Meet the 2021-22 Fellows
Cesar Ramirez
RISE Scholar: Summer 2020
Program: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering
Undergraduate Studies: B.S in Biomedical engineering from the University at Buffalo
Thesis Advisor: Pending
Ph.D. Research Topic: Pending
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: Pending
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: Ph.D. Candidate
Advice for prospective graduate students: Pending
BIO: Cesar Ramirez obtained his B.S in Biomedical engineering from the University at Buffalo in 2021. At Buffalo Cesar started his research involvement through the Louis Stokes Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. His research at UB involved the development of new biomaterials for biomedical applications, where he presented his research at the University at Buffalo’s undergraduate research conference and celebration of academic excellence. During the 2020 RISE program, Cesar participated in the REU for Cellular Bioengineering and worked on “Computational Control of Polymer Design” under the supervision of Dr. Adam Gormley, his now advisor. Thanks to Cesar’s participation in the RISE program, he realized the research and environment at Rutgers were a perfect fit for the next steps in his career.
Jennifer Guzman
RISE Scholar: Summer 18
Program: Chemistry
Undergraduate Studies: City University of New York H. Lehman College with a B.S in Chemistry
Thesis Advisor: Kate Waldie
Ph.D. Research Topic: N/A
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: NSF GRFP
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: Graduated with Masters
BIO: Jennifer Guzman Pichardo graduated from the City University of New York H. Lehman College with a B.S in Chemistry, specializing in Biochemistry, in the Fall of 2019. As an undergraduate, Jennifer worked with Dr. Andrei Jitianu on synthesizing melting gels to use as a replacement for chromium VI as a more effective and safe anti-corrosive coating. As a RISE scholar, she worked with Dr. Jonathan Singer in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering on investigating the influence of different parameters to obtain good quality coatings by using electrospray deposition of melting gels on different substrates, particularly silicon wafers and AZ31B magnesium alloy. As a result of her collaboration at Rutgers as a RISE scholar, she co-authored a manuscript published in the SPIE Laser Application in Microelectronics and Optoelectronic journal in 2019. Her second co- authored publication was in the proceedings for ASME 2021 16th International MSEC. Jennifer decided to pursue a doctoral degree at Rutgers due to her experience during the RISE summer program, the broad research topics being explored, and the amazing faculty and students on campus. In the future, she plans to become a principal investigator and run her own mentorship program for minority women pursuing a career in STEM. During her free time, she enjoys working out and watching movies.
Erika McCarthy
RISE Scholar: Summer 2020
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Undergraduate Studies: Stevens Institute of Technology
Thesis Advisor: Darrin York
Ph.D. Research Topic: Computational modeling of RNA enzymes
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: NSF GRFP
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: Ph.D. Candidate
Advice for prospective graduate students: Pending
BIO: Erika earned her bachelor's in Chemistry at Stevens Institute of Technology. As an undergraduate in the Zhang lab, Erika used gaussian calculations to elucidate the mechanism of HNO generation from hydroxyurea . Erika was awarded the ACS Division of Physical Chemistry undergraduate award and the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry undergraduate award. Erika participated in the 2020 RISE program. Under the mentorship of Dr Stephen Burley, Erika’s project concentrated on the Evolution of the COVID-19 proteome, “Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 proteome in three dimensions (3D) during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic”. Erika decided to attend Rutgers for graduate school because as a theoretical/computational chemist, she was very excited by the work taking place in the center for integrative proteomics research. In addition, the RISE program exposed her to the excellent faculty in Institute for Quantitative Biology and Chemistry & Chemical Biology.
Zoey Eddy
RISE Scholar: Summer 2020
Program: Ph.D. in Social Psychology
Undergraduate Studies: University of California, Santa Barbara; Psychological and Brain Sciences
Thesis Advisor: Diana Sanchez
Ph.D. Research Topic: Multiracial identity and prejudice reduction
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: Rutgers University Presidential Fellowship; National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship; Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship (Awarded); RU School of Graduate Studies Outstanding Master's Student Merit and Achievement Award; RU Social Psychology Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Service Award (2x); RU Social Psychology Service Excellence Award; E3C Innovation Fund Grant; Eddy, Z., Small, P. A., Padilla-Garcia, D., & Major, B. (2023). Examining the effects of genetic ancestry information on appraisals of contested racial identities. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000630; Cipollina, R., Eddy, Z., & Sanchez, D. T. (2024). Contested sexual identities and bi+ identity disclosure experiences. Journal of Bisexuality, 24(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2023.2285065; Eddy, Z., Sanchez, D. T., & Gaither, S. E. (in press). Social stigma and coping for people with pluralistic identities. In C. Stern (Ed.), Handbook of Experimental Social Psychology. Edward Elgar Publishing
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: 4th year graduate student; received M.S. (2024); Pre-qualifying exams
Advice for prospective graduate students: I encourage becoming involved in diversity initiatives! Joining DEI initiatives in my department and around the school of graduate studies broadly has made my graduate school experience so much more fulfilling and given me productive avenues to pursue in addition to research.
BIO: Zoey Eddy (she/her) is a 4th year doctoral student in the Social Psychology program. Her two main lines of research focus on 1) experiences of Multiracial individuals and parents of Multiracial children, and 2) exploring pathways to reduce prejudice. Zoey is a recipient of the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship for her work on these topics. She is passionate about improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in higher education; thus, she is involved in multiple DEI committees, has mentored underrepresented students through the RiSE at Rutgers summer research program, and co-created Rutgers Diversifying Psychology Day, which is the first ever event in the Rutgers Psychology department designed to prepare potential psychology Ph.D. applicants from underrepresented and minoritized backgrounds for the graduate admissions process.
Karen Mae Bacalia
RISE Scholar: Summer 2020
Program: Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences - Community and Applied Track
Undergraduate Studies: University of Guam - Chemistry and Agriculture: Human Nutrition and Food Sciences Track with minor in Biology
Thesis Advisor: Nurgul Fitzgerald PhD RDN
Ph.D. Research Topic: "Food is Medicine" intervention for chronic disease prevention and management for South Asians
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: I have been a TA under the Department of Life Sciences every semester since Fall 2022. I published my first paper in December 2022 while completing my Master's in the Roopchand lab.
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: Ph.D. student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Reach out to students in your program and attend GSO events!
BIO: Karen received two bachelor degrees in Chemistry and Agriculture - Human Nutrition and Food Sciences track with a minor in Biology from the University of Guam. She is interested in chronic disease prevention and management by improving dietary patterns, primarily for minority groups. As an undergraduate, she was the leader in multiple student organizations. She participated in outreach to local high schools for the Chemistry and Agriculture departments, presented in research workshops to help freshmen and sophomores interested in research, and helped coordinate the UOG First Annual CNAS STEM Conference. She participated in the Rutgers RISE program in the summer of 2020, where she worked with Dr. Nilgun Tumer to study the ribosomal interactions of Shiga toxins by analyzing surface charge differences. Since then, she has obtained her Master's in Nutritional Sciences in May 2023 at Rutgers, studying the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD for post-menopausal women. She is now continuing as a PhD student with a research focus on cardiovascular disease management in different ethnic groups using a "Food-is-Medicine" intervention. Her hobbies include trying new cafes with friends and family, baking, crocheting, and free diving while on Guam.
Nathalie Groot
RISE Scholar: Summer 2019
Program: Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences
Undergraduate Studies: Virginia Tech, Biological Sciences Major
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Gaëtan Barbet
Ph.D. Research Topic: Dendritic cell calcium signaling in response to sepsis
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Fellowship Recipient (2021-2023), accepted abstract at American Association of Immunologists Conference 2023, accepted abstract and travel grant at FASEB Ion Channels and Transporters Inaugural Conference, member of the Child Health Institute DEI Board, executive board member of the Council of Black Graduates for two years.
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: 4th year Ph.D. Candidate
Advice for prospective graduate students: Choose a school that you know you can be happy at, in a location that you like, with good advisors and a healthy culture. If a school is missing any of those aspects, you'll struggle more than you need to.
BIO: Nathalie Groot is a 4th year PhD candidate in the Barbet lab, researching calcium signaling in dendritic cells following septic infection. Advocating for equitable access to resources and DEI initiatives is her passion project besides her PhD, and in her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, and yarn crafts.
Shabree Anthony
RISE/REU Scholar: Summer 2019
Program: Ph.D. in Toxicology
Undergraduate Studies: University of the Virgin Islands with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Health Science
Thesis Advisor: Pending
Ph.D. Research Topic: Pending
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: Pending
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: Ph.D. Candidate
Advice for prospective graduate students: Pending
BIO: Shabree Anthony graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Health Science. At her undergraduate institution, she was a part of the Researching Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) and Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) programs. In the summer of 2019, she participated in both the Research-Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at Rutgers University. Here, Shabree worked in the lab of her mentor, Dr. Lauren Aleksunes, aiming to assess relationships between metallothionein expression and cadmium concentrations in the human placenta. After this experience, Shabree was greatly motivated to attend Rutgers for graduate school. Her current research interests include studying neurotoxins to help further understand their physiological and pathological effects. Lastly, Shabree’s hobbies include reading and baking.