Current Members

Mia Castro
  Hometown Selden, New York
  Program of study: Neurobiology & Behavior
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Medical school/ Grad school trips and networking opportunities. Homework help is great too!
  Extracurricular Activities BSP, Global Medical Brigades, Raising Education Attainment Challenge Program (REACH).
Philia Gau
  Hometown Hudson, OH
  Program of study: Neurobiology and Behavior
  Post-graduation plans: Graduate School
  Best part of BSP: The sense of community and that support is there if you need it
  Extracurricular Activities Neurodegeneration research, speaking German, and running
Patricia Green
  Hometown Waterbury, CT
  Program of study: Animal Physiology
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School/Research
  Best part of BSP: Meeting so many people who are excited about Biology
  Extracurricular Activities Mentor high school students
Paula Latortue-Albino
  Hometown San Juan, Puerto Rico
  Program of study: General Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Public Health, Medicine
  Best part of BSP: Study groups. For some people it is hard to organize study groups and keep participating in them until the end of the semester, but BSP offered this opportunity. Also, having a facilitator who can guide us has been very helpful.
  Extracurricular Activities Resident Advisor, Cornell Health International, Puerto Rican Students Association, Haitian Students Association
Joy Nduka
  Hometown Brooklyn, New York
  Program of study: Nutrition
  Post-graduation plans: Either Teach for America or AmeriCorps before I attend medical school
  Best part of BSP: The best part of BSP are the people who are willing to collaborate with each other.
  Extracurricular Activities Biology Student Advising, Cornell Elderly Program


Naomi Adjei
  Hometown Ghana and Neward, NJ
  Program of study: Neurobiology & Behavior
  Post-graduation plans: Peace Corps, MD/MPH
  Best part of BSP: Interactions with a wide range of people with different interests and ambitions despite the fact that we are all biologists.
  Extracurricular Activities BSP Student Leadership Board, Enrich Project Kenya, Resident Advisor, Volunteer at Kendal Nursing Home, Project Ayiti Service Learning Group
Sengal Alazar
  Hometown New York City, NY
  Program of study: General Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Being able to communicate and work in a comfortable atmosphere with my peers.
  Extracurricular Activities Secretary in the Cornell Red Cross
Malika Conner
  Hometown Rochester, NY
  Program of study: Molecular and Cell Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Study groups with Reeva (and Tony last year); Ice-skating
  Extracurricular Activities American Red Cross Chapter at Cornell
Reva Culpher
  Hometown Syracuse, NY
  Program of study: Animal Physiology
  Post-graduation plans: Graduate or Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Meeting up with friends for free food
  Extracurricular Activities CALS Ambassador, NSBE, Cornell Health International, Expanding your Horizons
Jamie Moore
  Hometown Fresno, CA
  Program of study: Genetics and Development
  Post-graduation plans: MD and possibly PhD
  Best part of BSP: It has been an excellent way for me to meet like-minded Biology majors. Also, the networking events are a good opportunity to meet those who have been successful in Biology. 
  Extracurricular Activities Encouraging Youth in Engineering and Science (EYES), Piano
Santana Murry
  Hometown Luverne, Alabama
  Program of study: Neurobiology & Behavior
  Post-graduation plans: Medical or graduate school
  Best part of BSP: Study groups and getting to meet your classmates
  Extracurricular Activities: Medlife and volunteering for a retirement community
Reginald Severe
  Hometown Port-au-Prince, Haiti
  Program of study: Nutritional Sciences
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Study groups
  Extracurricular Activities Black Biomedical and Technical Association Treasurer; Resident Advisor at the Holland International Living Center
Charlotte Thurston
  Hometown Searsmon, ME
  Program of study: Plant Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Peace Corps, Grad School, Research (in that order)
  Best part of BSP: Meeting awesome people from the Bio Major, and the plethora of opportunities and notifications that reach me because of being part of this group.
  Extracurricular Activities Running, Ballroom and salsa dancing, gardening, reading novels
Kemar Trowers
  Hometown
  Program of study:
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
Dustin VanDenBerg
  Hometown Oneonta, NY
  Program of study: Microbiology
  Post-graduation plans: Apply to gap year programs then attend Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Study groups & the networking events
  Extracurricular Activities Cornell Tradition Program, Resident Advisor, Organic Chemistry Tutor, CALS Ambassadors, Red Carpet Society
Sergio Veliz
  Hometown Brooklyn, New York
  Program of study: Nutritional Science
  Post-graduation plans: Medical school in New York City
  Best part of BSP: The study groups are definitely the best part. At first I was a little apprehensive about the mandatory study groups because my study habits were more independent oriented. However, after attending the study groups I found them to be extremely beneficial. I learned from BSP to take advantage of all the opportunities available that are out there to help me.
  Extracurricular Activities I was treasurer for the Red Cross but for my junior year I decided to do some freelance work and devote my time to many different organizations.


Assisting in the Wilmer Eye Institue at Hopkins doing Research.
Tolu Ariyo
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Helen Badu
  Hometown Bronx, New York
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Freshmen Seminar; Monthly Community Meetings
  Extracurricular Activities Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship; C-STEP; CU IMAGE; Ghanaians at Cornell; OMEA Peer Mentor Program
Mohammad Beizaeipour
  Hometown  
  Post-graduation plans:  
  Best part of BSP:  
  Extracurricular Activities  
Sarah Bernards
  Hometown Seattle, WA
  Post-graduation plans: MD or MD/PhD
  Best part of BSP: Fellow BSPers
  Extracurricular Activities Spending time with friends, listening to music, swimming
Ida Bernstein
  Hometown Houston, TX
  Program of Study: Nutrition, Global Health Minor
  Post-graduation plans: MD/MPH Program
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities Rawlings Presidential Research Scholar, BSP Study Group Leader, Volunteer at Ithaca Free Clinic
Ashley Brown
  Hometown Jupiter, FL
  Program of Study: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Study Groups!
  Extracurricular Activities EARS, Working at Manndible Cafe & Enjoying Cornell and Ithaca.
Katie Clements
  Hometown Saratoga Springs, NY
  Post-graduation plans: Graduate School
  Best part of BSP: Hearing guest speakers at community meetings and BSP seminars
  Extracurricular Activities Phi Sigma Pi, Student Assistant at the Alumni House, Running Club
Kevin Dam
  Hometown
  Program of Study: Neurobiology and Behavior/Animal Physiology
  Post-graduation plans: Medical school or possibly a MD/PhD program
  Best part of BSP: The study groups are really useful, and also the support and resources
  Extracurricular Activities Glee Club, Voices Magazine
Eda Dau
  Hometown Los Angeles, CA
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: The people!!
  Extracurricular Activities BSP, Cornell Women's Health Alliance, and the Asian and Asian American Forum
Dani Dryer
  Hometown Fairport, NY
  Program of Study: Neurobiology
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School and pursue a career in Neurology
  Best part of BSP: Study groups; meeting professors and seeing their research; getting to know other biology majors and faculty
  Extracurricular Activities Astronomical Society; Undergraduate Society of Neuroscience; Running; Hiking/Backpacking
Dominic Eleanya
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Jacqueline Garza
  Hometown Payson, UT
  Post-graduation plans: Medical school, travel the world, learn more languages
  Best part of BSP: Unlimited resources and of course the delicious snacks in the Nucleus
  Extracurricular Activities Project Ayiti, Science Organization of Latinos
Calvin Harrison
  Hometown  
  Post-graduation plans:  
  Best part of BSP:  
  Extracurricular Activities  
Tina Jaramillo
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Rebecca Johnson
  Hometown Garland, Maine
  Post-graduation plans: I plan to go to grad school and then work as a researcher in the field of medical entomology.
  Best part of BSP: The best part of the Biology Scholars Program is getting to meet researchers and professionals from many different science fields. It is interesting to hear the paths that people have taken and what advice they have to offer.
  Extracurricular Activities Entomology Club, Calculus Tutor, Rawlings Presidential Research Scholar, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, Red Carpet Society, and I work as a lab assistant. Cayuga Lodge Vice-President.
Tiwonge Kanyenda
  Hometown Blantyre, Malawi
  Post-graduation plans: Medical school, MD/PhD programs
  Best part of BSP: Study groups; I get to interact with the material learned in class
  Extracurricular Activities Sports especially football, netball, and swimming
Ada Lau
  Hometown Brooklyn, New York
  Post-graduation plans: Attending Optometry School or taking a gap year in which I will teach English in Egypt (and maybe volunteer at a local clinic).
  Best part of BSP: The oh-so-awesome Nucleus! We get lockers, snacks, and a quiet place to study. Another great part of BSP is the lab visits. I would've never known Cornell was so big and diverse if not for BSP. They have labs studying fish hearing, protein crystal imaging, yeast genome sequencing -- truly amazing how many different things are taking place on Cornell! The best part is that we get the exclusive connection of meeting the professors running the lab-- it makes it 10x easier asking for a position to do research in their lab.
  Extracurricular Activities I'm part of CDL (Cornell Design League) which I love to death- especially when it comes time for the Fashion Show. It's a really big thing on campus and I get so psyched about the whole fiasco. I love to volunteer in general - like the Annual Phon-a-thon, being a Host for prospective students, helping with HKSA (Hong Kong Student Association) events, and being part of Slope Day. Occasionally I go figure skating in Lynn Rink, just for fun. It's really important to study and do well but also remember to have something you can look forward to, something you enjoy- whether it be a sport, a club or a hobby.
Ava Mainieri
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Trecia Malcolm
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Cindy Mei
  Hometown Brooklyn, New York
  Post-graduation plans: Medical school and specialize in Pediatrics; Possibly a gap year?
  Best part of BSP: Meeting people with your same interests and really feeling like part of a group. And you get to use the NUCLEUS (A quiet study space for Bio Scholars)!
Janet Nwaukoni
  Hometown Springfield Gardens, NY
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School - Health Care Administration / Pediatric Oncology
  Best part of BSP: The Global Health Seminar / Laughter Yoga
  Extracurricular Activities Urban Blaze Dance Group / Black BioMedical Technical Association / Chi - Alpha Religious Organization / Nigerian Student Association
Roxana Orellana
  Hometown  
  Post-graduation plans:  
  Best part of BSP:  
  Extracurricular Activities  
Meave Otieno
  Hometown Nairobi, Kenya (born & raised) I live in Atlanta, GA, so I definitely also represent Atlanta, Georgia
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School, MD/PhD? …eventually, I want to become a Pediatric Neurosurgeon
  Best part of BSP: The “social” events. Like the ropes course we did and the ice-skating night. The finals week study break/pizza party was pretty awesome too. Also, getting to know BSP kids is pretty fun. I think we are an awesome group of kids.
  Extracurricular Activities Ithakids, Encourage Young Engineers and Scientists (EYES), Black Bio-Medical and Technical Association (BBMTA)
Sasheen Pottinger-Francis
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Moira Scaperotti
  Hometown Patterson, NY
  Program of Study: Neurobiology and Behavior
  Post-graduation plans: MD or MD/PhD
  Best part of BSP: The best part of BSP for me is participating in study groups. This way you are not only able to refresh your course material, but also you can really get to know your fellow BSPers through an academic and social event each week! Study groups are very helpful because learning from one's peers is often a great chance to understand material in a way that may not have been presented in class, but it clears up the topics just the same.
  Extracurricular Activities Aside from being a BSP member, I am a Biology Student Advisor, a BSP Study Group Leader, and a member of Cornell's Global Medical Brigades. I also love to go to the movies, exercise, and spend time with family and friends.
Marinda Whitaker
  Hometown Freeland, MD
  Program of Study: Animal Physiology
  Post-graduation plans: MCATS/MED School
  Best part of BSP: Hanging out with my fellow BSPers
  Extracurricular Activities: Assisting in the Wilmer Eye Institue at Hopkins doing Research.
Roger Wong
  Hometown Long Island (Commack), New York
  Post-graduation plans: Pursue MD/PhD and become a neurologist
  Best part of BSP: Seeing new labs/technology and meeting professors
  Extracurricular Activities Pre-Professional Association Towards Careers in Health, Chinese Student Association, Red Carpet Society, Alternative Breaks
Richard Yeom
  Hometown Tenafly, NJ
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Study group, BSP Seminar, being part of a diverse community
  Extracurricular Activities Member of EYES (Encourage Young Scientists and Engineers)
Monica Youssef
  Hometown Bayonne, NJ
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Learning and having fun at the same time
  Extracurricular Activities Cornell Tradition, Cornell Elderly Partnership, OMEA Peer Mentor
W. Ting Yuet
  Hometown Enid, OK
  Post-graduation plans: Conservation Biology
  Best part of BSP: Becoming friends with all of the fun people there. The study groups are nice, too.
  Extracurricular Activities Spending time with friends and family. Rocking out at the piano, beginner's style.
Stephanie Zimmerman
  Hometown Fairbury, IL
  Post-graduation plans: I plan to take a year off to volunteer in a health-related position in a Latin American country, and then I will go to medical school. I'm still not sure what I want my career to be, but I think that I might be interested in becoming a neurologist.
  Best part of BSP: The study groups; Connecting with other biology majors and with biology faculty
  Extracurricular Activities BSP, Women in Science, working for the Cornell Annual Fund


Michelle Adams
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Joshua Adjei
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Alyssa Anderson
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Vanessa Canosa
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Adam Carlton
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Patricia Daniel
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Darcy Diago
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
A'ngelique Edwards
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Amarilys Fernandez
  Hometown San Juan, PR
  Program of Study: Nutrition
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Study groups, being exposed to labs, and meeting new people
  Extracurricular Activities Global Medical Brigades, BSP, and being with my family and friends
Johnathan Gray
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Stephane Guerrier
  Hometown Rockville, MD
  Program of Study: Molecular Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Still deliberating. Seriously considering a graduate program in research. An MD/PhD tickles my fancy too!
  Best part of BSP: The people. It helps to make Cornell feel smaller.
  Extracurricular Activities mentor for YOURS
Troy Holley
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Jack Hruska
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Gbambele Kone
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Heather Larkin
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Ellie Liput
  Hometown: Chicago, IL
  Program of Study: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Gap year for a research internship abroad followed by graduate school.
  Best part of BSP: Forming relationships with people who are always happy to answer questions, offer advice, or just talk. Connecting with peers of different experiences but similar interests. Networking opportunities for meeting alumni or researchers who have insights about life after graduation and share their own experiences.
   Extracurricular Activities Cornell Raptor Program, Adelson Library Assistant, research assistant in ornithology and behavior.
Samantha Lovering
  Hometown Waterford, NY
  Program of Study: Animal Physiology
  Post-graduation plans: Veterinary School; U.S. Army Veterinary Corps
  Best part of BSP: I really love studying in a group led by a veteran of the class, and with so many different types of people. I like having the Nucleus right in the middle of campus as a private place to study, and hearing about interesting opportunities in the biology department through BSP.
  Extracurricular Activities I am a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, and I have worked for both the Natural Resources and Entomology Departments.
Desiree Luna
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Will Melvin
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Lorena Montalvo
  Hometown Puerto Rico
  Program of Study: General Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Med School
  Best part of BSP: Study groups
  Extracurricular Activities share time with my family and friends, go to the gym, dance, hear music, and much more
Victoria Morgan
  Hometown Born and raised in sunny Miami, FL
  Program of Study: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  Post-graduation plans: Maybe a year off to do research in Australia, or volunteer with the Peace Corps, or catch the last flight to Europe with nothing but a few Benjamins, a bottle of Sunny Delight, a backpack of my few worldy possessions, and an ideal...or maybe even grad school. I'm young; the world is mine and the sky is definitely not the limit.
  Best part of BSP: Hmm, I have to choose?! I really enjoyed the study groups and the people I've met as a BSP member. I've made great friends, forged lasting memories, and even learned a few things along the way. And I of course appreciate Jeff! He's done so much to make sure the program ran smoothly. And I wouldn't be where I am now (literally and figuratively) without his help! I loved the lab tours and I LOVE the Nucleus. I simply cannot count the number of times I've retired to our little private space in between classes to regress a little (you know, by molding snakes and suns and islands out of the wonderful Play-Doh in the cabinet). The snacks were pretty awesome too!
  Extracurricular Activities At Cornell: BSP and soon to be Rotary, Amnesty, and Herpetology Clubs. Outside of Cornell: Playing video games, watching movies on Netflix, and recently biking and chilling at the beach every other day -- its definitely a lifestyle I could get used to.
Odis Ponce
  Hometown Columbia, MD
  Program of Study: Genetics
  Post-graduation plans: Medical school/grad school
  Best part of BSP: Study groups and being exposed to some of the most recent research that's taking place on campus.
   Extracurricular Activities BSP, orientation leader, laboratory assistant, run around the lake and relax with friends on my free time.
Joe Porter
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Tiffany Rose
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Jonathan Rubin
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Robin Simpson
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Rasheedat Sulaimon
  Hometown Ewing, New Jersey
  Program of Study: Animal Physiology
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: The study groups and meeting people from such diverse backgrounds who enjoy biology as much as myself
  Extracurricular Activities Volunteer work in my community, Learning foreign languages
Hope Ukatu
  Hometown Roseville, MN
  Program of Study: Neurobiology & Behavior
  Post-graduation plans: Medical School
  Best part of BSP: Fun events like Team Building Day and Study-Play-a-Thon, the Nucleus and its resources, and the wonderful people that I've met along the way during seminar, study groups, and more. I also found a research position as a lab assistant through BSP lab tours!
  Extracurricular Activities Therapy Through Music, CPOP
Vanessa Velez
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
Niajee Washington
  Hometown Minneapolis, Minnesota
  Program of Study: General Biology>
  Post-graduation plans: Medicine
  Best part of BSP: Learning from my fellow Cornellians! The speakers are fantastic, too.
  Extracurricular Activities BSP, Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars Program, Cornell Prison Education Program, pancreatic cancer research
Giussepe Yanez
  Hometown
  Post-graduation plans:
  Best part of BSP:
  Extracurricular Activities
 
 
Office of Undergraduate Biology   •   216 Stimson Hall   •   Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14850   •   607.255.5233