Six students and their mentors receive undergraduate research fellowships

On May 3, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin hosted the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Awards Ceremony for the 2023-2024 academic year. This year, six students mentored by Department of Pediatrics faculty members were highlighted at the event.

Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship

Each year, through funding from the Hilldale Foundation and the Wisconsin State Legislature, the Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowships provide undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue their own research projects in collaboration with UW–Madison faculty members. The fellowships provide research training and support, as well as a $3,000 stipend, to student researcher recipients. Faculty advisors receive a $1,000 stipend. Five UW–Madison undergraduate students mentored by Department of Pediatrics faculty members received Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowships for the 2024-2025 academic year. Congratulations to the following students and their advisors:

Award recipient and major Advisor Project Title
Abby Hommer, Psychology Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH Young Adults’ Mental Health Social Media Posts and Behaviors
McKaylie Justman, Neurobiology Douglas Dean III, PhD One-Month Infant Gray Matter Microstructure and Future Sleep Behavior
Julie Lam, Global Health and Microbiology Bruce Klein, MD Characterization of Sterol Isomerase Residues Required for Selvamicin Susceptibility in Fungal Pathogens
Ella Martell, Biochemistry Christian Capitini, MD Investigating the Role of Cytokines and Regulatory T Cells in a Novel Treatment for Graft-Versus Host Disease Using CRX-Exosomes
Natalie Winn, Biochemistry Amy Erbe-Gurel, PhD Immune Infiltration Changes in the Tumor Microenvironment
of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Following Combination
Immunotherapy and Epigenetic Modifier Inhibitor Treatment

Sophomore Research Fellowship

The Sophomore Research Fellowships offer research training and assistance to second-year undergraduates. Supported by grants from the Brittingham Wisconsin Trust, the Kemper K. Knapp Bequest, and the Provost’s Office, participants can embark on their own research endeavors in partnership with UW–Madison faculty or staff advisors. Student researchers receive $2,500 and faculty/staff research advisors receive $500 to help offset research costs. One UW–Madison undergraduate student mentored by a Department of Pediatrics member received a Sophomore Research Fellowship for the 2024-2025 academic year. Congratulations to the following student and their advisor:

Award recipient and major Advisor Project Title
Samay Inampudi, Biology Christine Sorenson, PhD Impacts of Diabetes on the Choroidal Integrity and Function