Ph.D. by 2024. One of his first-author publications was recognized by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and Edwin was awarded the prestigious Journal of Biological Chemistry’s Herbert Tabor Early Career Investigator Award. Edwin has been actively involved in multiple outreach programs. He has partnered with high schools and colleges in the Puerto Rico public education systems to provide talks and workshops that motivate students to pursue a graduate degree in STEM. Outside the academic environment, Edwin became a certified life and leadership coach (CLLC) to support his community's emotional health. After completing his Ph.D., Edwin aims to do post-doctoral research in Biochemistry and Genomics to achieve his dream of becoming a professor and training the next generation of scientists.

 

 

 

 

Hannah Stewart (she/her/hers) - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston / Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences

Hannah Stewart is a fifth-year doctoral student studying behavioral science and legal epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. She earned her master’s degree in global health leadership at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, where her practicum focused on localizing human rights instruments and the Sustainable Development Goal framework to address homelessness in Los Angeles County. Currently, Hannah works across multiple research teams in both academic and nonprofit sectors. At UTHealth Houston, Hannah works as a graduate assistant on a large-scale evaluation of substance use recovery housing as an intervention to address the ongoing opioid crisis. She is interested in the role of policy as a determinant of public health, and her dissertation work examines the use of civil commitment as an entry point to mental health treatment. In her spare time, she serves as the Chief Research Officer at Generation Mental Health, a nonprofit empowering young people to become agents of change in global mental health. Hannah uses consultative and participatory research approaches to ensure that the organization’s programming and initiatives are rooted in lived experience and reflective of the communities they serve. 

 

 

Ingrid Rodríguez Aragón (she/her/hers) - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities / Molecular and Cell Biology Department

Ingrid R. Aragón is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at the University of Minnesota (U of M). She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Physiology with minors in Chicano/Latino studies and psychology at the U of M. She continued her academic journey with a Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology to advance her undergraduate research in Professor Yuk Sham's lab. Her focus was on developing computational models aimed at unraveling key ligand-protein interactions with the goal of developing novel small molecules for the treatment of hypertension. Passionate about expanding her knowledge in drug discovery, she joined Professor Eric Batchelor’s lab where her current research focus is to understand how chemotherapeutics induce a cell fate response called senescence in breast cancer cells. The goal is to identify therapeutic targets among the p53 pathway and pro-inflammatory pathways, such as NF-kB or MAPK to potentially prevent the emergence of chemotherapy-induced senescence and improve the efficacy of tumor cell elimination. Outside of the lab, Ingrid loves volunteering with student groups, such as the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Here, she actively contributes to initiatives focused on fostering inclusivity in the sciences, including organizing and leading professional development events, coordinating social gatherings, and engaging in school outreach. In her free-time, she also likes watching comedy, K-dramas, and reality TV competitions. Ingrid’s long-term career plans involve leading a team of scientists in developing innovative therapies to tackle challenging human diseases.

 

 

 

Iris Montes (she/her/hers) - Tufts University / Developmental, Molecular and Cell Biology Department

Iris D. Montes is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology program at Tufts University School of Biomedical Sciences.  Originally from Tierra Blanca, Guanajuato, Mexico Iris, and her family moved to California’s central valley. Iris obtained a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in molecular and cell biology from the University of California Merced. While in Merced Iris participated in various research opportunities for undergrads at UAB, Stanford, Genetech and Kagawa University in Japan. There she narrowed down her scientific interest in understanding how distinct lipid metabolizing organelles communicate with each other to adapt to metabolic changes thus preventing the development of disease. Currently, she is finishing her PhD (spring 2025) at Tufts University working on understanding protein homeostasis and the biogenesis and maintenance of organelles, such as peroxisomes. Iris’s passions include prompting DEI initiatives, outreach, research, and science communication. Apart from multiple conference travel and presentation awards, Iris is also an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award recipient. Her overall career goal is to have her own research lab as she is extremely passionate about independently identifying and developing novel scientific questions and ways to answer them. Outside of academia, Iris enjoys reading,  working out, and hanging out with friends/family.

 

 

 

Joshua Hayes (he/him/his) - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University / Applied Science & Technology, Biosciences Department

Joshua Hayes is a fourth-year Applied Science and Technology PhD student at North Carolina A&T State University, concentrating in Bioscience. He is a 2015 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where he majored in biology, earned a minor in neuroscience, and developed an interest in biomedical research. After graduating, Joshua participated in the IPREP Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) to build on his neuroscience foundation. In 2020, Joshua graduated from Wake Forest University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences with a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences before beginning his doctoral studies at North Carolina A&T. Joshua is currently a Distinguished Chancellor’s Fellow, which supports his research in evaluating how Moringa oleifera extracts modulate T cell activity. In the future, Joshua seeks to become a professor at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and lead a lab that blends his current training in immunology with his neuroscience training. His ultimate goal is to create laboratory experiences that support coursework, encourage creative problem-solving, and garner appreciation for research and the scientific method. Outside the lab, Joshua enjoys hiking, playing with his dog, and spending time with friends.

 

 

 

Kimberly Spaulding (she/her/hers) - University of California, San Diego / Laboratory of Genetics and Integrative Biology

Kimberly Spaulding is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Bioinformatics and Systems Biology program at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She received her bachelor's degree from UCSD in 2010, where she majored in Music, with a focus on Jazz and the African Diaspora. Transitioning to a science-focused career, she completed a Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate program at San Francisco State University (SFSU), which included training at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Cardiac Biomechanics Lab. In 2017, Kimberly earned her master's degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from SFSU, where her thesis focused on sustained improvements in myocardial infarction contractility through short-term treatment strategies. From 2018 to 2021, her research at the UCSF Kidney Health Research Collaborative identified biomarkers and targets for kidney disease. As a Ph.D. student, she joined the McVicker Lab at the Salk Institute, where she explores regulatory elements in T cells and beta cells related to type 1 diabetes.

Outside of the lab, Kimberly is dedicated to community engagement and science outreach. In 2022 and 2023, she taught at a bioinformatics bootcamp and led a summer seminar series to foster relationships between students and faculty. Currently, she mentors for the Graduate Women in Computing Initiative at UCSD and serves on the Association for Women in Science’s Academia-to-Industry committee, where she organizes events to support women transitioning from academia to industry. As a member of the Yale Ciencia Academy, she is eager to expand her research skills and professional development, contributing to the academy's goals of scientific advancement and education.

 

 

 

Kimberly Meza (she/her/hers) - Brown University / Pathobiology Department

Kimberly Stephanie Meza is a fourth year Pathobiology PhD candidate at Brown University. She obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Barnard College of Columbia University. Following her undergraduate studies, Kimberly engaged in research with the University of Florida’s Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, focusing on cancer health disparities investigations in Africa and the African diaspora. She was then selected for the inaugural cohort of the National Cancer Institute’s Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Cancer Research Experiences (iCURE) fellowship program as a postbaccalaureate scholar where she pursued research in mammary stem cell biology and carcinogenesis. At Brown, Kimberly’s research centers on understanding the mechanisms and role of PIM kinases in oncogenesis and therapy resistance in renal cell carcinoma, aiming to identify novel exploitable therapeutic targets. She is recognized as an American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Minority Scholar in Cancer Research. Hailing from Central Florida, Kimberly is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Jalisco, Mexico. As a first-generation Xicana and college graduate, she advocates passionately for access to higher education and opportunities for underrepresented and marginalized communities. Kimberly’s long term goal is to become an independent principal investigator contributing to the understanding of cancer biology and training the next generation of scientists.

 

 

 

Lauren English (she/her/hers) - University of Wisconsin-Madison / Neuroscience Training Program

Lauren English is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin (UW) - Madison. She earned her bachelors in neuroscience in 2019 from Pomona College where she completed a senior thesis studying behavioral evolution in C. elegans. Lauren also participated in the Leadership Alliance Summer Honors Research Program at Harvard Medical School with Dr. Corey Harwell. In the fall of 2019 Lauren joined the Neuroscience Training Program at UW - Madison. At UW –Madison, Lauren works in Dr. Erik Dent’s lab studying the role of The CIP4 subfamily of F-BAR proteins in neuronal migration and neurite initiation. Lauren is passionate about science outreach and community engagement. As a 2021/22 STEM Public Service Fellow Lauren completed a community practicum in science outreach at the Madison Senior Center. In her long-term career goals Lauren aims to work as a scientist and find ways to connect scientific research with the community.