BrachoAitor Bracho
Physics
Undergraduate: Florida International University
Faculty Advisor: Phil Barbeau
Faculty Mentor for Early Start: Calvin Howell

Aitor Bracho is a Ph.D. student in physics with a concentration in particle and high energy physics at Duke University. His research focuses on understanding how and why experimental models deviate from theoretical calculations of the Standard Model. He is also a Fred Hoover 2018-19 Scholar. Aitor received a bachelor of science in physics with magna cum laude and with a minor in mathematics from Florida International University. Additionally, while getting his bachelor’s degree, he worked as a lead physics and mathematics tutor in the Center for Academic Success at Florida International University, one of the largest minority serving institutions in the country, and simultaneously worked as a learning assistant in multiple physics lab, aiding in facilitating student understanding of the material at hand.

DarwinCameron Darwin
Mathematics
Graduated with Ph.D. in 2022
Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin
Faculty Mentors for Early Start: Hubert Bray, Colleen Robles

Cameron Darwin is a Ph.D. student in mathematics at Duke University. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin, where he became interested in differential geometry and physics. His general research interest lies in homotopy theory and geometry. He is currently serving as a teaching assistant for Calculus 2.

GonzalesGavin Gonzales
Biomedical Engineering
Undergraduate: University of New Mexico
Faculty Advisor: Shyni Varghese
Faculty Mentors for Early Start: Shyni Varghese, Stefan Zauscher

Gavin Gonzales is a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering with a concentration in biomaterials at Duke University. His research focuses on understanding the relationship between molecular structure and the function of lubricants. He is also a GEM Consortium Fellow. Gavin received a bachelor of science in physics with a biophysics concentration with a minor in mathematics from the University of New Mexico. He has been a passionate volunteer and mentor for students from underrepresented minorities through his work in STEM teaching and mentoring programs. Gavin hopes to continue to support and guide students of all backgrounds towards STEM fields.

HansonChristina Hanson
Chemistry
Graduated with master’s in 2022
Undergraduate: University of Redlands
Faculty Advisor: Qiu Wang
Faculty Mentors for Early Start: Kathy Franz, Jiyong Hong

Christina Hanson is a Ph.D. student in chemistry with a concentration in organic chemistry at Duke University. Christina received a bachelor of science, with honors, in ACS-certified chemistry and in biology from the University of Redlands. During her undergraduate study, she synthesized cyclic tetrapeptides intended to modulate the kappa opioid receptor in hopes of treating opioid addiction. While deciding which laboratory to affiliate with at Duke,  Christina is a teaching assistant for Organic Chemistry laboratory. She is excited for the opportunity to expand her knowledge of chemistry at Duke University and to potentially contribute to the field.

HiguerosGenesis Higueros
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Undergraduate: University of California, Merced
Faculty Advisor: Po-Chun Hsu
Faculty Mentor for Early Start: Po-Chun Hsu

Genesis Higueros is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke University. Her research focuses on improving Li-ion batteries through a 3D electrode/electrolyte interface to increase power density. Genesis received a bachelor of science in environmental engineering with highest honors from the University of California, Merced. She has been a passionate volunteer and creator of outreach programs in her undergraduate program and hopes to continue inspiring students from underrepresented communities to pursue STEM careers in graduate school. Her objective is to continue to support and guide students of all backgrounds towards STEM fields. Genesis also desires a sustainable future through renewable clean energy and hopes her research will provide a path through efficient energy storage.

KundingerBrian Kundinger
Statistical Science
Undergraduate: Brown University
Faculty Advisor: Rebecca Steorts
Faculty Mentor for Early Start: Sayan Mukherjee

Brian Kundinger is a Ph.D. student in statistical sciences at Duke University. He is interested in developing advanced mathematical tools to address complex problems in public policy and social sciences, particularly through network analysis and agent based modeling. Brian received a bachelor of arts degree in history and Africana studies at Brown University, became interested in statistics through his work at various human rights organizations in Florida, and completed post-baccalaureate math courses in preparation for the Ph.D. at California State University, Long Beach. As a graduate student, Brian hopes bridge the divisions between the humanities and STEM fields, and to mentor students seeking to merge science education with applications for social justice.

LaLondeJessica LaLonde
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer West
Faculty Mentors for Early Start: Kathy Franz, Jiyong Hong

Jessica LaLonde is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering and materials science with concentrations in biomaterials, biomechanics, and soft materials at Duke University. She is a member of the biomaterials research laboratory of Dr. Jennifer West. Her research is focused on understanding the physical, chemical, and biological relationships between structure and properties in bio-inspired materials. Her main focus will be developing and improving hydrogel materials for biosensors and soft actuators. Her project will aim for highly scalable, efficient designs of soft materials using 3D tissue engineering for biomedical devices and environmental applications. She is also a National GEM Consortium Graduate Research Full Fellow with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and has received an honorable mention for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Grant. Jessica received a bachelor of arts in biology and a bachelor of science in materials science and engineering, cum laude, with a minor in English from Case Western Reserve University in May 2019. Jessica is passionate about mentorship and outreach to dedicated students from all backgrounds, particularly low-income, underrepresented minority, and bi-racial groups through her graduate research and teaching assistantships in STEM. Jessica hopes to continue to provide support and guidance for all students interested in STEM fields.

LoCiceroEthan LoCicero
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
Faculty Advisor: Leila Bridgeman
Faculty Mentor for Early Start: Leila Bridgeman

Ethan LoCicero is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering with a concentration in controls at Duke University. His research focuses on developing controller design methods for the robust, high performance control of large-scale systems. He has lead research projects at NASA Marshal Space Flight Center and Honeywell Aerospace. Ethan received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame.

MangusAlexander Mangus
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh
Faculty Advisor: Aaron Franklin

Alexander Mangus is a Ph.D. student in electrical engineering with a concentration in microelectronics, photonics, and nanotechnology at Duke University. His research focuses on improving high performance nanoelectronics based on two-dimensional materials. He received a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, cum laude, with minors in history and computer science from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been a passionate volunteer and mentor for students from underrepresented minorities through his work in STEM teaching and mentoring programs. Alexander hopes to continue to support and guide students of all backgrounds towards STEM field.

RiceGrayson Rice
Biomedical Engineering
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Faculty Advisor: Charles Gersbach
Faculty Mentors for Early Start: Mike Lynch, Charlie Gersbach

Grayson Rice is a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering with a concentration in synthetic and systems biology at Duke University. His research focuses on using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in order to precisely program cell biology for the purpose of controlling stem cell differentiation. He hopes to use CRISPR activation screening in order to identify transcription factors in the human genome that control cell fate specification. He is also a Graduate Engineering for Minorities Fellow, a University Scholars Program Fellow, a Dean’s Graduate Fellow, and an End Range Motion Improvement Fellow. Grayson received a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering, summa cum laude, with a minor in biochemistry from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

StohnAdriana Stohn
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Faculty Advisor: Adriana Stohn
Faculty Mentor for Early Start: Mike Gehm

Adriana Stohn is a Ph.D. student in electrical and computer engineering with a concentration in imaging and optics at Duke University. Working in Dr. Michael Gehm’s group, her research focuses on understanding how using computational methods can permit imaging when the object is occluded by scattering media. Adriana received a bachelor of science in optical sciences and engineering, magna cum laude, with minors in electrical and computer engineering, mathematics, and Spanish from the University of Arizona. She is motivated to encourage young women to pursue careers in science and technology and has implemented her ideas through volunteering with Girls Who Code clubs. Adriana intends to continue to support students of all backgrounds in their pursuit of meaningful involvement in the fields of science and technology.

TutoniGianna Tutoni
Chemistry
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Faculty Advisor: Matthew Becker
Faculty Mentors for Early Start: Kathy Franz, Jiyong Hong

Gianna Tutoni is a Ph.D. student in chemistry with a concentration in organic chemistry at Duke University. She is also an Alfred P. Sloan 2019-2020 Scholar. Gianna received a bachelor of science in ACS-certified chemistry from Tufts University. During her undergraduate study, she studied the effects of non-covalent interactions on the solid-state properties of conjugated materials. While deciding which laboratory to affiliate with at Duke, Gianna is a teaching assistant to over 130 general chemistry students. She is looking forward to the opportunity to not only continue her passion for chemistry at Duke but to also foster an inclusive and productive learning environment for her students.

YeatsEric Yeats
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Faculty Advisor: Helen Li
Faculty Mentor for Early Start: Helen Li

Eric is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University. He is a member of the Duke Computational Evolutionary Intelligence Lab, where his research focuses on neuromorphic computing—the design of novel brain-inspired computer hardware and algorithms for data-driven learning. Eric is also an Eagle Scout, achieved in 2015. Eric is originally from Gainesville, Florida, where he worked on brain-computer-interface research at the University of Florida. He graduated in 2019 from Vanderbilt University, where he studied computer engineering and interdisciplinary neuroscience. At his undergraduate institution, Eric was a volunteer after-school computer programming teacher for students in primarily low-income minority middle schools in Nashville. Outside of his research, Eric enjoys training for marathons and Salsa dancing.