Spring 2023 CBMG Honors and Awards
Congratulations to our Spring 2023 CBMG award winners!
Undergraduate Student Awards
Initiates for the Sigma Alpha Omicron (SAO) Microbiology Honor Society
Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards
Graduate Student Awards
DEI Awards
[Information about these scholarships, awards and fellowships]
Undergraduate Student Awards
ANJU MEDA
Recipient of the Norman Laffer Scholarship
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey DeStefano
BSCI Specialization: Cell Biology & Genetics
Dr. DeStefano’s comments: “For the past year Anju has been working on developing aptamers to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Aptamers are small nucleic acid sequences selected for tight binding to a target protein. Along with two other undergraduates, Grant Yang and Grace Scheirey, they have recently isolated aptamers that bind to the Omicron virus receptor binding domain and have the potential to block the virus from entering cells. Anju is also part of a Gemstone team at UMD. Her team’s (team “FUNGI”) project is “Investigating the application of fungal polysaccharides as a sterilant to biofilm growth on implantable medical devices”. She has her hands in many pots but has nonetheless continued to excel. Anju has shown a strong commitment to research and has a bright future. She is a team player all the way and a pleasure to be around."
EMILY SHERMAN
Co-Recipient of the CBMG Outstanding Student Award
Mentor: Dr. Wenxia Song
BSCI Specialization: Cell Biology & Genetics
Dr. Song’s comments: “Emily, a full Banneker Key Scholarship recipient, has worked in my lab for the last two years, examining the impact of neutral lipid accumulation on B lymphocytes. As a member of the CBMG Honors program, Emily has worked tirelessly and made incredible contributions to the research project despite incredible personal obstacles. Emily has maintained perfect grades throughout her academic career while managing a busy volunteer schedule and demanding research obligations. Emily has been a tremendous asset to Song lab. After graduation, Emily plans to pursue a MD/PhD degree, and her lab family could not be more excited to watch her continued personal and professional progress.”
LEYA SANCHEZ
Recipient of the Anthony D. Brown (BS '93) Memorial Scholarship
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Dr. Tran’s comments: “Leya Sanchez shows promise in the field of Microbiology based on her performance so far in the General Microbiology course she is taking this semester (BSCI223). She has proven to be a very strong student academically, and the collaborative group work she has done this semester seems to have been very successful as well. Leya's Microbiology teaching assistant, who works very closely with her in the lab, mentioned that Leya has shown dedication to her work and picks up new skills quickly, in addition to being an engaged leader in her lab group. We are looking forward to seeing what Leya accomplishes next.”
GRANT YANG
Recipient of the Dr. P. Arne Hansen Award for CBMG Honors Program Outstanding Thesis/ Co-Recipient of the CBMG Outstanding Student Award
CBMG Departmental High Honors
Thesis Title: Synthesis of Novel 2′-Fluoro-Arabino Nucleic Acid Aptamers Against SARS-CoV-2
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey DeStefano
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Dr. DeStefano’s comments: "For the past two years Grant Yang has been working on developing aptamers to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Aptamers are small nucleic acid sequences selected for tight binding to a target protein. Along with two other undergraduates, Anju Meda and Grace Scheirey, they have recently isolated aptamers that bind to the Omicron virus receptor binding domain and have the potential to block the virus from entering cells. Grant is an extraordinary student both as a researcher and academically. His Honors Thesis, which deals more broadly with aptamer development for SARS viruses, was outstanding, winning both Department and University awards for best Honors thesis. He is off to Harvard for graduate school in the fall, and the sky's the limit for his future. Despite his achievements, Grant has remained humble and respectful, always willing to help others in the lab and as a UTA in Virology."
SOPHIA GUAN
Recipient of the Appleman-Norton Award for Plant Biology
CBMG Departmental Honors
Thesis Title: Functional analyses of PIF3 in the regulation of axillary meristem developmental fate in Fragaria vesca
Mentor: Dr. Zhongchi Liu
BSCI Specialization: Physiology & Neurobiology
Dr. Liu's comments: “Sophia is a careful experimentalist, a great writer, and a good listener and communicator. Her finding showing the effect of temperature on the expression of a light signaling transcription factor and the potential link to strawberry asexual reproduction is exciting.”
CLARISSA HALPERN
CBMG Departmental Honors
Thesis Title: Effects of B Cell-Specific Neutral Lipid Accumulation on B Cell Activation, Function, and Tissue Inflammation
Mentor: Dr. Wenxia Song
BSCI Specialization: Cell Biology & Genetics
Dr. Song’s comments: “Clarissa Halpern has worked in my lab for the last two years as a CBMG honors research student. Clarissa’s studies have focused on the impact of lipid accumulation on B lymphocyte function and potential downstream inflammation. Not only has Clarissa worked incredibly hard during her time in my lab, but she has also been a joy to work with. As the most senior undergraduate researcher currently in my lab, it has been wonderful to watch Clarissa take a leading role in our large undergraduate project. Clarissa will be attending The George Washington University in the fall of 2023, where she will be pursuing a PhD with the Institute of Biomedical Sciences. We are all very proud of Clarissa and her accomplishments.”
SASVI KULASINGHE
CBMG Departmental Honors
Thesis Title: Investigating the Cell Death Pathway(s) Responsible for Premature Cell Death in Pseudomonas aeruginosa oligoribonuclease mutants
Mentor: Dr. Vincent Lee
BSCI Specialization: Cell Biology & Genetics
Dr. Lee's comments: “Sasvi is a dynamic student who is able to adapt to changes in the scientific project as it progresses. She has many interests, which has led her to obtain a Fulbright fellowship in the fall to pursue her interests internationally. Sasvi has a bright future and will be missed in the lab when she departs.”
GARMANI THEIN
CBMG Departmental Honors
Thesis Title: New Output Platforms for Biosensors
Mentor: Dr. Wade Winkler
BSCI Specialization: General Biology
Dr. Winkler’s comments: “Garmani Thein's long-term goals include a career in research. As part of his efforts at working toward that goal, Garmani has impressively maximized the diversity of his research experiences as an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland. Garmani spent two years with the FIRE program before working on a research project in my lab as part of the CBMG Honors Research Program. And in one of the summer terms, Garmani studied abroad at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Each of these opportunities brought a new set of research experiences for Garmani, from learning molecular biology in the FIRE program, to learning bacteriology in my lab, to working with microbial bioreactors at the University of Tübingen. He is working hard about building a foundation of scientific experiences!”
Initiates for the Sigma Alpha Omicron (SAO) Microbiology Honor Society
GRANT YANG
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Grant is a senior Microbiology major in the DeStefano lab, where he works on developing aptamer antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. In his time at UMD, he has served as a TA for Organismal Biology and General Virology, and hopes to continue teaching in the future. After graduation, he will further pursue his research interests in the PhD Program in Virology at Harvard.
LAURA SNELLER
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
My name is Laura Sneller and I am a graduating senior majoring in Microbiology and on the pre-medical track. During my time at UMD, I did HIV research at NIH and was president of the Rising Researchers club and gave presentations to high schoolers to help introduce them to research. After graduation, I will be working at a clinical research lab on Hepatitis B treatments at UMMC.
SAMAT BORIEV
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Samat Borbiev is a graduating senior majoring in Microbiology on the pre-dentistry track and has an interest in the transcriptional regulation found in various Bacillus species working in Dr. Winkler's lab. Samat is also involved in the Gemstone Honors Program (Team Transport) where he has been working on nanoparticle technology to treat pancreatic cancer in Dr. Lowe's bioengineering lab. Lastly, Samat is involved in teaching and mentoring, serving as a teaching assistant (Anatomy and Physiology 2) and a resident assistant since his sophomore year.
THOMAS MILHOLLAND
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
I am a senior transfer student, and currently an intern in a parasitology lab for veterinary medicine. I have been an undergraduate TA and tutor of biology and chemistry and love working with other students. I hope to pursue a career in medicine and become an emergency medicine physician or pathologist.
KATHLEEN MONAHAN
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Kathleen ("Kick") is a junior biochemistry and microbiology double major. She researches bacterial biofilm breakdown in the Poulin lab, and she was vice president of the UMD chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma (the professional chemistry fraternity) this past year.
SIVANI SUNDARAM
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Sivani is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Maryland studying Microbiology and Psychology. She has also been a TA for principles of molecular and cell bio lab for the last three semesters. After graduation she will be working on antiviral research at WRAIR.
SAMANTHA KOWALIK
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Samantha is a senior microbiology student at the University of Maryland. She is interested in forest health and has been working in Dr. Gruner's lab on the Emerald Ash Borer for the past two years. After graduation, Samantha hopes to continue pursuing her passion by working with forest diseases, including Sudden Oak Death and the Chestnut Blight.
JENNA KRAEMER
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Jenna is an undergraduate researcher in the Water Quality, Outreach, and Wellness lab in the School of Public Health, a lab technician in the Plant Diagnostic Lab at UMD, and a research volunteer in the Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Lab at the USDA. She is a member of Epsilon Eta, the professional environmental fraternity on campus and after graduation she will be working as the Lab Manager in the Lamp Lab in the Entomology Department at UMD.
NGOC (VICTORIA) PHAM
BSCI Specialization: Microbiology
Victoria is a senior microbiology major/philosophy minor researching the gene CD38 using human lung cell models in the Scull Lab. Outside of the lab, she is a local street photographer, member of professional biology fraternity Beta Psi Omega, and historian for Gaysians at UMD. After graduation, she’ll be researching SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics as an FDA fellow before pursuing a PhD.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards
SOFIA DI BENIGNO
Recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
TA for BSCI423
Lab: Dr. Wenxia Song
Project Title: The role of female sex hormones in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of the human cervix
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Song’s comments: “Sofia, a senior graduate student, has been a teaching assistant for BSCI423 Immunology Laboratory for several semesters. Sofia is essential for transforming this lab course into an online course and back to the partial and complete in-person form. She became “a star” of the lab videos. Sofia has devoted herself to helping students, staying after classes to answer questions one to one and staying up late at night answering countless students’ emails. Sofia also generously offers helping hands to TAs new to the course. Sofia enjoys teaching and plans to pursue a teaching career after graduation.”
SPENCER SMITH
Recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
TA for BSCI414
Lab: Dr. Caren Chang
Project Title: Molecular mechanisms controlling dormancy and germination in ancient land plants
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Chang’s comments: “Spencer was an exceptional Teaching Assistant for Recombinant DNA Laboratory (BSCI414). He consistently went above and beyond to help the students learn. He fostered a positive and motivating learning environment that led to an amazing camaraderie among the students. In course evaluations, the students unanimously praised Spencer for his knowledge, preparation, helpfulness, and friendliness. Student comments included, “he cared about every student’s success” and “he was extremely encouraging and made learning about lab techniques exciting”. Several students remarked that Spencer was the best TA they've ever had!”
ZAJEBA TABASHSUM
Recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
TA for BSCI283
Lab: Dr. Debabrata Biswas (AGNR)
Project Title: Probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic approaches for sustainable poultry production through microbiome modulation
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Stein’s and Dr. Buchner’s comments: "Zajeba epitomizes everything one would like in a TA: always prepared; able to provide feedback about how the protocols/labs could be improved; and willing to work as part of a team in implementing learning outcomes for each lab. During the early part of the pandemic, she took the lead and made videos of the laboratory exercises the students would be missing. She has maintained semester over semester excellence in teaching, enthusiasm and energy for BSCI283. Her knowledge of the protocols, understanding of the logistics of the class, aptitude for teaching, and experience in the classroom make her an excellent recipient of this teaching assistant award.”
Graduate Student Awards
ANNA ZIMINA
Recipient of the Wallace Prescott Rowe Award
Lab: Dr. George Belov (AGNR-Vet Med)
Project Title: Development of Anti-Enterovirus Vaccines Based on mRNA and Viral Vector Technologies
BISI Specialization: Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBSC)
Dr. Belov’s comments: “Anna came to my lab as an undergraduate student and now she is finishing her PhD project on the development of new vaccines against enterovirus infections. During this time she grew up from a shy undergrad to a confident researcher who can work on multiple projects and organize important collaborations. She developed and optimized novel immunological and virological assays that open new perspectives in addressing research questions far beyond her own studies. She is never afraid of starting new directions and her curiosity and dedication help her overcome any problem she encounters in her research. Not only she works hard in the lab, but she is also a leader of the graduate student committee of our Department, responsible among many other activities for the organization of informal happy hour meetings ever popular among students and faculty alike.”
CHRISTINA IPPOLITI
Recipient of the Isabel R. McDonald Service Award
Lab: Dr. Zhongchi Liu
Project Title: Understanding a MYB Transcription Factor’s Role in Endosperm and Fruit Development; Bypassing Tissue Culture for a More Efficient Genetic Transformation Method in Strawberry
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Liu’s comments: “Christina is passionate about servicing our local and broader communities. She helped organize the 2022 UMD Plant Biology Symposium, designed an educational booth for Maryland Day, helped BISI recruitment, and organized volunteering activities to clean up our environment. She is a doer and influencer and thus highly deserving of this recognition.”
HUSAN TURDIEV
Recipient of the Carroll E. Cox Award
Lab: Dr. Caren Chang
Project Title: Investigating ACC functions and mechanisms of ACC homeostasis in Arabidopsis
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Chang’s comments: “Husan is an excellent graduate student. He's well-read, enthusiastic, hard-working, and productive. With his exceptional talents at the bench, he is advancing on several impactful projects centered around the plant hormone ethylene. Husan developed his thesis proposal by identifying critical questions in the plant hormone field after immersing himself in the literature and analyzing puzzling findings he obtained from several challenging experiments. What is particularly impressive is that Husan dove into plant research only recently. Also, thanks to Husan, the Chang lab has never been cleaner or more organized!”
AKSHAY PATEL
Recipient of the Andrew J. Moyer Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Lab: Dr. Sougata Roy
Project Title: Characterizing the mechanisms of asymmetric signaling in the stem cell niche
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Roy’s comments: “Akshay is an outstanding budding scientist. He started his research in my lab as an undergraduate student and contributed to a genome editing team project, generating cell/tissue-specific gene expression drivers in Drosophila. From this experience, Akshay developed a strong interest in exploring intricate cell-cell signaling mechanisms essential for tissue development and homeostasis and pursued his Ph.D. research in my lab. During this time, he established a Drosophila stem cell niche as a new system to explore cell-cell signaling mechanisms required to maintain adult stem cells and/or trigger their differentiation to sculpt ordered tissue architectures. His terrific effort to characterize the new stem cell niche by combining genetics, molecular biology, and high-resolution microscopy led to the discovery of a novel cell biological mechanism that coordinates niche-specific asymmetric signaling and cellular organizations. Given the conservation of fundamental biological mechanisms in all organisms, Akshay's work provides significant insights into how stem cells are maintained in the context of a signaling niche and lose immortality for differentiation in a highly ordered fashion to sculpt complex tissue architectures.”
SAHAR VAKILI
Co-Recipient of the Philip J. Provost Graduate Fellowship Award
Lab: Dr. Kan Cao
Project Title: Investigation of senescence-mediated paracrine signaling in progeria vasculature
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Cao’s comments: “Sahar distinguishes herself from her fellow graduate students in the BISI program through her remarkable blend of significant prior research exposure and a fervent interest in teaching and presenting. She aims to become an adept scientist who can conduct, formulate, and elucidate wet-lab biological research, culminating in an independent academic profession. Sahar's project revolves around comprehending the communication mechanisms between vascular cells in progeria and aging. She has exceptional organizational skills and a firm grasp of stem cell culture methodologies. Additionally, she fosters a collaborative environment within the laboratory.”
JESSICA KOPEW
Co-Recipient of the Philip J. Provost Graduate Fellowship Award
Lab: Dr. Daniel Stein
Project Title: The Role of Filamentous Phage in Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenicity
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Stein’s comments: “Jessica has embraced all aspects of graduate education. She has quickly mastered the microbiology, bioinformatic and molecular biology skills needed for her project. She has excelled as a teaching assistant (being recognized as a CMNS outstanding teaching assistant), and used these teaching opportunities to broaden her scientific base. Her ability to acquire proficiency in a very diverse set of technologies and enthusiasm for teaching bodes very well as she develops into an independent scientist.”
PHILIP JOHNSON
Recipient of the Michael J. Pelczar Graduate Award
Lab: Dr. Anne Simon
Project Title: Studying the RNA structural biology and novel replication processes of positive-strand RNA plant virus genomes
BISI Specialization: Computational Biology, Bioinformatics and Genomics (CBBG)
Dr. Simon’s comments: “Eleven years ago, I noticed a shy Freshman from my Intro Bio class was attending all of my early group office hours without ever saying a word. I remember wondering if this student was understanding the material, as it was rare for a student to come and say nothing. And then, this freshman received an extremely rare 100% on the first midterm, and again on the second midterm, and I realized that this student was someone very special. When Philip asked if he could be an undergraduate researcher in the lab, I gave him an immediate and enthusiastic YES, and so began our long research relationship. Philip went from pre-med, to pre-MD-PhD, to pre-PhD, and from focusing on Molecular Biology to adding an undergraduate major in Computer Sciences, delaying his graduation. After applying and getting admitted to numerous top graduate schools, he decided to stay here, in a program with a co-advisor at the NCI (Bruce Shapiro). Philip received a rare NSF graduate fellowship and I could talk all day about his research on cap-independent translation of RNA viruses. However, he will always be known for his RNAcanvas RNA structure drawing program. Probably tired of hearing me complain of the lack of user-friendly software, he surprised us with this program, which is currently used by 100’s of research labs throughout the world. RNAcanvas was transformational when introduced, expanding how a structure drawing program could be used to explore alternative and tertiary RNA conformations. The insights made using this program were instrumental in our solving the structure of only the third full-length virus, which led to the paradigm shifts needed to develop the virus into a vector to solve intractable problems in agricultural science. As Philip reaches his final year in graduate school, he has made another astonishing discovery of what looks like a novel process in plants to deal with rare, double-stranded foldback RNAs while fearlessly pioneering nanopore sequencing in the lab. I thank the Pelczar committee for recognizing a truly outstanding graduate student.”
AASHLI PATHNI
Recipient of the MOCB-BISI M. Zain-Ul-Abedin Memorial Scholarship Award
Lab: Dr. Arpita Upadhyaya (Physics)
Project Title: “Investigating the role of the cytoskeleton in mechanosensing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes”
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Dr. Upadhyaya’s comments: “Aashli is a terrific graduate student. She is creative, diligent, and insightful - talents that she has put to good use on her project. Aashl's research has provided important insights into understanding the mechanobiology of immune cell activation and function. She has combined biophysical techniques such as traction force microscopy, quantitative fluorescence imaging and data analysis with traditional cell biological methods to elucidate how cytokine signals augment cytoskeletal dynamics and force generation in cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to enhanced cytolytic efficacy. She is now investigating the mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal crosstalk and mechanosensitivity and how these modulate T cell function. Aashli's creativity in experimental design and meticulous attention to detail have enabled her to carry out these challenging experiments with a high degree of success. These are the hallmarks of a productive independent scientist that Aashli is well on the way to becoming. Aashli has been an absolute pleasure to work with. She has also mentored several graduate and undergraduate students and helped create a collaborative atmosphere in the lab."
DEI Awards
AURELIE NIYONGABO
Recipient of the CBMG Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Recognition Award
Lab: Dr. Gilad Ofek
BISI Specialization: Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB)
Project Title: Structural and Antigenic Characterization of Marburg Virus Glycoprotein
Dr. Delwiche’s comments: “Aurelie Niyongabo is a third year student in the Biological Sciences (BISI) graduate program. Ms Niyongabo earned a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Binghamton University (where she participated in the Louis B. Stokes – LSAMP – program) and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Hood College (Maryland) before entering the doctoral program at UMD. Ms Niyongabo has both strong academic credentials and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She volunteered in her first year on campus to serve as a member of the CBMG DEI committee – when the committee was still new – and has played a key role in the development of the departmental DEI program. This represents a significant time commitment because her laboratory is located at IBBR, so she has to make a special trip any time she is going to come to the main campus. She has served conscientiously, provided many valuable contributions, and also represented student concerns to the committee. She is among the founding members of Black Scholars in Biology (BSIB), a student group that helps foster academic excellence and a sense of comradery among graduate students on campus in biology and STEM more broadly. Ms Niyongabo’s commitment to the departmental community and to diversity, equity, and inclusion is impressive, and she has proven herself to be an invaluable asset to campus.”
MATTHEW NOLTE
Nominator: Dr. Louisa Wu
BSCI Specialization: Cell Biology & Genetics
Dr. Wu’s comments: “Since 2016, Matthew has been a facilitator of the LGBTQ+ Youth Group (PFLAG Annapolis/Anne Arundel County). In this role, he leads a group of LGBTQ+ youth ages 12 to 22 during bi-weekly meetings in an online chat group. He actively works with the campus ADA Coordinator to make the campus more physically accessible by reporting accessibility problems around campus. Matthew is also a Member of Delta Alpha Pi, Gamma Rho Chapter (Disability Honor Society), a Member of the President's Commission on Disability Issues Student Advisory Committee, a Member of Disability: Identity, Culture, and Education (DICE), and recorded a podcast for the Disability Awareness Month Podcast. Matthew is very engaging and social, which helps him make more people aware of DEI issues.”