BMED Student Profiles MS in Biomedical Sciences, Morgan State University

Asong Nkemanjong

• 📧 Email: nenke2@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown/Country: Silver Spring/Frederick, Maryland
• 📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025
• BMED Track: Accelerated

🎓Academic Background

• B.S in Biology, Shepherd University, Summa Cum Laude
• Summer Research Intern, West Viriginia University - Department of Orthopedics - Focused on stem cell differentiation of adult stem cells into different tissue lineages under different environmental stimuli.
• Microbiology and General Chemistry tutor at Shepherd University
• Sports Medicine Volunteer Assistant at Shepherd University

🔬Research Interests

• Cell Biology
• Microbiology

🧪Research Skills

• Cell Culture
• PCR
• Gel electrophoresis
• Immunohistochemical staining

🗣️Languages Spoken

English

🔗LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/asong-nkemanjong-7a0b76295

🎯Career Goals

My long-term goal is to go to medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon that specifically works with the knee. I am particularly interested in osteogenesis and chondrogenesis when a break down occurs, and how stable the new tissue is to resist the pressures that the previously torn tissue could not.

🌟Hobbies & Interests

Soccer

📊Presentation

Poster Presentation at the Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) 2025 meeting: "Soluble and Insoluble Factors Mediate Stem Cell Rejuvenation"

😄Fun Facts

I am Cameroonian

❤️Favorites

• Favorite Color: Green
• Favorite Season: Fall/Autumn

Esther Uche Mba

• 📧 Email: esmba1@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country: Nigeria
• 📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025
• 🧪BMED Track: Research

🎓Academic Background

• First-Class degree in Microbiology Technology from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Best Graduating Female).

🔬Research Interests

• Infectious diseases
• Cancer biology (ovarian cancer focus)
• Neuroscience
• Microbiome research
• Vaccine development

🧪Research Skills

• Molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, PCR; growing proficiency in microbial culture)
• Data analysis & statistics
• Research writing, academic publishing, and presentations
• Adaptability and quick learning in lab and technical environments

🗣️Languages Spoken

English (Fluent), Nigerian Pidgin, Igbo

🔗LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/esther-mba-4b041425b

🎯Career Goals

Earn a Ph.D. and become a renowned biomedical scientist and lecturer, contributing to impactful research in infectious diseases, neuroscience, and vaccine development, while mentoring future scientists.

🌟Hobbies & Interests

Singing, teaching, traveling, cooking, and faith-based/community service activities

😄Fun Facts

Teacher by day, singer by passion. Movie buff and snuggle expert (thanks to my amazing husband!). Once sang with a swollen mouth—wisdom tooth removal couldn’t stop the singer!

❤️Favorites

🍴 Food

Fried rice and chicken

💬 Quotes

• Determination Today Leads To Success Tomorrow.
• “With God, Nothing Is Impossible.”

Angela Videglah

• 📧 Email: anvid1@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country: From Montgomery County Maryland and I am Togolese
• 📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025
• BMED Track: Accelerated

🎓Academic Background

• Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, Morgan State University - graduated with honors
• President of the MSU USNDA Pre-Dental Society - Helped minorities to be competitive applicants for Dental school.
• Vice President of the African Student Organization - Had events to teach people about the African Diaspora and created a safe place for African students.
• Teacher Assistant for the MSU Microbiology - Set up lab and offer office hours for students to better their grade.
• Math Tutor for the MSU Math Department - Set up appointments for students to go over the materials they struggled with in Math class.

🗣️Languages Spoken

• French
• English

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-videglah-5ba643270

🎯Career Goals

My long-term goal is to complete dental school. I either want to become a General Dentist or an Orthodontist. I don’t want to only provide oral care for minorities, but build a community where I mentor underprivileged children and educate them about the dental field and the importance of oral health.

😄Fun Facts

I really love to cook, lately I have been trying out new recipes I see on TikTok.

SAJINA PAUDEL

• 📧 Email: sapau4@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country:Parbat, Nepal
• 📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025
• 🧪BMED Track: Research

🎓Academic Background

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology, Pokhara University, Nepal - Awarded with Dean's List with CGPA of 3.93
• Internship, BPKIHS Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal - Worked in cytopathology , histopathology , hematology, biochemistry and serology lab.
• Medical Laboratory Technologist, Province Hospital, Parbat - Performed routine and special laboratory tests (Liver function test, Renal function test, Pus Culture, Blood Culture, Urine Culture, Swab Culture, Thyroid function test, serological test, Antibiotic Susceptibiity Test and so on)

🔬Research Interests

• Bacteriology, Virology, Genetics , Cancer Biomarkers, Molecular and Microbial Techniques

🧪Research Skills

• Microbiological techniques : Bacterial Culture, Biochemical test, Gram stain, AFB stain Antibiotic Susceptibility Test, ELISA, Microscopy
• Hematological techniques: Smear preparation (blood, CSF ), Differential leukocyte count, Complete Blood Count, Giemsa stain, wright stain and so on.
• Histopathological and Cytopathological Techniques : Tissue Processing, Embedding, Hematoxylin and Eosin stain, Papanicolau stain, Pap smear preparation.
• Biochemistry: ELISA, Fully Automated analyzer, Semi-automated analyzer, CLIA, Bio-markers detection (B-HCG , PSA)

🗣️Languages Spoken

• Nepali - Native
• English- Advanced
• Hindi- Advanced

🔗LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/sajina0713

🎯Career Goals

My long-term goal is to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science and establish a career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. I aspire to bridge the gap between disease and diagnosis, particularly in Nepal, where illnesses such as cancer and extrapulmonary tuberculosis often remain undetected until advanced stages. By advancing diagnostic research and promoting the implementation of modern laboratory practices, I aim to improve early disease detection, enhance patient outcomes, and contribute to strengthening the healthcare system in underserved communities.

📊Presentation

• Poster Presentation at RTSTI 2024 : "Microbial Contamination in Water from Source, Reservoir and Tap of Gagangauda Drinking Water Supply System: A Study in Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal"
• Poster Presentation at Liver Week Conference 2024, Seoul, Korea: "Assessment of Hepatic Enzymes among Hepatitis B Infected Patients in Nepal, Asia. "
• Manuscript in Preparation : "Microbiological Assessment of Masks in Tertiary Care Hospital, Pokhara. "

😄Fun Facts

Instead of harvesting plants, I harvest bacteria

❤️Favorites

🍴 Food:

Daal Bhaat Tarkari (Nepali Food)

📍Place:

Nepal

💬 Quotes

Have Faith, Continuous Effort Leads to Success"

Binita Koirala

• 📧 Email: bikoi2@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country: Nepal
• 📅 BMED Start: Fall 2025
• 🧪BMED Track: Research

🎓Academic Background

• B.Sc.in Medical Laboratory Technology, Pokhara University, Nepal - Graduated with honors
• Medical Laboratory Technician, Pokhara Academy Of Health And Allied Sciences _ Worked in HIV Viral Load Testing, COVID-19 PCR Testing , and have hands -on experience in various laboratory departments including Biochemistry, Hematology, Histo-cytology, and Microbiology.
• Medical Laboratory Technologist , Paschimanchal Pathology Laboratory - Worked as Laboratory Incharge , Managed documentation, reporting , performing diagnostic tests especially hormonal tests in Biochemistry and ensured Quality Control.

🔬Research Interests

• Microbiology
• Virology
• Immunology
• Parasitology
• Antibiotic resistance

🧪Research Skills

• DNA extraction
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Isolation and Bacterial Culture
• Coagualtion studies
• Operation of fully automated Biochemistry Analyzers
• Hormonal Assay Using ELISA and CLIA
• Special Staining Techniques in Histopathology

🗣️Languages Spoken

Nepali, English, Hindi

🔗LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/binita-koirala-61988a357/

📱Social Media Handle

Facebook: Binita Koirala

🎯Career Goals

My long term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology and contribute to advancing research and innovation in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance

📊Presentation

Project Presentation at Pokhara University 2019 . " Comparison of glucose , urea and uric acid in diabectic and non- diabetic patients."

❤️Favorites

• Food : Typical Nepali Cuisine
• Color : Royal Blue
• Season : Spring

Akriti Dhakal

• 📧 Email: akdha1@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country:Pokhara, Nepal
• 📅 BMED Start: Fall 2025
• 🧪BMED Track: Research

🎓Academic Background

• Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Nepal — Graduated with 'Distinction with a Dean's List' honor.
• Pharmacy Instructor, Charak Institute of Health Sciences — Taught Diploma in Pharmacy, Nursing, and General Medicine programs to 240+ students.

🔬Research Interests

• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Optimization of healthcare outcomes
• Infectious diseases
• Pharmacoepidemiology

🧪Research Skills

• IPQC analysis, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Documentation of pharmaceutical products as per specifications
• Animal handling and experimental procedures
• Scientific and academic writing
• Phytochemical screening and analysis
• Antioxidant and antibacterial assays
• Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (e.g., NMR, FT-IR)
• Microbiological techniques (culture, sensitivity testing, and identification)

🗣️Languages Spoken

• Nepali- Native
• English- Advanced
• Hindi- Advanced

🔗LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/akriti-dhakal/

🎯Career Goals

“My long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. integrating neuroscience and pharmacology, with a focus on optimizing patient outcomes in healthcare. Ultimately, I aspire to contribute to policy development that sustains equitable healthcare access in low- and middle-income countries.

📝Publications

• Title: Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities Evaluation, Phytochemical Characterisation of Rhizome from Angiopteris helferiana and Barks from Saurauia fasciculata in Nepal.Journal:The Scientific World JOURNAL,Published Year: 2024

Link: https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/1119165

• Title: Antioxidant, Antibacterial Activity, In Silico Molecular Docking, and ADME‐Toxicity Study of Lactone from Rhizome of Angiopteris helferianaJournal: Journal of ChemistryPublished Year: 2024

Link: https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5623028

• Title: IPSF collaborations with FIP and other global entities impacting pharmacy educationJournal: FIP Pharmacy Education JournalPublished Year: 2023

Link: https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2022.224.155159

❤️Favorites

🍴 Food

All kinds of Nepalese cuisine

📚Book: And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

❄️Season: Spring

Taeyeschanaye Villia

• 📧 Email: tavil1@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country: Lafayette, Louisiana
• 📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025
• 🧪BMED Track: Research

🎓Academic Background

• B.S in biology , Southern University A&M College
• Summer research intern: LBRN (Louisiana Biomedical Research Network) at Louisiana State University - Focused on Virology in studying the molecular pathways for HSV-1 and analyzing potential kinase inhibitors to block viral entry.
• Medical scribe - focused on writing medical write-ups for patients

🔬Research Interests

• Virology
• Molecular biology
• Neuroscience

🧪Research Skills

• Cell culture
• SEAP ASSAY
• Gel electrophoresis

🗣️Languages Spoken

• English
• Cajun

🔗LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taeyeschanaye-villia-382359143?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

🎯Career Goals

My long-term goal is to pursue a PhD in virology with a focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern viral entry into host cells. I am particularly interested in dissecting the signaling pathways and structural interactions that facilitate viral penetration and replication, with the ultimate aim of identifying novel targets for therapeutic intervention. By elucidating these molecular pathways, I hope to contribute to the development of next-generation inhibitors that can effectively block viral entry and reduce the burden of infectious diseases.

In addition to this molecular focus, I am deeply intrigued by the neurological manifestations of viral infections. I aspire to explore how viruses interact with the nervous system, leading to acute and chronic neurological disorders. Through interdisciplinary research that bridges virology and neurobiology, I aim to uncover the mechanisms by which viral pathogens affect neural function and contribute to neurodegenerative conditions. This dual focus will enable me to approach viral diseases from both a molecular and systems-level perspective, ultimately advancing our understanding of viral pathogenesis and informing the development of targeted treatment.

🌟Hobbies & Interests

Cooking, Crafting

📊Presentation

• Poster presentation with LAURA ( Louisiana Undergraduate Research Association)in May 2025. “The efficacy of kinase inhibitors in preventing viral entry through EGFR Utilization” oral presentation at Research Day at the Capital.
• Poster Presentation with LSU Discover August 2024 "The efficacy of kinase inhibitors in preventing viral entry through EGFR Utilization“ oral presentation at the LSU undergraduate research forum.

🌐Personal Website:

Plantshavepower.earth

😄Fun Facts

I love fashion.

❤️Favorites

🎨 Color: Black

🎧Podcast

So cultured

Antonio Holmes

• 📧 Email: anhol31@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country: Baltimore MD
• 📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025

Academic Background

BS in Biology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Research Interests

• General Cardiooncology,
• Vascular Biology,
• Pediatric Cardio-Oncology,
• Precision Medicine, and
• Biomarker-guided surgery

Research Skills

Animal Handling, Rodent Surgical Procedures, Rodent Post-Operative Care, Intracerebroventricular (ICV) Injections, Perfusion, Weaning Rodents, Dorsal Root Ganglion Dissection, Rodent Blood Collection, Intrathecal (IT) Injection, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Prism, Cryostat, Catwalk XT, Rotarod Test, Open Field, Genotyping, PCR, DNA Extraction and Purification, Plating Agar, RNA Extraction and Purification, Nanodrop Readings, Gel Electrophoresis, ELISA, ELISpot, Immunohistochemical

Programming Languages

R, SQL, Python

Languages Spoken

English

Career Goals

My long-term goals are to fulfill MD-PhD requirements in Cancer Biology. With my MD, I aim to join a pediatric cardiovascular or surgical oncology team whose care is deeply patient-centered. I also hope to open or serve on the board of a general hospital in a low-income community, helping to bridge the healthcare access gap. With my PhD, I plan to continue my work in cancer biology, contribute to a world-class research team, and mentor future scientists from underrepresented backgrounds.

POSTER PRESENTATION

Jyotirmoy Roy, Yifei Jiang, Amod Talekar, Peter Sajjakulnukit, Jessica L. King, Lillian Holman, Shahzad Sohail, Antonio Holmes, Costas A. Lyssiotis, Lonnie D. Shea, “Multi-Omics Analysis of Synthetic Immunological Niche Predicts the Onset of Type 1 Diabetes”, Society For Biomaterials 2025

ORAL PRESENTATION

Scaffold-Based Type 1 Diabetes Specific Data-Driven Inflammation Score

MichR 3-Minute Thesis Presentation

The Cardiovascular Impact of Natural Disasters – Property Loss

Increased Susceptibility of Adenocarcinoma in Cocker Spaniels with DLA-88:0042 Mutation

UGA SYMPOSIUM

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Screening Physiological Responses of the CDKN2A/B Genes to Induction for Reactivation and Developing Novel Therapies

Submitted to NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Jahaad A. Burgess

• 📧 Email: jabur35@morgan.edu
• 📍 Hometown / Country: Philadelphia Pensylvania
• 📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025

Academic Background

• B.S. Biology, Morgan State University
• Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Intern (fall 2023-spring 2024) (summer 2024)

Research Interests

• Infectious disease
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Environmental science

Research Skills

• PCR and gel electrophoresis
• Cell culture
• Animal handling and procedures
• Adaptability and quick learning in lab and technical environments

Languages Spoken

English

Career Goals

My goal after graduating from Morgan State is to gain a Ph.D. in public health. I want to focus on disease prevention/infections as well as treatment. I enjoy environmental science and comparing genetics vs. environmental factors in order to see how things end up the way they are.

Publications

Poster presentation at WRAIR

Hobbies & Interests

Going for walks and finding new things

Favorites

📚Book: The Great Gatsby

🎨Color: Blue

💬 Quotes/Motto:

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

― Albert Einstein”

Jahari Nelson

📧 Email: janel16@morgan.edu

📍 Hometown / Country: The Bahamas

📅 BMED Start: Summer 2025

________________________________________

Academic Background

BS in Biology, Morgan State University — Graduated with Honors

Summer Research Intern, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine— Focused on cellular and molecular pathways related to the heart in breast cancer patients

Summer Research Intern, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine— Focused more effective ways to measure oxygen saturation in diverse skin tones

Lab Assistant, Morgan State University— Focused on phosphorylation of sarcomeric proteins in heart failure patients

Research Interests

Cardiology

Cellular & Molecular Medicine

Genetics

Pathology

Research Skills

DNA extraction

PCR and gel electrophoresis

Animal handling and procedures

Protein extraction

Enzyme assay

________________________________________

Languages Spoken

English________________________________________

LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/jahari-nelson-28b055257________________________________________

Career Goals

My career goal is to become a physician-scientist through an MD/PhD program, dedicated to integrating clinical practice in cardiothoracic surgery with foundational research. I am particularly driven to investigate the intersection of cardiology, cellular and molecular mechanisms, and genetics to develop novel therapeutic strategies. I also plan to invest in minority and international communities through mentorship and minimizing barriers to education and healthcare.________________________________________

Hobbies & Interests

N/A

Presentation

Spring into Research 2025 Morgan State University

"Sarcomeric Protein cTnI Phosphorylation Protects Ischemic Heart in Both Genders"

Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Consortium National Conference 2024 "Sarcomeric Protein cTnI Phosphorylation Protects Ischemic Heart in Both Genders"

2x Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) 2023

"Sarcomeric Protein cTnI Phosphorylation Protects Ischemic Heart in Both Genders"

"Rapamycin induced Molecular pathways in the Hypertrophic Heart"

Leadership Alliance National Symposium 2023

"Rapamycin induced Molecular pathways in the Hypertrophic Heart

Center for Urban Health Disparities Research & Innovation (CUDRI) Inaugural Conference 2023

"Phosphorylation of sarcomeric protein cTnI protects heart against ischemia/reperfusion in both young and old mice"

Annual Undergraduate and Graduate Research Symposium 2022 Morgan State University

"Phosphorylation of sarcomeric protein cTnI protects heart against ischemia/reperfusion in both young and old mice"

Fun Facts

I like to research different mythologies

Favorites

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite music genre: R&B

Favorite Hobby: Horse Riding

💬 Quotes/Motto:

N/A