Meet Our 2022 Interns

Ghadah Ali is currently enrolled in a Biology Master's Program at Southtern Connecticut State University where she is studying the neural fibers of the upper respiratory tract in Manatees. Ghadah aims to apply to medical school and continue research in the near future. About my YCCI Internship The YCCI internship was a great opportunity that opened the door to genetic and developmental research.

Oriel Birt attends Springfield College where she is studying Biology.  Oriel began her college journey in the Liberal Arts and Science program at Gateway Community College.  Her participation in the YSERE program helped her discover a passion for biomedical science and Oriel now aspires to be a biomedical researcher.

Darlene Burckson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences and minored in Human Development and Family Sciences, from the University of Connecticut in May. While at UConn, she was Resident Assistant for the Women in Math Science and Engineering Learning Community(WiMSE), in addition to being a member of the BOLD Women’s Leadership Network, a Volunteer Coordinator for UConn Health Leaders, a member of the Leadership Legacy Experience and an undergraduate research assistant in various labs. Darlene is passionate about research and after graduation she sought out opportunities that would allow her to gain a better understanding of how to approach research in a dynamic way.  About my YCCI Internship  I genuinely had the most amazing experience as a YSERE intern. This internship allowed me to explore my passion for clinical-based research. Everyone in the program was so welcoming and always willing to answer any questions I had. I met so many amazing people in 6 weeks and felt incredibly supported throughout the program. I gained so much experience and confidence within a short period of time. This internship has truly helped me gain a deeper understanding of the importance of research and how pivotal it is to have mentors for support, guidance, and clarity. As someone who has never worked in a wet lab before, I quickly became comfortable with the support of my PI, Dr. Maor Sauler, and everyone in the lab. I am so excited and grateful to be continuing my journey in Dr. Sauler’s lab during my gap year! My project will focus on understanding the molecular regulation of alveolar homeostasis. For Students Considering YCCI I encourage any student who thinks they might be interested in biomedical research to apply! YSERE provides you with mentorship and hands-on involvement in the lab, which results in you having a well-rounded experience. YSERE is an immersive program that will push you out of your comfort zone in a great way and lead to you building a strong foundation as a researcher! I took so much away from this program and would highly recommend it.

Sade' is excited to join the University of New Haven Graduate Class of 2022. Sade' comes from an international undergraduate background  at the University of the West Indies-Jamaica, where she received a B.S. in Biochemistry and where she served as a Teaching Assistant for Physical Chemistry.  Sade' did research and lab work with the Biomedical Devices Innovative Lab group at the University of New Haven (For Natural polymers and their use as Medical Devices) and  has been involved in mentorship activities with the Society of Women in Engineering.  Sade' hopes to move forward in Scientific Research after interning with the YSERE program and plans to apply for Ph.D studies in 2023.About my YCCI Internship  It was good to work and learn about current research practices being utilized while meeting many experienced professional researchers within the scientific community.

Karen Harrison is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is studying Physiological Science with an interest in pursuing a career in medicine or biomedical research. As a Latina, first-generation college student, Karen aims to empower individuals from marginalized communities in higher education through mentorship. By getting immersed in proteomic research through the 2022 Yale’s Summer Enrichment Research Experience (YSERE), Karen hopes to return to Yale next summer to continue the project she worked on. Throughout her college career, Karen's goal is to blend her experiences in clinical and research settings to broaden her knowledge of human biology.About my YCCI Internship  My internship was monumental in my introductory immersion to cutting-edge research. I thoroughly enjoyed not only my host lab, but also the supplemental workshops and events that were provided by YCCI. Throughout my internship, I learned valuable concepts such as the significance of networking, applying to graduate school, and the process of conducting research. I highly recommend anyone considering applying—to apply!! For Students Considering YCCI  If you’re interested in Pre-Health careers, this internship is a great opportunity to develop your background in biomedical science. The trainings and guidance you receive are very rich and I personally found them greatly rewarding. Specifically for YSERE, I thought I wasn’t going to get in considering my little research background, but if you demonstrate a strong interest in increasing diversity, it will shine through in your application!

Carlos Hurtado Muñoz is a Senior Biomedical Engineering Pre Medical student at the University of Connecticut. He was raised in Buenaventura, Colombia and discovered his passion for science early on while being exposed to the healthcare field. He is interested in social justice in medicine and the intersections between race and healthcare.  At UConn he has volunteered with the undergraduate chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association to help Hispanic/LatinX students that share his background navigate the process of applying to medical school. As a Biomedical engineering student, Carlos has worked with medical devices and the processing of bio-signals.  He has been a part of several research programs, including the Health Research Program at UConn and the Biomedical Engineering in Simulations, Imaging, and Modeling (BME-SIM) REU Site at East Carolina University, which helped him discover his interest in areas such as cardiovascular research, cancer research, tissue engineering and wound healing projects.Carlos’s expected graduation date is May 2023, and he hopes to become a physician scientist practicing engineering and medicine.About my YCCI Internship  At the Horsley lab I had the best experience in a research lab that I have ever had. I believe the support of my mentor was crucial; I felt like I was able to fulfill all the tasks that were assigned to me which helped once again ignite my passion for this field. The experience of being at Yale, along some of the most brilliant scientists in the world was priceless. I gained the confidence to do research anywhere else and met great professionals along the way. For Students Considering YCCI  This program was by far the best experience in research that I had. Please consider applying as you would gain crucial insight into research and academia to evaluate if this path is right for you. The support of everyone in the program allowed me to confirm that this is what I truly enjoy doing and that this is the career path for me.

Bianca Laguerre is in her second year at Three Rivers Community College where she is enrolled in the General Studies degree program. After she receives her Associates Degree in the Spring of 2023, she plans on transferring to a four-year college where she will major in Biology. She aspires to be a part of an MD program in the near future. Bianca believes that YSERE has helped tremendously and is applying the skills she has learned from the program in her current microbiology class. Bianca’s excitement towards the steps of finding cures, her compassionate nature towards those who are ill, and her eagerness to learn, are what made this program the highlight of her summer.About my YCCI Internship  Participating in this program has been a great opportunity. The lunch and learns as well as the symposium were a particularly helpful and informative way to be able to gain insight on how current students at Yale are working towards their goals of becoming an MD and/or PhD. Being able to have conversations with other students at Yale and the individuals in the lab I was assigned to, allowed me to broaden my horizons about different possibilities.   For Students Considering YCCI  The YSERE program has allowed me to gain experience in the medical field which I had no experience in before. I was excited to gain research skills and collaborate with the other individuals here at Yale. It is important to be open-minded and participate by asking questions as everyone is knowledgeable and more than willing to share their perspective.

Klea Nito is currently a Junior majoring in Biological Sciences at the University of Connecticut, where she is pursuing a pre-MD/PhD pathway. Klea is also interning as a volunteer for Circle of Care, a non-profit organization that financially assists families of children suffering from cancer throughout Connecticut. Most recently, she has also been engaged with the student movement against educational discrepancies and inequalities in Albania. About my YCCI Internship  My YCCI internship has been, without doubt, the most formative educational experience I have been given throughout my education in USA. The program provided me not only with profound knowledge and understanding of laboratory practices, but also with a network of mentors and instructors eager to teach and help me learn. My PI provided me with a detailed and well-structured project plan,  while also ensuring extensive support throughout my experiments. This experience not only broadened my horizon and ultimately restructured my career plans, it also provided me with new skills transferable to my future roles and positions, and it refined my work ethic. For Students Considering YCCI  YCCI internships will not only help you to get involved in one of the most important and exciting parts of science, research, but it will also help you see, understand and put in practice what you have been studying as theory for years. Throughout this experience, I was able to precisely describe and understand what the most appropriate and fulfilling career path would be for me. It will be the most fulfilling and rewarding experience during your higher education journey!

Ryan Allen Wight is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology at University of Massachusetts Amherst with aspirations of earning a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. A recent addition to the great team at Katz Lab, Ryan is so excited to assist in mapping a nudibranch connectome! Outside of science and Army training, Ryan spends time reading, wondering, and observing.