STEM Students Recognized for their Research and Presentation Skills at 2024 National Diversity in STEM Conference

Phoenix, AZ— Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) awarded over one hundred graduate and undergraduate students from historically excluded communities for their research and presentation skills at their premier event, the National Diversity in STEM Conference held in Phoenix from October 31 through November 2. Student research presentations help equip young researchers with the skills and mentoring they need to be successful on their STEM journey. This experience helps them refine presentation skills, receive one-on-one mentoring and feedback on research, and connect with a supportive community of peers, mentors, and role models.

The 2024 National Diversity in STEM Conference Presentation Awardees are as follows:

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Analytical & Other Chemistry
Kayry Segarra, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Animal Sciences/Zoology and Plant Sciences/Botany
Amber Born, Northern Arizona University

Biochemistry & Cell/Molecular Biology
Fatemeh Cheraghi, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering
Gabriela Villalpando Torres, University of California, Santa Barbara

Cancer Biology & Pharmacology
Hannah Naldrett, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Cell/Molecular Biology & Developmental Biology
Jorel Padilla, Boston College

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Sigournie Brock, Iowa State University

Environmental Science
Lissett Diaz, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Genetics & Neurosciences
Adam Andres Rosso, University of Texas at Arlington

Geosciences
Franklyn Telles, Northern Arizona University

Inorganic & Organic Chemistry
Anthony Alfaro, University of California, San Diego

Marine Sciences & Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
Josephine Tupu, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Mathematics & Physics and Astronomy
Isabel Corona, University of Colorado Denver

Mechanical & Other Engineering
Clarissa DeLeon, The University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences

Medicine, Public Health, & Physiology/Pathology
Consuelo Sauceda, University of California, San Diego

Microbiology
Blanca Rodriguez, University of Kansas, Lawrence

Other STEM Education & Traditional Knowledge
Patricia Ramirez-Biondolillo, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Physical Chemistry & Materials Research
Oriana Silva, University of North Texas

Psychology & Social Sciences and Neurosciences
Alex Lopez-Ramirez, University of Notre Dame

Science Education
Jared Ten Brink, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

GRADUATE STUDENT POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Chemistry
Mahmoud Abed, University of Minnesota

Geosciences
Alyssa Goncalves, University of Massachusetts Boston

Life Sciences
Dylan Highland, University of Virginia
Sofia Howe, San Diego State University/ University of California, San Diego

STEM Education & Learning
Diane Ugwu, Washington State University

UNDERGRADUATE POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Chemistry
Alina Alfaro, University of Virginia
Andrea Rangel, University of San Diego
Arjun Garapaty, University of California, Berkeley
Brooke Milam, California State University, Sacramento
Erika Relyea, Hunter College, The City University of New York
Kayla Pham, Columbia University
Michael Noonan, Northeastern Illinois University
Novik Thomas, University of Montana
Sithmi Hewage, Iowa State University
Yeison Samayoa, University of California, Santa Cruz

Computer & Information Sciences
Adriana Pastor Almiron, Bates College
Grace Koo, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Heran Russom, University of Pennsylvania

Engineering
Anna Lhyn Mallari, University of Guam
Auveen Hajarizadeh, University of Oregon
Cienna Paet, Kapi'olani Community College
Jacob Mejia, Hartnell Community College
Josey Barlow, Northeast Lakeview College, Universal City
Majeste Kyei-Amponsah, Iowa State University

Geoscience
Delilah Acosta, Macalester College
Frankie Delgado, Franklin and Marshall College
Gustavo Marchant Allende, Macalester College
William Manriquez, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Willow Jackson, California State University, Channel Islands

Health
Amari Hutchins, Howard University
Eliana Liporace, Emory University
Kathaleen Lopez Smith, University of Arizona
McKenna Major, Indiana University School of Medicine
Zaira Leal Hernandez, University of California, San Diego

Life Sciences, Animal Sciences/Zoology
Leala Punjabi, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Life Sciences, Biochemistry
Dorothy Lartey, University of Washington
Favour Adeyinka, Harvard University
Ysabel David, New York University; Scripps College

Life Sciences, Biology (general)

Danielle Nagaito, Iowa State University
Jailyn Loor, Cornell University
Karen Alvarenga, California State University, San Bernardino
Mark Adams, California State University of San Bernardino
Mia Rodriguez, University of North Texas
Selene Lopez, California State University, Channel Islands

Life Sciences, Cancer Biology
Durga Meenakshi Panneerdoss, University of Texas at San Antonio
Guadalupe Amigon, San Francisco State University
Helewicz Serena, University of New Mexico

Life Sciences, Cell/Molecular Biology
Elle Epstein, University of California, San Diego
Emanuel Echevarria, Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla
Joe Zheng, University of California, Santa Cruz
Juan-Rodrigo Solares, The Pennsylvania State University
Mariely Morales, Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla
Nimo Abdi, The College of Idaho
Steven Montecinos, Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Raelyn Begay, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Telly Do, University of California, Los Angeles

Life Sciences, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
Catrina Alberts, Northern Arizona University
Irene Ochoa, California State University Channel Islands
Jairo Andres Jojoa Ortega, Kapiolani Community College
Lucia Zuvela, Macalester College

Life Sciences, Environmental Science
Adriana Villanueva-Cruz, University of Puerto Rico- Rio Piedras Campus
Daniela Rodriguez, University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon

Life Sciences, Genetics
Victoria Campbell, The College of New Jersey

Life Sciences, Marine Sciences
Caleb Hernandez, California State Univeristy, Monterey Bay
Mollie Ball, University of Washington

Life Sciences, Microbiology
Derek Correa, Iowa State University
Eiren Tamayo, Leeward Community College
Jolcey Santana, Iowa State University
Jonathan Rodríguez Pagán, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico Metropolitan Campus
Maya Wyr, California State University, Long Beach
Verónica Bado García, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus

Life Sciences, Neurosciences
Isabella Salguero Cespedes, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Juni Polansky, California Institute of Technology
Natalia Hernandez, The University of Texas at Dallas
Noah Kabbaj, Washington University in St. Louis
Satema Lopez, University of California, Los Angeles
Stacia Konow, University of Chicago

Life Sciences, Other Life Sciences
J'Taelii Heath, Langston University

Life Sciences, Pharmacology
Jesse Altemus, University of Arizona

Life Sciences, Physiology/Pathology
Anna Purvis, Dickinson College

Life Sciences, Plant Sciences/Botany
Brian Kubi, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Keily Peralta, California Academy of Sciences

Materials Research
James Davis, Northern Arizona University
Yolmarie Del Valle, Inter American University of Puerto Rico

Mathematics
Dhruv Kulshreshtha, University of Michigan
Kanchana Khat, University of California, Merced
Mathieu Chabaud, University of Washington, Seattle
Moani Pomare, Kapiʻolani Community College
Nathan Theng, California State University, Fresno
Oscar Murillo-Espinoza, California State University, Monterey Bay

Physics & Astronomy
Erick Morales, Northwest Vista College
Michael Father, University of California, Irvine
Oge Okoronkwo, University of Washington
Pablo Hinojosa, San Diego State University
Reign Pagaran, University of Colorado at Boulder

Psychology
Ashlynn Roberson, Northern Arizona University
Christina Esparza-Cassidy, Northeastern Illinois University
Hannah Aranda, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Harmony Tryon, California Polytechnic University, Humboldt
Isabella DiNardo, University of Utah
Sarah Velez-Osorio, University of Central Florida

STEM Education & Learning
Alexa Murillo, California State University, Channel Islands
Amy Oblitas Rojas, Stony Brook University
Ella Ashford, Willamette University
Emmanuel Caballero, California State University, Channel Islands

Traditional Knowledge
Talofa Fe'a, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

TCU STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD

Engineering
Francesca Noble, Navajo Technical University

Health
Darian Paul, Diné College

NATIVE AMERICAN/INDIGENOUS STUDENT RESEARCH ABSTRACT AWARD 

Health
Gianni Lacey-Howard, University of Utah

Life Sciences
Ryan Yazzie, Northern Arizona University

Traditional Knowledge
Nadley Monique Yow, University of Guam

Click here to download the full 2024 SACNAS conference Student Research Presentation Abstract Book.

For 51 years, SACNAS has served as an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership within STEM. Today, the organization serves a growing community of over 20,000 supporters including 9,000+ members, and more than 150 student and professional chapters throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. SACNAS influences the STEM diversity movement through STEM outreach & advocacy, the promotion of STEM leaders, and The SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference.  Learn more about SACNAS at sacnas.org, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, or X/Twitter.