PREP Scholars

Maximino (Max) Emerson

Max earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Kansas in 2023. He is mentored in PREP by Dr. Lisa Timmons, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Max's PREP research focuses on iron metabolism and its effect on RNAi efficiency in C. elegans. Max will be pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison beginning Fall 2024.

Amanda Hoffman

Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Haskell Indian Nations University in 2022 and is a member of the Karuk tribe of California. As a PREP scholar, Amanda is working with Dr. Rosana Ferreira, assistant professor in KU’s Department of Molecular Biosciences. Amanda’s research focuses on investigating mechanisms of biofilm inhibition in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Amanda will be pursuing a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder beginning Fall 2024.

Victoria (Vic) Secondine

Vic is a citizen of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. Vic earned their bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Haskell Indian Nations University in 2023. They are mentored by Dr. Amy Burgin, professor in KU’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Vic’s PREP research integrates Western science approaches with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to assess the effects restoration strategy on nutrient cycling in wetlands. Vic will enter the Ph.D. program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas in Fall 2024.

Vic is a 2024 awardee of the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship.

Amina Tbaba

Amina earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California State University Long Beach in 2023. Amina’s PREP mentor is Dr. Adam Smith, associate professor in KU’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Amina’s research focuses on characterizing dopamine expression in the insular cortex during the pair bonding process, using the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) as a model. Amina will be pursuing a neuroscience Ph.D. at the University of Kansas starting in Fall 2024.

Cristina Vargas Vazquez

Cristina earned her bachelor’s degree in human biology from the University of California Santa Cruz in 2023. Her PREP mentor is Dr. Josephine Chandler, associate professor in KU’s Department of Molecular Biosciences. Cristina’s PREP research focuses on the evolutionary consequences of quorum sensing, a density dependent bacterial communication system, in Chromobacterium subtsugae. Cristina will be pursuing a Ph.D. in microbiology and environmental toxicology at the University of California Santa Cruz beginning in Fall 2024.

Julian Yang

Julian earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Concordia University St. Paul in 2023. He is mentored by Dr. Heng Du, professor in KU’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Julian’s PREP research focuses on developing our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease. Julian will be entering the Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota in Fall 2024.