2019 Research Scholars

Adeniyan was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. She is working with Dr. Ardayfio at Eli Lily concerning testing pharmaceutical products to treat Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Ms. Adeniyan currently attends IUPUI to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry, and afterwards plans on attending medical school to become a physician.

Ahmed-Dilibe was associated as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. Currently, she is seeking a BS in Biology and a minor in Medical Sociology. She will be working in Dr. Lapish’s Research lab to examine how the Medial Frontal Cortex Mediates Perceptual Attentional Set Shifting in Rats. Ms. Ahmed-Dilibe is a member of the African Student Association. She was also an Undergraduate TA for intro to Biology I. She volunteered at IU health summer of 2017-2018. She holds a canned food drive for Wheelers Mission every December. After College, Ms. Ahmed-Dilibe plans to go to medical school to specialize in pediatrics.

Bonilla was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2018. Currently, she is seeking a BS degree in informatics with a certificate in Chinese and a minor in computer science. This summer, she will be researching with Dr. Aqueasha Martin-Hammond the possibility of voice assistants to help the elderly with their health. She is a member of the Latino Student Association at IUPUI and this year was voted in as Vice President for her sorority, Gamma Phi Omega. Upon graduation, she would like to work in cybersecurity or as a business analyst; at some point she would also like to pursue a master’s degree in computer science.

Ciprian diaz was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. Currently, she is seeking a bachelor degree in Biology and Spanish. She is working with Dr. Lilian Plotkin onthe role of connexin 43 and connexin 37 as regulators of intracellular signaling activated by pharmacotherapeutic, hormonal and mechanical stimuli in bone. Ms. Ciprian will be working alongside a professor assistant in cell biology and anatomy as a laboratory assistant.

Esteves-Ruiz was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. During the summer she is working in the Alves Lab at the IU School of Medicine. Her project focuses on how temperature affects antibody conjugation efficiency leveraging a novel UV-NBS antibody conjugation strategy. Currently, she is seeking an Associate of Applied Science in Biotechnology. A bilingual student, Oriana uses her language skills to help as many students as possible working under Dr. Pappas in the Biotechnology department as a teaching assistant. Additionally, she works alongside Daysi Salmeron as a lab assistant prepping for introductory Biology and Chemistry courses. After she graduates, she plans to pursue a BS in Biotechnology at IUPUI.

Gaitan was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019.Currently he his seeking an bachelor’s in health information management. He is currently excited to start the LSAMP research program. Brian is also excited to work along new people that are part of the program. After he graduates, he plans to pursue a career in coding for a hospital.

Jacinthe was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. Currently, he is working Dr. James Hill to study software performance anti-patterns. He was an intern for the IUPUI Earth Science Department as a web designer responsible for their 50th Anniversary project. He used be involved in recreational activities such as basketball, baseball, soccor, and music. After he graduates, he seeks to pursue a doctorate degree in IT Architect.

McGhee was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. This summer, she is working with Dr. Alves at the IU School of Medicine studying the effects of temperature on inhibited plasmin- an important enzyme needed for the digestion of blood clots. Her interest lies in the Health Sciences and she is currently seeking an Associate of Science in Biotechnology. During the school year, Ms. McGhee works alongside Deysi Salmeron in the Microbiology prep lab preparing labs for Introductory Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology. After graduating she plans to transfer to IUPUI to complete her pre-requisites for Medical School.

Moreno was selected as an LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. Currently, she is seeking a BS degree in both neuroscience and psychology. As an LSAMP scholar, she is working with Dr. Roper on brain tissue cultures to research Down Syndrome. Ms. Moreno is in the Neuroscience club and in the Diversity Enrichment and Achievement Program (DEAP). She is in these two organizations to not only bring awareness about neurological disorders, but to teach others how enriching a science degree can be. After she graduates, she hopes to go into the Medical field and pursue either neurology or psychiatry.

Olagundoye was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. Currently, she is seeking an Bachelor degree in Chemistry. I’m working as a researcher in Indiana university specifically the part of Chemistry to make more new molecules by adding different types of known molecules together.

Omole was selected as an IN LSAMP scholar in 2019. He is seeking a Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering as well as a minor in mathematics and philosophy. As a part of LSAMP as well as the Diversity Research Scholars Program, he was given the opportunity to work with his mentor Dr. Dalir, within his Advanced Composite Structures Engineering Lab, or ACSEL. He is with the Sophomore Internship Program working towards an internship with Comlux during the fall semester. He was also the STEM floor’s President, leading activities for the residents that live throughout North Hall in STEM, specifically on the STEM floor. During his senior year, he wishes to enroll in the 5-year master’s program here at IUPUI to advance his educational and research opportunities.

Perez-Herrera was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. Currently, He is seeking a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He is working with Dr. A.J. Baucum in the Baucum Lab working with the behavioral expression of mice when treated with drugs. David is also the Junior Greenhouse Coordinator of the Biology Club at IUPUI. This organization is designed to allows to participate in volunteering opportunities and interact with faculty the members of IUPUI. When he graduates he plans to pursue graduate school.

Robert was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. She has completer her Associates of Applied Science in Biotechnology and is working on a BS in Environmental Science. While completing her Biotechnology program she contributed to the research and development of a bacteriophage that would rid drinking water of contaminants and a callus tissue culture of Anethum graveolens. Currently, she is working with the Eco Hydrology lab at IUPUI, doing field and lab research on trees in Morgan Monroe State Forest . After she graduates, she plans to go to graduate school and join Ameri- Corps to provide civil service to the environment and people.

Ms. Fagnon was selected as an IN LSAMP Scholar in 2018. Currently, she is seeking a BS in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry and Spanish. She is also a IN LSAMP Peer Mentor for chemistry. Her research is in Dr. Alves' lab working with her mentor to build artificial blood clots and analyze clotting parameters to better understand Pulmonary Embolism and the different ways to target and get rid of blood clots. After she graduates, she plans to attend medical school.

Mr. Ethfagha was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2018. Currently, he is working in a research lab determining how to modify genes as a part of his research project. Mr. Ethfagha works with a professor in the Chemistry Department as a lab assistant.

Ms. Gilliam was selected as an IN LSAMP Scholar in 2018. Currently, she is seeking a BSPH degree in Epidemiology and a BA degree in Chemistry. She is a chemistry tutor and an LHSI Research Intern assisting Dr. John's translational laboratory. She is involved with an array of organizations: IUPUI Ethics of Global Health Volunteerism Working Group, Interdepartmental Liaison Officer for the IUPUI Native American Student Alliance (NASA) and Norman Brown Diversity and Leadership Scholar. Ms. Gilliam plans to pursue a combined MD/PhD degree and concentrate on Infectious Disease Genomics and Pharmacology.

Mr. Nkurunziza was selected as an IN LSAMP Scholar in 2018. He is seeking a BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. He has worked as a PLTL mentor for Chemistry 105 and will be a tutor for LSAMP at the North Hall Tutoring Center. Mr. Nkurunziza is also a part of IUPUI's Neuroscience Club and African Students Association. He intends to pursue a MS in Neuroscience and potentially go on to professional school after he graduates.

Rodriguez was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar at IUPUI in 2019. He is currently seeking a degree in Mechanical Engineering. This summer he is working with Dr. Tovar in ways to produce Bioplastics and testing the properties of the produced materials. He just finished his studies at Ivy Tech where he worked as a Learning Assistant for Dr. Hall. The subjects he taught were Basic Electrical Concepts, CREO and Multisim. He completed a summer REU in 2017. After finishing his Undergraduate studies, Salvador will be pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering to be able to become part of a University Faculty.

Sumrall was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2019. Currently, she is seeking a BS in informatics and philanthropy. She is working on creating a social sorority at IUPUI that will spread awareness about women's' health and food served to underprivileged populations in the U.S. She is excited about learning more about research, and she intends for this to make her a better future health professional. After she graduates with a double major, she plans to work for one year, then attend Meharry Medical College.

Mr. Sanchez was selected as an IN LSAMP Scholar in 2018. Currently, he is seeking a BS in Biology. As an LSAMP scholar, he is working with Dr. Minto and Dr. Blacklock in their biochemistry lab at IUPUI modeling plant protein structure. After he graduates, he plans to attend the IU School of Medicine.

Ms. Williams was selected as an IN LSAMP Summer Research Scholar in 2018. Currently, she is seeking a BS in Biology. She is working in Dr. Perrin's research lab, to determine how hair cells lead to adult-onset deafness. Ms.Williams also volunteers in the emergency room at IU Methodist Hospital. After she graduates, she plans to pursue a PhD degree at IUPUI.