Areej Alfaif

University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Areej Alfaifi is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Dental Biomedical Sciences program within the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD). Her research focuses on investigating the oral complications of COVID-19 disease. The goal of her project is to provide lacking mechanistic insights that may lead to reassessment of the risks for oral opportunistic infections and inflammatory processes in acutely ill and recovered COVID-19 patients.

Areej completed her master’s degree and prosthodontic residency at Indiana University. She also obtained a certificate from the Implant Periodontal-Prosthodontic Fellowship Program at UMSOD.

Areej’s is interested in conducting impactful research, exploring innovate approaches to enhance patient care, and elevating the standards of dental practice through effective teaching methodologies.

Michael Anderson

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Michael Anderson is a PhD candidate in the Program in Neuroscience in the Graduate Program in Life Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, working within the research group led by Thomas Blanpied, PhD. Michael’s current research endeavors encompass a multidisciplinary approach, combining CRISPR gene-editing techniques, molecular biology, and superresolution microscopy to unravel the intricate nanometer-scale organization of synaptic proteins, providing insights into synaptic function.

Michael’s scientific journey commenced with a Bachelor of Science in biology at the University of New England, where he developed a foundation in cellular and molecular neuroscience, with a specialization in nerve regeneration. Building on this foundation, he pursued a Master of Science degree in the same laboratory, conducting research focused on uncovering potential therapies for chronic pain through the promotion of nerve regeneration.

Throughout his diverse scientific pursuits, Michael has cultivated an overarching career goal: to harmonize cutting-edge scientific research with entrepreneurial innovation, identifying research opportunities that can serve as targets for new technologies. This approach propels us towards the discovery of novel therapies and a brighter future in healthcare.

Jessica Cornell

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Jessica Cornell is a first-year PhD student in the Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine in the Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). Jessica earned a bachelor’s in biotechnology from James Madison University (JMU). During her time at JMU, she conducted research in a biotechnology lab developing a topical therapy for dry eye and a biology lab creating a 3D model system for chondrocytes. After graduating, she worked at the Institute of Genome Sciences at the UMSOM, studying the genetic underlying of substance disorders. While working full time, Jessica completed her master's in cellular and molecular biomedical science through GPILS, where she discovered a novel mechanism between GPR68 and ferroptosis in glioblastoma cells.

Jessica has always been interested in translational work, especially how discoveries in the lab can result in creating a product that can benefit patients. She aspires to establish a company based on a novel treatment she has developed from her own research.

Don Kim

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Don Kim is a third-year student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and will graduate in May 2024. After graduation, Don aims to practice law in corporate finance, business, and real estate. He currently works at a law firm in Washington, D.C. Prior to attending law school, Don worked at NBC News/MSNBC in New York and Washington, D.C. covering politics and business. As a President’s Entrepreneurial Fellow, Don hopes to apply his legal and communications skills to meaningfully contribute to the UMB community.

Jonathan Saham

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Jonathan Shaham is a second-year student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law where he is pursuing his interest in Patent Law. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Jonathan holds a degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. After his undergraduate studies, Jonathan worked as a technical advisor for Fletcher Yoder P.C., a law firm in Houston that performs Intellectual Property work for various Fortune 500 companies. In the summer after his first year of law school, Jonathan worked as a legal intern on the patent development team at Apple Inc. Jonathan will be a summer associate for Polsinelli in the summer of 2024, where he will continue to pursue his goals as a future patent attorney.

Karndeep Singh

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Karndeep Singh is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Karndeep’s thesis research, conducted in the lab of Michael Summers, PhD, focuses on understanding how 5'-capped RNAs of the HIV-1 RNA genome are captured by a cellular cap binding protein, eIF4E, using biochemical techniques. Thus far, he is a co-author on one research paper as well as a review article about HIV-1 genome packaging.

In 2023, Karndeep was awarded the Robert F. Steiner Fellowship for research excellence and an Initiative to Maximize Student Development (IMSD) Meyerhoff Fellowship for service and outreach to students. He has mentored an amazing group of undergraduates and high school students who have drastically contributed to his research projects.

Karndeep’s long-term goals are to conduct impactful infectious disease research with a focus in virology, to continue mentoring the next generation of scientists, and to build more opportunities for early exposure to research for underrepresented minorities.

Min Ji Suh

University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Min Ji is a PharmD/JD dual degree candidate at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law; she will earn her Doctorate in Pharmacy in May 2024 and her Juris Doctorate in May 2025.

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Min Ji came to the United States for her undergraduate education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Princeton University in 2018. Since starting pharmacy school in 2019, Min Ji has been extensively involved in the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and A Bridge to Academic Excellence. She currently serves as the Professional Development Chair for the Asian Pacific-American Law Student Association and as Vice President for the Maryland Intellectual Property Student Association.

With her dual degree, Min Ji hopes to work as in-house counsel for a pharmaceutical company in patent prosecution or litigation.

Abigail Vigderman

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Abigail “Abby” Vigderman is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Program in Neuroscience in the Graduate Program in Life Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, working in the lab of Thomas Longden, PhD, and studying the mechanisms of cerebrovascular health. She is interested in finding preventative solutions to major health burdens including neurodegenerative disease, of which cerebrovascular dysfunction is an early marker.  

After graduating from Brandeis University in 2013 with degrees in neuroscience and psychology, Abby worked in the labs of Amita Sehgal, PhD, at the University of Pennsylvania and Seema Bhatnagar, PhD, at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she contributed to seven journal publications. She received a National Institutes of Health T32 training grant and a Trainee Professional Development Award from the Society for Neuroscience. Abby has also contributed to the graduate student community as a tutor and teaching assistant.

Yuyi Zhu

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Yuyi Zhu is a third-year PhD student in the Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, part of the Graduate Program in Life Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), working in the lab of Tonya Webb, PhD. Yuyi’s current research focuses on (1) understanding how common metabolites impacts our T cells, (2) engineering a specialized group of T cells called Natural Killer T (NKT) cells to eliminate ovarian cancers, and (3) understanding how ovarian cancer cells influences the trafficking of NKT cells.

He earned a bachelor’s in cell and molecular biology (2017) and a master’s in biology (2021) from Towson University. Yuyi’s previous research focused on developing immunotoxins, which are antibodies conjugated to bacterial toxins, to combat virally infected cancers.