NSCP Scholars

2022 - 2023 NSCP Scholars

Shivani Ayyagari
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering
Research Mentor/PI: Sue Fenton, Ph.D.
Best Presenter: Summer Connection Presentation (Tie)

Emma Budden
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Microbiology – Microbial Health Sc.
Research Mentor/PI: Windy Boyd, Ph.D.

Charles Coleman
North Carolina A&T University

Major: Senior/Bioengineering
Research Mentor/PI: Lalith Perera, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Summer Connection Presentation

Ariana Frazier
North Carolina State University

Returning Scholar
Major: Senior/Public Health/Africana Studies
Research Mentor/PI: Joan Packenham, Ph.D.

Thusna Gardiyehewa
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Research Mentor: Vandy Parron, Ph.D., M.S.
Research PI: Stavros Garantziotis, Ph.D.
Best Presenter: Summer Connection Presentation (Tie)

Ameena Hester
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Environmental Public Policy/Environmental Justice/Data Science
Research Mentor: Christine Parks, Ph.D., M.S.P.H.
Research PI: Dale Sandler, Ph.D.

J’Ya Hunter
North Carolina A&T University

Returning Scholar
NIEHS-SOT Scholar
Major: Senior/Biology
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, M.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Dongwon Lee
Duke University

Major: Senior/Biology, Neurosciences
Research Mentor: Marine Baptissart, Ph.D.
Research PI: Marcos Morgan, Ph.D.

Skylar Montague
Duke University

Major: Junior/Biology
Research Mentor: Steve Wu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Francesco Demayo, Ph.D.

Sahana Ramamurthy
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Computer Science
Research Mentor: Ann Von-Holle, Ph.D.
Research PI: Clarice Weinberg, Ph.D

Briany Santos-Villalobos
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Biology
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darelene Dixon, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Joevensky Seme
St. Augustine's University

Major: Junior/Biology
Research Mentor: Caroline Duval, Ph.D.
Research PI: Xiaoling Li, Ph.D.

Kyra Varley
Duke University

Major: Senior/Social Determinants of Health and Inequality
Research Mentor: Melissa Smarr, Ph.D.
Research PI: Claudia Thompson, Ph.D.

2021 - 2022 NSCP Scholars

Violet Evans
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Junior/Biostatistics, Asian Studies-Chinese
Research Mentor: John House, Ph.D.
Research PI: Alison Motsinger-Reif, Ph.D.

Ariana Frazier
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Public Health, Africana Studies
Research Mentor/PI: Joan Packenham, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Fall Connection Presentation

Rajee Ganesan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Quantitative Biology
Research Mentor/PI: Jason Watts, M.D., Ph.D.

Ameena Hester
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Junior/Environmental Public Policy/Environmental Justice/Data Science
Research Mentor: Christine Parks, Ph.D., M.S.P.H.
Research PI: Dale Sandler, Ph.D.

J’Ya Hunter
North Carolina A&T University

NIEHS-SOT Scholar
Major: Senior/Biology
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, M.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Spring Connection Presentation

Micah Hysong
North Carolina State University

Honorable Mention: Outstanding Scholar 2022
Major: Senior/Biochemistry, Genetics
Research Mentor/PI: Joseph Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Summer Connection Presentation
Best Presentation: Fall Connection Presentation
Honorable Mention: Spring Connection Presentation

Tanae Lewis
North Carolina A&T University

Major: Junior/Biochemistry
Research Mentor: Cassandra Hayne, Ph.D.
Research PI: Robin Stanley, Ph.D.

Maya Logan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Bioinformatics, Public Policy
Research Mentors: Mackenzie Dickson, Ph.D. and Steve Wu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Francesco Demayo, Ph.D.

Jadesola Iremola Oladosu
North Carolina Central University

Returning Scholar
Major: Senior/Pharmacology
Research Mentor/PI: Sue Fenton, Ph.D.

Bhairavy Puviindran
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Biomedical Engineering
Research Mentor: Marine Baptissart, Ph.D.
Research PI: Marcos Morgan, Ph.D.

Jessica Wu
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Outstanding Scholar 2022
Major: Junior/Biomedical Engineering
Research Mentor: Ayland Letsinger, Ph.D.
Research PI: Jerrel Yakel, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Summer Connection Presentation
Honorable Mention: Fall Connection Presentation
Honorable Mention: Spring Connection Presentation

2020 - 2021 NSCP Scholars

Louise Crystal Batta
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Chemistry
Research PI/Mentor: Joan Packenham, Ph.D.
Research Mentors (Summer 2021): Dr. Catherine Callahan Ph.D. and Dr. Windy Boyd Ph.D.

Shama Vimal Birla
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Erik Tokar, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Spring Connection Presentation

Ciani Crissie Bradley
St. Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Lalith Perera, Ph.D.

Maira Haque
North Carolina State University

Returning Scholar
Major: Senior/Biology - Human Biology
Research Mentor: Cassandra Hayne, Ph.D.
Research PI: Robin Stanley, Ph.D.

Glenn L. Jackson
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&T)

Major: Senior/Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Sue Fenton, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Spring Connection Presentation

Hiromu Koyama
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Environmental Engineering
Research Mentor/PI: Geoff Mueller, Ph.D. and Jean Harry, Ph.D.

Sade Lewis
North Carolina Central University

Major: Senior/Environmental Sciences
Research Mentor: Gabe Knudsen, Ph.D.
Research PI: Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., A.T.S.

Hongkun (Joy) Lu
Duke University

Major: Senior/Biology, Global Health
Research Mentor: Chitrangda Srivastava, Ph.D.
Research PI: Anton Jetten, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Spring Connection Presentation

Jadesola Iremola Oladosu
North Carolina Central University

Outstanding Scholar 2021
NIEHS-SOT Scholar
Major: Junior/Pharmacology
Research PI/Mentor: Sue Fenton, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Fall Connection Presentation
Honorable Mention: Summer Connection Presentation

Eddy Caleb Rios
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Biology
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Summer Connection Presentation

Elinor Clark Shelp-Peck
Meredith College

Major: Junior/Biology and Public Health
Research Mentor: Steve Wu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Francesco Demayo, Ph.D.

Emma Nicole Wallace
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Genetics
Research PI/Mentor: Roel Schaaper, Ph.D.

Christopher Joseph Rico Williams
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Developmental Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Jean Harry, Ph.D. and Jian Liang Li, Ph.D.

2019 - 2020 NSCP Scholars

Katelyn Elyse Bouthillier
William Peace University

Major: Senior/Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Shepherd Schurman, M.D.

Iris Salswach Cadena
North Carolina State University

Outstanding Scholar 2020
Major: Senior/Biological Sciences-Human Biology
Research Mentor: Ciro Amato, Ph.D.
Research PI: Humphrey Yao, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Fall Connection Presentation

Margaret Chapman
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Biological Sciences – Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology
Research Mentor: Gabe Knudsen, Ph.D.
Research PI: Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., A.T.S

Naudia Gay
St. Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Biology
Research Mentor: Leslie Wilson, Ph.D.
Research PI: Patricia Jensen, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Summer Connection Presentation

Samuel Jacob Goldstein
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Environmental Health Science
Research Mentor: Symielle Gaston, Ph.D., M.P.H
Research PI: Chandra Jackson, Ph.D., M.S.
Honorable Mention: Summer Connection Presentation

Maira Haque
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Biology – Human Biology
Research Mentor: Cassandra Hayne, Ph.D.
Research PI: Robin Stanley, Ph.D.

James Horng
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Chemistry and Nutrition
Research Mentor: Andrew Sikkema, Ph.D.
Research PI: Traci Hall, Ph.D.

Tatlock Hursey Lauten
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Biology – Molecular and Cellular
Research PI/Mentor: Jean Harry, Ph.D.

Arianna Lawrence
North Carolina Central University

Returning Scholar
NIEHS-SOT Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Senior/Biomedical Sciences
Research Mentor: Yitang Yang, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Trina Phuong Phan
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Genetics
Research PI/Mentor: Suzanne Fenton, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Fall Connection Presentation

Tatianna Taylor
North Carolina Central University

Major: Senior/Biological and Biomedical Science
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Elizabeth Van-Gorder
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Junior/Biology
Research Mentor: Florencia Pascual, Ph.D.
Research PI: Natalie Shaw, M.D., M.M.Sc.

2018 - 2019 NSCP Scholars

Yasmine Hossamy
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Biology
Research Mentor: Irina Evsyukova, Ph.D.
Research PI: Patricia Jensen, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Summer Connection Presentation

Suzanna Catherine Kafer
North Carolina State University

Outstanding Scholar 2019
Major: Junior/Biochemistry
Research Mentor: Steven Wu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Francesco J. Demayo, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Fall Connection Presentation

Arianna Lawrence
North Carolina Central University

Major: Senior/Biological and Biomedical Science
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Stephanie Leeann Lola
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Microbiology – Microbial Health Science
Research PI/Mentor: Roel Schaaper, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Spring Connection Presentation

La'Tricha Parks
St. Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Engineering Math
Research PI/Mentor: Lalith Perera, Ph.D.

Kasey Nicole Potts
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Biological Sciences – Integrative physiology and neurobiology
Research PI/Mentor: Jesse Cushman, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Fall Connection Presentation

Tanya Qureshi
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Quantitative Biology/Neuroscience
Research Mentor: Florencia Pascual, Ph.D.
Research PI: Natalie Shaw, M.D., M.M.Sc.

Mackenzie Roberts
Duke University

Outstanding Scholar 2019
Major: Senior/Neurobiology
Research PI/Mentor: Jean Harry, Ph.D.
Best Presentation: Spring Connection Presentation

Tanner Russ
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Microbiology – Microbial Health Science
Research PI/Mentor: Suzanne Fenton, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Summer Connection Presentation

Hannah Elisabeth Schrader
North Carolina State University

Honorable Mention: Outstanding Scholar 2019
Major: Senior/Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Shepherd Schurman, M.D.

2017 - 2018 NSCP Scholars

Simrat Arora
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Lalith Perera, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention: Fall Connection Presentation

Angeliz Rivera Conception
North Carolina Central University

Major: Senior/Biology/Pre-Dental
Research PI/Mentor: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Savan Gandhi
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Biochemistry
Research Mentor: Steven Wu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Francesco J. Demayo, Ph.D.

Kshitij Kumar
North Carolina Central University

Major: Senior/Environmental Science
Research PI/Mentor: Suzzane Fenton, Ph.D.

Aakash Mehta
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Environmental Health Biology
Research Mentor: Vandy Parron, Ph.D., M.S.
Research PI: Stavros Garantziotis, M.D.
Best Presenter: Spring Connection Presentation

Akira Min
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Biology, Physics
Research Mentor: Juhee Haam, Ph.D.
Research PI: Jerrel Yakel, Ph.D.

Janiece Morgan
Duke University

Major: Senior/Neuroscience
Research Mentor: Natale Sciolino, Ph.D.
Research PI: Patricia Jensen, Ph.D.
Best Presenter: Summer Connection Presentation
Honorable Mention: Spring Connection Presentation

Caroline Brock Reed
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Senior/Environmental Health Sciences and engineering
Research PI/Mentor: Jean Harry, Ph.D.

Dhruv Sankar
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Outstanding Scholar 2018
Major: Senior/Biomedical Health Sciences and engineering
Research PI/Mentor: Shepherd Schurman, M.D.
Best Presenter: Fall Connection Presentation

Malika Wood
St. Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Biology
Research PI/Mentor: Negin Martin, Ph.D.

2016 - 2017 NSCP Scholars

Jaisal Amin
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Biological Sciences: Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology
Research Mentor: Natale Sciolino, Ph.D.
Research PI: Patricia Jensen, Ph.D.

Allison Lewis
North Carolina Central University

Major: Junior/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research PI/Mentor: Negin Martin, Ph.D.

Maura K. Schwartz
North Carolina State University

Returning Scholar
Major: Senior/Genetics
Research PI/Mentor: Shepherd Schurman, M.D.

2015 - 2016 NSCP Scholars

Alanna D. Burwell
North Carolina Central University

Major: Senior/Biology
Research Mentors: Linda Yu, Ph.D., & Yitang Yan, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Maura K. Schwartz
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/Genetics
Research PI/Mentor: Shepherd Schurman, M.D.

Lucas A. van Gorder
North Carolina State University

Outstanding Scholar 2016
Major: Senior/Genetics
Research PI/Mentor: Negin P. Martin, Ph.D.

Porscha L. Walton
St. Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Public Health
Research Mentor: Kembra L. Howdeshell, Ph.D.
Research PI: Kris Thayer, Ph.D.

Carri C. Murphy
North Carolina Central University

Returning Scholar
Major: Senior/Pharma Science
Research Mentor: Daniel Menendez, Ph.D.
Research PI: Michael Resnick, Ph.D.

2014 - 2015 NSCP Scholars

Brianda M. Elzey
Saint Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Chemistry
Research Mentor: Natasha Clayton
Research PI: Ronald Herbert, Ph.D.

Nichole M. Flynn
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Biochemistry
Research Mentor: Ruben Orihuela, Ph.D.
Research PI: Jean Harry, Ph.D.

Deasia L. Lewis
Saint Augustine's University

Major: Junior/Biology
Research Mentor: Natalie Ren, Ph.D.
Research PI: Xiaoling Li, Ph.D.

Aaron K. Manning
Saint Augustine's University

Major: Junior/Public Health
Research PI/Mentor: Geoffrey Mueller, Ph.D.

Carri C. Murphy
North Carolina Central University

Oustanding Scholar 2015
Major: Senior/Pharma Science
Research Mentor: Daniel Menendez, Ph.D.
Research PI: Michael Resnick, Ph.D.

Nicole L. Sciortino
Saint Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Chemistry
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

2013 - 2014 NSCP Scholars

Katelyn V. Blatchford
North Carolina State University

Major: Senior/Nutrition Science
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Mia A. Burks
Saint Augustine's University

Major: Senior/Public Health
Research Mentor: Pierre Bushel, Ph.D.
Research PI: Clarice Weinberg, Ph.D.

Brittany D. Dunigan
Saint Augustine's University

Major: Senior/ Biology
Research Mentor: Julie Horton, Ph.D.
Research PI: Sam Wilson, Ph.D.

Ashley A. Kang
North Carolina State University

Major: Junior/ Polymer and Color Chemistry
Research Mentor: Metukuri Mallik, Ph.D.
Research PI: Xiaoling Li, Ph.D.

Melissa A. Kerr
North Carolina Central University

Major: Senior/ Chemistry
Research Mentor: Vandy Parron, M.S.
Research PI: Stavros Grantziotis, Ph.D.

Kacey R. McHoney
Saint Augustine's University

Returning Scholar
Major: Biology
Research Mentor: Matthew Edin, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darryl Zeldin, M.D.

Olutoyosi O. Oyelowo
University of North Carolina

Major: Environmental Health Science
Research Mentor: Ruben Orihuela, Ph.D.
Research PI: Jean Harry, Ph.D.

Jennifer A. Plair
Saint Augustine’s University

Returning Scholar
Major: Biology
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

2012 - 2013 NSCP Scholars

Michael N. Lekwuwa
North Carolina Central University

Major: Biology
Research Mentor: Laura Wharey
Research PI: Kevin Gerrish, Ph.D.

Kacey R. McHoney
Saint Augustine's University

Major: Biology
Research Mentor: Matthew Edin, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darryl Zeldin, M.D.

Charles Okechukwu
North Carolina Central University

Major: Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research Mentor: Ruben Orihuela, Ph.D.
Research PI: Jean Harry, Ph.D.

Jennifer A. Plair
Saint Augustine’s University

Major: Biology
Research Mentor: Linda Yu, Ph.D.
Research PI: Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Malcolm B. Richbourg
Saint Augustine’s University

Major: Public Health
Research Mentors: Heather Franco, Ph.D. & Karina Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Research PI: Humphrey Yao, Ph.D.

Brandon T. Williams
North Carolina State University

Major: Biochemistry
Research Mentor: Tracy Clement, Ph.D.
Research PI: Mitch Eddy, Ph.D.