Doctoral Students
Samantha Cobos, Ph.D.
PhD in Chemistry, 2023
MA in Chemistry, 2019
BS in Chemistry; Pace University
Sam is another PhD student and probably one of the most fun people working in the laboratory. When not in the lab studying prions in yeast, she spends her time watching anime, crafting, practicing her music, and baking.
Fun Fact: Sam is allergic to shellfish, and spent 12 years studying classical vocal music.
Moved on to: Stony Brook IRACDA Post-doctoral Fellow, Stony Brook University, Dubnau lab
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Seth Bennett, Ph.D.
PhD in Biochemistry, 2021
MA in Biochemistry, 2018
BS in Biochemistry and Psychology; SUNY Geneseo
Seth--the lab’s resident hippie--often listens to classic rock music while studying as a PhD student in Biochemistry at the CUNY Graduate Center. In the Torrente laboratory, he works primarily on the ALS Project specifically focusing on the human disease model.
Fun Fact: Seth’s favorite iteration of Phil and Friends is the Q.
Moved on to: Regeneron, Rensselaer, NY
Masters Students
Muna Hugais
MS in Chemistry 2021
BS in Chemistry; California State University, Bakersfield
Muna is a Chemistry Master’s student. She enjoys being in the lab environment. She hopes to use the skills she has gained in the lab to pursue a career as a formulation chemist.
Fun Fact: Muna was born and raised in California.
Research Specialists
Royena Tanaz
ME in Biomedical Engineering, Old Dominion University, Class of 2017
Royena is one of this lab's greatest additions. As the laboratory's chief technician, she is often ready to help the lab and its teammates complete experiments. While helping many of the undergraduate researchers through their experiments, she leads much of the laboratory work along with Seth, one of our graduate researchers.
Fun Fact: The sorting hat declared that Royena is a member of House Ravenclaw. (And she can passage cells like a boss!)
Moved on to: Grants Manager, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
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Karen Chen
MPhil in Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine, Class of 2015
Karen is the laboratory’s chief technician. While helping many of the undergraduate researchers through their experiments, she leads much of the laboratory work on the ALS and subsidiary projects. Karen will be attending graduate school to study biostatistics in Fall 2017.
Fun Fact: Karen works in the lab. (And, she also apparently doesn’t have many fun facts.)
Moved on to: Masters Program in Biostatistics, UNC Chapel Hill
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Farrah Benoit
BS in Chemistry and Biology, CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2012
Farrah is one of the leaders of the lab. Many of the undergraduate researchers go to her for advice and understanding, in regards to the many projects that are active in the lab.
Fun Fact: Farrah is also an organic chemistry lab professor for some of the undergraduate students of this lab.
Moved on to: MD Program, Ross School of Medicine
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Farzanna Mohamed
BA in Biology (conc. Molecular and Cellular Biology)New York University, Class of 2016
Farzanna is a recent graduate of New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences, where she majored in Biology with a concentration in Molecular and Cellular Biology and was on the pre-health track. In the Torrente Laboratory, she is involved with the Molecular Etiology of Depression (TPH2) project; participation in this study has inspired her to pursue study in Molecular Neurobiology.
Fun Fact: Farzanna’s favorite color is red.
Moved on to: PhD in Neuroscience Program, University of Michigan
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Undergraduate Researchers
Camille Reynoso
BP-ENDURE Program, Class of 2024
Camille is majoring in Psychology and Minoring in Neuroscience. Her long term goal is to do research in neuroscience and abnormal psychology. During her free time, she enjoys reading, writing reviews on the books she has read, and wandering random small bookstores.
Fun fact: Camille has already read 120 books so far in 2022, her goal is to make it to 250 books!
Moved on to: Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience Program, University of Utah.
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Daniel Gorelik
William E. Macaulay Honors College, Class of 2024
Daniel is majoring in Chemistry in William E. Macaulay Honors College. He hikes often and grills on the beach year-round. He volunteers in the emergency room at a hospital. Daniel hopes to go to medical school after he graduates.
Fun fact: The only Harry Potter movie Daniel has watched is Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Moved on to: Gap Year in Route to Medical School
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Gabriel Cruz
BA/MD Program, Class of 2023
Gabriel is majoring in chemistry. He volunteers at the Learning Center as a chemistry tutor. He serves as the social media manager for the Athletes for Altruism club at Brooklyn College. Gabriel hopes to attend medical school after graduation.
Fun fact: Gabriel is a huge cheesecake fanatic.
Moved on to: MD Program, SUNY Downstate
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Chaim Janani
Scholars Program, Class of 2023
Valedictorian, Class of 2023
Chaim is a Chemistry BA major and Philosophy minor. His long-term goals are to become a physician and to open a clinic in an underserved area. He currently shadows two primary care physicians at their clinics, and is part of a philosophy discussion group that meets to discuss various topics such as medical ethics.
Fun Fact: Chaim was captain of the varsity basketball team in high school.
Moved on to: MD Program, Stony Brook University
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Zahra Jamil
Scholars Program , Class of 2023
Zahra a rising junior with a Chemistry major and a gender studies minor on the track to pursue an MD/PhD. She is involved in various clubs on campus like Peer Health Exchange, Speech and Debate, Muslims Giving Back, and American Medical Student Association while shadowing physicians and conducting research at Mount Sinai. Her hobbies include skin care, traveling, reading, working out, and eating :)
Fun fact: Zahra reads more than 50 books each year.
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Michael Kozlov
BA/MD Program and Scholars Program, Class of 2024
Michael is a Psychology major and a Chemistry minor in the B.A.-M.D. and Scholars programs. He plans on attending SUNY Downstate for medical school and hopes to apply what he learns in the lab to his graduate education. In his free time Michael loves to hike, recreate recipes from social media, and play video games.
Fun Fact: Michael built a guitar in a woodworking class!
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Elizaveta Son
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2022
Liz is currently pursuing Chemistry. After graduating, she plans on attending dental school. She enjoys working on the bench and hopes to use the learned knowledge from the lab into her life as a dentist in the future.
Fun Fact: Liz plays the violin, hates classical music.
Moved on to: DDS Program, NYU Dentistry
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Rianna Segal
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2022
Rianna is very interested in research, along with medicine. She enjoys playing volleyball and swimming, drawing and painting, and learning how to play the guitar. She also recently started gardening with her first succulent. Additionally, she loves traveling and hopes to visit countries outside of the US sometime soon.
Fun fact: Rianna has a twin sister who is also interested in medicine!
Moved on to: DO Program, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Maliha Khan
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2021
Maliha is a sophomore, majoring in Biology and Psychology. She is currently volunteering at NYU Lutheran Hospital and provides aid at women shelters through WIN.
Fun Fact: Maliha's favorite tv show is Law and Order: SVU.
Moved on to: Gap Year in Route to Med School
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Ominakhon Nazarzoda
Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program at Brooklyn College,
CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2021
Omina is a junior, pursuing a chemistry B.S. major. She is part of the America Needs You Fellow as well as the Maximizing Access to Research Careers Honors (MARC) program. She is interested in exploring various fields of science, especially analytical and forensic chemistry.
Fun Fact: Omina is a free-style wrestler, so watch out!
Moved on to: Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia
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George Angelakakis
CUNY Brooklyn College Scholars Program, Class of 2021
George is a junior who is majoring in chemistry. He is an active volunteer at Maimonides Hospital and at his local church, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, where he gives out food and clothes to the homeless in Manhattan. Also, he guides incoming freshmen students entering Brooklyn College as a Peer Mentor.
Fun Fact: George is Brooklyn Bay Ridge's best rollerblader!
Moved on to: MD Program, University of South Florida
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Melagras (Mila) Mirzakandova
The William E. Macaulay Honors College at Brooklyn College, Class of 2020
Mila is a senior at Brooklyn College pursuing a BS in Biology, a BA in Chemistry and a minor in sociology. She is active in the Brooklyn College community by serving as a member of Global Medical Brigades and a leadership council member with Peer Health Exchange. Working towards her goal of becoming a physician, she has interned at Maimonides Medical Center and volunteered in the emergency department at NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. She currently volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician with Park Slope Volunteer Ambulance Corps and plans to work as an EMT during her gap year.
Fun Fact: Mila is a huge animal lover. She currently has two dogs and two cats, one of which she adopted from the rescue shelter.
Moved on to: DO Program, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Arlet Olivera-Zelaya
CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2022
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Bashnouna Salib
CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2020
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Jailene Paredes
Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program at Brooklyn College,
CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2020
Jailene Paredes is a rising senior aspiring to become an M.D./Ph.D. candidate. She joined the lab in September of 2018 and has being contributing to the SWI+ Prion project ever since. Her love for medicine and research has led her to major in Biology and minor in Biochemistry. To balance her science and pre-medical courses, Jailene plays volleyball for the Brooklyn College Women’s Varsity Volleyball Team and mentors freshman students through the Brooklyn College Peer Mentoring Program.
Fun Fact: Jailene has more than 11 years of volleyball experience! She also loves watching movies during rainy days.
Moved on to: PREP Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine;
MD/PhD Program, University of Pennsylvania
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Shana Matthew
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2021
Hello! My name is Shana and I am a junior at Brooklyn college. I am majoring in chemistry and psychology. On campus I am involved in SPARK Mentoring, Global Medical Brigades, Desi Culture Club, and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Outside of school, I love singing, watching netflix, and spending time with friends.
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Andrew Elgendy
CUNY Brooklyn College
Andrew is a student at Brooklyn College and he majors in Film Production. He has been a paramedic for three years while balancing his pre-medical coursework. Andrew enjoys spending time with family, attending concerts, and visiting museums.
Fun Fact: Andrew’s favorite season is Autumn.
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Navin Rana
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2019
Navin is a junior at Brooklyn College, and he majors in Chemistry and History. In addition to balancing liberal arts as well as the hard sciences, he plays an active role on the Brooklyn College campus as a member of the debate team, student government, various clubs, and as an occasional film reviewer for the Brooklyn College Excelsior. He enjoys the hands-on experience working on the lab bench.
Fun Fact: Navin loves photography.
Moved on to: MA/MSc in International and World History, Columbia University and the London School of Economics
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Huda Yousuf
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2019
Huda, another junior, is one of the most unique individuals in the laboratory, especially in her chosen career path as an aspiring tissue engineer; she hopes to focus on cardiac regeneration in the future. While working to pursue a PhD and maintaining a lifelong career of research, Huda is also a part of the Coordinated Engineering program with NYU Tandon, where she will complete her Bachelors in Chemical Engineering.
Fun Fact: Huda lives in the worst part of New York: Staten Island.
Moved on to: MD Program, Albert Einstein
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Michel Fallah
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2019
Michel is a junior at Brooklyn College, and she majors in Chemistry. Also interested in the fields of psychology and neuroscience, she is currently an intern at Richmond Behavioral Associates in Staten Island and shadows a psychiatrist in Bay Ridge. She enjoys giving back to the community by serving as a mentor for middle school students and college students through Brooklyn College’s S.P.A.R.K. and Peer Mentoring programs.
Fun Fact: Michel loves swimming, hiking, and singing in the shower. (She's actually pretty good at singing.)
Moved on to: MD/PhD Program, Georgetown University; F31 Fellow, NIH
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Hermena Ibrahim
William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2019
Hermena is working towards his future in the field of medicine. He has volunteered at both Brooklyn Hospital and the Staten Island University Medical Hospital. In school, he is working towards his goals by majoring in Chemistry and Psychology. Hermena also works with young students through Brooklyn College’s S.P.A.R.K. club.
Fun Fact: Hermena is a large basketball fan, and loves to play the game; he even coaches a youth team in his free time.
Moved on to: Gap Year in Route to Med School
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Mohamed Said
Scholars Program at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2019
Mohamed--commonly referred to as the life of the lab--greatly enjoys his time in the laboratory and enjoys learning the essential biochemistry behind the many experiments conducted. While actively involved on the Brooklyn College campus, through the RISE Program, Global Medical Brigades, and Muslims Giving Back, Mohamed displays a dedication to science and its role in developing life saving and necessary advancements.
Fun Fact: Mohamed loves watching and playing American football. His favorite team is the New York Football Giants.
Moved on to: MD Program, SUNY Downstate
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Sadiqa Taaseen
Scholars Program at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2019
Sadiqa is a diligent worker both inside and outside of the laboratory. While working on the Parkinson’s Disease aspect of the lab’s focus she works on her studies in anthropology. Sadiqa is also on the pre-medicine track and plans to attend medical school in the future in addition to working on applying holistic public health models to the United States health care system.
Fun Fact: Sadiqa was born on a Monday.
Moved on to: Podiatric Medicine Program, New York College of Podiatric Medicine
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Marcella Meykler
Scholars Program at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2018
Marcella since her addition has proved to be one of its best members. She works with Farzanna to help with the TPH2 project as well as many of the projects in development at the moment. While majoring in chemistry at Brooklyn College, she intends on applying to medical schools and various graduate schools in the coming months.
Fun Fact: Marcella likes hiking and loves spending time outdoors.
Moved on to: MD Program, Albert Einstein
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Natalie Mendo
CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2018
Natalie is a senior at Brooklyn College and is currently pursuing both a B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Chemistry. Subsequent to her graduation, she hopes to enter a Master’s program in genetic counseling, and eventually apply to medical school.
Fun Fact: Natalie enjoys sightseeing in her spare time, and adores animals--especially cats.
Moved on to: Research Manager, Columbia University
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Steven Meltser
Scholars Program at CUNY Brooklyn College, Class of 2017
CUNY Baccalaureate Program for Interdisciplinary Studies, Class of 2017
Thomas W. Smith Fellow
Steven graduated Brooklyn College and is no longer an undergraduate researcher. He majored in Computational Biology with the CUNY Baccalaureate Program. He is currently working and plans on attending graduate school.
Moved on to: MS Program, Georgia Tech
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Alexandra Fall
Skidmore College, Class of 2018
Alexandra is a senior at Skidmore College where she is majoring in biology with a concentration in molecular biology and genetics. In the Torrente laboratory, she is working on the TPH2 project, and she is interested in pursuing a career in molecular neurobiology/psychiatric epigenetics research in the future.
Fun Fact: Alexandra began dancing at a young age and is continuing her love for ballet as a dance minor at Skidmore.