Meet our IBA and LSAMP 2021 Graduates!

IBA and LSAMP had 17 students graduating this Spring!  This group of students showed their resiliency weathering the challenges of conducting undergraduate research during a pandemic. We will miss all of these amazing students and we can't wait to see what they will accomplish as the move through their education and careers!

IBA Scholars

Maddie Anae

IBA Scholar and LSAMP Intern
BA Geoscience, Spring 2021
Mentor: Dr. Ingrid Ukstins, Earth and Environmental Sciences
This Fall Maddie is heading to Stony Brook University to pursue a PhD in Geosciences.
In five years… Maddie hopes to land a post-doc at a university before graduating from her PhD.

"The lessons I learned in the IBA/LSAMP program have made me the scientist I am and I'm very glad to have been part of the community."
– Maddie Anae

 

Adelisa Dedic

IBA Scholar
BA Psychology, Human Relations Minor, Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Grazyna Kochanska, Psychological and Brain Sciences
This Fall Adelisa plans to take a gap year to further her experience before applying to graduate school for a Clinical Psychology PhD. She plans to continue working full-time as an overnight crisis intervention counselor.
In five years... Hopes to be working on a PhD in clinical psychology and eventually become a Clinical Psychologist working with children. She also hopes to stay involved in research and create my own research studies.

"I knew I always wanted to do research, but IBA helped me truly understand how to become involved with research and how to move forward with my career in research. I truly love working in Grazyna Kochanska's lab and I am entirely grateful for the opportunity I had to work with her in the children and parents study lab. I couldn't have asked for better communities to be involved in."
– Adelisa Dedic

 

Mikayla Eppert

IBA Scholar
BA Biochemistry and Spanish, Spring 21
University Honors
Mentor: Dr. Sarit Smolikove, Biology
This fall Mikayla is heading to UT Southwestern to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Sciences.
In five years... hopefully finishing up her PhD.

"I would like to thank Dr. Smolikove for all of her help and mentorship the past couple years. Working in the lab has been the highlight of my undergrad, and I’m so thankful for having had this experience."
– Mikayla Eppert

 

Dustin Fykstra

IBA Scholar
BS Biomedical Sciences, Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science, Spring 21
University Honors in Biology and Distinction
Mentors: Dr. Alexander Bassuk, Neurology and Lindsay Agostinelli, MSTP
This fall Dustin will be working in a post-baccalaureate research program then applying for MD/PhD programs.
In five years... hopes to be in a MD/PhD program conducting translational research.

"IBA helped me grow as a student, researcher, and communicator. I am very grateful for the opportunities IBA provided for me and I am proud to be an alumnus."
– Dustin Fykstra

 

Renato Jensen

IBA Scholar
BS Biochemistry, Spring 21
University Honors
Mentors: Dr. Dale Abel, Internal Medicine and Dr. Marcelo Correia, Internal Medicine
This fall Renato will be starting in the University of Iowa MSTP (MD/PhD) program.
In five years... hopes to be in the third year of his PhD, hopefully nearing the end of the graduate school phase and getting ready to transition back into clinical training.

"I believe IBA has played a major role in my ability to a spot in the type of training program I wanted and I am very thankful for all of you!"
– Renato Jensen

 

Lexi Leali

IBA Scholar
BS Physics, Astronomy and 
Mathematics (Program C), Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Vincent Rodgers, Physics and Astronomy
This fall Lexi will be working at the University of Iowa as a Post-Baccalaureate Researcher in Dr. Allison Jaynes Lab.
In five years... hopes to be in a Physics PhD program.

"I'm really grateful that I was connected to so many people that wanted me to succeed."
– Lexi Leali

 

Ricky Lozano Flores

IBA Scholar
BS Biology (Cell & Developmental Biology), Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Fang Lin, Anatomy and Cell Biology
This fall hopes to be attending one of the graduate programs he has applied to.
In five years... hopes to be in the middle of a MD/PhD program.

"I learned a lot from becoming a part of this program, and I met some amazing people along the way! I hope everyone leads amazing careers in the future!"
– Ricky Lozano Flores

 

Mayra Narvaez Cardenas

IBA Scholar
BSE Chemical Engineering (Energy and Environment) Spring 21
Mentor: David Cwiertny, Civil and Environmental Engineering

 

 

 

Elias Shaeffer

IBA Scholar
BSE Biomedical Engineering (Bioinformatics), Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Terry Braun, Biomedical Engineering
Elias will be working full-time as a Computer Systems Validation Engineer for PSC Biotech in Texas.
In five years… hopes to be in graduate school or working on his Professional Engineer License.

"Thank you Chelsey, Devin, Laura, Halin, Vincent, Terry Braun for your support and wisdom. You've opened so many doors that have seemed closed. Please never stop being awesome!"
– Elias Shaeffer

 

Anthony Vitale

IBA Scholar
BSE Biomedical Engineering (Cellular Engineering), Spring 21
Mentors: Dr. Isabella Grumbach and Michelle Tamplin
This fall Anthony plans to continue working in the Grumbach Lab as he prepares applications to the MSTP program.
In five years… hopefully halfway finished with the MSTP program.

 

 

Jia Zhao

IBA Scholar
BS, Biology (Genetics and Biotechnology), Spring 2021
University Honors in Biology and Distinction
Mentor: Dr. Bin He, Biology
This fall Jia is heading to MIT to pursue a PhD in Biology.
In five years… hopes get a Biology PhD and be happy!

"I’d like to thank IBA program and my PI Dr. Bin He for being super supportive! Without you, it is impossible for me to pursue a biology Ph.D.!"
– Jia Zhao

 

LSAMP Interns

Karina Deniz

LSAMP Intern
BSE Biomedical Engineering (Cellular Engineering), Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Douglas Spitz, Radiation Oncology

 

 

 

Javier Guerra

LSAMP Intern
BS Biology (Integrative Biology), Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Christine Petersen, Public Health
This fall Javier will be working part time at UIHC in the Pathology Department and part-time at the St. Francis Veterinary Clinic in Riverside – hoping to gain some experience for veterinary school.
In five years… plans on being in veterinary school and hopefully a career in research in some field of veterinary pathology combining his experiences from LSAMP, the department of pathology, and his veterinary clinic!

"I want to thank Christine Petersen and Erin Beasley for giving me the opportunity to work with them at the Petersen Laboratory and giving me the opportunity to assist in a project especially during these tough times in the pandemic!"

"I hope people view this program as a great way for minority students to get involved in science on campus. The flexibility with being able to choose and reach out to people that work in a field you are actually interested and not just being assigned to any department really helps you build connections with other and prepare for a career in science!"
– Javier Guerra

 

Kevin Kato

LSAMP Intern
BS Biology (Integrative Biology), Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Yuan Zhang, Internal Medicine
This fall Kevin will be working at UIHC as a Nursing Assistant.
In five years... hopefully about to graduate from medical school.

What did you really like about the LSAMP Program? 
"Meeting all the other students, leaders and mentors (the people are great)."
– Kevin Kato

 

Gaby Moya

LSAMP Intern
BSE Chemical Engineering, (Entrepreneurship)
Chemistry Minor, Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Tori Forbes, Chemistry
This fall Gaby will be starting a full-time opportunity as an Engineer for Emerson in Marshalltown, IA.
In five years... hopes to be working on an MBA and furthering her career development.

What do you really like about the LSAMP Program?
"The people involved. I enjoyed the many discussions I’ve had with members."
– Gaby Moya

 

Marie Mutesi

LSAMP Intern
BA Interdepartmental Studies 
(Health Science-Multidisciplinary Science), Spring 21
Mentor: Dr. Ece Demir Lira, Psychological and Brain Sciences
Marie is planning to take a gap year before going to PA school.
In five years…  plans to be practicing medicine as a PA.

What did you really like about the LSAMP program?
"I liked how everyone is caring and welcoming. They care about seeing all members excel in what they do."
– Marie Mutesi

 

Towanou Noukonme

LSAMP Intern
BA Biochemistry, Spring 2021
Mentor: Aliasger Salem, College of Pharmacy
Towanou is planning on taking a gap year before pursuing a graduate degree in Pharmacy.

"First, I want to thank in general all IBA-LSAMP alliance program staff and members for all the support and training during my time here at the University of Iowa. Second, I want to say a special thanks to Chelsey Gates and Dr. Vincent Rodgers for sacrificing time and energy to support me during my lab search and grad school applications. Third, I want to thank Dr. Aliasger Salem and Alexis Ellis from UI College of Pharmacy, for training me in scientific research and giving me all the attention and support I needed for grad school application. Fourth, I want to thank Dr. Chandana Karunatilaka for his enormous support and motivational speeches. Finally, I am grateful for all the things each one of you have done for me to keep me motivated and successful in both my academic and professional lives. THANK YOU!"
– Towanou Noukonme