Class of 2024
Aleena Alex
Lab Work: Paralkar Lab, Perelman School of Medicine
Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Future Plans: Applying to medical school and working as a Clinical Research Assistant in the Transplant Surgery Department at HUP with the Harrison Scholars Program during gap year
Amy Fernandez
Lab Work: Sniegwoski Lab, Biology Department
Major: Biology and Hispanic Studies
Future Plans: Will be working as a Clinical Project Manager for two years followed by pursuing an MC/PhD. Plans to use her passion for addressing inequities that currently exist for the Black and Latino community in accessing healthcare
Sean Hilgendorf
Lab Work: Gregory Lab, Biology Department
Major: Biochemistry
Future Plans: Attending Donald and Barbara Sucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Will explore several different fields of medical interest before choosing a specialty
Olivia Howard
Lab Work: Lynch Lab, Biochemistry & Biophysics Department
Major: Biology
Future Plans: Work as a Research Technician in the Lynch Lab within the Biochemistry & Biophysics Department of UPenn Perelman School of Medicine. Planning to attend medical school within the next year. As an Alumnus of the PennFERBS program, she will be working as an Undergraduate Mentor to the current PennFERBS students
Kevin Huang
Lab Work: Marmorstein Lab, Biochemistry & Biophysics Department
Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Future Plans: Training at Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis to obtain a dual MD/PhD in the Medical Scientist Training Program. Plans to pursue work as a Molecular Oncologist-Scientist to investigate and drive novel solutions to re-shape cancer outcomes and increase survivorship
Daniel Ruiz de Castilla
Lab Work: Liu Lab, Physics Department
Major: Biophysics & Chemistry
Future Plans: Pursuing a Chemistry PhD at the University of Wisconsin Madison with a focus on Materials Chemistry. After grad school my goal is to work in the field of superconducting materials
Amy Vidal
Lab Work: Burslem Lab, Biochemistry & Biophysics Department
Major: Biochemistry, Minor in Chemistry and American Sign Language & Deaf Studies
Future Plans: Pursuing a Chemistry PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After grad school, she plans to be involved in Chemical Biology research and continue to mentor future generations of scientists
Class of 2023
Criston Young
Lab Work: Pohlschröder Lab, Biology Department
Major: Biology
Future Plans: Following graduation, Criston began working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Scheie Eye Institute at Penn, with a focus on Thyroid Eye Disease. In this capacity, he is responsible for planning and conducting research visits for patients receiving FDA-approved treatments under the supervision of Dr. Cesar Briceño and Dr. Madhura Tamhankar, two of the institute’s leading specialists in Thyroid Eye Disease. Additionally, he is focused on preparing for the MCAT with the goal of applying to medical school in the 2025 admissions cycle.