Meet our 2019-2020 Scholars

12 students were selected for the 2019-2020 UF Health Cancer Institute University Scholars Program.

Payton Bogertbogert

  • Major: Biology
  • Minor: International Studies in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Mentor: Dietmar Siemann, Ph.D.
  • College of Medicine
  • Research Project Title:
    Evaluating the role of cathepsin inhibition in chemotherapy resistant osteosarcoma
  • Research Program: Cancer Therapeutics & Host Response

Belen De La Florbelen


Chamara Gunaratnechamara


Alicia Houhou

  • Major: Biology (Pre-professional)
  • Minor: Music Performance (Piano)
  • Mentor: Jianping Huang, M.D., Ph.D.
  • College of Medicine
  • Research Project Title:
    Investigation of Dual-Target CAR T Cell Therapy Using CD70 and pp65 for GBM Treatment
  • Research Program: Cancer Therapeutics & Host Response

Tyler Kellenbergertyler

  • Major: Health Science
  • Mentor: David Tran, M.D., Ph.D.
  • College of Medicine
  • Research Project Title:
    The role of MRDC1 in Dendritic Cell function
  • Research Program: Cancer Therapeutics & Host Response

Daniel Koppeldaniel


Vikasni Mohanmohan


Nicole Pelletiernicole

  • Major: Anthropology and Psychology
  • Minor: Innovation and Health Disparities in Society
  • Mentor: Lei Zhou, Ph.D.
  • College of Medicine
  • Research Project Title:
    Understanding Oncogenic Effects of Histone 2B Mutations Co-Expressed with Oncogenic RasV12
  • Research Program: Mechanisms of Oncogenesis

Siri Ravurisiri


Virginia Samuelsvirginia


Alexis Trumbullalexis


Lauren Vaughnlauren

  • Major: Pre-Professional Biology
  • Minor: Health Disparities
  • Mentor: Christopher Cogle, M.D.
  • College of Medicine
  • Research Project Title:
    Targeting Alternative mRNA Splicing in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
  • Research Program: Cancer Therapeutics & Host Response
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