Alexander Vorobiov is a third-year student from Chicago, Illinois. He is double majoring in Biology and Philosophy with a certificate in Global Health. He is planning on applying to medical school post-graduation and is heavily involved with the Red Cross and Alpha Epsilon Delta on campus. During his time as a URS Scholar, Alex worked in the Senes Lab investigating the structure and function of an essential protein involved with bacterial cell division. Outside of research and academics, Alex enjoys weightlifting, boxing, reading, and playing guitar. It is also said he could grill up a mean steak.
Evan Wooldridge
Gráinne McDonagh
Hailey Patel is a fourth-year student from Wisconsin studying Legal Studies, Public Policies, Criminal Justice, and Art History. As a URS Scholar, she worked with the Political Science Department studying public influence/lobbying efforts on the legislative law-making process. She is also part of Amnesty International on campus, helping lead the environmental team. Hailey loves trying out new coffee spots, taking long walks by Lake Mendota, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.
Ian Burton is a third-year from Hartland, Wisconsin. He is majoring in Psychology and History with a certificate in German Language Studies. During his time as a 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 misinformation effects and the influence that these have on a broader global scale through the Sophomore Research Fellowship. Outside of research and his studies, Ian is the Communications Chair of Psychology Club and enjoys reading, writing, spending time with friends and family, and cooking!
Journey Prack is a fourth-year student from Denver, Colorado, majoring in Entomology with a certificate in Environmental Studies. As a URS Scholar, Journey worked with the Anthony Ives lab to research how food sources affect parasitic wasp dispersal among aphid populations. Through her work in the Ives lab, she got the opportunity to go to Mývatn, Iceland as a REU intern to study midge population dynamics. Currently, Journey is completing her senior thesis in the Kerri Coon lab, researching the pitcher-plant mosquito and its associated microbiota as a potential symbiotic driver. In her free time, Journey likes to cook, read, and spend time outdoors and with friends.
JP Gutierrez is a fourth-year student originally from Chicago, Illinois. JP is majoring in Political Science and Life Science Communications and is getting a certificate in History and Public Policy. In his time as a URS Scholar, he researched the morphological aspects of underground and aerial roots from giant corn in the AneLab. This past summer, he worked for a nonprofit that focuses on debt relief called Jubilee USA Network as a Development and Executive Associate. JP is focusing on getting into law school in the near future. In his free time, he watches movies, anime, and cheers for his favorite NFL team the Chicago Bears.
Malee Thor is a fourth-year student and First Wave Scholar, where her academic journey intertwines with her artistic pursuits. As an art major with a passion for creativity, she has applied her talents across various mediums, pursuing a double minor in French and Film to enrich her understanding of visual storytelling. Beyond her studies, Malee finds enjoyment in music and the narratives of cinema, and bringing polymer clay to life. Amidst her academic commitments, Malee’s research within the program has been an exploration of the evolution of Shetland knitwear within the realm of Vogue, showcasing.
Malee served as a URS Research Fellow in fall 2023.
Maria Gleason is a fourth-year student from Fairfax, Virginia majoring in International Studies and Scandinavian Studies with a certificate in German. As a URS Scholar, Maria worked with University of Wisconsin’s Language Institute researching the value of multilingualism. Maria’s involvement on campus includes being the Vice President of Wisconsin’s Model UN team, on a student-run dance team, and involved with Greek life. She enjoys going for long walks in nature, playing games with friends, and spending time with her family.
Mason Thao is a second-year transfer student from Manitowoc, Wisconsin majoring in Neurobiology. He’s also a UW-Madison Center for Educational Opportunity (CeO) Scholar. Mason enjoys being at the forefront of novel science. During his time as a URS Scholar, he investigated the efficacy of 223RaCl2 as a radiopharmaceutical therapy in reducing and inhibiting the spread of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Outside of academics, you can find Mason outdoors biking, fishing, or camping.
Mushtaq Ali is a rising junior majoring in biological systems engineering with a minor in biology. She is CeO Scholar and previous CeO peer navigator. During her time as a Scholar, Mushtaq conducted research on neural networks using liquid crystals to predict the concentration of harmful gases in the atmosphere. In her free time, Mushtaq enjoys riding her bike and going on picnics with her friends.
Mushtaq served as a URS Research Fellow in fall 2023.
Nora Wali is a third year student from Long Island, New York pursuing double majors in Neurobiology and Psychology with a certificate in Health in the Humanities. As a URS Scholar, she worked in the Pediatric Auditory Experience and Brain Lab where she spent some time researching the impact of household noise on language outcomes of Latino children. She also joined the Pfleger lab to research genetic sequences in Yeast variations. In her free time, she enjoys watching sunrises and sunsets, reading, spending time with the people closest to her, and exploring outdoors.
Samira Pal a third-year student from Cupertino, California, is pursuing a degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology. 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.
Simon Bushmaker is a fourth-year student from Stevens Point, Wisconsin studying geology and geophysics. He is interested in studying geologic events through geologic mapping of structures and the distribution of natural materials. During his time as a URS Scholar, Simon utilized electron microscopy (EPMA and SEM) to characterize the geochemistry and micro-structure of jarosite and related ammonium-bearing minerals. He has worked within the Department of Geoscience as a lab assistant dating glacial landscapes and now works within the Wisconsin Geologic and Natural History Survey. Outside of research, Simon is the president of Undergraduate GeoClub and enjoys running, painting, and canoeing.
Susan Lei a third-year student from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin majoring in Neurobiology with a certificate in Graphic Design. She is currently a research assistant in the same Motor and Brain Development lab she began in as a URS Scholar. The lab works with the Social and Behavioral Development lab aiming to determine the connections between autism and ADHD to facilitate more effective treatments for kids. When she’s not in the lab or out studying, you can find her at hockey games, at boba shops, or out with friends
Yasmin Mirhashemi is a current fourth-year student from Appleton, Wisconsin studying English Language/Linguistics and Spanish. Her research as a URS scholar was focused on psychology and investigating the limitations of our own knowledge. Yasmin is a pre-law student who spends most of her time outside of class participating in Mock Trial here at UW-Madison. She also works as an advisor for the Intensive Law and Trial Camp hosted in conjunction with Stanford Law School during the summers. She is spending her first semester of this year abroad, where she is studying in Spain and interning at the Barcelona Bar Association. When she isn’t in class or participating in extracurriculars, Yasmin loves to spend her free time exercising and lifting weights!