Undergraduate Students
2021
Zabari is a recent graduate of Navajo Technical University, class of 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology degree and has plans of pursuing a postgraduate degree in Microbiology. She is Diné (Navajo) and African American. Kinyaa'áanii nishłį́ Nahiłii bashishchiin Kinłichii'nii dashicheii Nahiłii dashinalí. This means she is Towering House Clan born for the African Americans. She is from Torreon, NM but grew up predominantly in Houston, TX. She has dreams of exploring research and how traditional Navajo culture can be incorporated into science. In her free time she enjoys spending time with animals, singing, and traveling.
Project Title: Developing a Novel Droplet Sorting Device Using Electrophoresis
Mentors: Robinson Tom, Rohan Thakur
Funding: PREM NTU NSF DMR-2122195 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Project Title: Wearable soft robotic gripper
Mentors: Lucas Gerez, Harrison Young
Funding: PREM NTU NSF DMR-2122195 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Leonardo Claure is a rising senior at Emory University where he is majoring in Biology. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. In his free time he enjoys making pottery, playing basketball, and traveling.
Project Title: Tissue Embedded Flexible Nanoelectronics to Capture Development in Cyborg Brain Organoids
Mentors: Qiang Li
Funding: MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Project Title: 3D Printed Lattices for Optimized Electrodes Design
Mentors: Dylan Barber
Funding: PREM NTU NSF DMR-2122195 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Layla James is a freshman at the Navajo Technical University. She is majoring in biology and plans on pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry or Biomedical science. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, listening to music and reading fiction novels.
Project Title: Integrating nanoplasmonic-based heating with digital droplet PCR
Mentors: Yang Wang, Jean Carlos Serrano Flores
Funding: PREM NTU NSF DMR-2122195 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Christina Perry is a senior at Southern University and A&M College, majoring in Chemistry. After graduation, she plans to pursue MD. Outside of academics, she is passionate about spending time with her family, baking, and community service.
Project Title: Effects of nixtamalization on the physical properties and nutrient content in various corns
Mentors: Kathryn Hollar
Funding: CREST MRSEC NSF HRD-1736136 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
is a rising senior at University of New Mexico studying biology. He continues his research in electrochemistry at Navajo Technical University during the semester under the direction of Dr. Thiagarajan Soundappan. He plans on pursuing a career in medicine. In his spare time he likes to take walks, and admire the scenery.
Project Title: Investigating the rheological properties of graphene ink For 3-D printed battery electrodes
Mentors: Dylan Barber, Jennifer Lewis
Funding: PREM NTU NSF DMR-2122195 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Mohammed is a rising senior at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with Robotics and Mathematics minors. He is very interested and passionate about Medical Robotics and Unmanned aerial systems. Going on road trips is his favorite thing to do.
Project Title: Fabrication of elastomer cylindrical thin shells for soft robotics
Mentors: Yang Yi
Funding: MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Hunter Shepard is a senior currently attending Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, LA, majoring in Mathematics and Physics with a concentration in Mathematics. Hunter considers himself an upcoming Scientist but also an educator at heart. In the future, he plans to attend graduate school and teach STEM in both secondary & higher education sectors.
Project Title: Identifying crystal particle structures and modifying with noise to identify fluctuations
Mentors: Will Wang
Funding: CREST MRSEC NSF HRD-1736136 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Tionna Tapaha is from Farmington, NM and attends Navajo Technical University. She is majoring in Biology and is expected to graduate in Fall 2022. She hopes to continue her education and obtain her Ph.D. and MD and become a dermatologist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and traveling.
Project Title: Developing a novel droplet sorting device using electrophoresis
Mentors: Robinson Tom, Rohan Thakur
Funding: PREM NTU NSF DMR-2122195 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
Katelyn Wilson is Navajo and her clans are the Tangle Clan, Start of the Red Streak People Clan, Towering House Clan and Salt People clan. She is from Becenti, New Mexico and she recently graduated this spring of 2022 with her Bachelors in Science for Biology.
Project Title: Integrating nanoplasmonic-based heating with digital droplet PCR
Mentors: Yang Wang, Jean Carlos Serrano Flores
Funding: PREM NTU NSF DMR-2122195 and MRSEC NSF DMR-2011754
2019
is a senior at Southern University and A&M College studying mathematics and physics. She is a LS-LAMP, Timbuktu, and Honors College scholar. After graduation she plans to obtain her PhD. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis and volleyball, listening to music, reading, and eating sweets.
Project Title: Study of Chalcogenide Thin Film Materials for Applications in Reconfigurable Electronics using Machine Learning Methods
Mentors: Joost Vlassak, Gayatri Perlin
Funding: MRSEC
attended the Rochester Institute of Technology where he majored in Mechanical Engineering Technology and minored in Psychology. He would like to work in the industry and eventually teach. In his free time, he enjoys learning about history, psychology as well as climbing and camping in the great outdoors. He successfully graduated in 2021, and is a Mechanical Engineer at GE Healthcare working on mechanical components at GE Healthcare with experience in modeling heat transfer using FEA, as well as establishing testing procedures and equipment for use in lab, and a working knowledge of plastics and polymer behaviors. Currently have my Six Sigma Green Belt and have a passion for LEAN thinking and innovative product design.
Project Title: Applications of Soft Robotics
Mentors: George Whitesides, Jeff Rawson
Funding: REU Site
graduated Smith College in 2021, majored in Chemistry, and seeks to pursue an MD or MD/Ph.D. degree after graduation. Outside of research, she enjoys fencing, volunteering, and trying out new recipes with her friends.
Project Title: Cytokine-Encapsulating Backpacks for Regulating Cellular Phenotypes
Mentors: Jennifer Lewis, Sebastien Uzel, Mark Skylar-Scott
Funding: Wyss
is from Charlotte, NC. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 2019 majoring in Materials Science and Engineering with a biomaterials concentration. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University in the Heilshorn Biomaterials group, and then found a company. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.
Project Title: Cellular Backpacks for Enhancing Pro-inflammatory Phenotypes in Adoptive Macrophage Therapies
Mentors: Samir Mitragotri, C. Wyatt Shields IV, Lily Wang
Funding: Wyss
is an engineering student at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and plans to attend graduate school for Physics or Engineering. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy submarine force where he worked as an electrician and power plant operator.
Project Title: Fabrication of Large Area Topological Metamaterials
Mentors: Eric Mazur, Haoning Tang
Funding: REU Site
studied Chemistry and Math at Mount Holyoke College where she was also president of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club. She is originally from South Korea, has been active as a researcher, and likes to travel. She also enjoys photography, cooking, and music. She intends to attain her Ph.D. from UC San Diego.
Project Title: Direct and Accurate Non-contact Temperature Measurement of Diamond
Mentors: Derek Englund
Funding: CIQM-MIT
is originally from Colorado and graduated from Amherst College studying Physics. She was a member of the Amherst College electronics club, and enjoys mountain biking and hiking. After completing her undergraduate degree, she attends graduate school as an Applied Physics Ph.D. candidate.
Project Title: Mixed Lead Halide Perovskite Crystals for Blue LEDs
Mentors: Dan Congreve, Mahesh Gangishetty
Funding: Rowland
is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. He is majoring in Theoretical Physics and plans to pursue graduate studies with the goal of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Theoretical Particle Physics or Theoretical Cosmology. Lee Roger is passionate about research in theoretical physics and pure mathematics.
Mentors: Howard Georgi
Funding: MARC
is a sophomore Electrical Engineering major at Bunker Hill Community College.
Project Title: Characterization of Oxide Etch in Fabrication of InGaN QD Microdisks
Mentors: Evelyn Hu, Jonathan Dietz, Niamh Mulholland
Funding: NNCI
2018
is a senior at Southern University and A&M College studying mathematics and physics. She is a LS-LAMP, Timbuktu, and Honors College scholar. After graduation she plans to obtain her PhD. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis and volleyball, listening to music, reading, and eating sweets.
Project Title: Study of Chalcogenide Thin Film Materials for Applications in Reconfigurable Electronics using Machine Learning Methods
Mentors: Joost Vlassak, Gayatri Perlin
Funding: MRSEC
is from Crownpoint, New Mexico. She attends Navajo Technical University where her major is Animal Science. She is expected to graduate in 2020. She wants to become a veterinarian, and gain as much experience and knowledge. She wants to apply what she learned back to the Navajo Nation. Her hobbies are riding horses and her dirt bike.
Project Title: Reversing Pesticide Toxicity Effects by Using a Biomimetic Receptor
Mentors: George Whitesides, Khaled Abdelazim Mohamed
Funding: NTU.MRSEC
is a rising sophomore at Navajo Technical University, where she is majoring in Biology. She plans to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine. In her free time she likes to ride horses.
Project Title: Temperature Responsive Hydrogels
Mentors: David Weitz, Brendan Deveney
Funding: NTU.MRSEC
is a first-generation student at Navajo Technical University. He is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering and is in his sophomore year. He loves playing pool while listening to Tool.
Project Title:
Mentors: George Whitesides, Mike Litchfield, Jim MacArthur
Funding: NTU.MRSEC
is a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania pursuing a BA in Molecular and Cellular Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Theater. His interests include medical diagnostic and imaging devices for applications in teaching and research. He was born and raised in Hawaii, and in his free time likes to sing, write bad jokes, and test the limits of his circadian rhythm.
Project Title: Glucose Responsive Microcapsules
Mentors: David Weitz, Joerg Werner
Funding: MRSEC
is a rising senior at the University of Central Florida, studying Mechanical Engineering. She wants to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering to facilitate medical procedures by design and improving relevant devices and equipment. She enjoys exercising and attending social events.
Project Title: The Viability of Caenorhabditis Elegans and Fish Eggs in Magnetic Levitation
Mentors: George Whitesides, Amit A. Nagarkar
Funding: MRSEC
was born and raised in Montserrat. She attends the University of the Virgin Islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a Physics major and Mathematics minor, expected to graduate in May 2021. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to obtain a PhD in Bioengineering with the hopes of developing biomedical devices.
Project Title: Tough and Biologically Stable Hydrogel Adhesives
Mentors: Zhigang Suo, Jason Steck
Funding: MRSEC
is a rising senior at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. She is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. After finishing her Bachelors Degree, she is determined to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. She aims to continue a career in research either in academia or the private sector. In her free time, she enjoys signing and dancing, learning about astronomy, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Project Title: On-Demand Removal Strategies for Tough Adhesive Biomaterials
Mentors: David Mooney
Funding: Wyss.MRSEC
is a student at Navajo Technical University majoring in Biology.
Nelwood's project is "Electrochemical Detection Using Paper or Thread Diagnostics".
Project Title:
Mentors: George Whitesides
Funding: MRSEC.NTU
is a rising junior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she is studying Cioengineering. She plans to get a PhD in the biological sciences, and use her knowledge to study diseases that primarily impact historically disadvantaged people. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, reading, and learning new languages.
Peasah's project is "In Vivo Genetic Reprogramming of Mouse Cardiomyocytes".
Project Title: In vivo genetic reprogramming of mouse cardiomyocytes
Mentors: David Mooney, Irene de Lazaro
Funding: MRSEC
is a former Navy Corpsman and currently a senior studying Biochemistry at the University of West Florida. She intends to pursue a graduate degree in Organic Chemistry with a focus in Medicinal Chemistry. She's an avid bibliophile and recreational poet. Outside of academics, she enjoys serving her community as a volunteer firefighter and collecting books for donation to the Prison Book Project.
Project Title: Transcriptional Control of Adipose Tissue Remodeling During Hypertrophic Expansion on a Biomimetic Nanofibrous Scaffold
Mentors: Kit Parker, Ben Pope
Funding: MRSEC
was born and raised on the Navajo Nation in Crownpoint, NM. Continuing student at Navajo Technical University in the Biology program. Her goals are to continue her career past graduate school ultimately gaining experience, so that she can bring it back to better her community. In her free time she likes to spend time with friends and family, cook, go out, travel, read and relax.
Project Title: Fabricating Biocompatible Polymersomes Using Microfluidics
Mentors: David Weitz, Tina Yuting Huang
Funding: MRSEC.NTU
is a junior at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities studying Civil Engineering with a focus on structures. He plans on continuing his education by pursuing a PhD with the eventual goal of conducting research and teaching as a Professor at a University. Outside of school, his hobbies include calisthenics, climbing, and pottery.
Project Title: Bistable Beam Buckling Robot
Mentors: Katia Bertoldi, Jochen Mueller
Funding: MRSEC
2017
is currently biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major at the University of Maryland — Baltimore County. She loves to travel, relax at the beach and play the piano in her free time.
Project Title: Low-cost Agricultural Diagnostics
Mentors: George Whitesides, Christoffer Abrahamsson
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a current sophomore at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities where he is majoring in Electrical Engineering. He is interested in the fields of robotics and machine vision, especially how robots and humans interact. Brad is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (2011-2016) where he was deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. In his free time, he enjoys working with the student robotics club, lifting weights, and spending time with friends and family.
Project Title: Machine Learning with soft robotic actuators
Mentors: Katia Bertoldi, Nick Vasios
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a full-time student at NOVA (Northern Virginia) Community College. He served five years as an active duty Marine fixing and launching out fighter jets and specializing in avionics and electrical repair. His goal is to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and continue to research throughout his college years. He enjoys rowing, swimming, and surfing.
Project Title: Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Testing of Jet Valves
Mentors: Kevin Kit Parker, Francesco Pasqualini, Luca Cera
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
attends Harvey Mudd College studying engineering (his major) and feminist, gender, and sexuality studies (his concentration). He is personally and academically invested in exploring and helping implement STEM in ethical ways that provide marginalized communities with accessible tools to empower them. Outside the classroom, you can find Jordan writing poetry, playing the saxophone, and having nuanced conversations about using STEM as a liberatory tool.
Project Title: On Prototyping a Soft Organic LCD
Mentors: Zhigang Suo, Shuang Zhou, Hubert Lecocque
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a senior at Montana State University majoring in Chemical Engineering and intends on obtaining a Ph.D. to pursue a career in research. She is originally from Bismarck, North Dakota and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and snowboarding in her free time.
Project Title: Flow of Large Deformable Vesicles Through Porous Media
Mentors: Dave Weitz, Shima Parsa Moghaddam, Tina Huang
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a rising Junior at Smith College, double majoring in Biochemistry and Engineering with research interests in biomedical engineering, synthetic biology, and bionanotechnology. Outside of the lab, she spends most of her time riding horses competitively, but also enjoys playing the cello and spending time with friends and family.
Project Title: Decoding the Microbiome
Mentors: George Whitesides, Benjamin Davies
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
2016
is a rising junior at the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently double majoring in Computer Science and Cognitive Science with the hopes of modeling consciousness and discovering more about artificial intelligence. She is originally from the small town of Ripon, California (the almond capital of the world) where she learned she has a passion for caring for animals, especially cats. She enjoys writing, contemplating consciousness, and running.
Project Title: Human perception of euclidean geometry: innate or not?
Mentors: L. Mahadevan, Yuval Hart
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
description
Project Title: Cell spreading area and volume on porous membranes
Mentors: David Weitz, Jing Xia
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a rising senior mechanical engineer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He enjoys nature and the outdoors and spends his free time hiking, kayaking, fishing, and gardening. Victor plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in materials science and aspires to one day become a professor.
Project Title: Quick-release electroadhesives
Mentors: David Clarke, Mihai (Mishu) Duduta
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a rising junior at Salem State University and a US Air Force veteran. She still serves in the Massachusetts Air National Guard and works part-time as an Emergency Medical Technician. She intends to complete her undergraduate degree in Biology and pursue a medical degree to become a physician.
Project Title: Tensile strength and insulin resistance to adipose tissue
Mentors: Kit Parker, Ben Pope
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a rising senior in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at The University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. She is a four-year researcher in chemical/biomedical engineering. She is passionate about research and clinical medicine. Therefore, She plans to attend medical school to earn a dual MD-PhD degree. This experience will equip her with the credentials to both participate in medical research, and be a physician.
Project Title: A paper-based immunoassay for detection of Brucella on a portable electrochemical platform
Mentors: George Whitesides, Chien-Chung Wang
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a junior physics major student from Illinois Wesleyan University. His fields of interest are quantum optics, quantum information, and microfluidics. He is working on single-cell immunization in the Weitz lab this summer.
Project Title: Microfluidics device fabrication and single-cell Immunol assay
Mentors: David Weitz, Xu Zhang, John Heyman
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a pre-dental student pursuing a Biochemistry, ACS degree and a music minor at Western Connecticut State University. He has been involved in chemistry research, shadowing, and dental enrichment programs, and aspires to become a DDS or DMD/Ph.D. student and work in a biomaterials research lab. He enjoys playing violin, volleyball, and ping pong.
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is currently working towards a Biology Transfer Option major at Bunker Hill Community College. A Marine veteran, he plans on transferring to a four-year college to pursue a degree in Neuroscience. After completing medical school, he intends to practice medicine to help those who are less fortunate. When he's not in his study, he enjoys spending time with family, playing music, skating, swimming, and the outdoors.
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a 4th-year Chemical Engineering Student from Miami, Fl. He is currently a student at Florida A&M University. He enjoys having fun outdoors and experiencing new things. Once he graduates he will be pursuing his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
is a rising Junior at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY studying mechanical engineering. After graduation, he hopes to continue his education and receive a graduate degree in mechanical engineering. John enjoys listening to music, playing football and exploring.
Funding: Harvard MRSEC, NSF DMR-1420570
