Meet the Vanderbilt MSTP Incoming Class of 2021!
The Vanderbilt MSTP is excited to introduce the incoming class of 2021, who started the program orientation on June 15th. They hail from all over the world, and we are delighted to have such a diverse group of people join our program. Welcome, new M1s!
Adam Abdulrahman
Hometown: Chapin, South Carolina
College: Clemson University, Major: Bioengineering, 2021
Research and/or clinical interests: I’m interested in the intersection between biomedical engineering and cancer, and I would like to explore this clinically through Heme/Onc (not set on that though, still exploring).
Fun fact: I can hum and whistle at the same time!
Camella Carlson
Hometown: Olathe, Kansas
College: Texas A&M, Major: BME, 2020
Research and/or clinical interests: biomedical engineering, biophotonics, imaging, devices
Fun fact: One of the quarantine hobbies I picked up was crafting custom lamps!
Chloe Cho
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
College: University of Pennsylvania, Major: Bioengineering and Biology, 2021
Research and/or clinical interests: Cell and Developmental Biology
Fun fact: I have played the violin for over 15 years!
Taryn Dunigan
Hometown: Long Island, NY
College: Vanderbilt University, Major: Biomedical Engineering, 2017
Research and/or clinical interests: Biomedical Engineering (especially biophotonics) and OB/GYN
Reilly Fankhauser
Hometown: San Ramon, California
College: University of Colorado, Boulder, Major: Biochemistry, 2018
Research and/or clinical interests: Improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies and investigating/managing their toxicities.
Fun fact: I used to be one of the “moto kids” who really lived up the lifestyle of riding dirt bikes, complete with monster energy drinks.
Sharon Fernandez
Hometown: Charlottesville, Virginia
College: University of Virginia, Major: Public Policy and Leadership, Minor: Bioethics, 2018
Research and/or clinical interests: I’m interested in studying drivers for individuals’ health behavior/choices, access to care, and quality of care, with the goal of developing and evaluating programs/policies to improve community health.
Fun fact: When I worked as a tour guide at Thomas Jefferson’s historic home, Monticello, the Travelocity Gnome came to visit and I took him around for a photoshoot.
Danielle Liu
Hometown: Gainesville, Florida
College: Vanderbilt University, Major: Biomedical Engineering, 2020
Research and/or clinical interests: Biomedical engineering, building cool stuff, movement disorders, drugs, orthopedics, physical medicine & rehabilitation
Fun fact: I can put one foot behind my head but not both feet 🙁
Duby Okonkwo
Hometown: Nigeria
College: University of Texas at Arlington, Major: BME (TIssue Engineering and Drug Delivery), 2018
Research and/or clinical interests: Cardiology/ Cardiothoracic Surgery for clinical. Cell based Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering for Research.
Fun fact: I am/was a professional DJ
Sam Palmer
Hometown: Ridgeland, Mississippi (Nashville since 2018)
College: University of Mississippi, Major: Biochemistry 2018
Research and/or clinical interests: genetics, population genetics, and health disparities (racial health disparities and LGBTQ+ health disparities).
Fun fact: I physically cannot burp and have never burped before
Yash Pershad
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
College: Stanford University, Major: Bioengineering, 2021
Research and/or clinical interests: My research interests are in biomedical informatics, generally in how we can use genetics and EHR data to predict risk of developing complex disease or drug efficacy. Clinically, I’m very very undecided, but interventional cardiology or radiology seem cool!
Fun fact: I started playing chess competitively in Kindergarten!
Mark Petrovic
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey
College: Drexel University, Major: Materials Science and Engineering, 2021
Fun fact: I’ve donated 20 units of blood products
Jack Trapani
Hometown: Deerfield, Illinois
College: Vanderbilt University, Majors: Molecular and Cellular Biology, Chemistry
Research and/or clinical interests: Neuroscience including neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorder, and brain cancers
Fun fact: Three years ago on Chipotle’s Halloween Promotional Event “Boorito: Buy One Burrito Get One Free,” I ate two burritos in one sitting.
Max Van Belkum
Hometown: Destin, Florida
College: University of Florida, Majors: Microbiology and Nutrition, 2019
Research and/or clinical interests: Immunology/Gastroenterology
Fun fact: I was born in Hawaii
Atlee Witt
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
College: Vanderbilt University, Major: Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society, 2020
Research and/or clinical interests: I’m interested in studying novel imaging techniques, specifically with neuroimaging and neurodegenerative disorders.
Fun fact: I have three fake teeth (doesn’t really go great with doing imaging research and strong magnets!)
Fei Yang
Hometown: Shenzhen, China and went to high school in St. Louis
College: Vanderbilt University, Majors: Neuroscience, Art, and Medicine Health and Society, 2020
Research and/or clinical interests: Neuroscience
Fun fact: Proud mom of 28 house plants
Kevin Zhang
Hometown: Olympia, Washington
College: Middlebury College, Major: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 2019
Research and/or clinical interests: Synaptic plasticity and the neurobiology of learning and memory
Fun fact: By the time I was in elementary school, I had already moved six different times!