We are gearing up to welcome our new cohort of RISE scholars to campus this summer. But first, we're excited to share some recent accomplishments from RISE alumni.
Jennifer Guzman Pichardo, who participated in RISE in 2018 and is currently a graduate student at the Rutgers Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, was awarded as part of this year's cycle of prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships. Previously, Jennifer was also a SUPER-GRAD Fellow for 2021-2022. Her thesis advisor is Dr. Katie Waldie of the CCB Department. Congratulations to Jennifer on receiving this fellowship while at Rutgers!
We would also like to extend congratulations to Dr. Frank Macabenta, a RISE alum from 2008. Dr. Macabenta will be joining the faculty at California State University Monterey Bay this fall as an Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology. While in RISE, he was mentored by Dr. Sunita Kramer. After his RISE experience, Dr. Macabenta continued his studies at Rutgers to pursue his PhD in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, with Dr. Kramer as his advisor and mentor. He earned his PhD in 2015. He then worked as a postdoctoral scholar at California Institute of Technology in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering. At Cal State, Dr. Macabenta will be focusing both on cellular biology research and mentoring the next generation of scientists. We are delighted for Dr. Macabenta and his new role as both a researcher and mentor!
Aaliyah Khan, a RISE scholar from 2020, recently published a research article in Journal of Materials Research as first author, entitled "Developing new antiferroelectric and ferroelectric oxides and chalcogenides within the A2BX3 family." Aaliyah, who is currently a senior at University of Maryland Baltimore County, credits her experience with RISE for giving her confidence to seek a mentor for research. We are proud of being able to help students like Aaliyah learn how to be confident and successful researchers and wish her continued success as she pursues her PhD in Chemistry at University of Pennsylvania this fall!