The IOA is pleased to introduce Gabriel Elias as the new IOA-funded PennPREP Scholar for 2024-2025.
Gabriel is a graduate of Rutgers University where he obtained bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology. During his time as a PennPREP Scholar, Gabriel will work in the neuroscience lab of David J. Irwin, MD, Associate professor of Neurology at Penn Medicine and Co-director of the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Center. His work will focus on incorporating histopathology of human brain tissue to understand brain-behavior correlations to neurodegenerative disease diagnosis with a particular emphasis on Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA).
“Through PennPREP, I hope to develop molecular techniques in researching neurodegenerative diseases and enhance my scientific writing to become a strong candidate for a PhD,” said Gabriel.
Gabriel’s goal is to complete a PhD in neuroscience and study Alzheimer’s disease followed by a role in pharmaceuticals formulating treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
About the Program
The University of Pennsylvania Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PennPREP) offers a one-to-two-year research experience for students, who have completed their bachelor’s degree, are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in the biomedical sciences, and would benefit from protected time to develop additional skills in research. The program provides a full time research experience in a biomedical science discipline, along with preparation for applying to and succeeding in graduate school.
PennPREP is one of many PREP initiatives across the country meant to increase STEM diversity, specifically targeting Black/African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino/Chicano Americans, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders.