Termika Alcindor
Lab PI & Mentor: Dr. Andrew Wolfe, Hunter College
Major: Biological Sciences
Termika Alcindor is a fourth-year student at Hunter College where she is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences (BA), while currently pursuing a Business Certificate. She is conducting research in Dr. Andrew Wolfe’s laboratory, where her project focuses on investigating the therapeutic potential of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) for mutation-selective cancer treatment. Specifically, Termika is evaluating the binding affinity and sequence specificity of a KRAS G12D-targeted CPP-PNA using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). Her work examines how PNAs can outcompete natural DNA–DNA hybridization. Beyond her laboratory research, Termika is actively engaged in mentorship and community outreach. She participates in student organizations that support peers pursuing science and healthcare careers such as The Pre-Health Mentoring Initiative (PHMI). Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to pursue a career in medicine and research combining clinical practice with biomedical research with the goal of advancing equitable cancer therapies.
Djineylla Baptiste
Lab PI & Mentor: Shuhawna DeOliveira, SUNY Downstate
Major: Biological Sciences, Business Certificate
Djineylla Baptiste is a fourth-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 Committe,e 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. This past summer she participated in the SPRINTER Program at SUNY Downstate and will continue to work on the project with Dr. Shushawna DeOliveira this academic year.
Diana Katanov
Lab PI & Mentor: Jill Bargonetti, Gu Xiao, Weill Cornell/Belfer
Major: Biological Sciences, Business Certificate
Diana Katanov is a fouth-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 senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in Computer Science at Hunter College. Admitted through the Daedalus Honors Program, she pursued an accelerated path in CS and is now a McNulty Scholar. Emily works in Hunter's Speech Lab under Professor Sarah Levitan, training natural language processing models to detect and analyze speech patterns. She has contributed towards projects such as analyzing subjective language in news sources and using large language models to identify abuse types in domestic violence narratives. This past summer, she applied her machine learning skills as a Computational Biology intern at the New York Stem Cell Foundation, supporting biomedical research. Following her undergraduate studies, she plans to continue her education in graduate school.
Emilia Pelegano-Titmuss
Lab PI & Mentor: Steven Greenbaum, Giselle de Araujo Lima Souza, Hunter College
Major: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry
Emilia Pelegano-Titmuss is a fourth-year student at the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College where she is pursuing a dual degree in Physics (BA) and Mathematics (BA) with a minor in Geology. She is engaged in Materials Science research alongside Professor Steven Greenbaum, CUNY Distinguished Professor of Physics. In the lab, she has focused on developing environmentally-friendly electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. She was a summer 2024 WAVE Fellow at Caltech where she studied calcium aluminosilicate melts applied to understanding volcanic behavior. In January 2025, Macaulay named her a Horace W. Goldsmith Scholar and funded her studies in a volcanology field camp in Ecuador. Additionally, she was recently awarded a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship. This past summer, she was accepted as a 2025 WAVE Fellow at Caltech through funding from the Leadership Alliance, and produced a geologic map of a young volcano in the Gulf of California. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to graduate school for a PhD in Geology.
Anna Ponomarev
Lab PI & Mentor: Anton Oliynyk, Hunter College
Major: Biochemistry
Anna Ponomarev is a fourth-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 Medicine
Major: Chemistry II, Bioinformatics, Political Science
Nora Rahimian is a fouth-year student at Hunter College, pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences (BA) with a minor in Political Science. She is honored to be both a John P. McNulty Scholar and a Yalow Scholar. With the support of these programs, Nora conducts cancer biology research under Dr. Despina Siolas at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she studies the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic and colorectal cancers using organoid and mouse models. Beyond research, she serves as the College Assistant for the Yalow Scholars Program, organizing events and mentoring fellow students, and volunteers as a nursing support volunteer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She has also earned certifications in rodent handling and surgery through Weill Cornell’s Research Animal Resource Center. After completing her undergraduate degree, Nora plans to attend medical school and become a physician.
Nishat Raihana
Lab PI & Mentor: Psychology, Business Studies
Major: Maria Figueiredo-Pereira, Swastik Pattanashetty Gangadharap, CUNY Hunter College
Nishat Raihana is a fourth-year undergraduate student at CUNY Hunter College where she is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences (BS) with a minor in Psychology. Her research focuses on the field of neuroscience, where she has worked alongside her mentor, Grace Terry, to investigate the mechanisms of Agomelatine as a potential therapeutic drug for Alzheimer’s disease. In the same lab, Nishat also conducts research using neuroblastoma SY5Y cells to evaluate cell viability, studying the effects of DAMGO in combination with multiple drug treatments. Beyond her academic work, Nishat is dedicated to community service and volunteers at a local hospice, where she provides compassionate support to patients. Following the completion of her undergraduate studies, Nishat aspires to pursue an MD-PhD, combining her passion for patient care with her commitment to advancing research in neuroscience.
Salma Ramirez
Lab PI & Mentor: Dr. Jill Bargonetti, AnnMarie Gaglio, Bargonetti Lab at Weill Cornell Belfer Building
Major: Biology
Salma Ramirez Tlapa is a fourth-year Biology (BA) student at Hunter College, concentrating in Bioinformatics and minoring in Anthropology. She is currently part of Dr. Bargonetti's Lab at the Belfer Research Building, which focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive breast cancer progression, with an emphasis on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The lab investigates the roles of mutant p53 (mtp53), MDM2, and MDMX proteins in cancer cell growth, metastasis, and response to treatment. This work provides insight into potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for aggressive breast cancers. After earning her Bachelor’s degree, she intends to pursue a Master’s in Biotechnology and build a career in the biotech industry, focusing on health sciences.
Evelyn Roizin
Lab PI & Mentor: Dr. Karuna Ganesh, Bernadette Moedl, Memorial Sloan Kettering
Major: Biological Sciences, Public Health
Evelyn Roizin is a fourth year pre-medical student at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, where she is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences (BA). She is conducting research at the Karuna Ganesh Lab at Sloan Kettering Institute, where she is researching the role of signaling stromal cells, including immune cells, and key signaling nodes through the use of patient-derived organoids and mouse models to investigate the molecular mechanisms that lead to the regenerative plasticity during colorectal cancer metastasis. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she plans on attending medical school to further her knowledge of health sciences through a career as a physician.
Leuna Sarah
Lab PI & Mentor: Virginia Pascual, Juan Rodriguez Alcazar, Weill Cornell Medicine
Major: Biochemistry, English
Leuna Sarah is a pre-med senior pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences. At the Pascual Lab focused on pediatric autoimmune diseases at Weill Cornell Medicine, she is studying Lupus Nephritis immune cell populations for biomarkers to support non-invasive diagnostics. Outside the lab she is currently working as a PT aide, tutoring and volunteering clinically at medical centers and hospitals. Post graduation she aspires to become a physician-scientist, combining biomedical research with clinical outcomes, centered in bioethics and community health.
Anisa Siddikova
Lab PI & Mentor: Melody Zeng, Julia Brown, Weill Cornell/Belfer
Major: Biology, Chinese
Anisa Siddikova is a fourth-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 chemistry 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 scientist.
Maliha Tasnim
Lab PI & Mentor: Yujia Xu, Hunter College
Major: Biochemistry, Sociology, Public Health
Maliha Tasnim is a fourth-year student in the Macaulay Honors Program at Hunter College, where she is double majoring in Biochemistry (BA) and Public Health (BS). As a John P. McNulty Scholar, she conducts research in Dr. Yujia Xu’s Lab, investigating how collagen mutations associated with Osteogenesis Imperfecta disrupt collagen fibril formation. Beyond her passion for scientific research, Maliha is deeply committed to mentorship. She serves on the National Advising Fellow Leadership Team (NAFLT) for Matriculate, a nonprofit organization that supports high-achieving, low-income high school students through the college application process. In this role, she trains and supports Head Advising Fellows at the Hunter College and the University of Pennsylvania fellowships, leading recruitment efforts to inspire undergraduates to serve as mentors for high school seniors. After completing her undergraduate studies, Maliha plans to pursue graduate training in cardiac tissue engineering and eventually a career as a physician-scientist.