Augusta University
Allison Brown
GRU’s Summer STAR (Student Training and Research) Program is designed to provide hands-on biomedical research experience for undergraduate students with a sincere desire to pursue a graduate education in biomedical sciences. This program provides opportunities for highly motivated and talented undergraduate students to develop skills as young scientists and to further explore their interest in biomedical research. During the nine-week program, STARs actively participate in a biomedical research project under the guidance of a GRU faculty member and attend workshops, discussion groups, and laboratory demonstrations. In 2015, 22 STARs participated, and half of these were mentored by Cancer Center members!
| STAR Participant | Undergraduate Institution | GRU Mentor
(Cancer Center members) |
| Mr. Yusuf Ahmed | University of Michigan- Ann Arbor | Dr. Ali Arbab |
| Mr. Kevin Assoumou | University of Maine | Dr. Betty Pace |
| Mr. Joseph Balbona | Vanderbilt University | Dr. Lin Mei |
| Ms. Emily Behren Bass | University of Georgia | Dr. Patricia Schoenlein |
| Ms. Sushobhna Batra | University at Buffalo | Dr. Anatolij Horuzsko |
| Ms. Rebekah Bowie | Wofford College | Dr. Shuang Huang |
| Mr. John Enasko | Hiram College | Dr. Erhard Bieberich |
| Ms. Clara Formby | Erskine College | Dr. Ellen LeMosy |
| Ms. Lilly Gu | Duke University | Dr. Kebin Liu |
| Ms. Britney Harper | University of Virginia | Dr. Wen-Cheng Xiong |
| Ms. Margaux Usry | University of North Georgia | Dr. Darren Browning |
The program culminated with a poster competition, displaying the amazing amount of work these STAR participants accomplished as they learned the science behind their projects and mastered new techniques. A special congratulations goes to Ms. Sushobhna Batra from the Horuzsko Laboratory within the Cancer Center for winning the Outstanding STAR Award, sponsored by Dr. Charles Eldridge, an alumnus of The Graduate School. For a complete list of 2015 STAR participants, please see http://www.gru.edu/gradstudies/star/stars/php
The success of the 2015 Summer STAR program is derived from the fantastic efforts of the STARs, their mentors and laboratories, the committee (Drs. Richard and Patricia Cameron, Krishnan Dhandapani, Folami Lamoke, Ellen LeMosy, Pamela Martin, and Mitch Watsky), coordinators, and volunteers, including Dr. Nita Maihle, who provided the 2015 opening lecture.
