INHCC Summer Program Students

As a dedicated neurobiology major and rising sophomore at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, Nana is committed to achieving her aspirations in the field of medicine. With a dual focus on computational biology and a passion for neurosurgery, she aims to make a significant impact at the intersection of healthcare and technology. Her academic journey is complemented by active engagement in volunteer work, where she has had the privilege of contributing to various humanitarian causes. Nana is enthusiastic about continuing her education and believes that her experiences will be invaluable to her future career in medicine, inspiring younger generations along the way. She is particularly excited to continue work with Dr. Spudich this summer at Yale, focusing on understanding the effects of acute HIV infection on the central nervous system.

Brielle is a junior at North Caroline A&T State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has an interest in understanding various diseases and how the development of new treatments can lead to improved health outcomes over time. Brielle is excited to continue gaining experiencing in and contributing to advancements in healthcare.​

​Evie is a junior at Webster University pursuing a BS in psychology with a minor in criminology. She enjoys research, especially development and clinical psychology. Evie is also a part of Webster women's tennis team.

Dennis Opoku, a rising sophomore majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Connecticut, returns to the INHCC Summer Mentee Program with a continued commitment to advancing his understanding of HIV. He seeks to explore how the pharmaceutical field can more effectively address disparities in life-saving treatments. Under the mentorship of Dr. Spudich at Yale University, Dennis is also dedicated to promoting awareness of ongoing research in New Haven, aiming to strengthen public support for the advancement of medical care.

Helene is a rising third-year student at Hunter College majoring in Honors Human Biology with a double minor in Computer Science and Music. She is interested in the intersection of medicine and computer science, with a focus on HIV/AIDS research, biomedical genomics, and immunology. With a strong background in HIV/AIDS research, she is excited to join the Ndhlovu Laboratory studying HIV-associated biomarkers with potential neurobiological and immunological mechanisms.

As a dedicated biochemistry major and rising junior at University of Missouri - St. Louis, Candice is pursuing a career in medicine with the intent of applying to medical schools in the spring. She is a first-generation college student who is passionate about continuing her education to inspire younger generations. Her interest in the human mind and body led her to join the INHCC. She is excited to learn more about neuropsychology research and believes that this experience is invaluable to her future career in medicine.

Natalie George is an undergraduate Criminal Justice major at the University of Missouri – Saint Louis, with minors in Psychology, Philosophy, Cybersecurity, and Computer Science. She is incredibly passionate about learning and wants to continue her education after university. She is open to considering diverse career paths in the future, especially professions that implement optimistic solutions for emerging world problems. Natalie hopes to gain crucial experience in data analysis, HIV research, and career networking from the INHCC summer mentorship program.

Dr. Corley is an Associate Professor in Medicine at University of California San Diego. He received a MA and PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Hawaii and completed postdoctoral training in epigenetics, health disparities, immunology, and infectious disease. Dr. Corley’s research focuses on better understanding host epigenetic mechanisms in immune cells reprogrammed by HIV infection and investigating how an individual’s unique epigenetic signature predicts innate and adaptive immune cell responses and longitudinal brain health outcomes following HIV exposure. His laboratory is also dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge “omics” technologies to increase knowledge towards addressing health inequalities and infectious disease.

Tay is a Biology major and rising senior at Southern Connecticut State University. Tay has always had an interest in neuroscience, microbiology and forensic science and looks forward to expanding her knowledge in neuroscience through the INHCC summer program. She has a passion for tutoring young students in her community and works to improve reading & comprehension skills while also hoping to excite them about the sciences. Tay hopes to continue in the field of research and is particularly interested in studying how injury and infectious disease affect the brain.

Thomas is a Puerto Rican, 1st generation pre-med student at CUNY Hunter College in the Macaulay Honors College program. He is a rising junior, dual majoring in Human Biology and Africana Puerto Rican and Latino Studies, with a Chemistry minor. Thomas is passionate about closing healthcare disparities and representing LGBTQ+ and Latino groups in the healthcare field. As a future physician, he aims to create safe and accepting environments for his patients, while also using his future platform for advocacy. He is actively working to break down misconceptions and stigmas about mental health, the queer community, and sexually transmitted infections — especially HIV. His work so far at the Ndhlovu Laboratory of HIV Immunopathogenesis and Cure has been focused on better understanding neurocognitive impairment in adolescents perinatally infected with HIV. 

JaNiece is a University of Missouri-St Louis psychological science major. A rising senior, JaNiece anticipates graduating spring semester of 2024 and is contemplating graduate school options, including continuing studies at UMSL. JaNiece’s interests focus on child psychology and she hopes to work directly with children, while also participating in continued research studies that work toward improved outcomes in pediatric mental health. JaNiece joined the INHCC Mentee program to learn more about neuropsychology research and to have opportunities to meet like-minded peers.

Eunice is a Biological Science major at Montgomery College-Takoma Park, Maryland and is hosted by the MHRP while with the INHCC. A member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Eunice stays active in STEM programs that promote teaching/ mentoring to both college and high school students. She plans on majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and looks forward to her experience with the INHCC to help broaden her knowledge on career paths and research opportunities, while building a professional network of exceptional mentors.

A rising sophomore, majoring in Allied Health Science at the University of Connecticut-Stamford, Evan wants to pursue a career in medicine. With a desire to learn more about potential career choices and a passion to help people, Evan received EMT certification in the state of Connecticut before college. Evan is also active in the UConn community, serving as SGA Program Director and engaged in several other clubs. Evan participated in several Yale Pathways to Science programs, completing the HPREP program during high school. Evan hopes to learn more about basic science roles and research and further understand the work conducted in the INHCC.

Megan is a third-year psychology major at the University of Missouri- St. Louis (UMSL). She hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology and is eager to meet the many collaborators of the INHCC. Megan’s interest in neurological psychology has grown during her undergraduate career and she looks forward to learning from mentors that can share more about research opportunities within the neuro-psyche field. She looks forward to working with a team active in HIV+ neuropsychological research across numerous international studies, including investigations in substance use disorder (SUD).

Alfia enters her junior year in college, and also transitions from Gateway Community College to the University of Connecticut-Storrs as a Pathobiology student. Alfia is active in her community and is investing in numerous experiences that are building her knowledge in disease and public health. She worked with CT Public Health Corps, assisting in COVID-19 vaccination efforts in at-risk communities and tutors high school students in biology and chemistry. Last year, Alfia was a summer scholar for a Hematology Program at the Yale Cooperative Center of Excellence. This experience increased her desire for similar opportunities. The INHCC Summer Mentee program is an opportunity for Alfia to continue to broaden her academic network and learn the best paths & practices to position her well for future work in infectious disease, public health and/ or epidemiology.

Entering her sophomore year at Portland Community College, Nadiya is thrilled to be a part of the INHCC Mentee Summer Program. With a personal interest in better understanding autoimmune disease, Nadiya has already conducted personal research on immunology and autoimmune disease with the help of doctors at OHSU and is passionate about pursuing a career that will help reduce the suffering of so many with autoimmune disorders. Nadiya plans to transfer to University of Portland to pursue a BS in Biology. She hopes to learn more about the research community and disease investigation through this experience and hopes to expand her academic network through new introductions and interactions.

Diego joins the INHCC through Dr Lydie Trautmann’s lab at OHSU. Currently a student at Portland Community College, Diego hopes to complete a BS in Biology at Portland State University. Diego’s broader goal is to work at OHSU while pursuing a medical degree. He looks forward to working with patients to improve their quality of life and provide the care they need. Diego learned of the INHCC internship through a biology professor at PCC and was eager to apply for a fantastic opportunity to expand knowledge in neuroscience and immunology, while also gaining research experience.

A graduate of Portland State University, Julian Pacheco originally pursued a career in conservation. During his time as a Wildlife Technician for the Bureau of Land Management, he found his interests growing in new directions and discovered a passion for computer science, particularly bioinformatics. Julian took the leap and enrolled in the Bioscience Technology Program at Portland Community College (PCC). Julian learned of this INHCC internship through an advisor at PCC and he knew this would be a great opportunity to learn from a team highly revered in the research community and with a diverse wealth of experience. He hopes to build on knowledge and experience in opportunities such as this summer program, as he aims for graduate studies in Bioinformatics at the University of Oregon or at OHSU.

A Bioscience Major at Portland Community College (PCC), Ruth Esmeralda Javier Ramirez (known as Esmey) wanted to join the INHCC summer program because of her interest in the research work at OHSU that she learned of while reading the post for this opportunity. Vaccine therapy and virology are her favorite subjects and she is excited to learn more about how researchers are working on finding a vaccine for HIV. Esmey hopes to continue her education at OHSU to become a research scientist. She would be thrilled to have the opportunity to work in one of these research programs at OHSU one day.

Daiana C. Vazquez Bracero graduated from Hill Regional Career High School in the spring of 2021 and will be attending Quinnipiac University this fall as a Health Science Major working toward entry into the pre-med program. Throughout her high school years, Daiana participated in various health and science programs, building her knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the human body and the various careers in medicine. One of the programs she enjoyed the most was the Yale Simulation Lab, where she was familiarized to suturing, intubating, inserting IVs, and ultrasounds. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree, she plans to continue her career by studying medicine and pursuing a PhD. As an INHCC intern, she is interested in learning from a variety of accomplished researchers and having a closer look at the work of a research scientist.

Jocelyn Ramirez is a rising senior at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Connecticut. A member of Yale Pathways to Science who has participated in various programs like Brain Education Day and Girl Science Investigation. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Class of 2022 Treasurer. Her interest in neuroscience began in middle school, when she branched out to different programs and events related to neuroscience. After she graduates high school, she plans on going to college to major in a STEM field.

Abigail Ramirez attends Hunter College High School in New York. Abigail applied for this Summer Mentee program to learn more about virology and to better understand the scientific research process. She aims to reduce inequities in US healthcare that people of color face. By learning more about HIV research & eradication efforts through this summer program, she hopes to better understand how to contribute in reducing the racial disparity found in US healthcare. Abigail wishes to study public health and anthropology for undergraduate studies, followed by epidemiology in post-graduate work. Ultimately, Abigail hopes to work toward reducing maternal mortality rates for black women, which is twice as large as rates among most other races. She envisions working in public health and/or reproductive health organizations to meet this challenge. Among many quotes that inspire her, Angela Davis’ “I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m changing the things I cannot accept” is a favorite motivator.

Taylor Graham participated in the summer program at Weill Cornell Medicine in 2021.