Addison ChanSchatz is a third-year student from Manhattan NYC who grew up experiencing the role process has in the creation of contemporary fine art. Graduating from the STEM Academy he earned his associate’s degree from Madison College and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in Economics with certificates in Art History and International Business. As a freshman Addison was a part of the Avraamidou Research Group – Circular Economy Lab based in the Departments of Biological and Chemical Engineering. During his sophomore year Addison was elected Fundraising Officer and Interim Treasurer of the UW-Madison Esports & Gaming Club coordinating sponsorships at the national and international level. During his first and second and years, he was a member of the UW-Madison Concrete Canoe Team, finding success at the regional and national level competitions and contributing to UW’s long tradition of Concrete Canoe Excellence. Addison has participated in clubs ranging from UW-Madison Table Tennis to the UW-Madison Federal Reserve Challenge Team. Addison is a CAE (Center for Academic Excellence) Scholar and FASTrack Scholarship recipient.
Alexander Vorobiov is a fourth-year student from Chicago, Illinois. He is double majoring in Biology and Philosophy with a certificate in Global Health and anticipates applying to medical school at the end of his senior year. Currently, Alex works in the Senes Lab in the Department of Biochemistry where he is investigating the structure and function of an essential protein involved in bacterial cell division. On campus, Alex is involved in the UW Red Cross Club, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Society, and Boxing Club. In his free time, Alex enjoys reading, running, weightlifting, and cooking up in the kitchen.
Claudia Liverseed
Diego Izaak Miranda-Gandarilla is a junior majoring in Neurobiology and Scandinavian Studies at UW-Madison. As a URS Scholar, he worked with Dr. John Hokanson on researching catheter intervention criteria in pediatric aortic coarctation. Diego is also a Wisconsin International Scholar (WISc) in addition to a Center for Educational Opportunity (CeO) scholar. He is from beautiful Colorado, and he enjoys watching basketball, soccer, movies, reading, listening to music, playing the saxophone, and speaking Swedish!
Dominic Catherino
Eatai Sasson is a senior from Thiensville, Wisconsin. He is majoring in Neurobiology with a certificate in Education and Educational Services. During his time as a URS Scholar, Eatai did research in geochemistry using x-ray spectroscopy to better understand the microstructure of ammonium bearing minerals such as jarosite, and how ammonium undergoes ionic substitution within them. Outside of URS, Eatai is working on his senior thesis with Dr. Sarah Short in the Brain and Early Experience lab to research how prenatal maternal stress exposure affects white matter tract development in infants. He plans to apply for graduate school in hopes of continuing similar research. In his free time, Eatai loves to bake all kinds of treats, spend time with friends (especially at James Madison Park and the dog park), and binge watch tv shows.
Ian Burton is a fourth-year from Hartland, Wisconsin. He is majoring with honors in Psychology and History with a certificate in German Language Studies. During his time as a URS Scholar, he worked for the Kerr Parenting Lab in developing an anti-racist parenting program for families in Wisconsin. Now, he is a part of the Brauer Group Lab where he conducts his own research on climate change misinformation effects and the influence of social norms and pluralistic ignorance on belief in climate change information through the Sophomore Research Fellowship. In his history research, Ian looks at how the development of European authoritarianism in the 20th century occurred, specifically through the intertwined actions and fate of German and Russian socialists. Outside of his research and studies, Ian is the President of Psychology Club and enjoys reading, writing, playing games, watching shows, and supporting his favorite sports teams!
Janani Sampath is a junior from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She is double-majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology with a certificate in Asian American Studies. Janani is on the board of AED, a premedical club on campus, and hopes to combine her passion for the brain and her love of kids by pursuing pediatric psychiatry. As a URS scholar, Janani worked in the SPANlab to understand neural processing of speech and will continue her work in the lab in 2024-2025. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, listening to music, and re-reading Percy Jackson.
Josalin Kumm is a fifth-year student and Mercile J. Lee Scholar from Amherst, WI. As an Industrial Engineering student with certificates in Leadership and Entrepreneurship, she provides solutions across fields and areas. During her time as a URS Scholar, she assisted Dr. Joonbum Lee and DASH Labs delve into the fields of partly autonomous vehicles. Beyond her studies, Josalin finds enjoyment in music, movies, and the outdoors. She also enjoys volunteering and traveling across the world.
Julia Schultz is a third year student from Bayside, Wisconsin. She is majoring in Biology with a certificate in Criminal Justice. Julia enjoys learning about the intersection of medicine, law, and nature, with hopes of pursuing a career in medicine. As a URS Scholar, Julia investigated the increased nitrogen fixation potential of diazotrophs with helper bacteria for sustainable biofertilizers under Dr. Paulo Ivan Fernandes Júnior through the Ané Lab in Microbial Sciences. She continues to be in touch with various members of the lab. Julia is a part of the EMT- Experience Program, which allows UW students to bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare by training and transporting EMTs to volunteer at Mount Horeb Fire Department. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Julia enjoys hiking in the various state parks in Wisconsin, reading whimsical fantasy, and swimming on the UW- Club swim team.
Lulia Tekeste is a third-year student and proud Posse Scholar from Chicago, Illinois majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology with a certificate in African American studies on the pre-health track. She is a student researcher at the Harlow Center for Biological Psychology, where she primarily explores the relationship between different brain areas and the body and will continue to do so. Outside of URS and academics, she is also an avid member of AHANA MAPS, the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board, and Badger Spill (a mental health support organization). In her free time, she loves to read, write, bike, and watch her favorite shows!
Nolan Hegge is a third-year student from Madison, Wisconsin. He is double majoring in Data Science and Environmental Studies with a certificate in Computer Science. During his time as a URS scholar, Nolan worked in the Kaufman lab on campus, developing new tools for farmers market managers and focusing on improving food systems. After finishing his time as a URS scholar, Nolan has continued to work for the Kaufman lab as a member of the software development and research teams. Outside of his studies, Nolan enjoys playing cello, cooking, weightlifting, and playing sports.
Nora Wali is a fourth year student from Long Island, New York pursuing double majors in Neurobiology and Psychology with a certificate in Health in the Humanities. Nora is planning to apply to medical school in the near future after graduating from UW-Madison. During her time as a URS Scholar, she worked in the Pediatric Auditory Experience and Brain Lab where she spent time researching the impact of household noise on the language outcomes of Latino children in the US. She also joined the Pfleger lab to research genetic sequences in Yeast variations during the same year. In her free time, she enjoys watching sunrises and sunsets, spending time with the people closest to her, and exploring outdoors.
Sadie Brenneman is a third-year from Chicago, Illinois, majoring in Botany with a certificate in Environmental Studies. As a URS Scholar, Sadie studied the correlation between the architectural growth models and anatomy on certain gymnosperm families in the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. During her semester abroad in Ecuador, she did further research on fern abundance and diversity in the Amazon rainforest and on tourist education in the Galapágos. In her free time, Sadie enjoys social dancing, spending time with her friends and family, and taking walks in the UW Arboretum and the Lakeshore Trail.
Samira Pal is a fourth-year student from Cupertino, California, pursuing degrees in Pharmacology and Toxicology and Biology. Her passion for medical research has led her to her current position as a researcher in the same lab where she began as a URS Scholar. Samira’s work focuses on the discovery and synthesis of personalized drugs to combat cancer. With aspirations of attending Pharmacy School and establishing a career in Clinical Pharmacy, she is dedicated to improving patient outcomes. When she’s not immersed in her studies and research, Samira enjoys spending quality time with friends, expressing herself through dance, and exploring her culinary skills.
Simantini Thorat is a third-year student from Maharastra, India. She is majoring in Genetics and Genomics, with a certificate in Life Sciences communication. During her time as a URS Scholar, she worked on developing a fast and efficient gene-editing tool using, CRISPR-Cas9 technology, in the PFLEGER Lab, under the guidance of Dr. Shivangi Mishra. Outside of the URS program, Simantini enjoys reading, writing, and hanging out with friends.
Susan Lei is a fourth-year student from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She is majoring in Neurobiology and obtaining a certificate in Graphic Design with hopes of becoming a Radiology Technologist in the future. She is currently an undergraduate research assistant in the Motor and Brain Development lab under Dr. Brittany Travers, the same lab she joined when she was a URS Scholar. The lab has been collaborating with the Social and Behavioral Development lab on a longitudinal study aimed at determining the connections between autism and ADHD to facilitate more effective diagnostic and treatment methods for kids. When she’s not in the lab or out studying, you can find her cheering at hockey games, relaxing at boba shops, or catching up on all things F1.
Sydney Tannen is a current third-year student from Minneapolis, MN. She is majoring in Biology with a Health and the Humanities certificate. During her time as a URS scholar, Sydney did research with Dr. LB Klein on developing a bystander intervention education program for LGBTQ+ college students. Sydney continues to be involved in this research. In addition to this, Sydney also works as an EMT and volunteers as an online crisis counselor. Sydney is also a member of the Bioethics Club. Other than her academic and professional pursuits, Sydney enjoys reading, writing, making jewelry, sewing, and spending time with her friends.