Bios

postdoctoral researchers

Dr. Keziyah Yisrael-Gayle, Postdoctoral Researcher in Biomedical Science, University of California Riverside

Keziyah Yisrael-Gayle is a postdoctoral researcher in Biomedical Sciences at the University of California, Riverside. Having earned her doctorate from UCR, she continues her research in Dr. David Lo's laboratory, focusing on respiratory health issues faced by underprivileged communities surrounding the Salton Sea. Her work is dedicated to utilizing innovative methods to investigate health disparities within these communities, particularly through advancing the scientific understanding of pulmonary inflammation caused by environmental health hazards. With a specific focus on the role of dust particles as vehicles for toxin delivery, her PhD studies have led to the development of a therapeutic with significant potential to address the health disparities in this underprivileged region. Her contributions are vital in fostering positive change in underserved populations plagued by environmentally linked pulmonary health issues and poor air quality.

Research Scientists

Blanca Burch, Creative Technologist and AI Innovation Scholar, Spelman College

Blanca Burch is a Creative Technologist and AI Innovation Scholar at Spelman College whose work explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, representation, and human-centered technology design. Her research examines how AI systems interpret and generate culturally specific features, with a particular focus on the representation of Black women’s hair textures and hairstyles in generative image models. Through projects such as In the Context of Curls, she investigates how accurately AI image generation tools render culturally grounded prompts and how communities evaluate the alignment between AI-generated outputs and real-world cultural references. Her work combines computational analysis, community-informed evaluation, and ethical AI frameworks to better understand bias and cultural awareness in generative systems. Through this research, Blanca aims to contribute to the development of more inclusive and culturally responsive AI technologies.

Preston Dozie Rukewe Willard Itie, Paleontology Technician, Kleinfelder, CRM Tech, Environmental Science Associates, & Soar Environmental

Hello, my name is Preston Dozie Rukewe Willard Itie. I am Nigerian American and my tribe is Imo-State. My bachelors was obtained at San Diego State University. I currently work as a Paleontology technician with Kleinfelder, CRM Tech, Environmental Science Associates, and Soar Environmental. My field experience extends from doing surveys, mitigation, and field work in Montana, Wyoming, Texas, California, Utah, Colorado, and South Dakota. I have worked in education teaching a variety of topics in formal math education and paleontology.I am an alumnus of the San Diego Link Achievers, Black Student Science Organization of San Diego State, Student African American Brotherhood,a member of the UMO IGBO Unite Los Angeles chapter , and executive member of the Black Academic Support and Advisory Group . My research has in the past focused on vertebrate paleontology morphology and phylogenetics, but I am interested in anatomy and bio-mechanics.

graduate students

George Lane, MBA., Ed.D. Student, University of Miami

Engineering Experience: Electrical Engineering Lab Manager at California State University, San Marcos. Manage equipment and supplies used in the electrical engineering program. Use commercial experience and education to help students get started in their engineering careers. Teach students use of equipment, troubleshoot student designs, mentor EE students.

Worked as an engineer in multiple areas of cell phone technology for 31 years at Qualcomm Inc. Developed test programs and procedures for Qualcomm telecommunications products. Designed, developed and tested RF cellular networks in the US, and internationally. Managed a team to design and maintain an RF test network that supports 5G, 4G, 3G and 2G cell phone communications standards, and Qualcomm designed test phones and devices.

Prior to Qualcomm, 12 years in Aerospace engineering on various defense programs. Test engineer for Telemetry computer that was used on the space shuttle programs. Write test programs in “C” language. Test Engineer for military flight computers, used on A7 and F-111 fighter planes. Electrical avionics engineer for ground launched cruise missile systems (GLCM). Electrical avionics engineer for MX ICBM missile systems.

Education: Current Ed. D. Student at the University of Miami. Master of Business Administration at Point Loma Nazarene University. BS Engineering at Colorado State University. Also, upper-level math courses at Cal State San Marcos. Certificate in Project and Program Management at Stanford University.

Teaching experience: Cal State University, San Marcos: As a math grad student, teach college algebra principles to non-STEM freshmen students. Links organization: volunteer to teach math to 4-8th graders on Saturday mornings.

Zuri Rashad, PhD Candidate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine

Zuri Rashad is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of California, Irvine, with a major in chemical and biomolecular engineering. Zuri's dissertation is on utilizing dielectrophoresis as an analytical technique for characterizing human mesenchymal stem cells. The main purpose of this work is to enhance the innate therapeutic capabilities of stem cells, including tissue regeneration and wound healing.

Krystal Maughan, PhD Candidate in Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Vermont

Krystal is a current PhD student at the University of Vermont who works in isogeny-based cryptography, a promising form of quantum-safe cryptography. She is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but has lived in Ithaca, Los Angeles, the Bay Area and currently, Burlington, where she plans to complete her PhD by Fall 2026. She is interested in quantum-safe encryption that relies on hardness guarantees from mathematical problems that can be proven difficult for quantum computers to solve. She is also interested in questions that explore cryptanalysis for these protocols using quantum algorithms.

Yulin Xu, PhD Student in Computer Science, University of Southern California

I am Yulin Xu, a first year PhD student at EECS Department of University of Southern California(USC). My research interests are ai-based autonomous system, recommender system.

Ibukunoluwa Soyebo, PhD Student in Computer Engineering, University of Southern California

Ibukunoluwa Soyebo is a 2nd PhD student in Computer Engineering at the University of Southern California. His current research interests lie in affective computing, specifically in stress prediction using wearables and on-device language models.

Jordan James Bond, PhD Student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Irvine

Jordan James Bond, a third-year doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine, is pursuing her Ph.D. in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, where she investigates the molecular and biochemical dynamics of metabolic processes in response to exogenous stressors. Her presentation at CEBAS 2026 will highlight in silico modeling of the Complex II enzyme in the facultatively anaerobic mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, exploring how metabolic plasticity supports survival under fluctuating environmental conditions.

Her research trajectory emerged from her undergraduate training in a molecular laboratory examining innate and adaptive immune pathways alongside stress response across parasitic and cancer models. Yet it was her enduring commitment to marine ecosystems—and concern for species increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven change—that prompted her transition into ecology and evolution. In this interdisciplinary space, she integrates molecular rigor with ecological context, advancing a mechanistic approach to conservation grounded in evolutionary and biochemical insight.

Jeffrey Millan, PhD Student in Computer Engineering, University of Southern California

Jeffrey Millan is a first-year Ph.D student in Computer Engineering at the University of Southern California. His current research is focused on understanding the dynamics of multi-agent systems to ultimately enable their seamless integration into everyday human environments.

Raihaanah Safee, PhD Candidate in Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo

Raihaanah Safee, originally from Detroit, Michigan, is a cosmetic scientist and PhD candidate in Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Toledo. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design and a Master’s degree in Industrial Pharmacy, grounding her work at the intersection of science and skin.

Her research interests span product formulation, dermatological science, and cellular biology. She is particularly drawn to cutaneous science, investigating how innovative, research-driven approaches can advance skin health across both cosmetic and therapeutic applications. Raihaanah is committed to creating lasting impact across education, industry, and healthcare. She aims to expand representation in science while empowering the next generation through purpose-driven, inclusive innovation.

Rodrigo Aguilar Barrios, PhD Student in Computer Engineering, University of Southern California

My name is Rodrigo Aguilar Barrios, and I am a second-year PhD student at the University of Southern California. My research focuses on applying machine learning techniques in healthcare. My current work involves quantifying distress in cancer patients using machine learning and biometric health data.

Znala Williams, PhD Candidate in Molecular Biology, University of California Los Angeles

I am a scientist who is passionate about understanding how chromatin dynamics shape gene regulation. My long-term goal is to build an academic research program that leads innovative investigations in this area while mentoring the next generation of scientists. I am also deeply committed to increasing the success, representation, and retention of African Americans in STEM—especially within the biological sciences.

Melanie Santiago, PhD Student in Astronomy, University of California San Diego

I am currently a PhD student in the Gravitational Wave Paleontology Lab at the University of California, San Diego. I am originally from the Poconos, Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy from Haverford College in May 2025. My research interests include using binary population synthesis codes to understand low-mass transient events and gravitational waves.

Catherine Diadhiou, PhD Candidate in Infectious Diseases, Immunology, and Pathogenesis, University of Southern California

Catherine Diadhiou is a PhD candidate in Infectious Diseases, Immunology, and Pathogenesis at the University of Southern California. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. Originally from Senegal, her research is centered on leveraging the immune system to reduce the burden of diseases that disproportionately impact African populations. Her work integrates virology, gene and cell therapy, and humanized mouse models to study HIV persistence in the brain and evaluate long-term therapeutic strategies. As one approach, she engineers B cells as customizable immune therapeutic platforms across diseases including infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, advancing versatile strategies for next-generation immune-based therapies.

Tré A. Willingham, PhD Student in Condensed Matter Physics, University of California Irvine

Tré A. Willingham is a Ph.D. student in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on the synthesis of low-dimensional materials, particularly tellurium, using confinement-based van der Waals growth techniques to enable scalable, ultra-thin semiconductors for electronic and quantum devices.

Tré began his academic journey at Compton College and El Camino College before transferring to Cal Poly Pomona, where he held leadership roles and conducted research through Cal-Bridge, along with NSF PREM . He is an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a Graduate Inclusive Excellence Fellow at UC Irvine.

Oluwasegun Emmanuel Irewole, MS Student in Biology, California State University Fresno

My name is Oluwasegun Emmanuel Irewole, a first generation graduate student at California State University, Fresno. I am in the MS Biology program under the supervision of Dr. Katherine Waselkov. I am originally from Nigeria, and I look forward to becoming a scientist/academic that bridges the gap between Africa's Agricultural local problems with worldwide best solutions. My present goal and research are to help increase the profit margin in farm produce of the American people by helping them understand weeds, as Amaranthus cost America millions of dollars in losses every year. I am also a sportsman; I play almost all sports. However, soccer is my favorite.

Destine’e Reid, MS Student in Chemistry, California State University Los Angeles

Destine’e Reid a Master’s student at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research focuses on PEGylated Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for pH-responsive drug delivery in cancer applications. She has experience in nanomaterial synthesis, materials characterization, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and previously conducted undergraduate research on negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials. She is interested in research and development in pharmaceuticals and advanced materials. Outside of research, she is also a fashion designer.

Festo Bwogi, MS Student in Computer Engineering, California State University Fullerton

My name is Festo Bwogi. I am a Southern California native and a Computer Engineering Master’s candidate at California State University, Fullerton. I currently hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Science in Information Technology with a Data Science concentration from California State University, Fullerton. My research area covers signal processing and machine learning, with medical applications. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball and soccer, as well as making music.

Ouriel Ndalamba, MS Student in Environmental Engineering, Princeton University

Ouriel is a chemical engineer passionate about water treatment technologies and chemical purification processes. She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and this spring, she will receive her master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Princeton University. After graduation, she aspires to pursue a Ph.D. to continue her research.

Beyond her research, she is actively involved in mentorship and engagement programs that support the next generation of leaders at both the national and international levels.

Emmanuel Okposio, MS Student in Biology, California State University Fresno

Emmanuel Okposio is a Master’s student in Biology at California State University, Fresno, expected to graduate in May 2025. His primary research interests lie in the processing and analysis of biological data, with a particular focus on omics data and evolutionary genomics. His work integrates molecular techniques and computational approaches to investigate genetic variation and adaptation in natural populations. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching football (soccer).

Ayuba Abaka, MS Student in Biology, California State University Fresno

Ayuba Abaka is an international graduate student from Nigeria where he earned a B. TECH in Biotechnology degree at the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola and graduated as the best student in his class with First Class.

His primary research interest is in molecular biology, in particular gene editing and use CRISPR-Cas9 to identify genes responsible for Caenorhabditis elegans' resistance to Chalcone 17 and 30. His academic journey at Fresno State is characterized by his contribution in unravelling the molecular mechanism of action of Chalcone as novel nematicide to control plant parasitic nematode in the Alejandro Calderon-Urrea (ACU) lab.

Undergraduate students

Britney Collier, Undergraduate Student in Computer Science, California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Britney Collier is a fourth-year undergraduate student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, studying Computer Science with an emphasis in AI/ML and Data Science. She is a former participant in the NSF-funded LSAMP research program, a Black in AI Emerging Leaders in AI Scholar, and a Johnson & Johnson MedTech Co-Op.

Her research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare, focusing on improving the quality, equity, and accessibility of care across diverse populations. She is particularly interested in strengthening the integrity of medical data and leveraging AI-driven technologies to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based health innovations into clinical practice.

Beyond academics, she serves on the executive board of the National Society of Black Engineers and actively contributes to several campus organizations. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. with the goal of building a career in MedTech research and development and, ultimately, becoming a university professor.

Ariyanna Glass, Undergraduate Student in Chemistry, Georgia State University

Ariyanna Glass is an undergraduate Chemistry student at Georgia State University pursuing a Pre-Medical concentration. Her research explores the intersection of chemical systems and biological applications, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary STEM collaboration. She is interested in translational research that connects molecular-level insights to clinical impact.

Ariyanna plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree, combining rigorous scientific investigation with direct patient care. Her long-term goal is to contribute to physician-scientist pathways that bridge laboratory innovation and medical practice.

Yabo Ogunduyile, Undergraduate Student in Physics, California State University Los Angeles

Yabo Ogunduyile is an undergraduate at California State University, Los Angeles, majoring in Physics with a Mathematics minor. She is motivated by the question “What do black holes tell us about the history of the universe?” This past summer she got to tackle that question as an astrophysics intern at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she studied heavily obscured supermassive black holes. Yabo loves STEM outreach and is always looking for opportunities to talk about physics, astrophysics, and astronomy with others. In her free time, Yabo enjoys discussions of intersectionality, art/media, and can occasionally be found taking dance classes.

J’adore Bailey, Undergraduate Student in Global Disease Biology, University of California Davis

J’adore Bailey is a graduating senior at the University of California, Davis, majoring in Global Disease Biology with a minor in Public Health. Her academic and research interests focus on infectious diseases, translational biomedical research, and health equity, with an emphasis on One Health approaches that integrate human, animal, and environmental health. Through research, clinical service, and community-engaged work, she is committed to advancing equitable health outcomes in underserved and under-resourced communities, particularly those disproportionately impacted among people of color. She aspires to a career as a physician-scientist at the intersection of research, medicine, and public health to address complex health disparities.

Edsiah Nelson, Undergraduate Student in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Biomedical Physiology, University of Georgia

Edsiah Nelson is a Fourth-year undergraduate researcher double majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Biomedical Physiology at the University of Georgia. She conducts research in the Bolger Lab, where she studies the regulation of DEAD-box RNA helicases and their roles in cellular stress responses. Her work focuses on understanding the genetic interactions between Ded1 and regulatory proteins such as Vts1, Stp22, and Vps34 using yeast as a model system. Through this work, she aims to better understand how translational control mechanisms influence cellular adaptation to stress and their broader implications for aging and disease. Edsiah plans to pursue a career in medicine and biomedical research, where she can help translate scientific discoveries into therapies that improve human health.

Jasmine C. Harris, Undergraduate Student in Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of California Irvine

Jasmine Chloe Harris is a researcher in cellular and molecular biology whose work focuses on tumor microenvironments and immune regulation in cancer. She conducted research in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Atwood at the University of California, Irvine, where she studied the role of the immune system in the regression of basal cell carcinoma. Her research examined how alterations in T- and B-lymphocyte activity influence tumor progression and spontaneous regression in murine models, helping to clarify how immune signaling pathways interact with oncogenic processes. Jasmine plans to pursue graduate study in cellular and molecular biology, where she aims to investigate molecular mechanisms of disease and translate biological discoveries into therapeutic strategies that improve human health.

Pria Maineri, Undergraduate Student in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design, University of Toledo

Pria Maineri is a fourth-year undergraduate student at The University of Toledo studying Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design with minors in Chemistry and Sustainability. She is the former president and vice president of Toledo's Cosmetic Chemist Society and a former Co-chair of Registration for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, California Chapter.

Her research explores film formers and the cosmetic claims surrounding the substantiation of water permeable nail polish. She is particularly interested in strengthening consumer confidence and dispelling the current attitudes surrounding the unfounded fear of cosmetic ingredients.

Following graduation, she plans to continue her studies and earn an MS in Cosmetic Science with the goal of building a career in fragrance development and applications and, ultimately, becoming a master perfumer or fragrance chemist.

Leah Scott, Undergraduate Student in Psychology, California State University Fresno

My name is Leah Christina Amari Scott. I am an undergraduate research student at California State University, Fresno studying under the Carrasco Lab. I am a Psychology major with a particular interest in neuroscience. I am also the co-founder and vice president of the NeuroSci club on my campus. My research explores neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically ADHD, and saccades. I intend to pursue a Master’s and a PhD in neuroscience.

Kennetta Roebuck, Undergraduate Student in Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College

I am a chemistry student at Harvey Mudd College focused on atmospheric and environmental chemistry. My research uses SPME-GC-MS to characterize volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from native plants and examine how these compounds are represented in emissions models and their implications for air quality.

Beyond research, I am passionate about expanding access and representation in STEM. As co-president of Black Lives at Mudd, I work to build community. I hope to pursue a career that bridges science, policy, and service to create meaningful environmental impact.

Victoria Garcia, Undergraduate Student in Psychology, California State University Fresno

My name is Victoria Garcia. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at California State University, Fresno majoring in psychology. I conduct research in the Carrasco Lab, where I study how to measure bilingual experience through self-report questionnaires and objective tasks involving expressive vocabulary, speech production, and comprehension. I am interested in how we can look beyond broad labels such as bilingual or monolingual to better understand the range of language experience, with meaningful applications for cognitive, clinical, and educational research. I hope to pursue graduate school in neuroscience or clinical psychology with a focus on cognition.

Chigozirim Ifebi, Undergraduate Student in Applied and Computational Math, California Institute of Technology

ChiChi is a junior majoring in Applied and Computational Math with a minor in Information and Data Sciences originating from Elmont, New York. She has a passion for advocacy, AI technology, and student leadership. ChiChi is a member of the Caltech AI Alignment Group and does research with the Linde Center for Science, Society, and Policy at Caltech. In her free time she enjoys sewing, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.

Brent Kong, Undergraduate Student in Applied and Computational Math, California Institute of Technology

Brent is an undergraduate student majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics (ACM) from Scotts Valley, California. He is interested in AI technology, mathematics, and data science. Brent is a member of the Caltech AI Alignment Club (CAIA) and researches in the Department of Mathematics at Caltech. During his free time, he competes for the Caltech Swim Team, plays golf, and socializes with friends.

Naol Dufera, Undergraduate Student in Astronomy, Orange Coast College

I am a first-year student at Orange Coast College majoring in Astronomy. My research interests center on the study of nuclear fission reactors, with a particular focus on their potential applications for space missions. I am also interested in exploring fundamental questions about the universe, with broader interests spanning astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, and space exploration technologies. I plan to transfer from my current community college to a four-year university and ultimately pursue a PhD in astrophysics.

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