2024 Discovery PREP Trainees
Lauren Taylor
Undergraduate Institution: The Ohio State University, OH
Current Research Mentor: Ruth Barrientos PhD
I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Global Public Health with Dean’s List distinction. As a post-baccalaureate scholar, I am researching the aging brain, neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Kera Hampton
Undergraduate Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Current Research Mentor: Jennifer Cheavens PhD
I plan to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. I have occupied various roles in both research and clinical work.
Jack Krupa
Undergraduate Institution: The College of Wooster, OH
Current Research Mentor: Susie Breitenstein PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN
As an undergraduate student, I performed research in Dr. Meghan Swanson’s lab, investigating the effect of parental speech on infant development. These experiences have anchored my research interests in the realm of parent-child interactions.
Summer Lutz
Undergraduate Institution: Fayetteville State University, NC
Current Research Mentor: Amanda Toland PhD
My goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics or molecular biology. In Dr. Toland’s lab, I am researching factors that play a role in racial disparities of African Americans with HPV-negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Reegan Kehres
Undergraduate Institution: University of Findlay, OH
Current Research Mentor: Steve Oghumu PhD
My goal is to pursue a Ph.D in cancer biology. My current research focuses on the role of glucocorticoids in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Caitlin Shaw
Undergraduate Institution: College of Saint Benedict Saint Johns University, MN
Current Research Mentor: Paco Herson PhD/ James Orfila PhD
My main research interest is neurodegeneration. Currently I am investigating onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms related to ischemia as I work towards pursuing a Neuroscience PhD.
Caleb Clark
Undergraduate Institution: Morehead State University, KY
Current Research Mentor: Michael Kearse PhD
During my undergraduate years, I performed research in the Mefford lab where I circularized chromosome XV in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. My current project is to better understand how ubiquination of ribosomal proteins occurs during ribosome collisions.
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