CTSI is excited to welcome the 2026 cohorts of the Pathways to Research Program (PReP) and Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP). This summer, 29 scholars, including 16 undergraduate students and 13 graduate and professional health sciences students, will work alongside University of Minnesota faculty mentors while building skills in clinical and translational science.
This year's cohort includes students from the University of Minnesota, partner institutions across the country, and affiliate scholar programs, reflecting CTSI's commitment to supporting emerging researchers from a variety of academic backgrounds and disciplines.
The Pathways to Research Program (PReP) introduces undergraduate students to the world of translational science. Through a summer of hands-on learning and mentorship, scholars gain early exposure to research and explore how scientific discoveries are translated into improvements in health and healthcare.
Designed for University of Minnesota doctoral-level professional health sciences students and early-stage PhD students, the Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP) provides an opportunity to build on existing research interests while developing the skills, relationships, and experience needed to advance a career in clinical and translational science.
Both programs have grown through partnerships with Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico and Xavier University of Louisiana, helping connect students from partner institutions with research and training opportunities at the University of Minnesota. The programs also collaborate with affiliate scholar initiatives including the Medical School’s BA/MD program and the College of Pharmacy's Melendy Summer Research Scholarship, that broaden participation in research across educational pathways and fields of study.
At the center of the summer experience is a mentored research project. Each scholar contributes to an active research initiative under the guidance of a University of Minnesota faculty mentor. Scholars also participate in seminars focused on translational science, scientific communication, career development, and networking.
In the fall, scholars will present their work at the CTSI Translational Science Symposium and Poster Session, sharing their findings with the research community and reflecting on their summer experiences.
Congratulations to the 2026 PReP and A-PReP scholars!
Amal Ahmed, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Kristina Burrack, PhD, Medical School
Lucas Do, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Jean-Paul Noel, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, Medical School
Sharon Dosunmu, Purdue University
Mentor: Ebiere Okah, MD, Department of Medicine, Medical School
Cohen Haley, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Casey Dorr, PhD, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Medical School
Linh Hoang, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Patrick Rothwell, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, Medical School
Hasan Mohammed, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Margy McCullough-Hicks, MD, Department of Neurology, Medical School
Niamani Neeland, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Ellen Ingolfsland, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School
Elizabeth Nordin, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Christopher Banek, PhD, Department of Surgery, Medical School
Sarah Oberstar, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mentor: Beshay Zordoky, BSc Pharm, MSc, PhD, FAHA, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy
Jolee Olsen, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Rachel Hawe, PhD, School of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development
Magdalena Poling, Carleton College
Mentor: Melissa Polonenko, PhD, Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, College of Liberal Arts
Ava Roh, Carleton College
Mentor: Casey Burrows, PhD, LP, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School
Samuel Thibodeau, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Lindsey Sloan, MD, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical School
Rachada Vue, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Manda Keller-Ross, PT, DPT, PhD, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Medical School
Mary Zins, University of Minnesota
BA/MD Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Walter Low, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School
Mary Zordoky, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Stephanie Misono, MD, MPH, Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School
Nicholas Davis, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier Partner Scholar
Mentor: Pamala Jacobson, PharmD, FCCP, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy
Ifrah Edow, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Melendy Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Beshay Zordoky, BSc Pharm, MSc, PhD, FAHA, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy
Sandy Hinton, Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier Partner Scholar
Mentor: Nattawat Klomjit, MD, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Medical School
Sean Killip, College of Education and Human Development (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Daniel Craighead, PhD, School of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development
Stella Lawerteh, College of Education and Human Development (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Emmanuel Bonney, PhD, School of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development
Mercy Nwaodu, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Joel Farley, PhD, Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, College of Pharmacy
Bianca Ortiz Diaz, Ponce Health Sciences University
Ponce Partner Scholar
Mentor: Arin Ellingson, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School
Darwing Padilla Rolon, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Ann Parr, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School
Ayesha Saif, School of Public Health (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Gillian Tarr, PhD, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health
Emily Shalit, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Emily Kringle, PhD, OTR/L, School of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development
Elizabeth Swanson, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Melendy Affiliate Scholar
Mentor: Reena Kartha, MS, PhD, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy
Diego Torres, Ponce Health Sciences University
Ponce Partner Scholar
Mentor: Marc Swiontkowski, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical School
Lilin Wang, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Stephanie Huang, PhD, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy
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