Cohorts

For Bridges to the Doctorate

Cohort 5 (2025-2026*)

Bridges to the Doctorate cohort 5
left to right: Trevor Gerdes, Vincent Velasquez, Alejandro Duran, Enidh Padron, Elizabeth Forrey, Lorelei Cunningham, Dr. Judy Brusslan
  • Trevor Gerdes (Biochemistry, Mentor: Elena Grintsevich)
  • Vincent Velasquez (Biochemistry, Mentor: Vas Narayanaswami)
  • Alejandro Duran (Biochemistry, Mentor Vas Narayanaswami)
  • Enidh Padron (Biology, Mentor: Deborah Fraser)
  • Elizabeth Forrey (Biology, Mentor: Ted Stankowich)
  • Lorelei Cunningham (Biology, Mentor, Douglas Pace)

*This cohort only received 1 year of support due to NIH's discontinuation of the program.

Cohort 4 (2024-2026)

Bridges to the Doctorate cohort 4
left to right: Izabella Thomas, Claribel Alcantar, Dr. Judy Brusslan, Dat Trang, Amber Peek
  • Izabella Thomas (Biology, Mentor: Jiae Lee)
  • Claribel Alcantar (Biology, Mentor: Bengt Allen)
  • Dat Trang (Biochemistry, Mentor: Jason Schwans)
  • Amber Peek (Biochemistry, Mentor: Deepali Bhandari)

Cohort 3 (2023-2025)

Bridges to the Doctorate cohort 3
left to right: Sergio Flores, Sarah Heimbach, Samantha Perez, Dr. Judy Brusslan, Ivanna Arrizon, Michael Anderson, Luke Pickard
  • Sergio Flores (Biology, Mentor: Deborah Fraser)
  • Sarah Heimbach (Biology, Mentor: Ted Stankowich)
  • Samantha Perez (Biochemistry, Mentor: Deepali Bhandari)
  • Ivanna Arrizon (Biology, Mentor: Douglas Pace)
  • Michael Anderson (Biology, Mentor: Peter Ramirez)
  • Luke Pickard (Biology, Mentor: Judy Brusslan)

Cohort 2 (2022-2024)

Bridges to the Doctorate cohort 2
left-to-right: Jade Betancourt, Adren Blanco, Anthony Rios, Dr. Judy Brusslan, Jordan Keys, Arieana Dominguez
  • Jade Betancourt (Biology, Mentor: Erika Holland)
  • Adren Blanco (Psychology, Mentor: Houng-Wei Tsai)
  • Anthony Rios (Biochemistry, Mentor: Deepali Bhandari)
  • Jordan Keys (Biochemistry, Mentor: Jason Schwans)
  • Arieana Dominguez (Biochemistry, Mentor: Jason Schwans)

Cohort 1 (2021-2023)

Bridges to the Doctorate cohort 1
left-to-right: Derek Fuller, George Celis, Kathryn Morales, Dr. Judy Brusslan, Stephanie Gonzales, Christina Pantoja
  • George Celis (Biochemistry, Mentor: Vas Narayanawami)
  • Derek Fuller (Biology, Mentor: Renaud Berlemont)
  • Stephanie Gonzalez (Biology, Mentor: Raisa Hernandez Pacheco)
  • Kathryn Morales (Biology, Mentor: Deborah Fraser)
  • Christina Pantoja (Biology, Mentor: Peter Ramirez)