2022-2023 PREP Scholars
Penn Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program Scholars
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Read More about Derartu AhmedDerartu Ahmed
Derartu Ahmed
Derartu graduated from Lawrence University. She is mentored by Elizabeth Lowenthal.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I was attracted to the research available to me and the possibility of joining a lab that focused on global health research.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
My favorite part of PennPREP is working with my mentors on various projects.
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Read More about Paola Alicea-RomanPaola Alicea-Roman
Paola Alicea-Roman
Paola graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Humaco. They are mentored by Jay Gottfried.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I specifically chose PennPREP because it gave me the opportunity to be part of one of the neuroscience olfaction research groups there is in Philadelphia and continue gaining experience to develop as a great researcher.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
My favorite thing so far that the program has offered me is the support to continue focusing on my wellbeing and academic career as well as pairing me with excellent mentors that are as passionate about science as I am.
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Read More about Briah BarksdaleBriah Barksdale
Briah Barksdale
Briah graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She is mentored by Kellie Jurado.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
PennPREP provides the infrastructure for me to achieve my goal of expanding my research background, as well as the flexibility to make connections within the medical community of Penn Medicine.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
My favorite part about the program is the transparency between PennPREP staff and students.
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Read More about Lauryn BrooksLauryn Brooks
Lauryn Brooks
Lauryn graduated from Hampton University. She is in Faye Mourkioti's lab.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I chose PennPREP because the University of Pennsylvania is a resource rich environment that can provide me with everything I need as I move along my journey of becoming a physician scientist.
What is your favorite part of PennPREP so far?
My favorite part about PennPREP has been the people I have met through the program. The faculty, staff, and students at Penn make this experience worthwhile
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Read More about Melanie CruzMelanie Cruz
Melanie Cruz
Melanie graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. She is in the labs of Kelly Jordan-Sciutto and Judy Grinspan.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
At Penn, I was not treated as just another applicant but as a student to whom they could provide resources for professional and personal growth.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
My favorite part is the people around me in the program and in my lab, who have been supportive from day one.
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Read More about Carlos Escoto-DiazCarlos Escoto-Diaz
Carlos Escoto-Diaz
Carlos graduated from Winthrop University and studies in the lab of Golnaz Vahedi.
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Read More about Frida Galaviz HuertaFrida Galaviz Huerta
Frida Galaviz Huerta
Frida graduated from New York University. She is mentored by Sharon Thompson-Schill.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I chose PennPREP because I was excited to pursue my research interests in an environment where I knew I’d be able to learn and grow as a student and researcher.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
So far, my favorite part about PennPREP is the community and having a cohort to come back to every week.
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Read More about Kevin NewcombeKevin Newcombe
Kevin Newcombe
Kevin graduated from South Texas College. He is mentored by James Riley.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I chose Penn PREP because of the program’s dedication to helping PREP scholars succeed and the opportunity to perform research with some of the institution’s many world-class faculty members.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
My favorite part about Penn PREP thus far has been the opportunity to grow as a scientist through research, professional development, and the mentorship of program administrators, faculty, and graduate students.
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Read More about Alexandra RamirezAlexandra Ramirez
Alexandra Ramirez
Alex graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver. She is mentored by Joseph Kable.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I chose PennPREP for the incredible faculty, the supportive environment, and Philadelphia!
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
My favorite part about PennPREP so far is the friendships I’ve made within the cohort.
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Read More about Nelida Robles
Nelida Robles
Nelida Robles
Nelida graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is mentored by Elizabeth Grice.
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Read More about Carlos RodriguezCarlos Rodriguez
Carlos Rodriguez
Carlos graduated from the University of Virginia. He is mentored by David Brainard.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I joined UPenn PREP to strengthen my computational research skills and become a more competitive graduate school applicant.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP?
My favorite part of the experience has been getting to know my fellow PREP scholars and learning more about their different interests.
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Read More about Yolanda SimpsonYolanda Simpson
Yolanda Simpson
Yolanda graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is mentored by Rahul Kohli.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I chose PennPREP because I wanted an opportunity to continue higher-level research in an environment that gave me the freedom to still explore my options for grad school, but was rigid enough that it prepared me for taking that next step in my education.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP?
The people! PennPREP is it’s members, and the little community we have reminds me that pursuing a career in research has always been the right choice for me.
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Read More about Chelsea Okeh
Chelsea Okeh
Chelsea Okeh
Chelsea graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is apart of PREP-DAPPG. She is mentored by Enrique Schisterman and Shefali Verma.
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Read More about Tegan ThurstonTegan Thurston
Tegan Thurston
Tegan graduated from Oregon State University. She is mentored by Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas and is a PREP-DAPPG Scholar.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I really wanted to have a better idea of graduate school before applying and PennPREP was the perfect program to experience that.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
I like the flexibility and how you can tailor your experience to your academic and research interests, such as taking classes that will help supplement your lab work.
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Read More about Jillian WachiraJillian Wachira
Jillian Wachira
Jillian is mentored by Dave Meaney and is in PREP-DAPPG.
Why did you choose PennPREP?
I chose Penn PREP-DAPPG because of the opportunity to have immense exposure to different graduate career paths as well as the opportunity to deepen and hone my experimental and mental research techniques.
What is your favorite part about PennPREP so far?
My favorite part about Penn PREP-DAPPG is the getting to learn about the different fields of research and techniques through my other Penn PREP and PREP-DAPPG peers.
