2023 BEMORE Trainees
Adhithi Varadarajan
Major: Chemical Engineering
School: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Research interests:
- Gene modification
- Drug development
- Smart materials
- Food quality
Summer goals:
- Learning new skills in the lab such as data analysis, regression tables.
- Enhancing my coding skills
- Networking and getting to know the community at UMBC
Amanda Thompson
Major: Biochemistry
School: McDaniel College
Research interests:
- Organic synthesis
- Photochemistry
Summer goals:
- Develop lab skills with both using new instrumentation and with data analysis.
- Build meaningful connections with other members of my cohort and mentors.
Dylan Hayes
Major: Biochemistry
School: Hampton University
Research interests:
- Nutrition/Food Science
- Material Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Marine Microbiology
- Epigenetics
Summer goals:
- This will be my first true experience doing something related to atmospheric chemistry, so I really just want to see if this is research I would enjoy doing, as well as the techniques and practices involved that may be able to be taken forward in my
career.
Feonil Limiac
Major: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics (MBBB)
School: Towson University
Research interests:
- Water Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
- Biomedical Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Summer goals:
- Enhance communication as a scientist
- Build my network
Hanifah Shoneye
Major: Biomedical Engineering
School: University of Illinois at Chicago
Research interests:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Engineering
- Computing Analytics
- Bioinformatics
- Computer Science
Summer goals:
- Network
- Gain knowledge
- Increase skill set
- Find passion
Madilyn “Gracie” Holm
Major: Chemical and Biological Engineering
School: Colorado School of Mines
Research interests:
- Renewable energies/Energy transition
- Material sciences
- Drug development
- Type 1 Diabetes
Summer goals:
- Gain a deeper understanding of photochemistry and its applications
- Develop new lab techniques
- Connect and grow within the scientific community at UMBC
- Explore and learn more about the area!
Megan Harmon
Major: Environmental Chemistry
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Research interests:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Water Chemistry
- Renewable Energy
Summer goals:
- Make connections with the faculty and students
- Gain research skills and learn new lab techniques
Nicholas Berry
Raina Miller
Major: Biology-Chemistry
School: Southern Nazarene University
Research interests:
- Organic Chemistry
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Parasitology
Summer goals:
- Expand my research expertise and networking.
- Grow a better understanding of what research looks like.
- Have the opportunity to grow in my love of science and discovery.
Rianna Minter
Major: Biological Sciences
School: Delaware State University
Research interests:
- Cancer Biology
- BioPharmaceuticals
- Genetics
Summer goals:
- Increase proficiency in scientific communication
- Increase professional network
- To learn and increase my knowledge in new disciplines
Sydney Braithwaite
Major: Forensic Chemistry
School: Towson University
Research interests:
- Drug identification
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Summer goals:
- Build my communication skills as a scientist
- Build my research skills with hands on experience
- Learn about environmental contaminants and how to mitigate their impact.
2022 BEMORE Trainees
Aderinsola Adeleke
Major: Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
School: John Hopkins University
Research interests:
- Bioengineering
- Environmental exposure to pollutants
Summer goals:
- I would like to be well versed on the impact of isoprene emission on urban air as well as secondary organic aerosols that exist in our environment
- I hope to build long term connections with Pls and fellow REU researchers while learning from their perspective and various backgrounds
- I hope to develop various lab techniques as well as my public speaking skills and writing skills
Charlie Dickerson
Major: Chemical Engineering
School: Tufts University
Research interests:
- Energy Storage
- Renewable Energy
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Materials Science
Summer goals:
- Learn from my lab teams and develop meaningful connections
- Contribute my perspective and excitement for research and the environment to my group’s goal
Paul Dinh
Major: Chemical Engineering
School: University of Florida
Research interests:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Environmental
- Renewable energy
Summer goals:
- To expand my professional network
- To learn how to communicate effectively
- To explore the pharmaceutical field
Jessica Dong
Major: Bioengineering
School: University of Maryland, College Park
Research interests:
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- therapeutics
Summer goals:
- Learn new skills in the lab such as data analysis, laboratory methods, and the use of new machinery
Amanda McKee
Major: Chemistry
School: Millersville University
Research interests:
- Organic chemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
- Environmental materials chemistry
Summer goals:
- Know enough about the project that I can give a presentation on it
- Learn where everything is located within the lab
Mael Ndalamba
Major: Biochemistry
School: Loyola University Maryland
Research interests:
- Neuroscience: Being the field I am hoping to go into, I would love to get more experience and a better understanding
- Genetics: I find genetics to be very interesting and at the source of many health-related issues
- Environmental: Growing up, I have always had a lot of interest in the environment and wanting to find ways to improve it around the world
- Pharmaceutical science: Comprehending the process of how drugs are made
Summer goals:
- Developing skills and improving myself as a scholar
- Making new friends
- Volunteering every weekend
Shavier Small
Major: Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
School: John Hopkins University
Research interests:
- DNA nanotechnology
- Dynamic materials
- Mycelial materials
- Biotechnology
Summer goals:
- Learn microscopy techniques
- Develop technical and scientific writing skills
- Learn about the properties of a new substance that aids in designing materials (fungi !)
Ali Sulehria
Major: Biomedical/Chemical Engineering
School: Tulane University of Louisiana
Research interests:
- Materials and Mechanics for Biomedical applications
- Synthesis and production/treatment of materials
- Tissue and Microenvironment engineering
Summer goals:
- Gain familiarity with inorganic transition metal and polymer chemistry
- Learn a chemical perspective to material synthesis
- Become more comfortable with independent research