Class of 2028 FERBS Fellows

Zaida Annan

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

John Lab, CHOP Division of Infectious Disease

Zaida is a Ghanaian-American from Bel Air, Maryland. She is currently in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Neuroscience on the pre-med track, with plans to one day become a Dermatologist. One of Zaida’s long term goals in medicine is to address healthcare disparities in minorities by advocating for equitable access to care and overall improving health outcomes for marginalized communities. Outside of class, Zaida hopes to become involved in many different clubs such as the National Society of Black Women in Medicine and Penn African Student Association and also spend time volunteering in the West Philadelphia community. In her free time, Zaida also enjoys reading, discovering new TV shows, listening to music, traveling, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.

Mesomachi “Jessica” Anyanwu

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Holzbaur Lab, Department of Physiology

A proud native of Oak Park, Michigan, Mesomachi “Jessica” Anyanwu is the youngest child of two Nigerian immigrants. She is currently a student in the College of Arts and Sciences where she intends to major in Neuroscience and minor in Healthcare Management on a pre-med track. Jessica’s fascination with the human brain and her passion for disease research fuel her aspirations for a future career in Neuro-oncology. Driven by a desire to give back, she dreams of opening clinics in Nigeria to improve access to healthcare and contribute to her community as a future physician. In her free time, you can find her spending time with friends, playing basketball, or attending Bible study. Jessica is always full of questions and is constantly seeking answers!

John Arriola

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Conine Lab, Department of Pediatrics

John, who finds his roots in Long Island, New York, embraces the cultural background of his Honduran immigrant parents. Personal experience with degenerative disk disorders in his family have sparked his strong interest in medicine, which he plans to pursue through a major in biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. John loves to travel and experience new cultures because it broadens his perspective and enhances his understanding of health and well-being. He aims to advance compassionate, patient-centered approaches for early-stage diagnosis and to enhance the overall well-being of individuals facing diverse health challenges. Outside of academics, John enjoys working out at the gym, spending time with friends, boxing, and exploring. John is dedicated to giving back to his community, motivated by a genuine passion for learning and understanding.

Sierra Brodhage

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Beiting Lab, Department of Pathobiology

Though born in Switzerland, Sierra calls her small, rural town in Elm City, North Carolina home. With the experience of being a first-generation student, Sierra now finds herself at Penn planning to pursue a Biology major with a minor in either computer science or data science and analytics while on a pre-vet track – all due to her love of animals! Interested in both the mathmatical approaches to biology and clinical applications, Sierra hopes to merge research and veterinary medicine throughout her studies. When she’s not studying in the study rooms of her college house, you can often find her at a football game, playing flute for the band, or relaxing in her dorm winding down with her collection of video games.

Ada Cen

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Burkhardt Lab, CHOP Department of Pathobiology and Laboratory Medicine

Ada is from Brooklyn, New York. Her passion for science and medicine has been with her since the first time she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. Ada inspires to be a pediatrician. She loves volunteering in her community, whether it’s in hospitals, community groups, or in schools. Aside from academics, Ada is a mini fashionista and a big cat lover! She loves traveling and spending time with her friends, family, and cat back home.

Kiara Escudero

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Pohlschroder Lab, Department of Biology

Kiara was born and raised in sunny Southern California, but considers Lima, Peru, her second her home. As a first-generation college student in the College of Arts and Sciences, she plans to pursue a degree in Biology with a minor in Neuroscience. Kiara aims to earn her Ph.D. and become a scientific researcher. She envisions a future where her work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also makes a tangible impact on individuals and communities globally. Her dedication to science is fueled by a desire to bridge the gap between disparities in health. She is particularly focused on developing scientific innovations that benefit underserved populations, ensuring that the advantages of research reach those who need them most. Kiara actively participates in several campus organizations including road2Research, SNUGS, and the Penn Swim Club. These activities enrich her college experience and enable her to connect with the Philadelphia community, fostering both personal growth and collaborative engagement. In addition to her involvement on campus, Kiara enjoys cooking her favorite cultural dishes, exploring photography, and volunteering in local outreach programs.

Daniella Florencio

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Barott Lab, Department of Biology

Daniella, a New York City native, has always had an intrinsic interest in the field of biology. Having grown up in a traditional hispanic household, she is an avid lover of hispanic food and music, but alas, she cannot dance. She is an older sister and often finds herself helping with basic algebra sets and reading comprehension questions. Along with her major in biology and being on the pre-med track, Daniella loves to play guitar and often finds herself writing little songs on the floor of her dorm room, crocheting, going on long walks while listening to one of her curated playlists, and rambling about how much she loves New York City.

Katherine Garcia

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Wagner & Husbands Labs, Department of Biology

Katherine is a Mexican-American who grew up in Mcallen, Texas, making her journey at Penn all the more exciting and nerve-wracking. She is currently enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences where she plans to major in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Healthcare Management on the pre-med track. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying nature, listening to music, watching Friends, trying new food places, shopping, dancing, napping, or at some last minute concert. Katherine is also an advocate for the importance of intertwining humanities and STEM which means you will always find her raving about a new book she is reading or her favorite authors. Her favorite subjects in high school were English and Biology, so she hopes she can further delve into these passions during her undergraduate years at Penn.

Emmanuel Hernandez Castaneda

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Weiss Lab, Department of Microbiology

Emmanuel is a Mexican-American from Siler City, North Carolina where he was raised as the oldest of five children. As a first-generation college student, he is passionate about pursuing a major in Biology or Neuroscience on the pre-med track. His lifelong fascination with biological sciences has driven him to engage deeply in related programs and activities. He aspires to earn both an MD and a Ph.D. with the goal of becoming a skilled neonatologist or pediatrician. Outside of his academic pursuits, he values time spent with family and friends, exploring new places – both intellectually and in the world – trying diverse cuisines, and enjoying walks while listening to his favorite music. In additional to his studies, Emmanuel stays active during the summer by working with non-profit organizations and volunteering in his community. He dreams of a future filled with travel, personal fulfillment, and making a meaningful impact in the field of medicine.

Hongkai Lin

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Lakadamyali Lab, Department of Physiology

Honkai was born and raised in China for the first seven years of his life before moving to Brooklyn, New York where he lived for another seven years. After experiencing New York’s high rent, he and his family relocated to Philadelphia. As an only child raised in a single-parent household, Hongkai grew up learning self-reliance and problem-solving skills. Currently, he is pursuing a bachelors degree in Biology and eventually a DDS degree with the goal of one day opening his own clinic. Hongkai enjoys playing video games, watching anime, and swimming in his free time.

Miguel Lobaco Rosas

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Black Lab, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics

Miguel is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences from Houston, Texas. His fascination with the scientific method and the human body has led him to a pursuit in knowledge of the biological sciences. He is particularly intrigued by the proteins that facilitate various biological processes. Miguel intends to major in Biochemistry and hopes to make the world a better place through applying the knowledge he gains along his journey to problems that affect real people. Outside of the lecture halls, Miguel is a musician and music connoisseur, he is in the Penn Band and plays the trombone. He also loves to cook, watch football, and is fond of an interesting conversation. Whether it is in the lecture hall, lab, the stands of Franklin Field, or with friends, Miguel’s enthusiasm and optimism never leaves the room!

Nosamudiana Omoigui

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Vella Lab, Department of Pediatrics

Nosamudiana is from Hillside, New Jersey. She is not only the daughter of two immigrants, but is also the youngest and funniest of three! She is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences where she plans to major in Neuroscience and Biology on the pre-med track. With the free time she rarely finds, you can find her bingeing shows on a plethora of streaming services or spending quality time with her friends.

Alexia Pham

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Wagner Lab, Department of Biology

Alexia was born in Massachusetts, but raised in Oklahoma for the majority of her life. She spent most of her life learning instruments, playing violin for seven years, and now pursuing guitar. During high school, Alexia engaged in healthcare and business organizations. She hopes to combine both of these interests into her future career with a major in Biochemistry on the pre-med track. Her current research interest includes cell-to-cell communication, specifically the degradation of cells in Alzheimers patients. Outside of academics, she is a big foodie and hopes to explore Philadelphia by finding new matcha places to satisfy her craving.

Mauricio Sanchez

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Betley Lab, Department of Biology

Mauricio, hailing from Sioux City, Iowa, occupies a unique position as the middle son among five brothers. Proudly rooted in his Salvadorian heritage, Mauricio maintains a strong connection to his cultural lineage. A student in the College of Arts and Sciences, he is planning to major in Math and Physics with a potential exploration in Biophysics, exploring the world through the lens of analytical rigor with logical insight. Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Mauricio enjoys spending time with friends and seeking to immerse himself in the next adventure! His aspirations extend multiple scientific disciplines where he envisions integrating diverse scientific domains into both his research and broader ambitions.

Yosharelli Santillano-Granados

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Gupta Lab, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics

Yosharelli is a Mexican-American from Compton, California. Through experiences with critically ill family members and years volunteering at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, she has developed an interest in medical research. She is a current student at the College of Arts and Sciences with plans to major in Biochemistry and minor in journalism before matriculating into medical school to study oncology. Outside of academics, Yosharelli is an avid martial artist (red belt in Taekwondo and four years of kickboxing as of freshman year!) and loves playing volleyball among other physical activities. If she’s not studying or kicking a bag, you can find her binge watching “trash TV shows” such as 90-Day Fiancé and Love is Blind.

Stacey Serrano

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Kable Lab, Department of Psychology

Stacey is a Salvadorian-American from Orange, New Jersey. She is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences and intends to major in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. Her main interests are embodied through comprehending neurodegenerative diseases and psychological thinking while eager to discover solutions for them through research. Stacey is dedicated to making healthcare accessible for under-resourced communities while discovering an intersection between neuroscience and biology to further her knowledge through a neurological lens. As Stacey endeavors her research journey within the Kable Lab she hopes to explore the neural mechanisms through the approach of future-oriented and social decision making. Beyond academics, Stacey enjoys volunteering at the Francophone Community Partnership, hanging out with friends, and trying new coffee spots.

Cristiah Denise Somoray

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Husbands Lab, Department of Biology

Cristiah is a Filipino-American and first-generation immigrant who approaches each day with an enthusiastic spirit for growth and learning. Originally from Houston, Texas, she moved to Philadelphia to begin an exciting new chapter and has loved her experience so far. She plans to major in Biochemistry following the pre-dental track with a minor in music. Outside the academic sphere, she is often found singing, playing piano or guitar, spending time with family and friends, or searching for the nearest cafe to get an iced coffee. Cristiah’s commitment to building meaningful connections, maintaining optimism, and keeping her faith strong are the values that fuel her motivation as she works towards her goals.

Janelle Yeboah

FERBS Fellow 2024-25

Thom Lab, Department of Pediatrics

Janelle, a Maryland native, proudly embraces her Ghanaian heritage. She is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Biology with minors in Sociology and Public Policy on the pre-med track. Janelle is passionate about the field of medicine and equally committed to advocacy and pushing for equal representation across all sectors of society. She loves a good challenge, finding that though the stress is short lived, the end results are immensely fulfilling. Janelle is also actively engaged on campus, sharing her culture through PennGhana, advocating for Black women in medicine through the National Society of Black Women in Medicine, and further exploring the joy of volunteer work through the community. Beyond this, she loves watching her favorite shows, trying new hobbies, and taking pictures of anything “aesthetic”.