Scholars

I was born and raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, where all my family still is. I moved to the US for undergrad in 2021, where I pursued a double Bachelor’s degree in Computational Sciences and Natural Science at Minerva University. During the 4 years I studied in 7 countries as part of the curriculum, and lived in a total of 13 countries. I am very interested in computational modeling for biological systems. I am currently using molecular dynamics to study the structure and function of proteins involved in cell growth and metabolism, pathways disrupted in cancer. Besides research, spending time with friends, practicing new skills, and understanding different ways of how the world works usually bring me joy. When alone, I enjoy reading philosophy books, watching video essays on social issues, and cooking. When with friends, I like doing picnics, going out, and hiking/camping. Outside of STEM, I enjoy engaging with the arts and humanities. Although out of practice, I enjoy knitting, embroidery, and learning about textile art. In the future, I look forward to becoming an independent scientist who can still collaborate with others while remaining open to out-of-the-box discoveries.

Hi everyone! I’m Seyan, and before coming to Stanford I completed my MPH at Columbia University  after earning my bachelor’s degree in Public Health from The Ohio State University. I was born in Louisiana, and I spent most of my childhood there before moving to Ohio. My research interests center on maternal health and health equity, and I hope to become a physician who combines clinical care with public health. Spending time with my family, traveling, and exploring new places brings me the most joy. Outside of STEMM, I love dancing.

I was born and have lived all my life in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am really interested in cell therapies and developing new cancer treatments. What brings me joy is going to the beach with my friends/family. Outside of STEM, I like to go to the gym and I have an interest in politics. I look forward to immersing myself in a new research field, meeting my colleagues and building new friendships!

I was born and raised in Ethiopia and moved to the US four years ago for college. I graduated from Augustana College with a B.A. in Neuroscience and Accounting and a minor in Chemistry. My passion is to become a scientist developing therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. What brings me joy is serving communities and working on issues beyond myself. Outside of research, I love reading, swimming, shopping, trying new cultural foods, going to movies and music festivals, and hiking. Beyond STEM, I’m passionate about making learning accessible, and I’m excited to explore new approaches to that mission.

I am originally from Myanmar and immigrated to the United States to restart my education journey. My research interest lies in developmental signaling pathways with a long-term goal of becoming a principal investigator developing targeted cancer therapies. On my own, I enjoy shopping at Costco, making crafts, reading, and napping in a hammock under a tree. While with friends, I enjoy hiking, day trips, and scenic drives along the Big Sur, Yosemite or Lake Tahoe. A non-STEMM/non-career passion of mine is performing Burmese songs or playing guitar covers of my favorites.

I was born in Redwood City not too far from Stanford, but grew up in Dublin, California before going down to Los Angeles for college. My family is originally from South India, and I was lucky to grow up amidst a big Indian family/friend community in the Bay Area. My research interests lie in better understanding Alzheimer’s disease pathology and neurodegeneration and I hope to continue with science outreach alongside my research. Laughing with friends, traveling, and cooking bring me lots of joy. My favorite things to do alone are exploring museums and reading. With friends, I really enjoy camping and going to botanical gardens. A recent non-STEMM passion of mine has been learning more about growing my own food.

I was born in Southern California, where much of my family still lives, but spent most of my life in California’s Central Valley. I spent four years in the Bay Area for undergrad and have since moved back to Tulare, CA. My research interests include neurobiology, behavior, and development, and I hope to ultimately serve underserved communities as a pediatrician or through family medicine. Traveling and getting eight hours of sleep bring me the most joy. My favorite things to do alone are working out and baking, while my favorite things to do with friends are exploring new cities and trying different foods. Deepening my faith is another passion of mine that helps keep me grounded. In the next year, I look forward to contributing to meaningful work while getting to live in such a beautiful city.

I was born in Wuhan, China, but grew up mostly in the United States in Orlando, Florida. My research interests are in characterizing psychiatric disorders in human populations and bridging circuit-level dysfunction with clinical outcomes. My main goal is to continue research as a psychiatrist, either as an MD or MD-PhD, while incorporating questions related to early intervention and childhood adversity. In my day-to-day life, I really enjoy working out in the morning, spending time with my cats, and, very vaguely, “winning in life.” I like playing games, going to the gym, and listening to slow, sad romance songs. My research interest is not something I have much experience in, other than working with patients, so I look forward to learning skills that can bring me closer to my long-term goal.

I was born in Teaneck, NJ and raised in Paterson, NJ, but spent my last year of middle school and my high school years living right outside of Silver Spring, MD. My family has both African-American and Caribbean roots by way of Guyana and Trinidad. My research interests have generally been in various areas of cancer biology, pathology, and cell biology, but I am interested in exploring my interests in immunology and regenerative medicine to work at the interface of medicine and research as a physician-scientist. What brings me joy is spending time with friends/family and trying out new hobbies and experiences from fitness to creative hobbies. When I’m alone, I really like to catch up on good books, write creatively, and catching up on my newest TV show watch (preferably a show with 5 or more seasons from the early 2000s or before). When I’m with friends, my favorite thing to do is visit new places. In the next year, I’m really looking forward to gaining more research experience while meeting some more like-minded people in the research arena!

I was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. My parents are from Haiti, so I am first generation Haitian-American. My research interests center on the mechanistic underpinnings of resilience and plasticity in the brain and peripheral organ systems, and I’m drawn to work that integrates socioeconomic perspectives. My career goal is to become a physician-scientist who translates those insights into regenerative therapies and personalized interventions for vulnerable youth populations with developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Joy, for me, comes from warm weather, bright spaces, cooking/tasting new recipes, and stimulating conversations where I can unmask and think out loud without judgment. Alone, I watch commentary on world events and pop culture, eat ice cream, and listen to storytelling podcasts. With friends, I like trying new restaurants/cafes, thrift shopping, watching reality TV, discussing real life events and hypotheticals, and just enjoying each other’s company in silence.

I was born and raised in Baldwin Park, CA, in the greater Los Angeles area. Both of my parents are from Mexico, with family split between Sonora and Jalisco. In terms of research interests, I am broadly interested in metabolism and in bridging science and clinical settings through dietary intervention, as I work toward becoming a physician-scientist. I think the greatest moments of joy I have come from spending time with family and close friends, whether that’s just having a conversation over the phone, watching a show, or eating some really, really good food. For alone time, I like to catch up, watch new shows, or spend time on creative things like drawing or making beats (doesn’t mean I’m good at it just yet). I love either cooking or going out to eat with friends, and exploring the city wherever we are. Baseball was my first love, so I really enjoy watching games and highlights, nerd out over statistics, and talking about the game with people who may not be really familiar. I am excited to continue growing my research skills and scientific thinking through the new connections I hope to make with mentors, future colleagues, and the Stanford community!

I was born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles. I recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Integrative Biology. Professionally, my research and career interests center on health equity, preventive medicine, and mixed-methods research, with the ultimate goal of becoming a physician who provides culturally empathetic care to underserved communities. In life, I find profound joy in eating good food, staying active, and spending time in nature. My favorite things to do are long-distance running, studying in libraries, meal prepping, and exploring new places with my camera. Outside of STEMM, I am passionate about landscape and nature photography. Over the next year, I am most excited to build a supportive Stanford community, develop my clinical research skills, learn from incredible mentors and peers, and continue strengthening my path toward becoming a physician.

I was born and raised in Byblos, Lebanon. At 15, I attended United World College China where I was introduced to both an international community and the scientific method for the first time. Inspired by these experiences, I pursued my undergraduate degree in neuroscience and anthropology at Macalester College to study the human mind at the levels of biology and culture. I hope to pursue a research career studying the neural and behavioral mechanisms of social learning across diverse populations, especially in contexts where social rules are implicit or uncertain. I also envisage developing ways to support social participation and belonging. What brings me joy is spending time with friends and family and playing board games. My favorite things to do alone are composing music or playing video games. My favorite thing to do with friends is spontaneous bus adventures. I am very passionate about music theory.

I was born and raised in Shashemene, Ethiopia, and moved to the United States at age 15 to attend boarding school. My parents are Ethiopian, and most of my family still lives there. I am broadly interested in biomedical research, particularly translational research and how discoveries in the lab can ultimately improve patient care, and my long term goal is to become a physician. What brings me the most joy is spending time with family and friends, trying new foods, exploring new places, going to church on Saturdays, and listening to music. When I am by myself, I enjoy going on long walks while listening to music, reading and journaling in parks on sunny days, and playing the violin. With friends, I love hiking, exploring the outdoors, trying new restaurants, cooking together, and going on adventures. A non-STEMM passion of mine is music, and I love discovering new artists and learning to play new instruments. I also enjoy pottery and bowling.

I was born and raised in Texas, and my parents are originally from South Korea. Growing up, I spent some of my childhood visiting family there, which gave me an appreciation for both cultures. I recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, where I studied Neuroscience with a minor in Philosophy. My research interests broadly center on translational neuroscience and understanding how the nervous system can be studied, protected, and restored through approaches spanning clinical research, neurotechnology, imaging, and data science. Long term, I hope to become a physician who combines patient care with research to help translate scientific discoveries into better treatments. Outside of research, I find the most joy in making music, mentoring students, and spending time with my friends and family. When I’m by myself, I enjoy practicing oboe, reading, working out, and exploring new coffee shops or study spots. With friends, I enjoy trying new restaurants, hiking, playing music together, and exploring new places together. Music has been a lifelong passion of mine outside of science, and one of the most meaningful parts of college was sharing it through performances in hospitals and nursing homes.

I am originally from Myanmar (Burma), and moved to California in 2022 for education and safety after a military coup back home. My research interests are still evolving but I am particularly drawn to the intersection of molecular virology and structural biology, with a focus on antivirals and therapeutics to combat infectious diseases. In the future, I hope to become a physician-scientist who bridges research, medicine, and community advocacy to help address health inequities. What brings me the most joy is sharing good food with good company! When alone, I love watching dramas and 2000s rom-coms. I love hosting and cooking so that’s what I usually do with friends to bring everyone together. If I weren’t in STEMM, I would be a chef/ pastry chef.

I was born in Pakistan and grew up in Kerman, California. My research interests are in epidemiology, population health, and clinical research, specifically health inequities in underserved communities, and my goal is to become a physician-scientist through an MD/PhD. What brings me joy is having purpose in what I do and being around family and friends. To recharge I read, meditate, and exercise. With friends I enjoy watching and playing sports, board and video games, or exploring new sights. Outside of my career, basketball and mentoring students are things I’m very passionate about.

I’m coming to Stanford from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where I recently completed my biology degree; I was born and raised in the Orlando area, and most of my family is still there. My research interests are broad, but I’m especially interested in cell and molecular biology, metabolism, chronic pain, and how basic biological discoveries can translate into improvements in human health. What brings me joy is learning new things, spending time with friends and family, and working toward goals I’ve set for myself. My favorite things to do alone are working out, reading, and listening to music. My favorite things to do with friends are playing volleyball, rock climbing, trying new restaurants, traveling, and just hanging out and talking. A non-STEMM passion of mine is sports, especially volleyball, along with exploring new places and experiences.

I was born and raised in Shanghai, where my parents are also from, before coming to the U.S. to pursue my undergraduate studies in biology and computer science at Cornell. My research interests lie at the intersection of biology, computer science, and AI; I am especially excited about developing methods that can turn large-scale real-world patient data into wet-lab-testable discoveries and designs. Some of my favorite things to do alone are solo road trips and exploring new places, while with friends I love hiking, road-tripping, and sharing meals together. Outside of STEMM and career-related interests, photography is one of my biggest passions.

I was born and spent the first four years of my life in Yirgalem, Ethiopia, until my family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I spent the remainder of my childhood. Due to my upbringing, I am interested in both medicine and research in relation to the brain, more specifically, developing accessible avenues and technologies in these fields. I find much enjoyment in being active – playing sports, hiking, camping – with loved ones. I love staying active, whether that’s going to the gym, running, or playing guitar. With others, I like to do the same things, as well as watch sports. Outside of my professional goals, as an Ethiopian, I am passionate about long-distance running and training.