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RAP-EMCC
  • Home
  • Our Team
    • Alumni
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    • Critical Care Resuscitation Survey
    • Mechanical Ventilation Comfort Study in Trauma Patients
    • Mechanical Ventilation Comfort Study in Non-Trauma Patients
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RAP-EMCC Alumni

Past Research Associates


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Milana Shapsay 
Research Associate 2022-2023
Archives Committee Writer
B.S. in Biological Sciences: General Biology
University of Maryland, College Park ‘16
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Pre-Professional Track: PA

Milana joined the RAP-EMCC program in January 2022 and is currently leading a retrospective study on patients with spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage. She enjoys writing articles for the archives journal and working with caring faculty and students who are committed to improving patient outcomes. Outside of RAP-EMCC, she enjoys helping elementary students in Baltimore City with reading skills, volunteering with JDC Entwine and painting.

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Saman Tanveer 
CCRU Satisfaction Survey Point of Contact 2020 - 2022

B.S. ​in Public Health Science
University of Maryland, College Park '19
Currently: Medical Tester at Capital Diagnostics 


Pre-Professional Track: DDS/DMD 

Saman Tanveer is an alumnus at the University of Maryland in College Park. She graduated in 2019 with a degree in Public Health Science. During her time off from school, she has been working with The Arc of Prince George’s County which helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With them, she has been able to curate multiple enrichment programs for the community tailored to transitioning youth. She is currently in the process of applying to dental schools! Her hobbies include spending time with her family, trying out new cafes, and reading. Within the Research Associate program, she is the Critical Care Resuscitation Unit (CCRU) Satisfaction Survey point of contact and a former member of the membership committee. She has also presented an abstract at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine conference right before the pandemic hit! In addition to this, she has participated in multiple retrospective studies during her time in RAP-EMCC.


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Laura Tiffany 
Chief 2016 - 2021
B.S. in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
B.A. in Spanish Language, Culture, and Professional Contexts 

University of Maryland, College Park '19 
Currently: The George Washington University Joint Physician Assistant/MPH program '24 
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Laura has been a research associate and acting chief of RAP-EMCC since the program's inception in 2016. Through the Research Associate Program in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Laura has over 16 abstract and manuscript publications, including several first authorships. Currently, Laura is pursuing her PA/MPH at The George Washington University in Washington D.C, with a focus on Maternal and Child Health. Apart from RAP-EMCC, Laura worked as an Emergency Medical Technician after graduating from the University of Maryland in 2019. In her free time, Laura provides volunteer ESOL tutoring for native Spanish speakers and enjoys going hiking and camping. 


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Emilie Disviscour Berman 
Associate Chief 2019 - 2021

B.S. Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology 
University of Maryland, College Park '20
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1  


Emilie has been a member of RAP-EMCC since January 2019 and was the associate chief from November 2019 - February 2021. Though RAP-EMCC, Emilie has 9 abstract and manuscript publications, and was able to present How The Critical Care Resuscitation Unit Contributes to Critically Ill Transfer: A 5-Year Experience at the 50th Critical Care Congress. Emilie left RAP-EMCC in February 2021 to complete a through hike of the Appalachian Trail (from Georgia to Maine) prior to attending the University of Maryland School of Medicine in July 2021. In her free time, Emilie enjoys hiking and spending time with her family.


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Grace Hollis 
Group Leader 2020 - 2021
Associate Chief 2021 - 2022
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Website Committee Member 2021 - 2022 
B.S. in General Biology
Minor in Global Poverty

University of Maryland, College Park '22
Currently: The University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, M.D Candidate, MS1 


Grace Hollis is interested in researching the genetic and social determinants of health in fields like obstetrics, orthopedics, and critical care, which she hopes to pursue alongside an MD degree in 2022. She began as a research associate in 2019, served as a group leader in 2020, and is currently an Associate Chief of the program. In her free time, Grace enjoys painting, gardening, fishing, cooking, and spending time with her family. 


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Matthew Fairchild 
Associate Chief 2021 - 2021 
Website Committee Member 2021 - 2021 
Major: Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
Currently: Student at University of Maryland, College Park (Expected Graduation Year 2023)




Matthew Fairchild is currently a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is passionate about studying the intersection between social determinants of health and medical care and hopes to explore this interest by possibly pursuing an MD/MPH after his undergraduate studies. His time with the RAP-EMCC internship program began in January 2020 as a research associate, and his commitment to the program eventually resulted in being promoted to the programs' co-Associate Chief. He has loved meeting new people, staffing the hospital, and learning about clinical research throughout his time with RAP-EMCC, and is excited to take what he has learned from the program and translate them into new career and educational opportunities.
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Richa Beher 
Group Leader 2019 - 2022 
Website Committee Member 2021 - 2022 

B.S. in Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics 
Minor: Statistics
University of Maryland, College Park '20
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1


​Richa is a recent graduate of the class of 2020 who is currently spending her bridge years before medical school as a post-baccalaureate fellow in cell biology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Richa's research interests include wet lab work involving cell signaling and cancer immunology and clinical research involving the intersection of technology and healthcare as well as patient care management in emergency medicine. Richa joined RAP-EMCC in February 2019 and served as a Group shift leader and a website committee member. Through RAP-EMCC, Richa has gained experience in conducting prospective and retrospective research, performing data analyses, and producing manuscripts. Richa likes to stay active in her free time and enjoys going on backpacking, caving, and mountain biking trips with friends and family. 
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Tima Mikdashi
Research Associate
B.S. in Bioengineering 
Minor: Technology Entrepreneurship 
University of Maryland, College Park '21

Pre-Professional Track: MD

​Tima Mikdashi is one of the new research associates for the RAP-EMCC program and graduated Spring 2021 from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering. She is looking forward to contributing to projects with the team, developing her data analysis skills, and learning more about the world of emergency medicine.
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Zain Alam
Membership Committee Member 2019 - 2022
B.S. in Kinesiology 
University of Maryland, College Park '21

Pre-Professional Track: MD

Zain Alam is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor of science in Kinesiology. He is planning on applying to medical school after a gap year. He joined RAP-EMCC in the spring of 2019 and has been head of the membership committee since December 2020. Outside of research, he works as a medical scribe and volunteers as a tutor for elementary school students. During Zain's free time, he loves to play golf, hike, and travel.
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Chris Yum 
Research Associate 2016 - 2021
Cognitive Function of Patients Undergoing Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Point of Contact 2018 - 2021

B.A. in Biology
University of Maryland, Baltimore County '18


Pre-Professional Track: MD

Outside of the clinical research conducted through RAP-EMCC, I enjoy reading up on various topics including genetic engineering, stem cell research, and neuroscience. Other than hobbies and interests in academia, I enjoy volunteering at different events that support the underprivileged. Furthermore, I enjoy going to the gym, playing basketball, and fishing. In general, I love being active, but I also find delight in laid back activities.

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Austin Widjaja 
Research Associate 
B.S. in Biology: Neurobiology and Physiology and Psychology 
University of Maryland College Park '19


Pre-Professional Track: MD/PhD

Austin’s research interests include the fields of mental health, consciousness, therapeutic techniques, and interpersonal relationships. Through RAP-EMCC, Austin has received his first exposure to clinical research. Austin enjoys the patient interactions in the clinical in-hospital studies as well as learning more about meta-analyses. He also enjoys working on retrospective studies as well as learning to read and understand patient charts. Outside of research, Austin is a volunteer EMT in Montgomery County, MD. In his free time, Austin enjoys having debates with people, cooking, listening to music, discussing philosophical topics and going on walks with friends and his dog. Furthermore, Austin likes to keep up with the current ESPORTS news as well as spend time playing online games with his friends.
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Gaurika Mester 
Head of Membership Committee 2018 - 2020
Research Associate 2017 - 2020

B.S. Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology 
Minor in Public Leadership 

University of Maryland, College Park '20
Currently: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1




​Gaurika joined the program in January of 2017 and served as the head of the membership committee from November 2018 - June 2020. Though RAP-EMCC, Gaurika has also participated in a variety of retrospective research projects. 


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Daniel Najafali 
Head of Website Committee
Research Associate 2019 - 2021 

B.S. in Bioengineering 
University of Maryland, College Park '19
Currently: Carle Illinois College of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1


Daniel Najafali, B.S is a recent bioengineering graduate from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. He will be attending Carle Illinois College of Medicine as part of the class of 2025. Daniel has been a research associate enrolling patients in prospective studies and working on retrospective studies. He hopes to contribute towards improving patient outcomes and improving the standard of care with his research. In his free time, Daniel enjoys cooking, hiking, and mentoring premedical students.


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Megan Najafali 
Research Associate 2021 - 2021
B.S. in Biology
Minor: Global Poverty
University of Maryland, College Park '16

M.H.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ‘20

Pre-Professional Track: MD or DO
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After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2016, Megan spent a few years working as a scribe at an emergency department and as a medical assistant at a pediatric clinic before attending graduate school. To build on her passion for public health and medicine, she pursued her master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
​Megan is currently working as a data analyst in healthcare AI, tutoring students in various academic subjects, and volunteering with different community-based organizations in Baltimore. As a research associate, she looks forward to contributing to critical care and emergency medicine research and further developing her research skills. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.


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Hannah Frederick
Research Associate 2020 - 2021
Research Archives Head Writer 2021 - 2022

B.S.
in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
B.S. in Psychology

University of Maryland College Park '21
Currently: University of Maryland, School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate MS1 


Through the Research Associate Program in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Hannah has been involved with a team of undergraduate and medical students that collect data on blood pressure variability and hematoma expansion. Presently, the group has collected extensive clinical data, including all prescribed medications, for over 400 patients! They are currently in the process of submitting a paper on their results and will hopefully be published by next year. Hannah has also been involved in multiple retrospective studies during her time as a research associate. 
During her free time, Hannah enjoys backpacking, skating, and photography. Over the summer, Hannah was able to go to the Grayson highlands and was able to backpack alongside wild ponies, bulls, and longhorns. Here is the link to Hannah's photography page that she has recently developed: https://hannahmaephotography.org/


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Michael Sobalvarro
Research Associate
Major in English
Georgetown University 

Pre-Professional Track: MD


Michael is a post-bacc student at the University of Maryland, College Park who previously interned in the US Senate and performed clinical translational research in neurocognitive disorders. He joined the RAP-EMCC to further his data and meta-analysis skills because during his time on capitol hill, he noted that the best policy is informed by solid research. He currently serves his community as a medical scribe at La Clinica Del Pueblo, which provides care to low-income immigrants in Washington D.C.. He plans to leverage his career in medicine to advocate for policies that will reduce health disparities in vulnerable communities. He is currently participating in a retrospective study regarding VV-ECMO and neurocognitive outcomes. In his free time, Michael enjoys runs with his dog and mining cryptocurrency.​


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Muhammad Ullah 
Research Associate 

B.S. in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
University of Maryland, College Park ‘18
M.S. in Physiology and Biophysics 
Georgetown University ’20

Pre-Professional Track: MD/MD-PhD

Through the Research Associate Program in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Muhammad has been involved in multiple retrospective and prospective studies. Apart from RAP-EMCC, Muhammad is a Research Associate at the George Washington University in the Katzen Cancer Research Center and was a Research Assistant in the Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging department at Georgetown University. Muhammad hopes to improve patient care through his research dedication. In his free time, Muhammad loves motorcycle riding, cooking, and traveling.

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Ikram Afridi
Research Associate 2020 - 2021

B.A. in Biology 

M.S. in Advanced Biomedical Sciences, George Mason University '22 
Pre-Professional Track:  MD
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Ikram's research interests include emergency medicine and sleep medicine. In RAP-EMCC, he enjoys the various retrospective research projects along with the program’s hospital clinical research programs. Some of his hobbies include playing basketball, hiking and searching for the world’s best coffee shop.
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​Julianna Solomon 
Research Associate 2020 - 2021
B.S. in Biology: Neurobiology and Physiology
Minor: Music Performance  

University of Maryland, College Park '21
Currently: AmeriCorps City Year Volunteer in New York City
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 Julianna Solomon, BS graduated the University of Maryland, College Park this past May with a degree in  Neurobiology and Physiology and a minor in Music Performance. She has served as a research associate with the program since early 2020 and has hopes of continuing her research involvements throughout medical school and in her career in pediatrician. As a musician, she is particularly interested in the effects of music therapy on patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This fall, she will work for the AmeriCorps organization City Year in supporting students at underserved schools in New York City while applying to medical school. In her free time, Julianna enjoys doing yoga, running, playing clarinet, and spending time with family and friends. 


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Jordan Mitchell 
Group Leader 2017 - 2020
B.S. Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology 
University of Maryland, College Park '18
Currently: 
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Meharry Medical College, Masters of Health Sciences (MHS) '21

After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, I took two years off to work full time as an EMT in Washington, D.C., as well as continuing to participate in the RAP-EMCC program as one of the group leads. In the Fall of 2020, I attended Meharry Medical College to pursue my Masters in Health Sciences, which I recently obtained in May 2021. Currently, I am in the process of applying to medical school, with the hope of starting in the Fall of 2022. During my free time, I love to cook & bake, as well as go hiking, or even watch a really good show on Netflix.


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Paul Capobianco
Research Associate 2018 - 2020 

B.S. in Psychology  
University of Maryland, College Park '18
Currently: SUNY Upstate Medical University, M.D. Candidate, MS2 
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After graduating in the Winter of 2018 I spent a year and a half either scribing or working as an EMT, while continuing research with RAP-EMCC. I moved back to NY to start medical school in 2020 at SUNY Upstate Medical University and will begin MS2 in August 2021. This summer before MS2, I am working on a few orthopedic research projects, shadowing in the OR, and spending time in the sun whenever I can. My hobbies are running, reading, intramural sports, and walking my dog.




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Mayga Sapru 
Research Associate 2019 - 2020
B.S. in Psychology 
University of Maryland, College Park '20
Currently: Johns Hopkins University, M.S. in Biotechnology '22 


After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, I spent the year serving as an AmeriCorps member at Boys Hope Girls Hope Baltimore, a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide a stable environment where middle and high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds can come to excel academically, physically, and emotionally. Starting this fall, I will be attending Johns Hopkins University where I will be working towards my M.S. in Biotechnology. In my free time, I enjoy playing kickball, hiking, and performing at weddings.


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Benchaa Boualam 
Research Associate 2016 - 2018 
B.S. in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology 
University of Maryland, College Park '17
M.S. in Biotechnology 
John Hopkins University '18'
Currently: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS2 ​

I am from Silver Spring, MD, and I am currently beginning M2 as well as working on retrospective and prospective projects involved with distal radius fractures and carpal tunnel syndrome. I joined RAP-EMCC a few years ago when it was still in its infancy, and I am overjoyed with the success and involvement it has had in recent years. During this time, I completed an NIH research fellowship focusing on 3D printing bone and cartilage models. After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, I took a year off working as an Emergency Department scribe then went on to complete my M.S. at Hopkins. I am fluent in Spanish, and my hobbies include traveling, running, and playing soccer.

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Jamie Palmer 
Research Associate 2016 - 2018 

B.A.
in Finance
University of Maryland College Park '18
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS3 
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After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2018 with a degree in Finance, I took a year off working with Dr. Mark Brody in South Florida, who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease clinical research.  I started at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2019, and am currently in my 3rd year. I have continued to work with Dr. Tran on Critical Care and Emergency Medicine research, as well as some other projects with the Ophthalmology department. My hobbies include hiking, photography and tennis.

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Tucker Lurie 
Research Associate 2016 - 2017 
B.S. in Biology 
University of Maryland, College Park '16
M.D. University of Maryland School of Medicine '21 
Currently: Emergency Medicine Resident at WellSpan York Hospital



Tucker Lurie joined the research associate program in 2016 and matriculated into the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2017. Since joining the program, Tucker Lurie has actively been involved in many emergency medicine retrospective studies, even while completing his M.D. Tucker was also awarded the Certificate for Outstanding Achievement in Research in the University of Maryland School of Medicine Class of 2021. Currently, Tucker is completing his emergency medicine residency at WellSpan York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. In his free time, Tucker enjoys spending time with his fiancee as well as going to the beach. 


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Norhan Abdalla  
Membership Committee Member 2020 - 2021
​Research Associate 2019 - 2021

B.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics 
Towson University '20 
Currently: Manufacturing Associate at Emergent BioSolutions 



Norhan joined the research associate program in 2019, and was able to serve as a member of our membership committee as well as be involved with a variety of retrospective studies. Currently, Norhan works as a Manufacturing Associate II at Emergent BioSolutions in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In her free time, Norhan enjoys spending time with her friends and family. 

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Safura Tanveer
Research Associate 2018 - 2021
Patient Centered Sedation Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Trauma Patients Point of Contact 2019 - 2021

B.S.
in Public Health Science 
Minor in Entrepreneurship Technology 
University of Maryland College Park '17
Currently: Physician's Associate Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore '23
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Bhakti Panchal  
Research Associate 2019 - 2021

B.S.
in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
University of Maryland College Park '20
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1 
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Kim Vuong
Research Associate 2019 - 2021

B.S.
in Biological Sciences
Minor in Sociology
University of Maryland, Baltimore County '20
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Tiffany Cao
Research Associate 2019 - 2021

B.S.
in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering 
University of Maryland College Park '20
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1 
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Leenah Zia Afridi 
Research Associate 2019 - 2021

M.D. Khyber Medical College, Pakistan '18 

Currently: Preparing for her United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to become certified as a physician in the United States
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Noorvir Kaur   
Research Associate 2020 - 2021

B.S.
in Biology: General Biology 
University of Maryland College Park '20
Currently: Drexel University College of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1
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Diego Giraldo
Research Associate 2016 - 2020 

B.S.
in Biology
University of Maryland College Park '19
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS2 
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Tim Traynor 
Research Associate 2016 - 2020
CCRU Satisfaction Survey Point of Contact 2016 - 2020

B.S.
in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
University of Maryland College Park '19
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS2
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Allison Karwoski 
Research Associate 2018 - 2020

B.S.
in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
B.A in French Studies
University of Maryland College Park '19
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS1


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Matthew Jackson
Research Associate 2018 - 2020
​Group Leader 2018 - 2020

B.S.
in Biochemistry
University of Maryland College Park '19
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS2
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Madison McGann
Research Associate 2019 - 2020 

B.S.
in Psychology 
University of Maryland College Park '19
Currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine, M.D. Candidate, MS2 
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Ali Waseem 
Research Associate 2016 - 2019
​Associate Chief 2016 - 2019

B.S.
in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
University of Maryland College Park '19
Currently: Emergency Medical Technician with Global Response Management 
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Isabella Swafford
Research Associate 2016 - 2018

B.S.
in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology
University of Maryland College Park '18
Currently: Research Assistant at The Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
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Sean Naimi
Research Associate 2016 - 2018

B.S.
in Biology
University of Maryland College Park ?

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Jackson Barr  
Research Associate 2017 - 2018 

B.A.
in Biology 
Bard College '17
Currently: Clinical Research Assistant, University of Maryland School of Medicine
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