REVU Fellows
REVU Fellows
Click the linked title of each fellow's research project title to view their final research presentation.
Understanding Evolution by Comparing Tongue Velocity in Salamanders
Professor Martha Muñoz research group, 2022 fellow
Jessica Coutee
Upon graduating from Peabody Magnet High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, Jessica enlisted in the United States Army and served for six years as a 68S Preventive Medicine Specialist. After separation, she participated in The Warrior Scholars Project at Texas A&M and is now confidently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Maryland at College Park. Her research in the Yale University's Muñoz Lab focused on discovering the evolutionary trade-offs of faster feeding methods in Salamanders. With the background and skills that she developed during REVU she plans to pursue additional research regarding both the declining bat populations across the U.S., and salamander research in the Dominican Republic. Jessica’s goal is to continue to expand her horizons while actively opening doors for others to follow by remaining an inquisitive learner and sharing her gifts as an inspirational poet.
Enhancing Laser Locking Methods to a Fabry-Perot Cavity
Professor Jack Harris research group, 2022 fellow
Terren Wise
After growing up in Minneapolis, MN, Terren enlisted in the US Navy in January 2013. Terren spent over 8 years s a nuclear mechanic in charge of monitoring and maintaining the chemistry and radiological aspects of submarine nuclear reactors. He currently attends Brown University and is majoring in Engineering. Terren worked in Dr. Jack Harris' lab studying optomechanics in the membrane-in-the-middle project. Passionate about helping others, Terren spends his time volunteering to help first-graders in reading and writing, as well as helping other veterans with the transition from military to academic service. Terren hopes to connect people across cultures and inspire others to pursue a STEM career.
Teaching an Assistive Robotic Arm to Recognize and Respond to Human-Intent
Professor Ian Abraham research group, 2022 fellow
Austin Salcedo
Austin was born and raised in Miami, FL and served four years in the Marine Corps as a Cyber Network Operator. After his enlistment, he spent three years studying at Orange Coast College and then transferred to Stanford University where he majors in Computer Science. During REVU 2022, Austin developed an interface for human-robot intent prediction (i.e., coded a face-following robotic arm) in Professor Ian Abraham’s Intelligent Autonomy Lab. He is interested in exploring robotic prosthetics moving forward. Above all else, Austin loves to eat an absurd amount of food with friends & family and then burn it all off by practicing Muay Thai or being walked by his dog.
Professor Gary Brudvig's research group, 2022 fellow
Catherine Escobar
Catherine Escobar is originally from El Salvador, where she lived until the age of 17. Catherine virtually attended the Warrior Scholar Project's first all-women cohort at Yale University. Following WSP, Catherine decided to return to college after working in mass vaccination/testing sites as a healthcare specialist during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Catherine became a medic in the New York National Guard, it was the first time her family's last name was in an American Uniform, and now she is proud to say that her last name is at an American Ivy League school. Catherine is working towards obtaining a Computer Science bachelor's degree at Columbia University in the city of New York.
Professor Michael J. Caplan's research group, 2022 fellow
David Cantong
David grew up in Southern California and enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating high
school. He spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserve before joining the Army to become a
Special Forces Soldier. During his time as a Medic, David had the opportunity to treat patients in both the deployed and hospital setting. He is currently teaching limited resource and austere medicine courses, where he found a passion for research and education. David is studying health science at Campbell University with a minor in psychology. During the REVU program, David worked in the Caplan Lab on Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease and studied how a specific protein affects the disease progression. David’s ultimate goal is to continue serving his community through education and medicine by becoming an Emergency Medicine or Critical Care physician. His hobbies include spending time with his wife and two daughters, endurance sports, and enjoying good food with friends.
Cognitive Changes in Patients Living with HIV
Professor Serena Spudich's research group, 2022 fellow
Taylor Tjosaas
Originally from California, Taylor joined the military as a pararescueman in Portland, Oregon in 2012. After six years on active orders, Taylor became a reservist and began civilian work as a flight paramedic in Papua New Guinea. While traveling the world and treating patients, he spent his free time exploring new areas of interest and engaging in self-study. He ultimately discovered an interest in human cognitive sciences and decided to return to school and fully immerse into education. Two years later, he moved to Connecticut to study neuroscience at Wesleyan. As a 2022 fellow, Taylor worked in the Spudich lab. He conducted neuropsychological tests, shadowed patient care, and found evidence of cognitive decreases in people living with HIV. After graduation he plans to continue studying cognitive science and patient care. Outside of school, Taylor can be found playing board games or traveling around in his big yellow van.
Professor Paul Turner's research group, 2022 fellow
Daisy Rosalez
Daisy is currently a sophomore at Williams College and is majoring in biology. She serves in the US Air Force reserves and has worked in Aerospace Maintenance during her tenure in the US Air Force. This summer, Daisy studied Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Dr. Paul Turner's lab. Daisy's goal is to utilize her disciplined academic focus and jovial creativity to learn under the guidance of experts in the field and support their mission. She is a special programs coordinator for Bioneers' Native Youth Leadership Program which works with native and non-native youth across the country. The program focuses on supporting indigenous-led cultural programming, cross-cultural communications, and the use of technology to bridge intergenerational cultural gaps.
Comparative Analysis Of Epigenetic Gene Regulation Between Mice and Humans At A Candidate Gene
Professor Bluma Lesch's research group, 2022 fellow
Kenny Thai
Kenny Thai was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After high school graduation, Kenny sought out a challenge and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served for five years as a flight equipment technician specializing in H-1 attack helicopter safety and survival equipment. Kenny then returned home to pursue medicine and is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in nutritional sciences. This summer, Kenny conducted research in Dr. Bluma Lesch’s genetics lab studying the role of bivalent chromatin on gene expression. Kenny is preparing his applications to medical school with the goal of helping to preserve the health of his community. During his free time, Kenny enjoys trying foods from various countries as a means of cultural exploration.
Identifying Low-Mass AGN Using Spectra
Professor Marla Geha's research group, 2020 (virtual) fellow
William Hernandez
After graduating from high school, Will enlisted in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator. Following ten years of active duty service, he separated from the Navy and went back to school with help from the Warrior-Scholar Project. He is currently studying Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Colorado-Boulder. During the summers, he continues to support the Warrior-Scholar Project so he can continue to help other veterans as they work towards their higher education goals. In his spare time, Will enjoys listening to music, reading books, jogging, and playing video games. Ultimately, he would like to find a way to share his love of astronomy with youth groups composed of people that are typically underrepresented in the sciences, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion within the field of Astronomy.
Anisotropic Properties of the Upper Mantle Beneath New England
Professor Maureen Long's research group, 2019 fellow
Daniel Allen
Daniel enlisted in the Army in 2012 and served as a rifleman in 2nd Ranger Battalion, as well as a Sniper in the 101st Airborne Division. After separating from the Army, he worked as an Animal Packer for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Daniel is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in geology at Highline Community College in Washington. He plans to attend graduate school after graduation. Daniel was a member of the varsity wrestling team and 2019 NJCAA National Championships participant and he is an avid mountain biker and rock climber.
The Fight Against Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Professor Michael Caplan's research group, 2019 fellow
DeLia Kennedy
DeLia Kennedy is currently working on her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology at Hampton University. Immediately after high school she joined the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, VA where she served four years at sea as a personnel specialist. Her Navy experience was adventurous and very beneficial to her personally. DeLia holds associate degrees in Science and Social Science from Tidewater Community College. After graduation from Hampton University, DeLia is planning to attend medical school and pursue a career in the medical field and is particularly interested in pathology with an ultimate goal of becoming a forensic pathologist.
Tracking the Drosophila’s Movement When Faced with a Chasm
Professor Damon Clark's research group, 2019 fellow
Frederick Cordova
Frederick Cordova was born and raised in San Diego. He has served in the United States Navy as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician where he gained the knowledge and expertise on the safe rendering of a variety of conventional and unconventional explosives. After a successful career in the Navy, Frederick is now attending Columbia University to study Computer Science with an emphasis on artificial intelligence. He is also an active member of Columbia's Military Veteran Organization and a first string member of Columbia's Rugby team.
The Role of miRNAs in Regulation of Chromatin Bivalency
Professor Bluma Lesch's research group, 2019 fellow
Haris Gargovic
Haris Gargovic was born in Skokie, Illinois where he resided until he was eighteen. After graduating early from Niles West High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer. While serving in the Marine Corps, Haris spent time stationed in North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan where he attended Coastal Carolina Community College and University of Maryland University College. After separating from the Marine Corps in 2018, Haris attended the Warrior-Scholar Project STEM program at Yale University. Haris attended Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois where he served as the Vice President of Student Veterans Club and Club Officer of Sustainability Club. Haris now attends Yale University.
Optimizing the Study of Quantum Optomechanics in Super Fluid Liquid Helium
Professor Jack Harris's research group, 2019 fellow
Jared Fox
Jared Fox is currently a student at El Camino College in Torrance, California. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran where he spent five years working as a ground electronics technician, specializing in microminiature repair. Jared attended the Warrior-Scholar Project STEM program at Yale University in 2016. He plans to transfer to a four-year institution in the fall of 2020 in pursuit of a degree in electrical engineering. After college, Jared plans to use his degree to pursue a job in research in the defense industry. During his free time, Jared enjoys learning about computer programming.
Mapping molecular and cellular events during dermal condensate differentiation
Professor Peggy Myung's research group, 2019 fellow
Justin Jensen
Compelled by the events of 9/11, Justin enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training, Justin had the opportunity to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course. Justin completed the rigorous training, earning the coveted Green Beret. While in the military, Justin had the profound experience of medically treating the casualties of war. Having to solve problem sets in the domain of medicine gave Justin a great respect for science, humanity, and the ability to offer hope to people in hopeless situations. These new-found passions lead to Justin leaving the active duty military to pursue a degree as a Pre-Med Biology student. Justin currently attends Baylor University with plans to attend medical school in hopes of becoming a healer. As a healer, Justin plans to impact his community as a humanitarian leader by providing services that give people hope during times of hopelessness.
Using Growth Curves to Quantify Bacterial Resistance to Phage
Professor Paul Turner's research group, 2019 fellow
Teresa Carter
Teresa Carter is originally from Long Beach, California and currently resides in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Teresa is a twenty-six-year-old Marine Veteran. She attends Middle Tennessee State University and studies psychology/pre-medicine. Teresa is a student worker in the college’s chemistry department, the veteran's center, and the President of the college’s student veteran organization. She has a passion for helping fellow veterans with social and emotional issues. After college, Teresa plans to become a psychiatrist so she can continue assisting veterans and their families.