SUMMERINTERNS2013

Stephen Bowen

Dan Candrea

David Collins

Jana Ghulmiyyah

Samantha Gilmore

Jacques Halabi

Megan Hirschbeck

Ajoe Kattoor

David Lee

Chloe Ong

Rohan Peer

Jason Peng

Mariya Pogrebetskaya

Pallavi Prashast

Rachel Thomas

Lindsay Trujillo

Gurpriya Virk

Sebo Ling Wang

Sebo Michelle Wang

1

BOWEN, Stephen

Stephen Bowen is from Avon, Ohio and graduated from Avon High School. He is currently a second year student at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Biology and minoring in Constitutional Studies. At this time, Stephen is performing research on the neurodegenerative disease Niemann Pick-Type C. After graduation, Stephen plans to go to medical school somewhere in the South. Although Cleveland has been great, he is ready to go somewhere warm. In his free time he enjoys playing sports, specifically soccer, and is a member of his interhall soccer team at school.

2

CANDREA, Dan

Dan Candrea is third year physics major at Baldwin Wallace University with minors in mathematics, chemistry and biology. He will pursue a career in research or medicine involving genetics or neurology. He enjoys these topics because they include a variety of questions that go beyond textbook answers. In his free time he enjoys solving puzzles, reading, playing piano and occasionally tutoring algebra. To him, the most important aspect of a problem is not the “what happens?” but the “why it happens?” Ultimately he wants to acquire a career that translates his love for problems solving into medicine.

3

COLLINS, David

David Collins is from Marion, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a B.S. in biology and a focus in pre-medical science. During school, he performed research on the effects of Reveromycin A on osteoclast development. He also interned with Dr. Robert Jackson and Dr. Chris Lowery, where he aided in clinical research of current cosmetic surgery techniques and performed a case study on Merkel cell carcinoma. David is a current first-year medical student at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis with an interest in radiology, radiation oncology, and obstetrics and gynecology. When he is not in school, he enjoys running and cycling.

4

GHULMIYYAH, Jana

Jana Ghulmiyyah originates from Lebanon and is currently a first year Medical student at the American University of Beirut (AUB). She also earned her undergraduate degree in Biology with honors from the same school. During her undergraduate years, she participated in several activities in her college. She was one of the founding members of an international NGO branch named Junior Chamber International (JCI) at AUB and later became the president. This gave her the chance to participate in several community projects in her country. She is currently an active member of Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC), which is a member of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA). She plans to pursue a medical career in Cardiology as well as work on more research.

5

GILMORE, Samantha Samantha Gilmore is a junior at Miami University studying Kinesiology (Pre-Medicine) from Solon, Ohio. She is active in a service organization and has recently been on a medical brigade with the Spanish department where she traveled to Nicaragua. This experience has pushed her to give back to less fortunate communities using her skills. She is also active in a sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, whose philanthropic focus is diabetes awareness and education. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine in the future.

6

HALABI, Jacques

Jacques Halabi is currently a first year Medical student at the American University of Beirut where he also earned his BS degree in Biology. He can speak, read and write English, French and Arabic fluently. In his free time, he volunteers at the St Jude Children’s Cancer Center in Lebanon. He has also volunteered at elderly homes in his hometown. During his undergraduate studies, he was elected as one of the members of the Biology Student Society which represents the students of the department. He is also currently a member of the Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee, which is a member of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA). Also, he worked in a laboratory and blood bank of one of the hospitals affiliated with AUB. This is where he also shadowed a gynecologist for the summer.

7

HIRSCHBECK, Megan

Megan Hirschbeck is a third year student at The Ohio State University pursuing a degree in Human Nutrition. Her research experience includes analyzing the activity and function of various Saccharomyces cerevisiae HisRS mutants in a Biochemistry research lab. Aside from her studies, she is involved with the Health Sciences Scholars organization, Delta Gamma Fraternity, Order of Omega Honor Society, and the Serving with Honor PenPals Program. Megan also spends her time volunteering at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as well as the Ohio State School for the Blind. She works as a tutor on campus where she tutors student athletes in various math and science courses. Megan hopes to attend medical school and specialize in General Surgery.

8

KATTOOR, J. Ajoe

Ajoe John Kattoor is in his final year of medical school at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He is actively involved in various research projects in the institute. He successfully completed a project on Characterization of Photoplethysmographic peripheral pulse waveform during Valsalva Manoeuvre”, in the Dept. of Physiology. He enjoys playing volleyball, badminton and table tennis. He plans to pursue a career in Internal Medicine and is interested in Medical Oncology.

9

LEE, David

David Lee graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in Economics. He has been active in research involving the elucidation of the biochemical pathways of fibrotic action in the kidney as well as research involving new training techniques for robot assisted microsurgery. David will begin a Master of Public Health program in the Fall of 2013 to supplement his global health work in Peru and Honduras. David also plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in Urology.

10

ONG, Chloe

Chloe Ong grew up in Singapore and graduated from Raffles Institution (Junior College). She is currently in her second year of Medicine (MBBS) at University College London. Passionate and driven, she is an approachable individual who always strives for excellence. She has shadowed doctors in various specialties and observed a number of consultations and surgeries. She was previously involved in a research project investigating the biomarkers of atrial function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and has volunteered in a hospice as well. She loves music and enjoys listening to, playing, and writing music. In her free time, she also loves to swim and read. Chloe is extremely interested in reproductive medicine and aspires to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the future. She also plans to offer her services in medical mission trips, hopefully with Médecins Sans Frontières.

11

PEER, Rohan Rohan Peer, a 2012 graduate of Oakmont High School, Roseville, California, currently attends Case Western Reserve University. He is a rising sophomore and is majoring in Biomedical Engineering on the Biomaterials track. Outside of school, Rohan spends his time working as a Second Officer with the Case Emergency Medical Services. He plans to achieve his EMT licensure in the State of Ohio and intends to serve as the First Officer and lead his EMT team. Rohan is also actively involved in Case’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders as a member of the Cameroon Project Team and was involved with the implementation of a solar pump system in a Cameroonian village. Rohan enjoys performing and watching theatrical productions. Currently Rohan plans to pursue a career in medicine and is striving to achieve a balance between engineering and his interest in the field of neurology.

12

PENG, Jason

Jason Peng was in the accelerated BS/MD program at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) where he currently attends. He graduated from Kent State University of Ohio summa cum laude in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science and a major in Integrated Life Sciences. He has participated in research in both the Chemistry and Biology Departments at Kent State. He is currently very involved in the organizations at NEOMED, serving as the President of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) and as an active leader in community service projects. His research interests include Anesthesiology, Neuroendocrinology and Neurourology.

13

POGREBETSKAYA, Mariya

Mariya Pogrebetskaya graduated from Case Western University with a degree in Biology, and completed a post-baccalaureate program at Cleveland State University with a focus in Chemistry. During her undergraduate career, Mariya conducted research on the effect of neuromodulators on the stretch receptors of crayfish. She is currently completing her first year of medical school at Northeastern Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio. She is participating in the CSU/NEOMED partnership that focuses on healthcare in urban communities. Upon completion of medical school, Mariya plans to pursue a career in Urology and conduct research in reproductive medicine.

14

PRASHAST, Pallavi

Pallavi Prashast is a medical doctor who intends to steer her future career towards specialty areas that revolve around improving women's health. She was a clinical volunteer prior to coming to the Center for Reproductive Medicine for training and has assisted in conducting patient audits in the past. She has deep faith in the idea of effective healthcare being a tool of social transformation for women in conservative societies. Although schooled in English all through, she is fluent in three different languages spoken in her multilingual, multicultural country India, namely Hindi, Marathi and Bangla. She hopes to learn a few European languages in the future. She holds a diploma in Hindustani Classical music and hopes to resume serious training in music after completing her residency and fellowship in the United States.

15

THOMAS, Rachel

Rachel Thomas is a rising senior at Ohio Wesleyan University double majoring in Microbiology and Religion with a minor in Chemistry. Rachel is currently performing research in the field of avian microbiology where she studies the effects of porphyrin-based pigments on feather-degrading bacilli. At OWU, Rachel is an active member of the Delta Zeta sorority, Women in Science club, and Botany/Microbiology Board. She plans on pursuing a career in medicine and research, her interests being infectious diseases and reproductive health.

16

TRUJILLO, Lindsay

Lindsay Trujillo was born and raised in New Jersey. Currently she is a rising senior at The University of Akron pursing a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry with a Biology minor. She had volunteered at the Pathology Department of Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Short Hills, NJ where she received valuable technical training. She hopes to pursue a career in reproductive health in the future after completion of her undergraduate studies.

17

VIRK, Gurpriya

Gurpriya Virk is an excellent learner with Masters in Clinical Embryology from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. During her masters program, she was actively engaged in performing minor research project into mouse oocyte vitrification, accomplishing the significance of lengthening exposure time and stepwise delivery of the equilibrating solution. She also acquired wide ranging clinical experience as a junior clinical embryologist at various clinics in India as well as Melbourne. She is currently working under her professor as editorial assistant in editing and publishing ebooks. Her latest edition covered fine structures of human cells and tissues, which can be used to study stem cells. The long-term vision is to pursue a PhD in embryology to further her knowledge and skills in the field. Adding to her diverse arsenal is her forte in Indian Bollywood dancing and her culinary skills.

18

WANG, Sebo Michelle

Sebo Michelle Wang is a freshman undergraduate student, majoring in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology at University of California, Riverside. She has interned and volunteered at Baldwin Kaiser Permanente and is currently involved in Phi Delta Epsilon, a pre-medical fraternity. She has conducted research on “Temperature Controlled Embryo Transfer Catheter and Atramatic Rapid Detection for Internal Bleeding” in American Reproductive Health Center, CA. She enjoys running and exercising in her spare time. Her future goals involve entering into medical school and maintaining an active role in research field.

19

WANG, Sebo Ling

Sebo Ling Wang is currently a third year pre-med student at University of California, Riverside. She is majoring in Biology. She has done an internship at University of California, Irvine in Radiology and Cardiology. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Omicron, the first co-ed pre-health fraternity at UCR. She is a member of American Society for Microbiology, and Student Alumni Association. Ling has performed basic biomedical research at the American Reproductive Health Center. She aspires to go to medical school and continue to conduct research.