Meet Our 2023 YSERE Interns

Yasmin is a senior at the University of New Haven, majoring in Biology with a double minor in Chemistry and Pharmacology. Following graduation in the fall, Yasmin plans to pursue a Doctorate in Pre-Veterinary Medicine focused on embryology for the purpose of animal conservation and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) research and treatment. Yasmin has experience in marine biology maintenance, organic chemistry, and molecular biology procedures and experiments, research and data collection, and field research lab in ecology. Yasmin is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor society.

Roxhensa Dilolli is an international student from Greece. She is currently a senior at Albertus Magnus College. She is an honors student majoring in Biology and is interested in a research career. Roxhensa was always passionate about a career in research and patient care. Therefore, YCCI was one of the most rewarding experiences for her. Before joining the YCCI program, Roxhensa volunteered in a hospital and understood the need for patient care advancement. For that reason, her experience as a clinical research intern helped her become more determined to pursue a career that will help her find solutions to treat diseases and help patients live a quality life. About my YCCI Internship: My experience at YCCI was an exciting one. It was my first internship, and I learned a lot of new techniques and made many new connections. My lab's diverse environment made it a perfect space for new ideas to develop and for knowledge to be shared by different areas of expertise. One of the most exciting things during my experience in the lab was that I had the chance to contribute to a crucial experiment that studied pulmonary hypertension, a rare disease that still has no cure. For Students Considering YCCI: The YCCI program is a unique experience. Many resources help interns advance their career goals. From being trained by experienced mentors to being able to attend many seminars that help reach career goals, YCCI has it all. Apart from that, at YCCI, someone can realize if research is the right fit for them. For these reasons I highly recommend that everyone interested in research or healthcare join the program.

Papé Drame, a devoted resident of New Haven and a current student at Gateway Community College, possesses an unwavering passion for the field of medicine. His career aspirations are rooted in a deep-seated desire to make a profound impact on healthcare and the well-being of individuals. Papé's involvement with YSERE has played a pivotal role in shaping his commitment to the pursuit of excellence in the medical arena. Taking a significant stride forward, he has chosen to extend his involvement in the realm of research, dedicating an entire year to intensive laboratory work within the Bhattacharyya Lab. As Papé continues his academic journey at Gateway Community College and immerses himself in the transformative world of research at the Bhattacharyya Lab, he is steadily inching closer to the realization of his dream—a successful and impactful career in the field of medicine. About my YCCI Internship: This was single-handedly the best research experience I've had yet. It was an amazing opportunity that helped me learn to take advantage of the opportunity given to me. I also gained the ability to properly construct and digest a research paper, learned how to form a hypothesis, and became skilled in the handling of basic lab equipment. For Students Considering YCCI: YSERE is an incredible opportunity for exposure to biomedical research. The experience was enriching and provided guidance for my career journey. Definitely apply regardless of how much research experience you have!

Hummi is a current sophomore at Albertus Magnus College on the pre med track. About my YCCI Internship: Hummi was exposed to a whole new world of the biomedical field during her YCCI Internship which helped her better understand and appreciate medical science. She also developed important skills needed to be successful in the biomedical field. For Students Considering YCCI: A great opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills while meeting great faculty and building connections.

Leila is a rising senior at the University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. Leila aspired to study Business with the goal of an MBA. After a family member’s illness diagnosis, Leila gained a unique and intimate perspective on the field of medicine and committed to work towards becoming an empathetic, compassionate, and caring physician. In addition to coursework, Leila is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and volunteers as a Blood Donor Ambassador and Disaster Shelter Associate. Leila has become involved with the Boeger lab at UCSC, and hopes the YSERE program will afford the opportunity to gain experience in the fundamentals of scientific discovery to craft an undergraduate research project and advance efforts towards obtaining an MD-Ph.D.

Mamadou Soumahoro was originally exposed to science and medicine back in Cote d'Ivoire West Africa. He was involved in clinical work in his hometown, where he has seen human suffering and misery as a direct result of lack of healthcare providers. That led him to pursue a career in Healthcare. Starting his schooling in Cote D'Ivoire, his hunger for knowledge drove him to the United States in search of knowledge. Mamadou is currently a student at Gateway Community College and will be transferring to the university to pursue a bachelor's degree in biology. Mamadou has worked as a patient transport and a Pharmacy tech at Yale New Haven Health. His interactions with patients, knowledge of medications, and background have increased his passion to pursue a career in science and medicine. Mamadou understands that medicine is an ongoing learning career in which research plays a tremendous role. He is aiming to pursue a MD-PhD degree. Mamadou has a strong passion for sports, especially soccer, and enjoys gym and family time. About my YCCI Internship: Participating in this program has been the best decision I have ever made. Not having any prior research experience, I felt welcomed and supported by not only the staff members but also the PI and mentor. Working with Dr. Rivero and Dr. Stitleman was an amazing learning experience. I was given all the materials and tools needed to learn. They truly inspired me to pursue a career in research. I was able to network and developed a connection with my PI who opened doors to me and was willing to mentor me beyond the program and guide me throughout my journey to med school. I feel really blessed to be part of this program. I will forever be grateful to everyone that works hard to create and keep this program alive. Merci beaucoup a Tous. For Students Considering YCCI: I truly encourage any student regardless of the background to apply to this program, specifically, if you have an interest in research or medicine. The people are very receptive, welcoming and eager to help. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You truly get to connect with researchers, doctors, and surgeons that can mentor and support you throughout your journey in life.

Rebecca is a student at Housatonic Community College majoring in Biology. A child of immigrant parents from Brazil, Rebecca developed a passion for Biology and STEM by circumstance. As a first-generation college student, Rebecca aspires to pursue a career in genetics. Rebecca is fluent in Portuguese. As a YSERE Intern, Rebecca is honored to explore unknown spaces, participate in research projects, and learn from the faculty about their scientific achievements and discoveries.

Kirati is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of North Dakota. She was raised in Chiang Mai, Thailand and attended high school and college in the United States. She is studying Chemistry/Biochemistry with an interest in pursuing a career in medicine. Her experience has included lab research working with neural stem cells and vascular cells to explore the cross-molecular influence that these distinct populations have on one another. Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience (YSERE) has opened up her interest in another field of research involving the study of HIV. She is also interested in the issue of healthcare disparity and has volunteered in a community clinic in Thailand and traveled with a team to bring medical services to a remote village. In North Dakota, she spearheaded a project to collect medical supplies for a non-profit organization which recycles them and distributes them to low income individuals. About my YCCI Internship: Participating in an internship provided by YCCI was a formative experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dr. Sutton’s lab and appreciated the close mentorship he provided. I learned techniques in the lab, which I will be able to apply to future projects. It was inspiring to learn from faculty and students at Yale through various workshops and I found great value in the opportunity to ask questions regarding their success. For Students Considering YCCI: YSERE is an incredible opportunity for exposure to biomedical research. The experience was enriching and provided guidance for my career journey. Definitely apply regardless of how much research experience you have!