This year’s Summer Research students have been selected and matched with their mentors. The students’ orientation occurred on May 19th and this year’s program runs through Friday, July 25th, when the students will give oral presentations of their abstracts at 1 PM in D3-3. A reception will follow immediately after in D3-39A. The students, pictured from left to right are Stefhany Duque, Taylor Capasso, Dusty Rose, Kelli Rike, Andres Alvarez, Amanda Francis and Eric Faby.
- Stefhany Duque is from Ft. Myers, Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2012 and earned her Bachelors of Science (Summa Cum Laude) in Biology. Stefhany has shadowed several dentists in her hometown, has been a teaching assistant at Florida Gulf Coast University and a tutor at Edison State College in Fort Myers. In spring 2013, she joined her professor in chemistry’s research group to work on a project on DNA preservation. Despite finishing up her Bachelor’s degree, Stephanie spent the spring semester volunteering in her professor’s lab on the project. The resulting poster won the best faculty poster award at the Annual Research Day at the university. Stefhany’s mentors for the Summer Research Program are Dr. Shannon Wallet and Dr. Mary Ellen Davey.
- Taylor Capasso is from Nokomis, Florida. She completed his undergraduate studies at UF and received her Bachelors of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition. Taylor has been conducting research with Dr. Shannon Holliday since 2012 when she was an undergrad at UF. For a portion of that time, she spent time volunteering in the orthodontic clinic. She has attended several medical/dental mission trips to include Chinandege, Granada, and Nicaragua, interned and volunteered in many dental offices, as well as been a member of the Pre-Dental American Student Dental Association. Taylor’s mentor for the Summer Research Program is Dr. Shannon Holliday.
- Dusty Rose is from Meritt Island, Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Dusty has worked with Dr. Karl-Johan Soderholm at the UF College of Dentistry as a Research Assistant. She was also a Dental Assistant at Shands Hospital during her undergraduate studies. Dusty’s mentor for the Summer Research Program is Dr. Joseph Riley.
- Kelli Rike is from Melbourne, Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Kelli also earned an AA and AS in Chemical Technology at Brevard Community College. While at the University of Central Florida she worked with Dr. Mollie Jewett as a Research Assistant. Kelli’s mentor for the Summer Research Program this year is Dr. Jeannine Brady.
- Andres Alvarez is from Miami, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. He also attended Barry University in Hollywood Florida for Graduate school where he received a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. Andres has shadowed multiple dentists at Lake Mary Pediatric Dentistry where he was also a Sterilization Tech. He has also completed numerous hours of volunteer work including volunteering with the American Diabetes Association where he was the Assistant Supervisor of Volunteering. Andy’s mentor for the Summer Research Program this year is Dr. Marcelle Nascimento.
- Amanda Francis is from Naples, Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Management. Amanda completed her Post-Baccalaureate studies in Biomedical Sciences at the University of North Florida. At the Mayo Clinic she served as a Research Intern in Neuroscience and Cancer and she has worked as a Dental Assistant with the Healing Hands Medical and Dental Clinic. Amanda’s mentor for the Summer Research Program is Dr. Luciana Shaddox.
- Eric Faby is from Tequesta, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Sciences, along with an Associate of Arts. He completed research as an undergraduate at the Florida Center for Heterocyclic Compounds at UF under the supervision of Professor Alan Katritzky. Eric also contributed research on several publications while he was an undergraduate student. Eric’s mentor for the Summer Research Program this year is Dr. David Culp.