Alumni

Miller Lathem

Undergraduate Research Assistant (October 2024 – May 2025)

Miller is a sophomore at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After earning his degree, Miller hopes to attend medical school.

Ethan Stephens

Undergraduate Research Assistant (September 2024 – May 2025)

Ethan is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Biomedical Engineering with a Biomolecular emphasis. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school.

Jackson Bateman

Undergraduate Research Assistant (September 2024 – July 2025)

Jackson is a junior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences with minors in Spanish and Chemistry. After earning his degree, Jackson hopes to attend medical school, focusing on Interventional Radiology.

Cody Chen (陈锐)

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2024 – May 2025)

Cody is a freshman at the University of Mississippi pursuing a biomedical engineering degree. He is interested in plant biology (Dr. Qiu’s laboratory) and mechanical engineering (Dr. Han’s laboratory). Cody will assist in fabricating microheaters for plant thermal biology studies.

Landon Wiggins

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2024 – May 2025)

Landon is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Biochemistry and Biology. After finishing his degree this year, he plans to attend medical school.

Frankie Bahin

Undergraduate Research Assistant (March 2024 – May 2025)

Frankie is a senior at the University of Mississippi and is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering with an emphasis in bioinformatics and a minor in data science. She plans to enter the industry after graduation.

Ava Ketner

Undergraduate Research Assistant (February 2023 – May 2025)

Ava is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Biochemistry with minors in Biological Sciences and French. She plans to attend medical school after graduation.

Daniel Cuenca

Undergraduate Research Assistant (October 2022 – May 2025)

Daniel is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Psychology. After completing his degree, Daniel aims to attend medical school to become an anesthesiologist.

Lindsay Ashton

Undergraduate Research Assistant (July 2022 – May 2025)

Lindsay is a senior at the University of Mississippi, majoring in Biology. She is also minoring in Economics and Chemistry, and hopes to attend medical school after graduation.

Maianh Tran

Undergraduate Research Assistant (February 2023 – May 2024)

Maianh is a senior at the University of Mississippi, pursuing a B.A. in biology with a minor in chemistry. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school.

Victoria Wang

Undergraduate Research Assistant (January 2023 – May 2024)

Victoria is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. She hopes to attend medical school after graduating.

John Suares

Undergraduate Research Assistant (May 2022 – May 2024)

John is a senior student pursuing a B.A. in Biology with minors in chemistry and psychology. After Ole Miss, he hopes to attend medical school and return to Mississippi to practice medicine.  

Paul Horn

Undergraduate Research Assistant (May 2022 – May 2024)

Paul is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Biology with minors in chemistry and psychology. He plans to attend medical school after graduating.  

Savannah White

Undergraduate Research Assistant (January 2022 – May 2024)

Savannah is a senior at the University of Mississippi, pursuing a B.A. in biology major and a chemistry minor. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and become an emergency physician.

Trent Smith

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2023 – May 2024)

Trent is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. After completing his degree, he plans to attend medical school.

Alyssa Stoner

Undergraduate Research Assistant (January 2021 – May 2024)

Alyssa is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.S. in Biology. She plans to attend graduate school after graduation.

Stefano Mangafakis

Undergraduate Research Assistant (October 2023 – December 2023)

Stefano is a freshman pursuing a B.S. in biology at UM. He moved from Colchester, Connecticut, 4 years ago and graduated from Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, MS. He aspires to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and attend medical school in the summer of 2027.

Jennifer Cedeño Arreola

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2023 – December 2023)

Jennifer completed her associate degree in biological sciences at Holmes Community College and is currently a senior at the University of Mississippi. She is pursuing a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After Jennifer graduates in 2024, she plans to continue her education by pursuing a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences, which will set her on track to attend Medical school and become a surgeon.

Arma’Rosa Mohead

Undergraduate Research Assistant (July 2023 – December 2023)

Arma’Rosa Mohead is a senior at the University of Mississippi, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. Fueled by an unwavering commitment to excellence, Arma’Rosa plans to attain a Master’s degree before entering professional school. Her ambition is to become either a specialized veterinarian focusing on livestock or a medical doctor specializing in Emergency Room Surgery. Alongside her medical pursuits, Arma’Rosa aims to maintain an active role in research, embodying a holistic approach to her future practice.

Trevor Waddell

Undergraduate Research Assistant (September 2022 – December 2023)

Trevor completed his Associate’s degree in Biology at East Central Community College. He is now a senior at the University of Mississippi majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies to obtain a B.A. in Biological Science. He plans to attend graduate school after graduating from Ole Miss.

Zachary Trest

Undergraduate Research Assistant (July 2023)

Zach is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. Biology Liberal Arts degree with a minor in theatre. After graduation, he intends to apply for a career in natural science or possibly grad school.

Shaunna George

Undergraduate Research Assistant (September 2021 – May 2023)

Shaunna is a senior at the University of Mississippi, pursuing a B.A. in Biological Sciences and minoring in Chemistry and Military Science. After graduation, she plans to go to medical school and become a physician or gynecologist for the United States Army.

Eden Bayer

Undergraduate Research Assistant (September 2019 – May 2023)

Eden is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.S. in biology and a minor in environmental studies. After her undergraduate studies, Eden hopes to attend medical school and aspires to become a medical missionary and provide healthcare to those who cannot afford traditional treatment. 

Lilla Reed

Undergraduate Research Assistant (January 2022 – May 2023)

Lilla is a senior at the University of Mississippi pursuing a B.A. in Biology with a minor in chemistry. After college, Lilla plans to attend medical school to become a surgeon.

Robert Suares

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2022 – May 2023)

Rob is completing a B.A. in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology.  He plans to attend dental school after completing his degree.

Seohyun Yim

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2022 – December 2022)

Seohyun is a junior at KyungHee University (South Korea) pursuing a B.A. in horticultural biotechnology. She is an exchange student and will stay at the University of Mississippi during the Fall of 2022. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in molecular biology. 

Krystle Hughes

Undergraduate Research Assistant (June 2022 – August 2022)

Krystle completed her Associate of Science and Associates of Arts from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and now she is a senior at the University of Mississippi majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry to obtain a B.A. in Biological Science. She hopes to attend Medical School following her tenure at Ole Miss.

Gabriella Newton

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2020 – May 2022)

Gabriella Newton graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in biology and minors in General Business and Chemistry.

Suzanne Crull

Undergraduate Research Assistant (October 2020 – May 2022)

Suzanne Crull graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology. 

Julia Lott

Undergraduate Research Assistant (November 2020 – May 2022)

Julia graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Spanish.

Matthew Swales

Undergraduate Research Assistant (January 2022 – May 2022)

Matthew graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Biology. 

Caroline Clutton

Undergraduate Research Assistant (January 2020 – May 2021)

Caroline graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Biology and minors in Spanish and Chemistry.

Chloe Grant

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2019 – May 2021)

Chloe graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.S. in biology and minors in Spanish and Society & Health.

Karlie Grace

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2019 – May 2021)

Karlie graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in biology and psychology.

Bradley Hathaway

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2020 – November 2020)

Carol Marcel

Undergraduate Research Assistant (January 2020 – March 2020)

Allen Saffold

Undergraduate Research Assistant (August 2019 – March 2020)

Karen Wong

Undergraduate Research Assistant (October 2019 – September 2020)

Ta’Lacia Williams

Ronald E. McNair Scholar (Summer 2022)

Ta’Lacia is a senior at Grambling State University pursuing a B.S. in Biology. After undergraduate studies, she plans to pursue an M.D. / Ph.D. in African American clinical research to bridge the communication gap between African Americans and the medical industry.

Jaikyeron Dukes

Ronald E. McNair Scholar (Summer 2022)

Jaikyeron is a Senior at Rust College, Holly Springs, MS, pursuing a B.S. in Biology. After her undergraduate studies, Jaikyeron plans to enter a graduate/doctoral program to obtain her M.S. and Ph.D. in Toxicology. She hopes to work in the industry and eventually open a research lab dedicated to underrepresented researchers.

McKelvie Maxwell

Ronald E. McNair Scholar (Summer 2022)

McKelvie Maxwell is a senior at Alcorn State University, Lorman, with an MS and pursuing a B.S. in Biology. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school for a Ph.D. in Microbiology. In the future, McKelvie plans to investigate pathogenic bacteria and oral disease.

Kashama Mehta

High School Scholar (Summer 2021)

Kashama is a senior at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Mississippi’s only public residential high school for academically gifted students. Recruited from the ARISE@UM program, she assists Abhishesh with the thermomorphogenesis project in Arabidopsis. Kashama plans to get a degree in biological science or mechanical engineering.

Michelle Le

High School Scholar (Summer 2022)

Michelle is a junior at Oxford High School in Mississippi. Recruited from the ARISE@UM program, she will assist graduate students with the thermomorphogenesis project in Arabidopsis.

Mairin Sakata

High School Scholar (Summer 2022)

Mairin is a senior at Windermere Preparatory School in Florida. Recruited from the ARISE@UM program, she will assist graduate students with the thermomorphogenesis project in Arabidopsis.

Abhinav Naidu

High School Scholar (Summer 2022 and Summer 2023)

Abhinav is a senior at Delbarton HS, New Jersey. Recruited from the ARISE@UM program, he will assist graduate students with the thermomorphogenesis project in Arabidopsis.

Rishi Nautiyal

High School Scholar (Summer 2023)

Rishi is a senior at Oxford High School. He was recruited from the ARISE@UM program to assist graduate students with the thermomorphogenesis project in Arabidopsis.

Cody Chen (陈锐)

High School Scholar (Summer 2024)

Cody is a senior at Ocean Springs High School in Mississippi. He was recruited from the ARISE@UM program to assist graduate students in Dr. Qiu’s (Biology) and Dr. Han’s (Mechanical Engineering) laboratories with the microheater project.

Arnold Nguyen

High School Scholar (Summer 2024)

Arnold is an upcoming Ocean Springs High School senior who hopes to pursue biomedical engineering. He was recruited from the ARISE@UM program to assist graduate students in Dr. Qiu’s (Biology) and Dr. Han’s (Mechanical Engineering) laboratories with the microheater project.

Zuxia Li (李祖霞)

High School Scholar (Summer 2024)

Zuxia is an upcoming senior at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. She aspires to pursue a pre-med track and build a career in the medical field. Zuxia was recruited from the ARISE@UM program to assist graduate students with a gravitropism project in Arabidopsis.