Meet The 2024 Cohort

Samaria Bailey is an incoming senior who attends Centennial High School. Throughout her experience in the ExStRM Program, Samaria has completed her first research project at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. 

Her research focuses on understanding how cancer stem cell markers contribute to the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer. Samaria and her mentor, Pranabananda Dutta, PhD, reviewed literature, performed western blotting, and analyzed data. 

Samaria is committed to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. ExStRM has helped her progress in her interests by establishing confidence working in a laboratory.

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Emma Do is an incoming senior at Valencia High School (Placentia). She had the opportunity to participate in her first research project in the ExStRM Program over the summer of 2024.

Alongside her mentor, Pranabananda Dutta, PhD, Emma's research objective was to explore the expression of cancer stem cell markers in breast cancer patients and tumor-derived cell lines via the Western Blot method. After high school, she plans to attend a 4-year university and have a career in pediatrics or psychiatry. ​​​

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Nicolas Mendoza is a student athlete who attends St. John Bosco High School. Over the summer of 2024, Nicolas committed himself to balancing sports and the research of macrophages and their implications for cancer stem cells. With the help of his mentor, Shehla Pervin, PhD, he has learned techniques for the lab, such as western blot, to identify what protein is being expressed. The ExStRM program has deepened his interest in pursuing a career as an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. His involvement in this program has provided him with opportunities to explore different aspects of medicine and research, solidifying his career aspirations.

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Brian Higgins is a student participating in the ExStRM program for the summer of 2024. He is a student who attends Pacific Lutheran Junior High School and is going into his senior year. Along with his mentors Dr. Yong Wu and Dr. Ke Wu, Brian has been researching how mesenchymal stem cells influence the proliferation and invasion of triple-negative breast cancer cells alongside being trained on similar research experiments. Through this program he has gained a better understanding of the world of regenerative medicine and seeks a career in these studies.

Anaiya Mayfield is a student athlete who attends King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science and is going into her senior year. During the summer of 2024, Anaiya has been working with her mentors, Dr. Yong Wu and Dr, Ke Wu, and has been exposed to complex experiments and research in the lab while in the ExStRM program. For example, the focus of the research she has been working on is the role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy in treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells, (TNBC). Anaiya has learned and performed cell passaging and has observed her mentors conduct other experiments related to her research. Anaiya plans to attend a 4-year university where she can further her education and attend medical school.

Brianna Boye is a rising senior who attends California Academy of Mathematics and Science. Over the course of her 6-week experience in the ExStRM program, Brianna has had the opportunity to work alongside professionals at the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA Medical Center and conducts hands-on lab work and research. The research was aimed at finding a probable solution for those who struggle with Type I and Type II Diabetes through the application of regenerative medicine. Brianna’s lab focused heavily on the proliferation and development of healthy β-cells. During this period, Brianna acquired vital laboratory techniques, such as cell culturing, transfection, microscopy, and more. The ExStRM Program has encouraged and motivated Brianna into pursuing a career in the biomedical field of study and research.

Estephanie Salinas is an incoming senior who attends Synergy Quantum Academy. The ExStRM program has offered Estephanie different opportunities to perform laboratory research. The main point of her research is to understand the characterization of hedgehog signaling in lizard tail blastemas and mouse digit tips. Her research was aimed at answering the question of how regeneration in the lizard tail can help those who have undergone amputations. The ExStRM program has motivated Estephanie to attend a 4-year university and pursue a career in the medical field.

Vex Maldonado is a rising senior at Sato Academy of Mathematics and Science where he is enrolled in both the biomedical and engineering pathways. During his enriching experience at the Lundquist Institute through the ExStRM program, he has been exposed to various research lab procedures, techniques, and skills. Whilst working at the Saint John’s Cardiovascular Research center, his specific area of research surrounds the chronic lung disease known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and the assessment of cell senescence (aging) within lung samples at different stages of the disease. The goal of his project being to identify and understand lung maturation and how bodily processes may compromise alveolar development and structure as seen in BPD diagnoses. With the guidance of his mentor, Al Alam, PhD, as well as many other researchers at the lab, they have shaped and prepared Vex to tackle future challenges. Vex plans to attend a four-year college or university specializing in biomedical engineering and continue to pursue his interest in research.

EwongoAbasi Umoh is an upcoming senior at King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine & Science. Over the 2024 summer, the ExStRM program has allowed EwongoAbasi to acquire lab experience & conduct clinical research on breast cancer. Moreover, the research project focuses on the effects of brown/beige adipocytes on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The project aims to identify the mechanisms that allow cancer cells and adipocytes to interact, which could benefit our society positively. EwongoAbasi will use the knowledge gained from this experience and continue on her journey in the medical field. EwongoAbasi’s future endeavors include becoming a physician for underserved communities.

Kenneth Garnett is an incoming senior at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School in Pasadena California. His interest in science started in high school, when he started volunteering at Huntington Hospital in his Freshman year. Interacting with people and helping patients is what drew him into medicine and science. The project that Kenneth is working on this summer focuses on assessing the extent to which lizards can regenerate their limbs. His research can help us get a better understanding of how regenerative medicine works and how these abilities might be able to be implemented into mammals in the future. After graduating high school next spring, Kenneth plans to attend a 4-year university where he can specialize in studying neuroscience. This program has helped him narrow down where his interests are in the medical field.