Students 2024

School/Affiliation Johns Hopkins University

Biosketch "My background is in clinical medicine (MD), clinical research, genomics- computational genomics and computational transcriptomics, applied mathematics, computing sciences, biomechanics, network analysis, and applied statistics. Having worked as a visiting researcher in the past in the Lab of Dr. Pranav Parikh, I am super-excited to return to immerse myself in projects investigating the role of biological neural networks in balance control in stroke patients."

Biosketch Christian Doxakis graduated from the University of Houston in Spring 2024 and will be starting a PhD in Kinesiology fall 2024 at the University of Houston. His research interest’s include neurorehabilitation for post-stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, and spinal cord injury. He has been involved in undergraduate research at the Center for Neuromotor and Biomechanics Research for one and a half years and has been researching transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation as an intervention for Parkinson’s Disease.

School/Affiliation Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2024) BA in Biology, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX (1981 – 1985); MSPT in Physical Therapy, Texas Woman’s University (TWU), Houston (1985 – 1987); PhD(c) in Physical Therapy, TWU, Houston (fall 2017 – current).
Total Years Completed: 12.5 years

Biosketch Carmen Kelley is a physical therapist with 36 years of experience in Houston's adult and pediatric settings, including an acute hospital in the Texas Medical Center, outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, sports clinics, home health, and public school. She treated patients of all ages in chest physical therapy, ICU, cardiac and transplant units, work hardening, neurology, rehabilitation, prosthetics, wound care, and pediatrics. With a Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing certification, Carmen specialized in autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder for the past 23 years. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Physical Therapy at Texas Woman's University in Houston.

School/Affiliation Georgia State University

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2024) B.S. in Exercise Science Graduated 2020 and A.S in Kinesiology Graduated 2019

Biosketch "My name is Isaiah Leon, and I am a graduate of Georgia State University’s Exercise Science Program. I am an Exercise Physiologist with 8 years of experience working in commercial gyms, corporate gyms, stretch studios, small boutique gyms that focus on community wellness, and rehabilitation centers. While working on my undergraduate degree I found a major interest in biomechanics and neuroscience. After completing my undergraduate studies, I delved deeper into my passions, which led me to pursue a Graduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. My research interests lie in developing wearable devices and biosensors to monitor and optimize movement patterns, as well as in neural interface technologies to improve the lives of individuals with neurological disorders. I am excited to continue my journey in the field leveraging my experience and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to healthcare tech and wellness."

School/Affiliation University of Texas at Austin

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2024) BS in Kinesiology, MS Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation class 2025

Biosketch "My name is Mark Martinez and I am a first year masters student at the University of Texas at Austin. Spending most of my years in sports, as I got older I decided I wanted to pursue an education centered around biomechanics. Currently, my research project involves determining the effects of plantar vibration to improve dynamic balance control in older adults. In my free time, I enjoy jiu jitsu/MMA, coffee, working out, car detailing, and cooking."

School/Affiliation University of Houston

Biosketch "My name is Kenedy May and I am a recent graduate of the University of Houston. I majored in exercise science and minored in nutrition with the goal of applying to occupational therapy school for the summer/fall of 2025! I'm so excited to be given this internship opportunity that will foster growth and learning and will give me experiences I will be able to cherish forever. In my free time I enjoy volunteering with a group affiliated with UH, known as Evolve! I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, weightlifting, yoga, listening to music, and trying new foods!"

School/Affiliation Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2024) Associate in Science from Houston Community College, graduated May 2019; BS Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of St Thomas Houston, graduated December 2022; Doctor of Medicine at Tilman J Fertitta Family College of Medicine, estimated graduation date 2027.
1.5 years Associate Degree, 3.5 years Bachelors, 1 year of Graduate School, Total Years Completed is 6.

Biosketch "I am a passionate first-year medical student, I have a history of dedication to disability rights and extensive experience in biomedical research. As a disabled person myself, I am dedicated to advocating for the disabled community. I have worked with children with disabilities at therapeutic horseback riding stables and volunteered as an amputee peer support specialist. My specialty interests include physical medicine and rehabilitation and neurology, and I aim to revolutionize healthcare accessibility and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities."

School/Affiliation University of Houston College of Medicine

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2024) Bachelors Degree Kinesiology and Chemistry; Medical Student Class 2027

Biosketch “My name is Yakob Zumlot, and I am a first-year medical student at UHCOM. profound interest in the science behind medicine, driven by a desire to give back to our communities. Growing up in a small refugee camp with limited access to healthcare, I witnessed firsthand the critical need for medical services in disadvantaged communities. This experience has motivated me to dedicate my career to improving health outcomes for those who are most in need.”

School/Affiliation The University of Chicago

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) B.S. in Computer Science. Incoming Graduate Student at the University of Chicago

Biosketch Amr Alshatnawi is a graduate student at the University of Chicago pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical informatics. He graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Saint Xavier University in Chicago where he was awarded the outstanding computer science student award. He has completed multiple internships at NASA, most recently he was a 2022 fall intern at NASA Johnson Space Center supporting the Human Physiology, Performance, Protection, and Operations (H-3PO) Laboratory. He is interested in learning about the impact of biomedical research on human health and performance and how it could be used to improve human health.

School/Affiliation Rice University, Shepherd School of Music

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) First Year of Masters in Music (MM) in Violin Performance

Biosketch Nanki Chugh is a violinist from Santa Monica, California. She is currently pursuing a masters of music in violin performance at the Shepherd School of Music in Rice University. She completed her undergraduate degree at Yale University in May 2022 where she studied both music and biochemistry, receiving a bachelors of science in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics, cum laude, with distinction in the Major. As part of her biology degree, she worked as a research intern in a biochemistry lab at UCLA, a clinical biostatistics lab at Cedars-Sinai, and a neuroscience lab at Yale, studying Drosophila vision. She was the concertmistress and a member of the Programming Committee during Yale Symphony Orchestra’s Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 seasons. She loves dark chocolate, mentoring children, playing chamber music, reading, writing, tidepooling, and bhangra dancing!

School/Affiliation Pursuing M.S. in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Colorado State University; B.S. in Health and Exercise Science

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) Year 2/2.5 of M.S. program in Orthotics and Prosthetics

Biosketch She is a North Dakota native who earned her bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in Biomedical Sciences. While at CSU, she worked in the Clinical Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Function labs focusing on turf related injuries and validating smart devices for performing remote motor batteries, respectively. She then went on to begin earning her Master’s in Science from Baylor College of Medicine in Orthotics and Prosthetics. She has completed part of her clinical residency in Minnesota, Washington, and Colorado. Her master’s thesis is focused on resident competency in scoliosis related care. Overall, her current research interests are neuroscience, human mobility and potential, and clinical education.

School/Affiliation Arizona State University

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) Biomedical Engineering, B.S.E

Biosketch I’ve been interested in how the brain works for a very long time, but my interest really grew when I got to college. Getting to explore how the brain works through advanced classes and working in a research lab has allowed me to gain a level of appreciation for the brain I would have never had previously. What drew me to this program was that it would allow me to further delve into the world of neuroscience from an angle that I have not previously explored it. Getting practical experience in running neuroscientific experiments with patients in real time is something I have never done before.

School/Affiliation University of Colorado Boulder

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) B.S. in Chemical and Biological Engineering

Biosketch I recently completed my degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. I also minored in biomedical engineering. My goal is to have a career working in the medical devices field, as I have always been fascinated by the world of medicine. I hope to have a job where I get to learn new things every day and collaborate with others. I am also considering attending graduate school for biomedical engineering to advance my skills in the field.

School/Affiliation Johns Hopkins University

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) B.S. in Neuroscience

Biosketch Kennedy Leonard completed her B.S. in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University with minors in Music and Spanish for the Professions. Kennedy has been the Music Director of the a cappella group, Adoremus, at Hopkins for the past 2 years, as well as the president of the JHU Choral Society chamber choir, ECCO. Kennedy's prior research experience includes Dr. Pranav Parikh's project at The University of Houston which focuses on stroke rehabilitation and specifically studying deficits in balance and postural movements, as well as Dr. Preeti Raghavan's project at the Johns Hopkins Hospital which focuses on stroke rehabilitation in the upper extremeties. Kennedy's future plans include medical school, and she hopes to continue neuroscience research in the future.

School/Affiliation Carnegie Mellon University

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) Completed first year of Master's of Science — Research in Biomedical Engineering

Biosketch Robert “Danny” Magruder Danny Magruder is integrating his electrical engineering and neuroscience knowledge as a Master’s student at Carnegie Mellon University, studying biomedical engineering. His current research is with TMS for upper extremity stroke neurorehabilitation, and his previous work utilized EEG data in PTSD research. Through coursework, personal ventures, and research projects, Danny is an advanced programmer in MATLAB and C languages. His other interests include soccer and travel, recently going to Barcelona to watch FC Barca play in person. This summer, Danny is thrilled to be working with Dr. Jose L. Contreras-Vidal and Dr. Pranav Parikh in their respective labs.

School/Affiliation University of Houston – Clear Lake

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) 2nd year Masters

Biosketch Found sport science from a creative career as a dance instructor, choreographer, and creative director. Licensed Massage Therapist with sports and orthopedic advanced training. Member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. BSc in Fitness & Human Performance, and 2nd year master’s student in Exercise & Health Sciences at University of Houston – Clear Lake. Sports interest in professional dance injury prevention and return-to-stage recovery and rehabilitation. Clinical interest in stretch and manual therapy effects on patients with neurologic conditions.

School/Affiliation University of Colorado Boulder

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Biosketch Linnea graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Spanish. She has extensive experience working with patients as well as brain machine interfaces and will be going on to PA school in the next few years. She is passionate about the neuroscience behind prosthetic and orthotic devices and hopes to incorporate that work into her future surgical career.

School/Affiliation Stevenson University, Owings Mills, MD

Year of Education Completed (Spring 2023) B.S. in Biomedical Engineering

Biosketch Amir Srour is an accomplished senior student studying Biomedical Engineering from Baltimore, Maryland. He has a passion for research and a particular interest in neuroscience. Currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree, Amir is set to graduate in May 2023 from Stevenson University, having already acquired invaluable research experience as an undergraduate, working with Dr. James R. Borrelli on a project focused on preventing fall injury risk. He has presented his findings at various conferences, including the American Society of Biomechanics. Amir is interested in the medical field, particularly in orthopedics and neurology, and plans to pursue a doctorate in medicine in one of those fields. He has volunteered in the neurosurgery department at the University of Maryland Medical Center to gain clinical exposure. As an NSAP trainee, Amir hopes to contribute to groundbreaking research in neuroscience and neurotechnology to make a meaningful impact on the world.