What is U-Rise?
This NIH (National Institutes for Health)-funded program is designed to support undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds as they complete their baccalaureate degree and transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).
The program offers generous support, offsetting the cost of stipends, tuition and fees, and training related expenses for the appointed trainees in accordance with the approved NIH support levels.
Our 2023 cohort
Victoria Bamwo
Victoria Bamwo was born in the United States of America but was raised in Lagos, Nigeria to become familiar with her heritage. After finishing high school, she returned to the United States to further her studies, graduating with an associate's degree in Mathematics and Science from Queensborough Community College. She is presently a Queens College undergraduate studying neuroscience with the goal of earning an MD/Ph.D. and specializing in neurology. When she is not conducting research or preparing for exams, she enjoys an active lifestyle, long treks, and reading science fiction novels.
Fnu Diya
My name is Fnu Diya. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in health science. My future goals are to pursue a degree M.D/Phd program. I am currently working in Dr. Choi’s Lab on the solid phase Synthesis.
Neli Kotlyar
Hello! My name is Neli, and I am a neuroscience and biology double major with minors in environmental science and psychology. I am very passionate about natural science, and am pursuing a career in neuropathology research following a Masters and PhD. I currently have undergraduate research experience in Dr. Denisova's Autism Origins Laboratory, and am currently in the Beeler lab as a research assistant. When I am not in the lab or working on internships, I enjoy going out in nature and doing wildlife photography.
Labiba Aziz
Hi everyone! My name is Labiba Aziz and I am a rising junior at Queens College, part of the Macaulay Honors College. I am majoring in neuroscience and minoring in biochemistry and anthropology. I am part of the Stress In Pregnancy lab at QC, and I am interested in looking at the biological mechanisms behind psychological stress. My future career goal is to attain a Ph.D. to work in a neuroscience research lab, and I look forward to working with URISE mentors and peers to achieve this goal.
Meet the Team
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Maral Tajerian
Program director
Dr. Maral Tajerian is a Neurophysiologist with particular interest in Brain Plasticity. Following undergraduate training in Biology and Psychology , Dr. Tajerian received a Master’s degree from the department of Biology and a PhD degree from the department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, Canada. She then completed a postdoctoral tenure at the School of Medicine at Stanford University, where she received the prestigious Ruth L. Kirschtein fellowship in pain research. She is currently appointed as an Assistant Professor at the Biology department at Queens College, City University of New York.
In addition to Laboratory research, Dr. Tajerian is passionate about teaching and mentoring graduate and undergraduate trainees. She is an advocate of science outreach and is the co-founder of Thwacke science-media consultancy.
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Sebastian Alvarado
Program co-director
Dr. Sebastian Alvarado is an Assistant Professor at Queens College, City University of New York. He completed his Ph.D. at McGill University and was an A.P. Giannini Fellow at Stanford University. He is interested in how plastic molecular substrates can shape a genome to dynamic changes in the environment.
Outside of his research program, Dr. Alvarado consults for the entertainment sector with Thwacke and writes books about science fiction.
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Tasmain Warren
Administrative assistant
Tasmain Tiffany Warren is an Environmental Advocate and recent graduate of CUNY Queens College, where she acquired her second baccalaureate in Environmental Studies. She is a goal-oriented individual with an interest in sustainability and environmental conservation. This interest first peaked during her Bachelor of Laws degree and deepened during her time as a paralegal where she worked on several environmental consultancy projects.
Outside of her professional life she spends much time as a peer mentor and volunteers with the Rotary International organization giving back to her community.n goes here
