Students

Alana Canty

Alana Canty is a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. Alana is from Chesapeake, Virginia, where she graduated high school in 2022. Alana is the recipient of Virginia Space Grant Consortium STEM Bridge Scholarship and Ronald L. Horne Old Dominion University Black Alumni Chapter “BAC” Scholarship. In her free time, Alana enjoys arts & crafts, cooking, and travelling. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering.

Drayanna Foxrun

Drayanna Foxrun is a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences. Drayanna is from Norfolk, Virginia, where she graduated high school in 2022. Drayanna is the recipient of the ODU Presidential Scholarship and has been on the Dean's List for both the Spring and Fall semesters of 2022 and 2023. In her free time, Drayanna enjoys knitting, playing games, and spending time with friends and family. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in immunological research on autoimmune diseases. Her mentor is Dr. Harold Riethman.

Matthew Maisonave

Matthew Maisonave is a junior majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Biology. Matthew is from Chesapeake, VA, where he graduated high school in 2022. Matthew is the recipient of ODU’s Monarch Scholarship and has been recognized as a Dean’s Perfect Scholar three consecutive times. In his free time, Matthew enjoys going out with friends, watching football, and working on programming projects. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in either Bioinformatics or Computer Science. His mentors are Dr. Lisa Wallace and Dr. Jian Wu.

Larry Teasley

Larry Teasley is a junior majoring in Computer Science. Larry is from Norfolk, Virginia, where he graduated high school in 2022. Larry is the recipient of the E.L. Hamm scholarship, the United Way of South Hampton Roads African American Leadership Society STEM scholarship, the ODU Crown Scholarship, and the Access College Foundation scholarship. In his free time, Larry enjoys watching football and Formula One races and attending Motorsports events. He plans to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science. His mentor is Dr. Lesley Greene.

Joy Brewer

Joy Brewer was a first-generation student that earned her degree in Biomedical Sciences with a Chinese Studies minor. She has lived all over the U.S. but has been in Virginia for the past several years. Joy enjoyed taking care of plants, cooking, and making art. Her research interests included genetic and/or chronic conditions, virology, and vaccine synthesis. She plans to earn her Ph.D. and work as a medical researcher, both domestically and abroad.

Christina James

Christina James earned her degree in Psychology. She is from Chantilly, Virginia, where she graduated high school with honors in 2020. Christina was the recipient of the ODU crown scholarship and a Summa Cum Laude. In her free-time, Christina enjoyed painting, cooking, and working out. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology. Her mentor was Dr. Cathy Lau-Barraco.

James Owens

James Owens is earned his degree in Computer Science and Game Studies. He is from Beckley, West Virginia. His research interests included eye tracking and cognitive research. He participated in the Virginia Commonwealth University Pauley Heart Center's undergraduate research fellowship during the summer of 2022. In his free time, James enjoyed running, skiing, and playing the piano. He plans on earning his Ph.D. in computational neuroscience. His research mentor is Prof. Sampath Jayarathna.

Ashley Person

Ashley Person earned her degree in Biomedical Sciences. She is from Sasebo, Japan, and graduated from Oak Harbor High School in Washington State, receiving high honors and the President's Award for Educational Excellence. Ashley took part in the Cardiovascular research opportunity over the summer of 2022 at Virginia Commonwealth University. She enjoyed playing tennis, art, and baking. She plans to earn her Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences to improve the understanding of, if not cure, various autoimmune diseases.

Catharine Cipriano

Catharine Cipriano earned her degree in Biology. She is from Windsor, Connecticut, and moved to Virginia several years ago. Catharine earned her associate of science degree with honors from Tidewater Community College, and took part in the Chemistry research opportunity for undergraduates over the summer of 2021. She hoped to study jellyfish and other biofluorescent deep-sea organisms, as well as their potential medical applications, and plans to earn her Ph.D. degree in marine biology. Her M-MARC research mentor was Prof. David Gauthier.

Stephonda Lewis

Stephonda Lewis earned her degree in Biomedical Science. She is from Yorktown, Virginia, and graduated from York High in 2019, where she received an IB Diploma. She was an NAACP ACT-SO awardee, Lambda Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Scholarship Awardee, Harry & Judy Wason Scholarship Awardee, Virginia Space Grant Consortium: STEM BRIDGE Awardee, and a Dean's Perfect Scholar since her freshman year at ODU. She enjoyed playing volleyball and volunteering. Stephonda's goal is to earn a M.D./Ph.D. degree where she can research and treat various types of cancers. Her mentor was Prof. Kyle Lambert.

Novia Mann

Novia Mann earned her degree in Chemistry. She is from Spanish Town, Jamaica, and has been living in the U.S.A. for several years. Novia's research and interests focused on the degradation of microplastics. She enjoyed gardening and plans to earn her Ph.D. degree in Environmental Chemistry. Her mentor was Prof. Alvin Holder.

Aislin West

Aislin West earned her degree in electrical engineering. She is from Stafford, Virginia. Aislin's research and interests focused on regenerative medicine and gene therapy. She was the recipient of the Clark-Nexsen Engineering Scholarship and the ODU Presidential Scholarship. Some of her favorite things included: reading, weightlifting, and enjoying nature! She plans to earn her Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering. Her M-MARC mentor was Dr. Claudia Muratori, at the Frank Reidy Research Center.

Lauren Butler graduated with a Psychology major with a minor in Human Services. She hails from Richmond, Virginia. Lauren enjoyed participating in research concerning Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Minority Stress. In her free time, she enjoyed activities like bike riding and hikes or simple things like binge-watching crime shows on Netflix. Her mentor was Prof. Kristin Heron.

Lindsay Days is from Suffolk, Virginia. Lindsay's research focused on developing transition metal-based drugs to treat breast cancer. She was the recipient of a Perry Honors College Undergraduate Research Grant and the Broderick Scholarship, which allowed her to present her research and learn from other scientists at multiple American Chemical Society conferences and fund a study-abroad trip to Jamaica to study bioinorganic chemistry. Her mentor was Prof. Alvin Holder.

Daja Goodrich earned her degree in Chemistry. She is from Newport News, Virginia, and graduated from the Achievable Dream High Schools as Valedictorian. Daja's goal is to become a forensic chemist and work in a lab to assist in the apprehension of culprits with the assistance of technology. Daja enjoyed knitting and donating her creations to the community. She plans to earn a Ph.D. degree in forensic science. Her M-MARC research mentor was Prof. Craig Bayse.

Chloe Smith is from Glen Allen, Virginia. She graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences. She was the recipient of an ABRCMS travel award in 2019 and won a prize for best poster at that conference as well. Chloe enjoyed reading and painting. Her M-MARC research mentor was Prof. Alvin Holder. Chloe started her Ph.D. at Cornell University in Fall 2022.