2023 - 2024 Academic Year PREP Participants
Amanda Modica, BS
Amanda earned her B.S. in Chemistry and Environmental Science in May 2022 from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. As an undergraduate, she worked in Dr. Arianne Bazilio’s lab conducting water chemistry research examining the impacts of an alum treatment on a lake drinking water source for the purpose of decreasing concentrations of eutrophication-promoting phosphorus. During her PREP year, she is working in Dr. Kiera Clayton’s pathology lab investigating HIV accessory proteins and the mechanisms by which they trigger NK cell killing. Amanda’s long term goal is to earn her PhD and continue researching the body’s immune response to infectious diseases.
Astrid Veloz-Maury, BS
Astrid earned her Bachelor of Science in Physiology with a minor in Biochemistry from the University of Arizona. During her time there, she gained experience working within diverse public health initiatives and clinical settings. Her motivations include understanding scientific intricacies and broader public health efforts aimed at the prevention of common metabolic disorders, especially in the realm of health and racial equity. Currently, Astrid is a PREP Scholar at UMass Chan in the Basic Biomedical Science pathway in lab of Dr. Silvia Corvera where she pursues her interest in studying the metabolic dynamics of adipose tissues in the context of Type 2 Diabetes. Beyond the scientific world, Astrid enjoys creating art, music, traveling and spending time with family.
Blanca Muñoz Villarreal, BS
Blanca earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Chemistry and Human Biology minors from Western Oregon University. As an undergraduate, she focused on her studies and volunteering as a medical interpreter for free clinics. She was a part of the 2019 ARCHES cohort where she was able to fuse her passion for public health and research to study diabetes and depression. Post graduation, Blanca has focused her time working as a social service provider to facilitate distribution of emergency rental and housing assistance to families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Blanca maintainer her interest in research as a research volunteer for the Novel Interventions in Children's Healthcare (NICH) lab at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Blanca's interests fall within research implementation and analysis to understand health outcomes affecting underserved and under-resourced communities. Her goal is to become a Physician-Scientist.
Caroline Moore, BS
Hailing from the vibrant state of Maryland, Caroline Moore is a PREP scholar who proudly earned her degree in Biological Sciences from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. With an unwavering fascination for the complexities of the human mind and its intricate biological underpinnings, she aspires to undertake a Ph.D. in Neurobiology. In the summer of 2021, she ventured into the world of research as a Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) student at UMass Chan Medical School, an experience that solidified her commitment to research. Beyond the laboratory, Caroline finds joy in reading, running, and spending time with friends
Joshuel Velasco, BS
Joshuel Velasco graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia in 2022 with a B.S. in Biochemistry, with a concentration in Chemistry. As an undergraduate, he worked in Dr. Milligan’s Analytical/Environmental Chemistry research group where he determined the concentrations of PAHs in air particulates through GC-MS. He discovered his passion for Chemical Biology when he worked at The Scripps Research Institute under Dr. Jeffery Kelly’s guidance for a summer, synthesizing autophagy activating small molecules and testing autophagic flux. This newly found passion led him to pursue a more medicinally inclined research group in the Biochemistry Department with Dr. Matthew Fountain during his last undergraduate year. His long-term goals are to earn a PhD in Biomedical Science, and to personally contribute to pharmaceutical interventions for emerging diseases. Lali Berelashvili received her bachelor’s of science in Biochemistry and Psychology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May 2023. As an undergrad, she worked under Dr.Haley Melikian studying membrane trafficking of the dopamine transporter. Currently she is working under Dr. Mark Alkema, where she investigates the effects of microbiota on the neurological system in C. Elegans. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks and reading.
Joshuel Velasco graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia in 2022 with a B.S. in Biochemistry, with a concentration in Chemistry. As an undergraduate, he worked in Dr. Milligan’s Analytical/Environmental Chemistry research group where he determined the concentrations of PAHs in air particulates through GC-MS. He discovered his passion for Chemical Biology when he worked at The Scripps Research Institute under Dr. Jeffery Kelly’s guidance for a summer, synthesizing autophagy activating small molecules and testing autophagic flux. This newly found passion led him to pursue a more medicinally inclined research group in the Biochemistry Department with Dr. Matthew Fountain during his last undergraduate year. His long-term goals are to earn a PhD in Biomedical Science, and to personally contribute to pharmaceutical interventions for emerging diseases. Lali Berelashvili received her bachelor’s of science in Biochemistry and Psychology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May 2023. As an undergrad, she worked under Dr.Haley Melikian studying membrane trafficking of the dopamine transporter. Currently she is working under Dr. Mark Alkema, where she investigates the effects of microbiota on the neurological system in C. Elegans. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks and reading. Lali Berelashvili, BS
Lali Berelashvili received her bachelor’s of science in Biochemistry and Psychology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May 2023. As an undergrad, she worked under Dr.Haley Melikian studying membrane trafficking of the dopamine transporter. Currently she is working under Dr. Mark Alkema, where she investigates the effects of microbiota on the neurological system in C. Elegans. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks and reading.
Olachi Unaka, BS
Olachi Unaka received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Neuroscience sub-concentration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Spring of 2023. As an undergraduate student, she worked in Dr. Linda Isbell’s Affect and Social Cognition Lab where research focused on assessing populations suffering from substance abuse, and racial and mental health inequities in provider-patient care settings. Her undergraduate research journey also continued while working under Dr. Rebecca Ready in the Aging Cognition and Emotion Lab where research focused on concussion and analysis of disparities within literature relative to clinical neuropsychology. During the current PREP year, Olachi will work with Dr. Sarah Forrester in the Population Health Sciences Pathway as her interests reflect clinical neuropsychological studies.
Rachell Rivera, BS
Rachell Rivera graduated from Farmingdale State College on Long Island, NY in December 2022 earning a B.S. in Bioscience. During her undergraduate she participated in a summer REU at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the lab of John Svaren Ph.D. She studied the role of ACLY on lipid synthesis of the peripheral nervous system using mice as the model organism and performing behavioral analysis. Currently, she is working in the Daryl Bosco Ph. D lab in the department of Neurology, where she is continuing to further her interest in neurology/ neuroscience.
Tarrin D'Aniello, BS
Tarrin is a non-traditional first-generation student who earned her bachelor's degree with high honors in Biological Science in May 2022 from Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts. During her undergraduate years, she balanced full-time studies with work commitments and volunteering at a local church. Notably, Tarrin served as the keynote speaker for the Berkshire Community College Academic Scholars conference in 2021.Throughout her undergraduate years she worked in Dr Laura Katz’s lab conducting research on biodiversity of freshwater Foraminifera and their key role in our ecosystem as identifiers of climate change. Her research work in the Katz lab earned her the Margaret Brigham prize for her honors thesis and a nomination into the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society. During her PREP year, Tarrin will work in Dr Kate Fitzgerald’s lab. The Fitzgerald lab is focused on discovering the underlying mechanisms that drive immune defenses and inflammation in both health and disease.