Meet the MSTP Summer Research Program Scholars
This summer, the Vanderbilt MSTP is hosting 7 undergraduate MSTP Summer Scholars. This summer program is designed to expose students from across the nation to the career of a physician-scientist and help prepare them to apply to MD/PhD programs. These students are on campus for 9 weeks completing a research project and gaining clinical shadowing experience. In addition, they have many opportunities to connect with and learn from current MSTP students, the MSTP Leadership Team, and Vanderbilt physician-scientists. Get to know a bit more about these exceptional visiting students below and say “hi” when you see them around campus!
Mikayla Kendall
Undergraduate Institution: Georgia State University
Year: Senior
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Lithonia, Georgia
What are you working on this summer? I am working with Dr. Carrie Fry to investigate the impact of Medicaid coverage policy on health outcomes of justice-involved youth.
Fun fact: I have a two year old boxer named Socks Nichole, who I love deeply and throw themed birthday parties (this year is ‘Young, Wild, and Three’). When I was interviewed for a Wall Street Journal article on first-time voters, she stole the spotlight in the front-cover photo with me.
Khufu Holly
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina
Year: Rising Junior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Florence, South Carolina
What are you working on this summer? I am working with Dr. Antony Flores to better understand the pathogenic interactions between human macrophages and Group A Streptococcus, which causes more than 700 million infections worldwide.
Fun fact: I’ve modelled for four fashion shows and have been published in my campus magazine.
Emalee Mann
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Year: Rising Junior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Abbeville, South Carolina
What are you working on this summer? I am working in Dr. Vivian Weiss’s lab investigating early prognostic biomarkers for aggressive thyroid cancer to improve treatment plans for patients.
Fun fact: I like to play the piano, and my all-time favorite movie is Home Alone.
Alvin Pham
Undergraduate Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
Year: Senior
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: An Giang, Vietnam
What are you working on this summer? I am working in Dr. Erin Calipari’s lab investigating the characteristics of a newly identified subset of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra that show unique responses to aversive stimuli.
Fun fact: I am a singer and I love ice-skating.
Jaylen Spellman-Reliford
Undergraduate Institution: University of Georgia
Year: Senior
Major: Cellular Biology and Microbiology
Hometown: McDonough, Georgia
What are you working on this summer? I am working in Dr. Kristin Patrick and Dr. Robert Watson’s lab investigating how Irgm1 isoforms influence inflammatory signaling pathways and immune effector functions in macrophages.
Fun fact: I always carry around a Beyblade, waiting for my next battle (it could happen).
Eduardo Soria Chiroque
Undergraduate Institution: University of Kentucky
Year: Rising Senior
Major: Biology
Hometown: Lima, Peru
What are you working on this summer? I am working in Dr. Dan Roden’s lab investigating how mutations affect the function of the KCNQ1 potassium channel to better understand variants that may contribute to long QT syndrome.
Fun fact: In high school, I learned to play the drums in 3 weeks because my friends needed a drummer for a performance.
Joy Velazquez-Colon
Undergraduate Institution: University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras
Year: Senior
Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
What are you working on this summer? I am working in Dr. Monica Santiesteban’s lab investigating how hypertension contributes to the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease.
Fun fact: I love going to the beach to surf and read.