Meet the 2024-25 Fellows
Cierra Faries
RISE Scholar: 2023
Program: Molecular Biosciences
Undergraduate Studies: Delaware State University, Major: Biology
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: 1st year graduate student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Make new friends and find your community that will help guide you through this new journey
Bio: I graduated from Delaware State University, with a Major in Biology with a concentration in Research Professions and a minor in Chemistry. During my undergraduate degree, I worked on several cancer research projects. While I was in the RISE program at Rutgers, I worked in Dr. Wendie Cohick's Lab. The focus of my project was on how prenatal alcohol exposure affects tumorigenesis and is associated with an increase of stem-like/progenitor cells in the MMTV-Wnt1 mouse model. I enjoyed my time in this program so much and it helped me decide that I wanted to pursue my PhD at Rutgers. While attending Rutgers I hope to join a lab that focuses on Cancer research, specifically in cervical, ovarian, or breast cancers. Some of my hobbies are spending time with my friends and family, watching movies, and playing pickleball.
Nyla Howell
RISE Scholar: 2022
Program: Geography
Undergraduate Studies: University of Maryland Baltimore County, Geography & Environmental Studies and Sociology
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Robin Leichenko
Ph.D. Research Topic: I will be studying the intersection of natural hazards, climate adaptation, and Black Geographies.
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: - National Science Foundation - Graduate Research Fellow
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: First-year graduate student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Do your best to maintain relationships with the faculty, staff, and graduate students you meet during your summer research experiences!
Bio: Nyla Howell earned her B.A. in Geography & Environmental Studies and Sociology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Her passion for disasters and climate adaptation deepened during her time as a RISE scholar in 2022, where she worked with Dr. Robin Leichenko on projects focused on climate resilience and disaster subcultures among coastal New Jersey businesses. Nyla's commitment to these research areas and their intersections with Black geographic thought, developed through a community-based project in Baltimore City during her undergraduate studies. Now, she is returning to Rutgers University to pursue a PhD in Geography, aspiring to become a disaster social scientist dedicated to promoting equitable disaster preparedness. In her free time, Nyla enjoys volunteering, watching movies, and working out!
Melany Contreras
RISE Scholar: 2020
Program: PhD - Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Undergraduate Studies: B.S. Honors in Chemistry, B.S. in Physics - East Carolina University
Thesis Advisor: Pending
Ph.D. Research Topic: Theoretical/Computational Chemistry
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: Pending
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: First-year graduate student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Your grad school advisor is crucial to your success, so pick your advisor carefully! Stubbornness and remarkable grit are key to persisting through hard times in grad school.
Remember that you can do amazing work and achieve amazing things anywhere, regardless of an institution's prestige. Go where you feel genuinely appreciated, wanted, and celebrated for who you are!
Bio: Melany earned her B.S. in both Chemistry (Honors) and Physics from East Carolina University in Spring 2021. Melany was first exposed to theoretical chemistry research through the RISE at Rutgers program in Summer 2020, where her work with Dr. Lu Wang in learning molecular dynamics led to a strong and persistent interest in the field. Melany implemented what she learned from the RISE experience in her undergraduate Honors thesis with Dr. Anne Spuches via a molecular dynamics study of cadmium and lead binding to the protein human cardiac troponin C (hcTnC). After her undergraduate studies, Melany earned her M.S in Theoretical Chemistry from the University of Chicago in Spring 2023. Given her positive experience with the RISE program and the Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) department, Melany is excited to continue honing her craft in theoretical chemistry research at Rutgers through the CCB PhD program. After the PhD, Melany intends to continue her research career in government or industry. Melany enjoys games, going to the beach, and caring for her cats in her free time.
Rachel Davitt
Research Internships in Ocean Sciences (RIOS) NSF REU: 2021
Program: Graduate Program in Oceanography
Undergraduate Studies: University of Delaware, marine biology major
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Kimberlee Thamatrakoln
Ph.D. Research Topic: The effect of ocean alkalinity enhancement on diatom-virus interactions and marine carbon dioxide removal
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: Pending
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: First year PhD student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Follow your heart and study what excites you the most! If you love what you do, it will never feel like work. Also, always ask questions and take time for yourself when you need to!
Bio: Rachel graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.S. in marine biology in May of 2023. During the summer of 2021, she completed an internship with the Rutgers University Research Internships in Ocean Sciences (RIOS) NSF REU program working under Dr. Kimberlee Thamatrakoln. With the RIOS program, she studied the effect of silicon limitation on host-virus dynamics in the diatom Chaetoceros socialis. After graduating, Rachel worked under Dr. Daphne Munroe at the Rutgers University Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory and completed several projects relating to shellfish and shellfish fisheries. Rachel has also had the opportunity to research the effect of climate change on the Antarctic phytoplankton community by attending the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Antarctic cruise in 2021 and in 2023. Rachel has loved her time at Rutgers and is excited to return to pursue her PhD, where she is working under Dr. Kimberlee Thamatrakoln to study the effect of ocean alkalinity enhancement on diatom-virus interactions and marine carbon dioxide removal.
Hajer Ali
RISE Scholar: 2022
Program: Biomedical Engineering
Undergraduate Studies: The College of New Jersey, Biomedical Engineering
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Valerie Tutwiler
Ph.D. Research Topic: Biomechanics of Blood
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: Pending
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: First year PhD student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Take every opportunity that comes your way to learn something new and to explore what you really want to do. Ask every question that crosses your mind because knowing more is always worth the “embarrassment” if that is what’s stopping you from asking questions.
Bio: Hajer Ali graduated from The College of New Jersey, honors college, in May 2024 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. An esteemed Alumni of the TCNJ community, Hajer served on the executive board of the TCNJ Honors and Scholars Program, and she was one of three who were inducted to the honor’s engineering society, Tau Beta Pi, in the Spring of 2023. Hajer’s research during her undergraduate studies focused on the development of a novel muscle fatigue monitor using EMG signal acquisition and processing, working under the guidance of Dr. Brett BuSha. Simultaneously, she was also committed to enhancing the thumb maneuverability of an orthotic hand-assistive exoskeleton, improving on the degrees of freedom in previous designs. As a RISE scholar, Hajer worked with Dr. Valerie Tutwiler investigating the impacts of pathophysiological concentrations of PAI-1 on plasma clot structure and enzymatic degradation, using techniques such as turbidimetry, SEM, and confocal microscopy. Having such an informative and exciting experience with RISE, Hajer decided to continue her graduate studies at Rutgers University, pursuing a doctorate degree in Biomedical Engineering. Beyond her research interests, Hajer is deeply invested in the intersection between business and technology. Ignited by her entrepreneurial spirit, she is excited about the potential for translating cutting-edge research into innovative startup ideas.
Caylee Brown
RISE Scholar: 2023
Program: Toxicology
Undergraduate Studies: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) - Biological Sciences Major
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: First-year graduate student
Advice for prospective graduate students: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." It is so important to surround yourself with a supportive community and to uplift yourself and others throughout this process.
Bio: Caylee Brown graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2024 with her degree in Biological Sciences. While at UMBC, she worked in the lab of Dr. Weihong Lin investigating the effects of age-related neurodegeneration on expected outcomes of prolonged electronic cigarette use in mice. She participated in Rutgers' RISE and SURF summer programs in 2023 where she worked with Dr. Morgan James on a project aimed at investigating the potential of BPA exposure to predispose young rats to early onset puberty and motivational deficits. Caylee has presented her research in many formats and recently earned a Society of Toxicology Undergraduate Research Award for her work in Dr. James' lab. Caylee looks forward to continuing to conduct impactful research at Rutgers and to reconnecting with the community that first introduced her to the field of Toxicology.
Daniella Bermeo Grajales
RISE & SURF Scholar: 2022
Program: JGPT (Toxicology)
Undergraduate Studies: Kean University/ Chemistry-Forensic Sciences
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: First Year Ph.D. Student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Be strong and determined in your decisions, do not be afraid to aim high; take the risk, be sure of how you want to see yourself in the future, and go for it with confidence.
Bio: Daniela Bermeo Grajales graduated from Kean University with a B.S. in Chemistry and a concentration in Forensic Sciences. During her undergraduate studies, Daniela worked in Dr. Denise Gemmellaro’s Laboratory of Forensic Things (The L.O.F.T), where she researched the influence of toxic substances on insect development to improve the accuracy of post-mortem interval estimations in death investigations. As a RISE Scholar, Daniela further pursued her interest in forensic research in the Analytical Chemistry department under the mentorship of Dr. Cathleen Doherty. Her project involved developing a protocol for detecting and quantifying heavy metals in Calliphoridae larvae, highlighting the significant role of these insects in forensic investigations.
Paola V. Garay Martis
RISE Scholar: 2023
Program: Molecular Biosciences: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Undergraduate Studies: University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Thesis Advisor: Pending
Ph.D. Research Topic: Pending
Support post Super Grad Award, other notable Awards, fellowships, publications or accomplishments: IMSD at Rutgers-New Brunswick Fellowship
Current status in graduate program/Expected graduation: First year graduate student
Advice for prospective graduate students: Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you to grow. Most importantly, take it one day at a time.
Bio: Paola V. Garay Martis graduated from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM), where she studied Industrial Microbiology. During her time at UPRM, Paola worked on the isolation and genomic study of halophiles from the Puerto Rico Solar Salterns in Cabo Rojo, under the mentorship of Dr. Rafael Montalvo in the Extremophiles Laboratory. As a RISE 2023 research fellow at Rutgers University, Paola studied Staphylococcus aureus iron usage under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey M. Boyd. Months later, she had the honor of showcasing her research at ABRCMS 2023 as a Travel Awardee and earned recognition as one of the ABRCMS 2023 Presentation Awardees in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology category. Paola's summer at Rutgers and her experience at the ABRCMS conference deepened her passion for scientific research and strengthened her resolve to pursue a graduate degree. Her exploration of microbes, infectious diseases, and pathogen-host interactions has fueled her commitment to advancing in this field. As a result, Paola has returned to Rutgers to join the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Ph.D. program, where she aims to achieve her goal of becoming an industry researcher.