MARC Students
Because of 今日吃瓜’s commitment to research, our MARC students have had substantial and diverse opportunities to conduct research. Students have access to first-class faculty as well as fully equipped research labs with core facilities featuring complex machines such as a transmission electron microscope and a BD FACS Canto Flow cytometer;聽AREAC, our marine biology center; and the聽Diana Rogovin Davidow Speech Language Hearing Center.
Besides being in a research-active environment, our students participate in seminars, conferences, and summer internships where they are able to be part of a wider scientific community. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, from neuroscience and psychology to speech communication and health and nutrition sciences. In addition to the work they do in their classes and in their labs, these MARC students are very active in their school and in their communities, from volunteering to poetry reading to student government.
There are two cohorts of MARC students that are running currently. Cohort 17 are seniors and Cohort 18 are juniors.
Recent Students
Cohort 19
Jade Balcombe
Biology, In-training
In program 2018鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Nicolas Biais
Ashley Civil
Biology, In-training
In program 2018鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Theodore Muth
Kaydine Edwards
Health and Nutrition Sciences, In-Training
In program 2018鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Xinyin Jiang
Jailene Paredes
Biology, In-training
In program 2018鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Mariana Torrente
Cohort 20
Samuelle Delcy
Psychology, In-training
In program 2019鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Daniel Kurylo
Claudia Melo
Biology and Chemistry, In-training
In program 2019鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Guillermo Gerona-Navarro
Ominakhon Nazarzoda
Chemistry, In-training
In program 2019鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Mariana Torrente
Jeydy Perez
Biology, In-training
In program 2019鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Guillermo Gerona-Navarro
Tia Robinson
Biology, In-training
In program 2019鈥損resent
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Mara Schvarzstein
Ph.D.s in Progress
Tangeria Adams
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2012鈥�14
Faculty mentor: Professor Laura Rabin
Since graduating: University of Rochester (Clinical Psychology), Ph.D. candidate
Kadidia Adula
Biology, B.S.
In program 2009鈥�11
Faculty mentor: Professor Juergen Polle
Since graduating: University of California Los Angeles, Ph.D. candidate
Gabrielle Akcelik
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2016鈥�18
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Guillermo Esber
Since graduating: University of Chicago (Neuroscience), Ph.D. candidate
Adanna Alexander
Biology, B.A.
In program 2008鈥�09
Faculty mentor: Professor Peter Lipke
Since graduating: CUNY Graduate Center, Ph.D. candidate
Allyson Bunbury
Biology, B.S.
In program 2000鈥�02
Faculty mentor: Professor Lesley Davenport
Since graduating: Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Ph.D. candidate (ABD)
Stephanie Christie
Biology, B.S.
In program 2011鈥�13
Faculty mentor: Professor Kathleen Axen
Since graduating: Ichan School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, Ph.D. candidate
Adriana Cushnie
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2015鈥�17
Faculty mentor: Professor Juan Marcos Alarcon
Since graduating: University of Minnesota (Neuroscience), Ph.D. candidate
Elena Dominguez
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2013鈥�15
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Matthew Crump
Since graduating: University of California Irvine聽Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Ph.D. candidate
Martha Dua-Awerah
Biology, B.S., and Physics, B.S.
In program 2011鈥�13
Faculty mentor: Professor Lesley Davenport
Since graduating: University of Cincinnati Systems Biology and Physiology, Ph.D. candidate
Jason Dunlop
Psychology, B.A., and Speech Language Pathology, B.S.
In program 2016鈥�18
Faculty mentor: Professor Brett Martin
Since graduating: University of Maryland Speech and Hearing Sciences, Ph.D. candidate
Jemina Georges
Anthropology, B.A.
In program 2012鈥�14
Faculty mentor: Professor Sophia Perdikaris
Since graduating: CUNY Graduate Center (Anthropology), Ph.D. candidate
Anthony James
Biology, B.S.
In program 2016鈥�18
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Mara Schvarstein
Since graduating: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Ph.D. candidate
Sanchez Jarrett
Chemistry, B.S.
In program 2010鈥�12
Faculty mentor: Professor Richard Magliozzo
Since graduating: Harvard University (Biological and Medical Sciences), Ph.D. candidate
Andre Jordan
Chemistry, B.S.
In program 2012鈥�13
Faculty mentor: Professor Lesley Davenport
Since graduating: University of Miami (Cancer Biology, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology), Ph.D. candidate
Tabitha Julien
Biology, B.S.
In program 2009鈥�11
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Anjana Saxena
Since graduating: University at Albany-SUNY, M.P.H., and New York University (Epidemiology), Ph.D. candidate
Lumena Louis
Chemistry, B.S.
In program 2010鈥�12
Faculty mentor: Professor Roberto Sanchez-Delgado
Since graduating: University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D. candidate
Camillia Monestime
Biology, B.S.
In program 2011鈥�13
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Paul Forlano
Since graduating: Stony Brook University-SUNY, Ph.D. candidate
Kaleefa Munroe-Peters
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2005鈥�6
Faculty mentors:聽Professor Curtis Hardin, Professor Harriet Tenenbaum, and Professor Kay Deaux
Since graduating: CUNY Graduate Center, Ph.D. candidate (ABD)
Currently on family leave
Claribel Nunez
Chemistry, B.S.
In program 2008鈥�10
Faculty mentor: Professor Maria Contel
Since graduating: University of Florida, Ph.D. candidate
Nasiha Ocasio
Biology, B.S.
In program 1999鈥�2001
Faculty Mentor: Professor Martin Schreibman
Since graduating: Ichan School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai (Neuroscience), Ph.D. candidate (ABD)
Currently an organic farmer
Lexi Rene
Mathematics, B.S.
In program 2011鈥�13
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Andrezej Jarzecki
Since graduating: Emory University, M.P.H., and Florida State University, Ph.D. candidate
Darwin Romulus
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2014鈥�16
Faculty mentor: Professor Louise Hainline
Since graduating; Florida Atlantic University聽(Complex Systems and Brain Sciences), Ph.D. candidate
Tiffany Shand Terry
Chemistry, B.A.
In program 2009鈥�10
Faculty mentor: Professor Roberto Delgado Sanchez
Since graduating: University of Virginia (Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology), Ph.D. candidate
Janai Williams
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2016鈥�18
Faculty mentor: Assistant Profesor Guillermo Esber
Since graduating: Duke University (Neuroscience), Ph.D. candidate
Khadija Wilson
Biology, B.S.
In program 2015鈥�17
Faculty mentor: Assistant Professor Guillermo Gerona-Navarro
Since graduating: University of Pennsylvania (Pharmacology), Ph.D. candidate
Completed Ph.D.s
Adebowale Bamidele
Chemistry, B.S.
In program 2005鈥�07
Faculty mentor: Professor Malgorzata Ciszkowaska
Since graduating: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Ph.D.
Currently doing聽a postdoctorate聽at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology
Candida Bhagwandin
Biology, B.S.
In program 2008鈥�09
Faculty mentor: Professor Dan Eshel
Since graduating: University of Arizona (Cellular and Molecular Medicine), Ph.D.
Currently a scientist at SanBio California
Angela Erazo Chrisomalis
Biology, B.S.
In program 2000鈥�02
Faculty mentor: Professor Kathleen Axen
Since graduating: University of Pittsburg, Ph.D., and Columbia University, postdoctorate
Currently a senior scientific associate at Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide
Cula Dautriche
Chemistry, B.A., and Biology B.S.
In program 2006鈥�08
Faculty mentor: Professor Roberto Sanchez-Delgado
Since graduating: Downstate School of Medicine-SUNY聽and Polytechnic Institute-SUNY, M.D./Ph.D.
Currently a resident at University of Rochester in the聽School of Medicine and Dentistry
Yolanda Hillocks Foster
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2002鈥�04
Faculty mentor: Professor Dan Eshel
Since graduating: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Ph.D.
Currently a researcher at the Children鈥檚 Hospital of Philadelphia
Aaron T. Frank
Chemistry, B.A.
In program 2004鈥�06
Faculty mentor: Professor Alexander Greer
Since graduating: University of Michigan (Biomedical Sciences), transferred to University of California Irvine, Ph.D., and聽University of Michigan, postdoctorate
Kester Haye
Biology, B.S.
In program 2000鈥�02
Faculty mentor: Professor Ray Gavin
Since graduating: Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, M.D./Ph.D.
Currently doing a residency at University of California San Francisco in the聽Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Ismaele Jacques
Biology, B.S.
In program 2001鈥�03
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Qi He
Since graduating: Yale University (Nursing), M.S.,聽and Yale University (Microbiology), Ph.D.
Currently working as a nurse practitioner at Yale New Haven Hospital
Betty Noel
Biology, B.A.
In program 2001鈥�03
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Theodore Muth
Since graduating: Stony Brook University-SUNY, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Ph.D.
Currently director of Middle School at St. Ann’s School
Alexander Pyronneau
Biology, B.S.
In program 2006鈥�08
Faculty mentor: Professor Peter Lipke
Since graduating: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, M.D./Ph.D.
Currently a physician and researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Shella Saint Fleur-Lominy
Biology, B.S.
In program 2001鈥�03
Faculty mentor: Professor Richard Magliozzo
Since graduating: NYU School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, M.D./Ph.D.
Currently working at NYU Langone as a hematologist and also does research on the biology of leukemia
Laura Senatus
Biology, B.S.
In program 2008鈥�10
Faculty mentor: Associate Professor Theodore Muth
Since graduating: New York University, Department of Pathology (Experimental Pathology), M.S., and聽New York University Department of Pathology (Experimental Pathology), Ph.D.
Currently doing a postdoctoral聽at New York University
Lukman Solola
Chemistry, B.S.
In program 2010鈥�12
Faculty mentor: Professor Roberto Sanchez-Delgado
Since graduating: University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D.
Awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Currently a research scientist at Alcalta Coating Systems
Lyl Tomlinson
Psychology, B.S.
In program 2008鈥�10
Faculty mentor: Professor Andrew Delamater
Since graduating: Stony Brook University-SUNY, Ph.D.
Currently an American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow
Kerton Victory
Chemistry, B.A.
In program 2005鈥�07
Faculty mentor: Professor Richard Magliozzo
Since graduating: University of Arizona (Nutrition Sciences), M.S.,聽and University of Arizona (Environmental Health Sciences),聽Ph.D.
Currently聽an environmental health officer/epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a lieutenant聽commander with the U.S. Public Health Service
Featured Alumni
Aneesa Valentine
We have had exceptional students come through our program, and they have continued to do great work post-MARC. We would like to highlight one of our former MARC Fellows, Aneesa Valentine.
My introduction to biomedical research came by chance when I took a work study job as a microbiology lab tech at my alma mater, 今日吃瓜, in my freshman year. I had just moved permanently from my childhood home in Dominica and needed a source of income to cover my bills.
Over time, what started out solely as a means of establishing and maintaining my financial stability, began to captivate me. I enjoyed going to work鈥攑reparing agar plates and bacterial cultures. I sought out opportunities to do tasks beyond my job requirements. Soon enough, my supervisor鈥攚ho was a former researcher himself and noticing my enthusiasm鈥攔ecommended I try my hand at being a research assistant. During my search, I applied and was accepted to the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program at 今日吃瓜, which served as a pipeline to my first real research experience: studying cryptococcal meningitis at Rutgers University in summer 2017. I attended and presented this work at my first national conference, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), later that year. At that point, there was no turning back. The zeal I obtained from conducting and communicating biomedical research was insurmountable. Bolstered by my fascination with STEM research, I applied to another summer internship and, the following summer, conducted inflammatory bowel disease research at the Weill Cornell Medical Center. I presented this work as an oral presentation at ABRCMS later that year. Following this experience, RISE encouraged me apply to their nationally recognized NIH-funded sister program, the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program. Once I became a MARC Fellow and was equipped with the basic professional skills necessary to excel in a laboratory environment, I desired a more long-term research experience. Thus, I joined a biophysics lab at 今日吃瓜 where I conducted Type IV pili research in Vibrio cholera for almost two years, until I graduated in September 2019. My work ethic during this experience was motivated by none other than the promise of scientific discovery fueled by scientific inquiry. My na茂ve curiosity obliged me to always go the extra mile. As a result, I managed to get a paper published from the work I conducted there.
Immediately after graduating, I began a Post-Baccalaureate Research Program (PREP) at Tufts University School of Medicine, investigating invasive candidiasis. Though the appointment was two years, even before beginning the program, I was determined to complete it in one. A year later, it has been the longest independent research project I’ve worked on, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome. I can definitively say that the PREP program has provided me with an authentic research experience and put me ahead of the curve as an incoming graduate student. By that token, I am excited to announce that I will be pursuing my Ph.D. in biomedical sciences (with a concentration in microbiology and immunology) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. It’s been a long, perhaps winding road, but I owe all my successes to my many support systems over the years: RISE, MARC,聽 and several PIs and mentors as well as family and friends for keeping me sane.
Cheers to a new academic challenge!