Meet our 2024-2025 McNair Scholar Cohort!

Marisol Catalan Olais is a third-year Physics major with an Astronomy concentration and a minor in Mathematics. For the past two years, she’s worked closely with an astrophysics professor researching magnetic fields in massive stars in hopes of finding more about their origins. On campus, she’s a part of various clubs, such as All Ears, an advocacy group that works to create an inclusive environment for hard-of-hearing and deaf students, and HOLA, a Hispanic/Latinx organization that helps create an inclusive environment and have cultural exchange between all students. In her free time, she loves to read, listen to music, watch movies, and play tennis. She plans to attend a graduate program to pursue a Ph.D. in Astrophysics in the near future.

Meet Marissa Brown, a dynamic junior at the University of Delaware, where she passionately pursues her studies in Biology with a specialized focus on Cells, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. Marissa’s fascination with the intricate workings of the natural world has been a driving force since childhood, igniting her ambition to make significant contributions to the scientific community. With unwavering dedication, she aspires to carve her path as a distinguished researcher in the biological sciences. Looking ahead, Marissa envisions extending her academic journey to the graduate level, culminating in the attainment of a Ph.D. in her chosen field, thus cementing her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.

Janice Castro, a dedicated Fine Arts major at the University of Delaware, chose her field with the aim of developing a well-rounded skill set necessary in becoming a professional artist. Through her research and artwork delving into the complex dynamics of her immigrant mother-daughter relationship, Janice is now driven to expand her research by creating narrative pieces that uncovers the powerful, heart-wrenching stories of immigrants, and their intricate relationships with their children. Her ultimate goal is to establish a supportive community, providing a safe space for individuals like herself and her family to feel acknowledged, connected, and empowered. Influenced by her mother’s unwavering support, Janice plans to pursue further education, attain an MFA (Master’s Degree in Fine Arts) here at UD, and hopefully secure the opportunity to teach in the Art & Design Department. Beyond academia, Janice actively engages in UD’s Figure Drawing Club, Creative Arts Club, plays the piano for Inter-varsity, and strives to connect with fellow Hispanic students through participation in the HOLA Club.

.Fascinated by how the human body works and eager to help others, India chose to major in medical diagnostics to get closer to her goal of becoming a doctor. Her journey so far has included being a medical aid at an MRI center and being a teacher’s assistant for an honor’s colloquium on ethnomathematics, blending her interests in science and math. These experiences have strengthened India’s desire to pursue her future career and to hopefully one day run her own medical practice, where she can give care that truly makes a difference. When she is not studying or working, India enjoys making and selling jewelry and keeping fit at the gym. India’s aim is to combine her passion for helping people with her creative skills to leave a positive and memorable mark in the world of healthcare

Jack Doolittle is studying economics and philosophy at the University of Delaware. His main areas of interest for research are issues concerning distributive justice and class in economics: constructing economic models that cohere to different theories of justice and how differential initial endowments sort people into different classes. Following his undergrad he plans on pursuing a PhD in economics.

Kaitlyn’s interest in neuroscience began when she was diagnosed with chronic headaches with no clear origin. Since the 8th grade she has had her sights set on neuroscience research. She then fell in love with anthropology after taking an introductory course and has since shifted toward neuroanthropology.  Kaitlyn has been a research assistant with the Klintsova Lab since October 2022 studying the neurological and behavioral effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. In the future, Kaitlyn hopes to earn a Ph.D. in neuroscience and conduct research on autism across cultures. At UD, Kaitlyn is involved with the dance minor and dances with Studio 108 Jazz Company. She also serves as the treasurer of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Outside of school, she enjoys learning crochet and attending live music.  

Meet Luzbeth Guzman, she is currently pursuing majors in neuroscience and psychology alongside a minor in biology. Her journey in these fields stems from a desire to address the lack of understanding surrounding neurological issues. As she strives to become a pediatric neurologist, she invests her time in many activities, including serving as the Webmaster for HOLA, volunteering with the TSC Alliance, and assisting in the Nemours Children’s Hospital emergency department. Luzbeth’s research revolves around enhancing education and quality of life for autistic children in minority communities, driven by a clear goal: to empower children as they navigate into adulthood.

Introducing Aliyah Harrison, a junior immersed in the study of cognitive science, specializing in pre-professional speech-language pathology. With minors in disability studies and Africana studies, Aliyah’s academic pursuits reflect her commitment to inclusivity and cultural awareness. Actively engaged on campus, she holds leadership positions in various registered student organizations, including the Caribbean Student Alliance, Black Student Union, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Aliyah’s passion lies in researching how to increase diversity within treatment plans in speech-language pathology, driven by her desire to foster inclusive healthcare practices. Post-graduation, she aims to pursue a master’s degree and licensure in speech-language pathology, aspiring to make a meaningful impact in the field.

Marcela Lemos is a History Education major minoring in Spanish and Political Science. Her research interests include how technology can be used in the classroom and how bilingual students learn compared to monolingual students. She plans to further her education by going to graduate school and further focusing on education, as her long term goal is to become a high school teacher.

Meet Lily Martinez, she is a Psychology and Neuroscience double major. Lily started off as a psychology major as it has always been her passion since the first class she took in high school. Later on, Lily added Neuroscience because of the overlap in concepts and how one can get a true full understanding of the mind and brain by indulging in both. Lily knows that this will be crucial as her end goal is to open a practice one day that specializes in therapy for children and families while targeting low-income and marginalized families who already lack mental health resources. This will be Lily’s first time partaking in research and she would love to study how socioeconomic factors, available resources, and family dynamics affect the mental health of children.

Luis Moreno is an Animal Sciences Major with a double minor in Insect & Wildlife Conservation and Psychology. Since Luis was about 6 years old he has always wanted to work with animals. He recently found a new interest in psychology and how the brain works as well. He hopes to be able to combine both of these subjects to create an interdisciplinary research plan that revolves around animal behavior. As this goes, Luis’s overarching future goal is to be able to live and work on wildlife conservation across different continents such as Africa and Asia. On campus, Luis is also the Vice President of HOLA, the largest Latinx organization on campus as well as working as a Student Ambassador, specifically a Diversity Enrichment Leader. Outside of academics and involvements, Luis also enjoys competitive swimming, spending time with family and friends, and nature walks.

Meet Chandler Morrell, he is a Psychology and Neuroscience double major at the University of Delaware. Chandler chose Psychology and Neuroscience because he feels that humans have only just begun to explore these fields, and he wants the opportunity to have a massive impact on the entire field. Chandler’s specific area of interest for research lies within developmental psychology, where he wants to explore how trauma affects the developing brain and how these impacts affect children in later life. Currently, he is working for Dr. Philip Gable in the Social Cognitive Emotional Neuroscience Lab as a lead research assistant. Chandler is also an active member and employee at Sean’s House, a local non-profit that serves as a mental health safe haven for individuals 14-24. His future plans are to earn a doctorate degree in clinical psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology. He plans to both practice clinically and continue researching throughout his career. Outside of school, Chandler enjoys hobbies such as fishing, going to the beach, and playing basketball.

Juan Parada is a Psychology major with two minors in Neuroscience and Spanish. The reason why he chose psychology as his major is because a lot of people in the Hispanic community do not seek out help with their mental illness and if they see someone similar to them He thinks they will be more open-minded. His research interests include the overall mental health effects first-generation students have with their parents and how technology has affected children’s behavior compared to the past. He plans on going to graduate school and getting his doctorate and in the long term he plans on opening a mental health clinic focused on disenfranchised communities.

Akshay is a Biomedical Engineering student who is interested in studying material science and synthetic biology. He has done research with recombinant peptides and hopes to do research in the pharmaceutical industry. Akshay hopes to get my PhD in material science or drug delivery systems.

Charlie-Ann Perez is a wildlife ecology and conservation major at the University of Delaware. She is involved in S4E club as well as the Panhellenic sorority Alpha Xi Delta and volunteers frequently through her membership. She will intern alongside her professor and advisor Dr.Bowman researching Sika deer reproduction ecology in Maryland in the Summer of 2024. She aspires to positively impact the planet and its wildlife through a long career in wildlife biology.

Mak decided to major in fields that blend her passion for technology and language. Her research interests gravitate towards artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. She’s involved in several campus organizations, including the Competitive Programming Club, Undergraduate Linguistics Association, Vietnamese Student Association, and Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers. Outside of academics, Mak enjoys exploring new places, cooking, and staying active at the gym.

Wendy chose to major in Neuroscience and Psychology because she is interested in researching how humans react to different types of faces and emotions. Whether it is a human face, animal, or AI, she is interested in how humans feel after seeing certain types of faces and how the brain reacts to non-human faces. A future goal of Wendy’s is to be able to conduct her own research studies that will help her community.

Gharem Santos is double majoring in Psychology and Women and Gender studies, driven by her passion for helping individuals with their mental health and her interest in the areas. Her research interest lies in Psychological and Brain Sciences, and she has gained almost a year of research experience at UD’s Close Relationships and Health lab and through Delaware INBRE. This research experience is preparing her for future endeavors in the clinical field. After graduation, Gharem plans to utilize this experience and pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Additionally, she holds a secretary position in an Honor Society at the University of Delaware. In her pastime, Gharem enjoys crocheting, drawing, and reading.

Dulcine chose her major of African studies because she wanted to help change the world with her double major in sociology. She is able to understand the systems of oppression, and how they play together in order to create the social conditions in which our society tries to thrive, and then dismantle them. Dulcine is specifically interested in post-colonial and black liberation theology. She has also conducted research at UD McNair last Summer and at NYU. Dulcine would love to get her PhD in Africana studies while continuing research on how to better her community. She is currently a general board member for the Caribbean Student Association, a legal chair for the Students for Justice for Palestine, and a director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the lavender programming board. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, and skateboarding.

Chloe is majoring in Art Conservation with a minor in Art. She is also a resident assistant on campus, works in old college cataloging donated items, and holds a position on the Art Conservation Club board. In her free time she enjoys painting, video games, and playing with her kitten, Jam. She is hoping to continue her academic career with a masters degree and subsequently work as a full time conservator.

Oviyanna Umoh is pursuing honors degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology. She spent last summer as an Empower Fellow at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she conducted epigenetic research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis under Dr. Amy Whitaker. She hopes to earn a PhD in Neuroscience and eventually run a research lab focused on neurological and psychological disorders as a principal investigator. In addition to her research, Oviyanna enjoys serving as a Writing Fellow for first-year Honors students at the University of Delaware. Beyond academics, she is involved in campus fashion clubs like The New and UDress, and is the communications chair for the University’s Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter.

Antonia Vázquez is a finance major and computer science minor. Her specific area of interest for research is exploring how students in economics classes perceive Lerner Business School as opposed to other academic disciplines. She is also involved in a research project at Sensify Lab, studying the usability of misinformation detection software. After graduation, Antonia is interested in pursuing doctoral studies in either finance or economics. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and reading.

Victoria is a Human Services major concentrating in Pre-counseling and minoring in Psychology. After undergrad, she plans on receiving her master’s in clinical counseling and then continuing on in a PsyD program to become a clinical psychologist. Victoria is interested in research on the effects of trauma on memory and neurological studies on personality and mood disorders. In her free time, she likes to read, crochet, and spend time with her friends.

Ayla chose her two majors because she believes that global cooperation can be achieved through both policy and diplomacy and sustainable and equitable change can happen on a global scale.  Ayla’s research focuses on the intersections of foreign policy, migration, and development. Currently, she is interning in the D.C. office of the U.S. Senator Tom Carper. On campus, Ayla is a research intern for the University of Delaware Anti-Racism initiative. In addition, she is a World Scholar, who has studied abroad twice in Spain! When Ayla graduates, she hopes to gain an advanced degree in International Development and work in the United States Foreign Service.

Mekhi Williams is a chemical engineering major with a minor in biochemical engineering. He is conducting research focused on the yellow mealworm’s ability to digest plastic and its potential uses for bioprocessing. He aspires to go to graduate school for a PhD in synthetic biology research. Outside of the lab, you can find Mekhi playing viola in the university orchestra.