Current Fellows – Summer 2023
Ms. Campos’ research background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology (major) with a chemistry minor (University of Illinois Urbana), as well as master’s degree in medical physiology (Case Western Reserve University). She has employment experience as a research coordinator for oncology protocols at the University of Chicago and student experience in community-based participatory research through the UIC Urban Medicine Program. Ms. Campos’ mentor is Pamela Martyn-Nemeth, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, and her research project will focus on the “Experiences of Black/African American Adults with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).”
Ms. Chin received a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a minor in nutrition. She is currently working as a research assistant with the UIC Cancer Center and previously served as a research fellow in the UIC Summer Scholars program. Her mentor is Jun Ma, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, FABMR, FSBM, and her research project will focus on the “RAINBOW Trial Post Hoc Diet Quality Analysis Manuscript” and “ALOHA Trial Data Collection.”
Mr. Freeman holds both a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Illinois Chicago. He received a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Rush University Medical Center. He is currently working as a research assistant in the Department of Endocrinology. Mr Freeman’s mentor is Pingwen Xu, PhD and his research project will focus on “The Effect of Dietary Fiber (Fructooligosaccharides) on High-Fat Diet-Induced Hypothalamic Neuroinflammation.”
Mr. Khan received a Bachelor of Science in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience as well as a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Loyola University Chicago. He is currently working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Lurie Children’s Hospital. His mentor is Emilie K. Johnson, MD, MPH, FACS, and his research project will focus on “Gonadectomy for Patients with Disorders/Differences of Sex Development Treated in a Multidisciplinary Clinic: Trends over Time and Clinical Outcomes.”
Ms. Krishnakumar received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Illinois Chicago with a minor in sociology. She has vast research experience, leading a survey-based research project, and strong interpersonal communication skills across diverse populations from her job experience as a research assistant. Her mentor is Lewis Hsu, MD, PhD, and her research will focus on the “Efficacy impact of documenting Individualized Pain Plans in EPIC.”
Ms. Medina-Aguirre received a Bachelor of Science in global disease biology from the University of California Davis. Her previous research experience includes work as a clinical research coordinator for a cognitive control in autism study. Her mentor is Amber Pirzada, MD and her research project will focus on the “Association of Sleep-Disordered Breathing with Longitudinal Changes in Kidney Function.”
Mr. Nizamuddin received a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in medical sciences from Loyola University Chicago. His previous research experience includes work as a research assistant in a research collaborative focused on transplant outcomes. His mentor is Michael Fischer, MD, MSPH, and his research project will focus on the “Depressive Symptoms, Antidepressant Medication Use, and Cardiovascular Disease Among Participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC)/Hispanic-CRIC Study.”
Mr. Sandu received a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from the University of Illinois Chicago. His research experience includes his significant contributions to ongoing projects examining the genetic basis of atrial fibrillation in ethnic minorities as a research associate. His mentor is Dawood Darbar, MBChB, MD, and his research project will focus on, “Clinical and Echocardiographic Impact of Disease-Associated Cardiomyopathy Gene Variants in Ethnic Minorities with Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors.”
Mr. Simonson received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Monmouth College. His research experience includes work as a research associate for the Department of Endocrinology with a concentration on diabetic retinopathy. His mentor is Sirimon Reutrakul, MD and his research project will focus on the “Metabolomics of Diabetic Retinopathy.”
Mr. Suarez received a Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. His previous research experience includes work as a research assistant, performing basic laboratory techniques and contributing significant data about the metabolomic analysis of small intestinal mucosa from mice lacking the expression of the serotonin transporter. His mentor is Waddah Alrefai, MD and his research project focuses on the “Potential roles of s-acylation in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).”
Ms. Triko received a Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology from Vanderbilt University. Ms. Triko has significant research experience that includes work as an undergraduate research assistant that has led to several abstract presentations and manuscript development. Her mentor is Carol Podlasek, PhD, and her research project will focus on the “Suppression of Collagen Remodeling to Prevent Erectile Dysfunction.”
Mr. Wei received his Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology, with a minor in psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Wei holds a Master of Engineering in bioengineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His previous research experience includes culturing of many organisms with varying environmental and media requirements. His mentor is Ece Mutlu, MD, MBA, MS, and his research project will focus on “Archaea in African Americans with Adenomatous Colon Polyps.
Ms. Xiao received a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from the University of Illinois Chicago. Her previous research experience includes work as a research assistant in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences where she conducted in vivo experiments on mice to examine nerve regeneration. Her mentor is Tanika Kelly, PhD, MPH, and her research project will focus on the “The association between clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease.”