Cohort Members

University at Albany (SUNY )| May 2025

B. S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology/ Double minors in Africana Studies and English

Hello! My name is Jessica Airhienbuwa and I am a rising sophomore at the University at Albany. I major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology on a pre-medicine track and double minor in Africana Studies and English. I am currently a member of six different organizations on campus, a few being the University at Albany's Honors College, Presidential Honors Society, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, and Doctors 4 Hope. While volunteering I learned that in America, a high percentage of women are more likely to receive inferior care than men, especially Black women. It was shocking to learn that many Black women die every year because of racial and gender biases in medicine. As an advocate of diversity and inclusion within healthcare, research is important to me as it will allow me to begin finding medical solutions to conditions that disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged minorities. I am also interested in neurological disorders, which is why aging research intrigues me. After completing my undergrad, I plan to go to medical school to become a neurologist. I am very passionate about biological sciences, particularly learning about the causes of diseases and disease prevention. 

Fun Fact: When I am not researching diseases, I enjoy dancing in performances and competitions with my hip-hop/dancehall dance team!

Harvard University | May 2024

B.A. in Biomedical Engineering on the pre-medical track, citation in Spanish

I am Kelsey Bhola, a U.S. Virgin Islander attending Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I am a rising junior with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering on the pre-medical track and pursuing a citation in Spanish. In high school, I became interested in statistics after taking a course on the subject in my senior year. My university studies focus more on biology, chemistry, and physics. Given my interest in all of these fields, I am excited to explore biostatistics and public health through this program. The program’s focus on public health is very important to me because I grew up on an island in the Caribbean with inadequate public health resources. Having witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of such a lack of resources, I recognize their importance.

Fun Fact: I love to run and even competed on a four-person, 50-mile relay team.

Brigham Young University | The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences | April 2024

B. S. in Biostatistics | Pre-PA pathway

Hello! My name is Joshua Bott, and I am a rising senior at Brigham Young University. My interest in quantitative analysis and statistical methods began when I took an AP Statistics course in high school. From there, I made the decision to major in statistics with an emphasis on biology. Over the course of my undergraduate career, I've realized how effective and powerful this mathematical field is, from experimental design, the use of programming for data wrangling and modeling, theoretical concepts providing solutions to real-world problems, and more. It excites me to have a positive effect on society using these skills. I am thrilled to learn more and expand my abilities through this program and to learn more about the principles of ethical research in the medical field. It will enable me to serve others in ways I could have never imagined.

Fun Fact: I love Latin dancing! Bachata especially!

New York City College of Technology | December 2022

B. S. in Biomedical Informatics

Hi, I'm Tayna. I currently work in the hospitality industry and am excited to change careers. I have always had an affinity for biology and healthcare. I am passionate about discovering what we can learn from our genomes.

Fun Fact: I'm a big soccer fan and root for Liverpool.

The University of Texas at Arlington | May 2023

B.S. in Psychology & Neuroscience with Minors in Biochemistry & Medical Humanities & Bioethics

As a first-generation student and daughter of Mexican immigrants, pursuing a career as a physician-scientist has been both difficult and incredibly rewarding. My parents fostered in me the importance of education from an early age, and it’s allowed me to develop a passion for literature, scientific research, political action, and public health, to name a few. Aging research is of particular interest to me because delving into the mechanisms of such a prominent risk factor for many pathologies allows for the development of prevention strategies and treatments for a marginalized population. Ultimately, I hope the culmination of my passions will aid in reducing healthcare disparities, and equipping underprivileged communities with proper healthcare.

Fun Fact: I taught myself Portuguese and used it to present my independent research project at the international science fair Mostratec
in Brazil!

Princeton University | May 2022

A.B. Computer Science Certificate, Minor: Statistics and Machine Learning

I studied computer science and statistics at Princeton University. I am especially interested in the applications of machine learning to biology research. In particular, I am excited by projects like DeepMind's AlphaFold.

Fun Fact: I've run into Charles Barkley on three separate occasions!

University of California, Berkeley | May 2023

B.A. in Public Health

Hello! My name is Valerie and I’m a rising senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Public Health. My passion for public health stems from learning about the social determinants of health and health disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color. With my academic coursework, I have developed a strong interest in biostatistics and I am excited to improve my skills through the PQAR program.

Fun Fact: I work for Berkeley’s space lab.

Johns Hopkins University | May 2025

B.A., Double Majoring in Public Health Studies and Psychology and Minoring in Africana Studies and Italian Language

I am a current student at Johns Hopkins University double majoring in Public Health Studies and Psychology on the pre-med track. As a public health major, and with my personal experience with aging research with my great-grandparents and my time working with Alzheimer's and Dementia patients as I shadowed a neurologist, I have an extreme interest in learning more about the field of aging research.

Fun Facts: I have studied Italian for over five years and plan on pursuing an Italian Language minor. I am also an avid book reader and enjoy all different genres.

Georgia State University | May 2022

B.S. in Psychology with Pre-Med Track

Hello! My name is Vanessa and I graduated from Georgia State University in May of 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology with Pre-Med track. I volunteered at a geriatric home in Colombia and shadowed a palliative care physician which was one of the most fulfilling opportunities I have had. This experience motivated me to join the Cognition and Aging Lab at GSU where I completed my undergraduate Honors Thesis in aging research. I am extremely interested in neurology specifically to study the aging brain and neurodegenerative diseases.

Fun Fact: I love traveling and my favorite movie is Legally Blonde!

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus | December 2022

B.A. in Psychology

Hello! My name is Lourdes S. Romañach Álvarez and I am a rising senior in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. My research interests concern how psychological and social factors affect health throughout the lifespan and produce inequities. My experiences growing up in Puerto Rico have led to my passion for research that promotes the well-being of older adults. I am excited to participate in PQAR and continue learning about key issues in aging and public health research.

Fun Fact: I enjoy baking and exploring the outdoors with my dog.

Ohio State University | August 2022

B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics; Minors in Economics and Environmental Engineering

I am fourth year student at The Ohio State University. During my time there I have aided various political science professors with their research. In those roles I was able to find a love for research, data analysis, and coding. I immigrated from Togo (a very small country in West Africa) with my family almost two decades ago. Togo receives little to no funding for public health or aging research and as a result, it is very common for many Togolese people to meet their peril from something as minor as the flu. Though I do not have much experience in public health or aging research specifically, with my compounded experiences, I know it is a necessity and I am very excited to develop these skills as a cohort member of this summer's Pipelines into Quantitative Aging Research Summer Program!

Fun Fact: I have consecutively won 58 Scrabble games and speak four different languages! I am also currently working on hiking one state park in every state-- so far I've visited 7.

New York University | May 2024

B.A. in Individualized Studies, concentration in Public Health and Business; minor in Computer Science

Hi! My name is Justin and I'm a junior at NYU pursuing a Bachelors in Individualized Studies with a concentration in public health and business as well as a minor in computer science. Throughout my studies, I try to pull together public health and business and examine how they intersect/work together. I first encountered the role of data in public health through an internship and subsequently realized how important it was to the field, inspiring me to take on my computer science minor. I don't have much experience in Biostatistics, which is what motivated me to apply to PQAR. I am excited that during my time here I will be able to learn heavily about Biostatistics, be exposed to the many different aspects it can have in public health and have hands-on experience working with my amazing cohort members on a research project! I especially feel that with the current population rapidly aging, aging research is crucial to understand.

Fun Fact: I love old movies -- Breakfast at Tiffany's, Singin' In the Rain, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, etc.