Termika Alcindor
Lab PI & Mentor: Jayne Raper, Kayla Leiss, Hunter College
Major: Biological Sciences
Termika Alcindor is a Biological Sciences major with aspirations of becoming a physician, particularly drawn to pediatrics. Her passion for ensuring that the younger generation receives proper healthcare, which is essential for their social, physical, and academic well-being, has been a driving force behind her academic journey. Her research interests focus on immunology, neurodevelopment, and genetics. Currently, she is about to participate in research centered on trypanosome lytic factors (TLFs), antimicrobial high-density lipoproteins that play a critical role in primate innate immunity. This opportunity will enhance her understanding of immune responses and contribute to her broader goal of advancing pediatric healthcare.
Djineylla Baptiste
Lab PI & Mentor: Andrea Cassells, T.J. Lin, CDNetwork
Major: Biological Sciences, Business Certificate
Djineylla Baptiste is a third-year student at CUNY Hunter College, where she is pursuing a degree in Biological Science (BA) and currently minoring in the business certificate. She is a recipient of the Yalow Honors and McNulty Honors Scholarship, which allows her to expand her knowledge in the sciences and engage in research. Djineylla is currently a Data Management/Research Intern at the CDNetwork, which prides itself on the enrichment of health equity and the improvement of public health through clinical research.Additionally, Djineylla is part of the Undergraduate Student Government at CUNY Hunter College, where she serves on the Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee representing the student body’s voice on alleged misconduct. She is also a Student Peer Leader, providing mentorship to Yalow freshmen and contributing to the Yalow Community. Djineylla is interested in learning about the natural world around her and serving the community, either by helping those who are disadvantaged through research or by contributing to the Hunter community.
Maritza Campoverde
Lab PI & Mentor: Steve Greenbaum, Giselle de Araujo Lima Souza, Hunter College
Major: Physics, Mathematics
Maritza Campoverde is a dedicated student at Hunter College, pursuing a double major in Physics and Sociology with an expected graduation in the spring of 2026. She is an active member of the McNulty Scholars, the Thomas Hunter Honors Program, and the MARC program. Additionally, Maritza participated in the ASTROCOM program at the Museum of Natural History during the spring of 2024, where she deepened her understanding of astrophysics and its societal impacts. Currently, Maritza works as a researcher at an NMR/EPR Lab, focusing on spectroscopic investigations of disordered solid and liquid structures. She uses NMR and EPR techniques to evaluate materials developed by collaborators from U.S. National Labs and universities for renewable energy applications, such as fuel cells and lithium batteries. Her current research project explores the transport properties of a novel eutectic solvent (ES) composed of pyrazole and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This work aims to address the safety concerns associated with conventional electrolytes by leveraging the promising properties of (D)ESs, which exhibit enhanced physicochemical attributes and improved Li+ ion mobility. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Maritza intends to apply to graduate school to further her knowledge of physics, particularly in areas combating climate change. She is also passionate about advocating for increased representation of Latinos in STEM, aiming to inspire and support future generations of scientists from diverse backgrounds.
Diana Katanov
Lab PI & Mentor: Jill Bargonetti, Gu Xiao, Weill Cornell/Belfer
Major: Biological Sciences, Business Certificate
Diana Katanov is a third-year pre-medical student at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, where she is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences (BA) and a Certificate in Business. She is conducting research at the Jill Bargonetti Lab at Belfer-Weill Cornell, where she is researching the role of MDM2:MDMX heterodimerization in p53-dependent and independent mechanisms that promote cancer metastasis to investigate whether various oncogenic mechanisms are dependent on this interaction. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Diana intends to go to medical school and become a physician, combining her love for science research with her passion for medicine.
Emily Klapper
Lab PI & Mentor: Sarah Ita Levitan, Hunter College
Major: Computer Science
Emily Klapper is a third-year computer science student at Hunter College. As a freshman, she entered Hunter through the Daedalus honors program, supporting her through an accelerated path in the CS department. Now as a recipient of the McNulty scholarship she is working at Hunter’s Speech Lab training natural language processing models to identify subjective language in mainstream news sources. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she hopes to continue furthering her computer science education in a graduate program.
Raisa Munira
Lab PI & Mentor: Shahana Mahajan, Hunter College
Major: Biological Sciences
Raisa Munira is a third-year student at Hunter College, pursuing a degree in Biology (BA). She has interned with NYC Health + Hospitals, where she conducted research on healthcare services and developed strategies to improve access for diverse communities. At NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, she coordinated patient referrals to community resources and addressed social determinants of health. Raisa has also volunteered at dental offices, assisting in clinical procedures and supporting patient care. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Raisa is passionate about pursuing a career in dentistry, conducting research on oral health, and mentoring future generations of women in STEM, while advocating for equitable healthcare in underserved communities.
Emilia Pelegano-Titmuss
Lab PI & Mentor: Steven Greenbaum, Giselle de Araujo Lima Souza, Hunter College
Major: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry
Emilia Pelegano-Titmuss is a third-year student at the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College where she is pursuing a dual degree in Physics (BA) and Mathematics (BA). She is engaged in materials science and chemical physics research alongside Professor Steven Greenbaum, CUNY Distinguished Professor of Physics, and Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Giselle de Araujo Lima e Souza. In the lab, she has focused on developing environmentally-friendly electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, this past summer she was a WAVE Fellow at the California Institute of Technology. She applied her materials science research to the study of igneous rocks and the modeling of volcanic eruptions. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to graduate school to further her knowledge of physics applied to geology and sustainability and progress toward a career as a researcher.
Anna Ponomarev
Lab PI & Mentor: Anton Oliynyk, Hunter College
Major: Biochemistry
Anna Ponomarev is a third-year student at CUNY Hunter College where she is pursuing a degree in Biochemistry (BA) and a minor in Business. She is the recipient of the Macaulay Honors scholarship, which has allowed her to have a well-rounded and rigorous education. In her studies, Anna is focusing on inorganic chemistry and its relation to formulation, as well as the production of new compounds. Her passion for research on the cosmetic chemistry industry stems from her interest in the consumption of cosmetic goods and her goal of creating more accessible and inclusive cosmetic products. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, Anna looks to apply to graduate school and obtain a PhD in formulation chemistry, furthering her knowledge of cosmetic formulas. She hopes to one day have her own cosmetics company, where she is able to create new and innovative formulations.
Nora Rahimian
Lab PI & Mentor: Despina Siolas, Weill Cornell
Major: Chemistry II, Bioinformatics, Political Science
Nora Rahimian is a third-year student at Hunter College, pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences (BA) with a minor in Political Science. As a John P. McNulty Scholar and Yalow Scholar, Nora has been granted the opportunity to conduct research at the Siolas Lab at Weill Cornell Medicine under the guidance of Dr. Despina Siolas. Her work focuses on studying the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic and colorectal cancers, contributing to the understanding of how these environments influence cancer progression. This past summer, she interned at the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, where she conducted and presented her research on “Investigating the Role of Dendritic Cells in KRASG12R Mutant Pancreatic Cancer.” Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Nora intends to apply to graduate school to deepen her knowledge of biology and advance towards a career as a physician.
Nishat Raihana
Lab PI & Mentor: Psychology, Business Studies
Major: Maria Figueiredo-Pereira, Grace Terry, CUNY Hunter College
Nishat Raihana is a third-year undergraduate student at CUNY Hunter College where she is pursuing a degree in Psychology and a certificate in Business Studies. She is interested in research of the mind, particularly how neurodegenerative disease impacts an individual’s ability to retain a normal lifestyle. Currently, Nishat works with Grace Terry, a biochemistry PhD student at Dr. Maria Figueiredo-Pereira’s lab to study drug repurposing for Alzheimer’s Disease. In the future, Nishat hopes to make significant strides in modern medicine through integration of both research and clinical work as a career.
Salma Ramirez
Lab PI & Mentor: Melina Giakoumis, American Museum of Natural History
Major: Biology
Salma Ramirez Tlapa is a third-year Biology (BA) student at Hunter College, concentrating in Bioinformatics. She is currently participating in the Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) under the mentorship of Dr. Melina Giakoumis, researching the genetic consequences species may face due to environmental changes. Salma is particularly interested in utilizing computer science as a tool to investigate the causes, mechanisms, and implications of genetic changes. Upon completing her Bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a PhD in Biological Engineering and work in the Biotechnology Industry.
Evelyn Roizin
Lab PI & Mentor: Brian Zeglis, Zachary Samuels, Weill Cornell Belfer Building
Major: Biological Sciences, Public Health
Evelyn Roizin is a third-year student attending Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College in New York City where she is pursuing a degree in Biology (BS). She is the recipient of an McNulty research scholarship, which has allowed her to engage in clinical research at the Zeglis lab. Alongside her mentor Zachary Samuels, Evelyn is able to work with pretargeting strategies and immunoconjugates for the imaging and therapy of cancer. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to medical school to further her knowledge of health sciences and progress toward a career as a researcher and physician.
Bahar Sakar
Lab PI & Mentor: Akira Kawamura, Hunter College
Major: Biochemistry, Music
Bahar Sakar is a third-year student at the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, pursuing a degree in Biochemistry (BA) and a minor in Music (BA). She is also a part of the MARC program, an NIH-funded research program. Bahar’s academic endeavors are complemented by her involvement with the United Nations as a youth representative for the World Council of Peoples, where she merges her passion for art, medicine, and community. During the week, she volunteers at NYC Health + Hospitals Elmhurst, helping underprivileged populations navigate the medical field. With the support of the McNulty Foundation, she continues her research under Dr. Akira Kawamura at Hunter College, conducting organic chemistry and biochemistry research. Currently, she is analyzing the effects of stereochemical signaling molecules on bacterial assays. After her undergraduate career, she plans on attending an MD/PhD program and becoming a physician scientist.
Leuna Sarah
Lab PI & Mentor: Josephine Wesley, New York Stem Cell Foundation
Major: Biochemistry, English
Leuna Sarah is a rising junior and pursuing her undergraduate degree at CUNY Hunter College. She is majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in English, aiming to receive an interdisciplinary education in her two favorite subjects under the Thomas Hunter Honors program. She understands the importance of mitigating the gaps that not only exist in healthcare systems both locally and globally, but in translating groundbreaking research into successful patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. She aspires to study medicine with a particular focus on research upon her completion of her undergraduate years. Leuna is currently interning at the De Marco Lab at Weill Cornell in neuroscientific research, has worked at the New York Stem Cell Foundation in stem cell genomics, has previously interned at the Center for Asian Health at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine in cancer research specific to Asian sub-groups, and was involved in plant and bacterial genetics research at Genspace, a community-bio lab during her high school years. She works as a medical assistant at a pediatric clinic and volunteers at HSS in the PACU during her off-days. She is also passionate about the impact of climate change and the environment on human health and healthcare, and hopes to increase climate awareness as a Climate Justice Fellow under NYC-EJA.
Anisa Siddikova
Lab PI & Mentor: Melody Zeng, Julia Brown, Weill Cornell/Belfer
Major: Biology, Chinese
Anisa Siddikova is a third-year student at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, where she is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences (BA). She has been engaging in research at the Melody Zeng Lab at Weill Cornell, studying the effects of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection on gut microbiota in rodent models. Outside of lab, Anisa is a biology tutor at the Skirball Science Learning Center at Hunter College. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to graduate school to further her knowledge of microbiology and infectious diseases and progress toward a career as a physician-scientist.
Maliha Tasnim
Lab PI & Mentor: Yujia Xu, Hunter College
Major: Biochemistry, Sociology, Public Health
Maliha Tasnim is a third-year student in Macaulay Honors Program at Hunter College, where she is pursuing a degree in Biochemistry (BA) with a minor in Public Health. As a John P. McNulty Scholar, Maliha conducts research in Dr. Yujia Xu’s lab in the Chemistry Department, on understanding the mechanisms of collagen formation to gain insights into the molecular basis of tissue functions and the macromolecular organizations involved in tissue engineering. Beyond her passion for scientific research, Maliha is also passionate about mentorship. he, therefore, serves as the Head Advising Fellow for Matriculate at Hunter College’s second fellowship cohort. In this role, she actively recruits, trains, and supports undergraduate Advising Fellows, who provide guidance and support to high school students during their college application journey, while also mentoring her own high school mentees. Additionally, she serves as the co-President of Doctors Without Borders, Friends of MSF at Hunter, where she advocates for global humanitarian issues and raises awareness about the work of Médecins Sans Frontières. After finishing her undergraduate studies, Maliha intends to apply to graduate school to focus on her interest in tissue engineering and pursue a path toward becoming a physician-scientist.
Georgina Woo
Lab PI & Mentor: Raj Korpan, Hunter College & Ioannis Stamos, Nancy Kanwisher, MIT
Major: Computer Science, Theatre
Georgina Woo is a third-year student at Hunter College pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Theatre. She recently participated in the MIT Summer Research Program, where she worked in the Kanwisher Lab in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences department with the goal of computationally modeling human perception with deep learning and fMRI data. She is continuing her work remotely, while also continuing her work in the Computer Vision lab and the TIER Lab in Hunter College’s Computer Science department with projects in computer vision, AI, and robotics. Aside from her research and classes, she is a teaching assistant and tutor in the computer science department for a range of classes in data structures, computer theory, AI, and robotics. With her background in technical theatre, she writes and designs lighting, scenic elements, and puppetry for the stage. She is musically trained, and swims, dances Argentine tango, and practices martial arts in her free time. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to graduate school to further her knowledge of computer science and progress toward a career as a researcher.