My research interests primarily focus on the development of new drugs that can be used to treat patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The goal is for the new drugs to not only alleviate some of the symptoms associated with SCD, but also to combat the primary pathophysiology of the disease, the polymerization of sickle hemoglobin. I perform my research under the mentorship of Dr. Abdulmalik at the Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Pediatric Research Center. With the help of UScholars, I conducted an independent project that utilized medicinal chemistry and structural biology to investigate a promising plant extract SCD-101, that inhibits the polymerization of sickle hemoglobin and acts as both an in-vivo and in-vitro anti-sickling agent.

• PASS Scholar
• Johnson Scholar 
• Researcher at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Hematology Dept.

My research interests are in the realm of women’s health and prenatal and/or postpartum care. I am curious about how and why access to healthcare resources could be less attainable and available to certain minority or disadvantaged women populations. Along with this, I hope to understand which policies and programs can be implemented to dismantle barriers for these populations. During the year, I work with Dr. Emily F Gregory in the department of pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia studying health after preterm birth. With the support of University Scholars, I am currently working on my independent research project looking at possible barriers for pregnant teenagers and young mothers in receiving healthcare resources. Outside of my research, I volunteer at Puentes De Salud and form part of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Physical Health Advisory Board.

• Research Assistant to Dr. Emily F Gregory, Department of Pediatrics

My research interests are in the intersection of Design and Biology. I am fascinated by how we can use design to improve or solve different biological problems. I am also curious about how different patterns in nature help shape the world of design, whether based on function or aesthetics. I have worked under Dr. Laia Mogas-Soldevila at DumoLabs Research since my sophomore year at Penn. This past summer I conducted research on Mycelium and its functionality. We have tested our creative approaches in the realm of Mycelium-Based Composites by using 3D printing. I am currently still working on this project and exploring more of Mycelium’s acoustic protective qualities. Outside of academics, I am involved in a business and cultural club called SEAC, where I help in member engagement and professional development.

• Mayor's Scholar
• Research Assistant to Dr. Laia Mogas-Soldevila at DumoLabs Research
• College mentor for SEA 2 Uni that helps high school students through the college application process
• PMG Group Lead

I’m a sophomore from California, majoring in Bioengineering and minoring in Chemistry with a pre-med focus. My research interests center around diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical devices. I completed a research internship at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation with the support of UScholars working on microfluidics and organs-on-a-chip, and now I’m an undergraduate researcher in the Jiang Group, where I work on bioelectronics and biosensors for precision health. On campus, I’m an active member of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and the Penn Undergraduate Biotech Society (PUBS). In my free time, I love hitting the gym, exploring new foods, and spending time with friends and family.

• Undergraduate Research Assistant at Jiang Group
• Research Intern at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
• Regeneron STS Scholar

I am a research assistant at the Schmidt Lab where we are studying GLP-1R agonists (like the popular weight loss drugs, Ozempic and Zepbound) and how they can be repurposed as treatments for substance use disorders. I became interested in this field after first discovering it in my neuropsychopharmacology class and have since been fascinated by the neural circuitry behind motivation and reward. Currently, l am investigating the interpeduncular nucleus, a brain region we found where GLP-1R agonists may act to mediate opioid-seeking behavior. I am specifically exploring the impact of these drugs on dopamine neurotransmission. Outside the lab, l am the vice president of clinical operations for PennKDSAP, executive editor for the Penn Healthcare Review, and the biology department head of Moelis Access Science at the Netter Center. In my free time, I enjoy playing frisbee on high rise field, finding new restaurants in Philadelphia, and traveling.

• Ernest M. Brown, Jr. College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant
• Pincus-Magaziner Family Undergraduate Research and Travel Fund
• SfN 2024 Trainee Professional Development Award

See also: University Scholar Shares Research at SfN Conference