2024 SURP Participants

Ragan Adkins

Home institution: Morehead State University

Year: Rising Senior

Double Major: Biomedical Sciences and Spanish

Research Site: University of Louisville

What will I be researching this summer: This summer I am working under Dr. Kakar as I research kidney damage due to cancer cachexia and a possible treatment option. I am conducting quantitative PCR and immunological assays to assess specific kidney damage markers such as Blood Urea Nitrogen and IL1 Beta.  

Future goals: In the future, I plan to attend medical school to become a physician. After my training, I hope to be a pediatrician. 

Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy reading, playing volleyball, hiking with my dog, running, and spending time with my friends and family!

Tia Ariagno

Home institution: Murray State University

Year: Senior

Major: Biomedical Sciences

Research Site: University of Kentucky

What will I be researching this summer: I'll be researching possible interactions between Listeria monocytogenes and conventional dendritic cells in Dr. D'Orazio's lab.

Future goals: I plan to attend graduate school.

Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy gardening and baking.

Angela Asonye

Home institution: Centre College

Year: Rising Senior

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 

Research Site: University of Louisville

What will I be researching this summer: Here are the projects that i am working on: 

1. master the technique of western blotting, 

2. to examine neuroprotective potential of the HRI kinase inhibitor using spinal cord lysates from SCI mice treated with or without HRI inhibitor and 

3. validate the HRI inhibitor in mouse cell culture models following challenge with the HRI-activating stimuli including mitochondrial toxins 

Future goals: Medical School 

Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy roller skating even though I’m not good at it. I also enjoy fashion a lot so anything that gets me dressed up will be an enjoyable experience. I also love dancing!! 

Winston Bennah

Home institution: Bellarmine University

Year: Senior

Research Site: University of Louisville, Dr. Lovely Lab

What will I be researching this summer: I will be researching how gene-ethanol interaction impact the way cells and tissue develop using Zebrafish as a model organism.

Future goals: Medical school

Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy watching and playing soccer.

Shelbie Black

Home institution: Morehead State University

Year: Rising Senior

Double Major: Biology and Chemistry

Research Site: University of Kentucky

What will I be researching this summer: the effect of her9 mutations on the neural crest development in zebrafish in the Morris lab   

Future goals: Medical School 

Outside of the lab/classroom: I love the outdoors and collecting things I find while hiking/kayaking/etc. For example, one of my newest hobbies is collecting and preparing fossils. Along the same vein, I am involved in a life history stuff of a minnow at MSU that requires a great deal of fieldwork in the stream. 

Additional thoughts: I have had the opportunity to be involved in two undergraduate research projects at MSU, but I chose KY INBRE because this will be my first opportunity to explore research that is directly related to medicine, which is what I am hoping to pursue. 

Olivia Davis

Home institution: University of South Carolina Honors College 

Year: Rising Junior

Major: Biomedical engineering 

Research Site: University of Louisville

What will I be researching this summer: My research this summer is largely about exploring the amazing diversity of the immune system, particularly by looking at the genetic makeup of immunoglobulin (IG) genes. I will be researching several types of mouse IG genes and using genetic sequencing technology to analyze the variation in these genes among mouse strains.  

Future goals: In the future, I plan on attending graduate school to receive a PhD in genetic engineering. After my education, I would love to work in research labs where I would get to use gene editing technology as an approach to treating genetic diseases.

Outside of the lab/classroom: As for my hobbies, I love to read! I have been trying to branch out into more non-fiction books related to my field of study, but I love some good rom-com or science/dystopian fiction like The Hunger Games. I also love to make friendship bracelets for both me and my friends. 

Aleah Grayson

Home institution: University of Pikeville

Year: Senior

Major: Biomedical Sciences and Psychology

Research Site: University of Kentucky

What will I be researching this summer: This summer I will be searching for circadian rhythms in a clinically relevant gut bacterium using a bioluminescent reporter.

Future goals: My goal is to attend medical school. Currently, my interests include gastroenterology and emergency medicine.

Outside of the lab/classroom: In my free time I like to play tennis, and have recently gotten into pickleball! I also enjoy traveling and going to concerts.

Additional thoughts: I am very excited to work with Dr. Vincent Cassone and his graduate students this summer!

Abby Sanders

Home institution: Purdue University

Year: Rising Junior

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Research Site: University of Louisville

What will I be researching this summer: This summer, I am researching in Dr. Fu’s lab, developing a diagnostic breath collection tool. The lab team is working on a silicon microreactor paired with UHPLC-MS analysis as a non-invasive way to quantify compounds in human exhaled breath. My primary project is working to understand the impact of flow rate on the capture efficiency of the microreactor tool. 

Future goals: I would love to go into industry for medical device development! I am excited to see how my work developing the breath collection tool this summer will inform my future career endeavors. 

Outside of the lab/classroom: My hobbies include swimming and running. I completed my first half marathon this year and hope to begin triathlon training soon! I also love to knit and paint. I am the Director of Recruitment for my sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, and have been volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House since 2008. 

Ethan Tiller

Home institution: Transylvania University

Year: Rising Senior

Major: Chemistry with a focus in Biochemistry and a data analytics minor

Research Site: University of Kentucky

What will I be researching this summer: I plan to continue my project with Procotyla Fluviatilis EED. With this project, I am trying to perform an RNAi knockdown of P. Fluv EED in an attempt to restore regenerative capacity. This summer, I am also going to research Schmidtea Mediterranea APC and Beta-Catenin as markers of regeneration.  

Future goals: As of now, I plan to pursue a career as a physician scientist studying neuromuscular degenerative diseases.

Outside of the lab/classroom: I play collegiate baseball at Transylvania University. I am secretary of Transy's Chemistry Club. I am the vice president of Transy's Pre-Health club. I am a member of PhiDE medical fraternity. I am also co-owner of Shep's Fireworks. In my free time, I love to spend time outside near the water.  

Additional thoughts: I was involved in research at the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center in High School through the ACTION program. After that program, I was connected to Dr. Duncan and spent all last year researching in her lab. I am thrilled to continue my project in the Duncan Lab at the University of Kentucky.  

Nate Vela

Home institution: Centre College

Year: Rising Senior

Majors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Anthropology

Research Site: University of Kentucky

What will I be researching this summer: This summer, my research consists of manipulating stem cell differentiation, testing to see if by adding a certain drug and manipulating their environment, can stem cells destined to become myocytes convert to neuronal cells in the Kikani Lab.

Future goals: My future goals is to attend Medical School after my gap year and become a general surgeon or ER physician.

Outside of the lab/classroom: My interest/hobbies include singing tenor for choir, dancing, and volunteering at the local hospital in Danville, KY. For extra information, I traveled to Spain for choir and performed at the Sagrada Família!

Andreya White

Home institution: Bellarmine University

Year: Rising Senior

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Research Site: University of Kentucky

What will I be researching this summer: This summer, I am very thankful to work with Dr. Galperin to discover new and exciting information about the gene ACTC1 using Zebrafish as the model!

Future goals: My overall goal is to attend Medical School and work as an OB/GYN.

Outside of the lab/classroom: Ever since I was a young kid, I have loved all things art. I’ve tried almost everything: acrylics, oil pastels, chalk, coloring pencils, charcoal, etc. In my free time, I usually like to paint/sketch. I also love nature — when given the opportunity, I enjoy kayaking and hiking.

Maddie Wieringa

Home institution: The University of Alabama

Year: Senior

Major: Biology, Psychology Minor, Pre-medicine

Research Site: University of Kentucky

What will I be researching this summer: I will be testing a new drug target, Deferoxamine, for treatment of T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL), one of the most prevalent pediatric cancers, in the Blackburn Lab.

Future goals: I hope to attend medical school and work as a physician. I am currently interested in pediatric oncology, pediatric emergency medicine, and anesthesiology in particular!

Outside of the lab/classroom: I have played guitar and sang since I was little, and I am currently teaching myself piano! I also have a royal icing cookie business, MadsCookies, where I bake and decorate intricate cookies for weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, and more. Lastly, I love to be outdoors and travel, and my dream is to travel to every continent while doing volunteer medical work! 

Additional thoughts: I am beyond excited to be working in the Blackburn Lab this summer to gain hands-on lab experience, work towards finding a safe and effective drug for T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and make connections here at UK!