University of Wisconsin Madison Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Development

Larry Hernandez
SCIMED PEER MENTOR
PhD Student
Medical Physics
BS, Physics & Applied Mathematics, Univ. of California-Berkeley

Hometown:  San Jose, CA
Research Description: I work in a Medical Physics research group that develops rapid magnetic resonance pulse sequences for imaging articular cartilage, breast cancers, and kidney perfusion. My projects focus on cartilage morphology, particularly for detecting osteoarthritis.
Hobbies:  Cooking & playing sports (usually anything involving a ball).
Things I like best about Madison:  Summer, the Farmer's Market, Concert on the Square; Various festivals around town; Halloween on State Street; The Cheese Curds!

Natalie Hernandez
SCIMED PEER MENTOR
PhD Student
Entomology
BS, Entomology, University of Wisconsin Madison

Hometown:  New Berlin, WI
Research Description: Flight dynamics of aphid species in commercial potato fields in occurrence with Potato Virus Y.
Hobbies:  Playing piano, painting, movie nights, going out with friends, collecting insects not related to my research.
Things I like best about Madison:  The atmosphere, you always get to meet new people and they all have interesting stories.

Patric Hernandez
PhD Student
Neuroscience Training Program &
LaFollette School Public Affairs
BS, Biology, University of Texas - San Antonio

Hometown:  San Antonio, TX
Research Description: Neuroimaging of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Hobbies:  Music and Cinema
Things I like best about Madison:  Big city feel in small environment

Trish Hoang
PhD Student
Integrated Program in Biochemistry
BS, Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Hometown:  Naperville, IL
Research Description: Development of a novel therapeutic agent for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Hobbies:  Bowling, hiking and playing video games
Things I like best about Madison:  Summer in Madison

Porsha Howell
PhD Student
Nutritional Sciences
BS, Biology, Neew Mexico State

Hometown: Hampton, Virginia
Research Description: Impact of aging and caloric restriction on white adipose tissue metabolism and signaling
Hobbies:  Cooking, reading, music and playing sports
Things I like best about Madison:  Summertime on the lake with ice cream

Alejandra I. Huerta
SCIMED PEER MENTOR
PhD Student
Plant Pathology
BS Chemistry, University of California - Santa Cruz

Hometown:  Salinas, CA
Research Description: The intimate relationship between the phytopathogenic bacterium R. solanacearum and it tomato host in latently vs. symptomatic infected plants.
Hobbies: Running, writing, painting
Things I like best about Madison: The sunsets at Memorial Union and meeting new people!

Melanie Ivancic
PhD Candidate
Integrated Program in Biochemistry
BS, Biochemistry, Purdue University

Hometown:  Indianapolis, IN
Research Description: The goal of my research is to identify protein biomarkers in serum for the early detection of colon cancer using quantitative proteomics.
Hobbies:  Running, gardening, painting/drawing
Things I like best about Madison:  Great local eateries, the lakes, beautiful summers with lots of outdoor activities, the university, the farmers market

Jacqueline Jackson
PhD Candidate
Cancer Biology
BS, Molecular Biology, Winston-Salem State University

Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Research Description: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) lifecycle and integration in cervical cancer
Hobbies:  Rock Climbing! Outdoor activities.
Things I like best about Madison:  I enjoy the biker atmosphere as well as the many accommodations for vegetarians. The people are very friendly and having a vast variety of restaurants is awesome!

Amy Jancewicz
PhD Student
Integrated Program in Biochemistry
BS, Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut

Hometown:  Preston, CT
Research Description: Structural studies of motor proteins and adaptor proteins that help in the intracellular transport of membranous organelles.
Hobbies:  Running, Jumping,
Things I like best about Madison:  TONS of choices for dining out

Omar Jobe
PhD Candidate
Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology
BS Eastern Washington University

Hometown:  Seattle, WA
Research Description: Estrogen metabolism, pregnancy and the pathophysiology of preeclampsia
Hobbies: Basketball, watching sports, music
Things I like best about Madison: Madison is home to great people, great lakes, and an exceptional institution.

Gilbert Jose
PhD Candidate
Microbiology
BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

Hometown:  Baltimore, MD
Research Description: Antivirals for HSV-1
Hobbies:  Movies, Music, Spoken Word, Writing, TV, Politics
Things I like best about Madison:  Better traffic than Maryland!

Abiola Keller
PhD Candidate
Population Health
BS Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University

Hometown: Stevens Point, WI
Research Description: The relationship between patient-provider communication and health outcomes.
Hobbies: Shopping, watching college basketball, spending time with my family
Things I like best about Madison: Madison has great restaurants!

James Kirui
PhD Candidate
Cellular & Molecular Biology
BS Biology, Bethune Cookman University

Hometown: Kericho, Kenya
Research Description: We study the Influenza virus polymerase in an effort to understand structural features that influence cross-species transmission and determine pathogenic potential.
Things I like best about Madison: The Memorial Union Terrace, the lakes, Babcock ice cream, the "Library", State St, Bike trails, Cheese curds!

Xia Lee
Masters Student
Entomology
BS, Biology, UW-Madison

Hometown:  Applteon, WI
Research Description: I work on the distribution of the black legged tick/ deer tick Ixodes scapularis and its infection with Lyme desease.

Martina Ly
PhD Student
Neuroscience Training Program
BS, Neuroscience, Scripps College

Hometown:  Rosemead, California
Research Description: I am investigating grey and white matter morphometry in the cortex with structural MRI images in psychiatric populations.
Hobbies:  I enjoy good food in the company of friends, going to used bookstores, collecting woven baskets and playing bocce ball.
Things I like best about Madison:  The bike paths, local farms, beautiful lakes, deep fried cheese curds & the midwestern hospitality.

Angie Manlick
PhD Student
Integrated Program in Biochemistry
BS Biochem/Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Hometown:  Auburndale, WI
Research Description: DNA Polymerase V activation by RecA
Hobbies: Riding horse, camping, canoeing, fishing
Things I like best about Madison: Bike trails, restaurants, farmer's market

Jesus Mena
PhD Candidate
Neuroscience Training Program
BS, Biology & Psychology, Tufts University

Hometown:  Sterling, MA
Research Description: Investigation of PFC opioids on feeding
Hobbies:  Video Games, Tennis, Movies, TV, Walking/Running
Things I like best about Madison:  Farmer's Market, Union Terrace, Family friendly, Safe and good sized

Walatta-Tseyon Mesquitta
PhD Candidate
Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology
BS, Molecular Biochemistry & Biophysics, Illinois Inst. of Technology

Hometown:  Conneticut
Research Description: Compartmentalization and pathophysiology of cardiac ion channels
Hobbies: Reading, listening to good music, Chicago
Things I like best about Madison: Lakes, Babcock icecream, farmers market, MCP program

Monica Montano
SCIMED PEER MENTOR
PhD Candidate
Cellular & Molecular Pathology
BS, Biology Rockhurst University

Hometown:  Topeka, KS
Research Description: Immunomodulatory macrophages induced by mesenchymal and/or embryonic stem cells
Hobbies:  Going out, Shopping, stem cells
Things I like best about Madison:  How friendly it is!

Christine Muganda
PhD Student
Population Health
BS Mathematics & Spanish, North Central College

Hometown:  Bolingbrook, IL
Research Description: Infectious disease epidemiology
Hobbies: Soccer, rock climbing, eating, and playing guitar
Things I like best about Madison: There is so much to do! The lakes are beautiful, the zoo is free, great people, high "bikeability", a remarkable bus system, and CHEESE!

Samira Musah
PhD Candidate
Chemistry, Chemical Biology Training Program
BSs, State University of New York at Binghamton

Hometown:  New York, NY
Research Description: My research focuses on the discovery of cell-recognition molecules to develop biomaterials for controling stem cell growth and differentiation.
Hobbies:  Reading, listening to music, yoga, tennis, and cooking
Things I like best about Madison:  restaurants, lakes, ice cream, and the overture center

Chidi Obasi
PhD Student
Clinical Investigation
College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Abia State, Nigeria

Research Description: Health outcomes research, epidemiology of disease, global health
Hobbies: Outdoors, reading, cooking
Things I like best about Madison: Cool and calm place with lots of ideas and people.

Samuel (Joe) Ollar
PhD Student
Cellular & Molecular Pathology
BS Cell & Molecular Biology, San Diego State University

Hometown: Anaheim, CA
Research Description: Defining the mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis dissemination into the central nervous system
Hobbies: Backpacking, community outreach, fishing, gardening, hiking, hunting, rock climbing, running, sailing

Lucas O'Neill
PhD Student
Integrated Program in Biochemistry
BS Biology, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Research Description: I study the function of the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase-2 and it's unsaturated lipid products palmitoleate and oleate during mouse development.
Hobbies: Eating at different restaruants, traveling, and watching tv.
Things I like best about Madison: I love Madison's weather. There are many days when the sky is bright blue with no clouds. I also love that there are so many things to do such as sailing in the summer, skiing in the winter, visiting the farmers market, and going to Noah's Ark.

Dale Perez
PhD Student
Animal Science
BS, Animal Science & Poultry Science, UW-Madison

Hometown:  West Bend, WI
Research Description: Vitamin E and Lipid Oxidation in Poultry
Hobbies:  Hunting, Fishing, Sports, Outdoors Activities
Things I like best about Madison:  The variety of places, activities and resources that are available around the city.

Zulmarie Perez Horta
SCIMED PEER MENTOR
PhD Student
Cellular & Molecular Pathology
BS, Chemistry and Biology, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras

Hometown:  San Juan, PR
Research Description: I work in a cancer immunology lab, trying to activate macrophages to induce an anti-tumor effect.
Hobbies:  I love reading, trying new food, playing board games. I enjoy interesting conversations and learning about different cultures.
Things I like best about Madison:  The people are awesome, the city is beautiful in all the seasons, there is a lot of things to do for free!

Adriana Rodriguez
PhD Student
Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology
BS, Biology, University of Houston

Hometown:  Katy, TX
Research Description: My research is focused on understanding the signals involved in the initial establishment of the fetal-maternal vasculature connection.
Hobbies:  Song writting, Biking, Paranormal Movies and Books
Things I like best about Madison: The cool breeze that is always in the air versus the steamy sticky humidity that is always in the air back home in Texas.

Alexander Rodriguez
PhD Student
Neuroscience Training Program
BS, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Alfonso Rodriguez
PhD Student
Medical Physics
BS, Physics, New Mexico State

Hometown:  El Paso, TX
Research Description: Qualitative CT for COPD Phantom studies
Hobbies:  Movies, games
Things I like best about Madison: Small town atmosphere

Carlos Ivan Rodriguez
PhD Student
Molecular & Environmental Toxicology
BS, Biology, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras

Hometown:  Puerto Rico
Research Description: The Role of G-Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) signaling in Melanoma
Hobbies: Guitar, Movies, Bike
Things I like best about Madison: Memorial Union Terrace, restaurants, and bicycle paths

Jose F. Rodriguez-Molina
PhD Student
Cellular & Molecular Pathology
BS Chemistry, Universided de Puerto Rico-Río Piedra

Hometown:  Carolina, PR
Research Description:Transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms in Schwann cell development.

Daniel Saenz
PhD Student
Medical Physics
BS Physics, Rice University

Hometown:  College Station, TX
Research Description: I study error in deformable image registration for use in radiotherapy and techniques to reduce it.
Hobbies: Playing and watching basketball, playing guitar & violin, listening to music
Things I like best about Madison: Restaurants, atmosphere, and people

Patricia Sánchez-Vázquez
PhD Student
Microbiology
University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez

Hometown:  Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Research Description: I am characterizing the formation of ribosomal RNA foci in E. coli.
Hobbies: Playing Wii, going out with friends, reading, lots of reading (for fun!)
Things I like best about Madison: I love the view of the lake, the good attitude of people in Madison, and the Union terrace.

Margarita Santiago
PhD Student
Nutritional Sciences
BS, Human Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon

Hometown:  Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
Research Description: Community-based research in an Hispanic minority community for childhood obesity prevention
Hobbies:  Yoga, meditation, bike riding, hiking, traveling, dancing.
Things I like best about Madison:  Everything....food, diversity, cultural environment, events, beer.

Miguel Santiago Medina
PhD Candidate
Neuroscience Training Program
BS Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez

Hometown:  Hormigueros, PR
Research Description: The involvement of kinases in regulating the cytoskeleton and adhesion structures of neurons in the developing nervous system.
Hobbies:  Reading and Cycling
Things I like best about Madison:  The wide variety of things to do.

Soraya Silva
Masters Student
Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology
BS Cell Molecular Biology, San Diego State University

Hometown:  Ukiah, CA
Research Description: Prolactin as an adipokine.
Hobbies: Dancing, running, yoga.
Things I like best about Madison: I like warm days by the lake and spending time on State Street. I like the cozy times at home on snowy days.

Danielle Stewart
SCIMED PEER MENTOR
PhD Student
Cellular & Molecular Pathology
BS, Biological sciences, Delaware State University

Hometown:  Clayton,Delaware
Research Description: Dendritic cell targeting to create a booster vaccine to Mtb
Hobbies:  Reading mystery books, dancing,working out, and trying out new food
Things I like best about Madison:  Great live music, social activities, lots of outdoor activities all year long

Norbert Tavares
PhD Candidate
Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, Bacteriology
BS Biology, Univesity of Southerm Connecticut

Hometown:  Kingston, JA
Research Description: Bacterial synthesis of coenzyme B12
Hobbies:  Ultimate Frisbee, Capoiera, gardening, reading
Things I like best about Madison:  The weather, farmer's market, the people

Melba Marie Tejera
PhD Student
Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology
BS Biology, University of South Florida

Hometown:  Tampa, FL
Research Description: Kinetic Characterization of Cu(II)-Vinyl-Pyrimidine-Co-Styrene Polymer in Polyphenol Oxidation
Hobbies: Biking, Reading, Enjoying the outdoors
Things I like best about Madison: Madison is a smaller community with lots of culture and
a safe environment. I like the seasonality in Madison.