CTSI welcomes 11 undergraduate and 15 graduate and professional health sciences students to its 2024 PReP and A-PReP summer research training programs.
The undergraduate Pathways to Research Program (PReP) is open to students at colleges and universities with strong connections to Minnesota who are from an underrepresented population or disadvantaged background as defined by NIH. PReP provides undergraduate students with knowledge, skills, and experience in translational science and health equity research through a structured core curriculum.
The Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP) is a research training program for University of Minnesota doctoral-level professional health sciences students and early-PhD students who are interested in clinical and translational research. Students build camaraderie and learn from other students in the program while gaining valuable research and career development skills.
The cornerstone of both programs is the scholar’s participation in a research project under the direct supervision of a University faculty mentor. With input and oversight by the faculty mentor, scholars work on a project related to the mentor’s ongoing research programs. Scholars also attend weekly seminars that provide a grounding in translational research, networking, and presentation skills. In the fall, scholars present research findings at the annual CTSI Translational Science Symposium and Poster Session.
For the past 13 years these programs have offered valuable research training and experience to students from the UMN and other colleges and universities in Minnesota. Recently the program has formed collaborations with external partners -- Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico and Xavier University of Louisiana -- to provide this opportunity to highly qualified students outside of Minnesota.
Congratulations to our summer 2024 scholars!
PReP Scholars
The Pathways to Research Program (PReP) provides an opportunity for students from populations underrepresented in research to begin or advance their research career.
Habsa Ahmed, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Tammy Butterick, PhD, Minneapolis VA Health Care System Research Service, Department of Neuroscience, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Laida Aragon, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Kim Mansky, PhD, Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry
Stefanny Ayala, Macalester College
Mentor: Beshay Zordoky, MSc, PhD, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology (ECP), College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Olivia Evers, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Casey Burrows, PhD, LP, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Corrina Jones, Northwestern University
Mentors: Iris Borowsky, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School (Twin Cities) and Gianna Rea-Sandin, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Lulu Makene, St. Olaf College
Mentor: Rene Pierpont, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Alexander McHugh, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Jayne Fulkerson, PhD, School of Nursing
Ian Palanga, Macalester College
Mentor: Don Simone, PhD, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry
Arwa Salih, Macalester College
Mentor: Ebiere Okah, MD, MS, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Joshua Segebre, Macalester College
Mentor: Sandra Japuntich, PhD, LP, Psychiatry, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
Shania Youssef, University of Minnesota
Mentor: Forum Kamdar, MD, PhD, FACC, Cardiovascular Division of the Department of Medicine, Medical School (Twin Cities)
A-PReP Scholars
The Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP) is designed for doctoral-level professional health sciences students and early-PhD students interested in clinical and translational research.
Desmond Asante, UMN College of Education and Human Development
Mentor: Rachel Hawe, PT, DPT, PhD, College of Education and Human Development, School of Kinesiology
Kasey Bartyzal, UMN College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Corey McGee, PhD, MS, OTR/L, CHT, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Abaki Beck, UMN School of Public Health
Mentor: Rebecca Shlafer, PhD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Cesar Iturerere Cyuzuzo, UMN Medical School (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Natalia Tretyakova, PhD, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Mary Raphel Daniel, UMN College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Beshay Zordoky, MSc, PhD, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Tamara De Paula E Manchila, UMN College of Education and Human Development
Mentor: Lisa Chow, MD, MS, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical School (Twin Cities)
KenDarious Harris, Xavier University of Louisiana
Mentor: Abbie Begnaud, MD, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Regina Kurandina, UMN College of Veterinary Medicine
Mentor: Sian Durward-Akhurst, BVMS, MS, PhD, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
Pamela Meléndez Noriega, Ponce Health Sciences University
Mentor: Monica Campo, MD, MPH, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Joci Robinson, Xavier University of Louisiana
Mentor: Lisa Coles, PhD, MS, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Jamie Laureano Soto, Ponce Health Sciences University
Mentor: Julie Ostrander, PhD, Department of Medicine, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Pramisha Thapa, UMN Medical School (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Shanie Jayasinghe, PhD, Divisions of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Keshin Visahan, UMN Medical School (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Kelvin Lim, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical School (Twin Cities)
Bryan Yan, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Mentors: Jeanine Jarnes, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School (Twin Cities) and Laura Palombi, PharmD, MPH, MAT, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Chenwei Yan, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)
Mentor: Reena Kartha, MS, PhD, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities)