Sophie Rokaw
Sama Mikhail
Ariana Mardani
Faid Jaafar
Haley Mathews
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I am a third-year Pre-Medicine, Microbiology student, and a member of the Sussman Lab researching the effects of vaping on the cardiopulmonary system. I have always had a huge interest and passion for the anatomy of the human body and its functions, which is why I am beyond excited to learn from the Masters/ PhD students and gain experience through this lab. In my free time, I coach/ compete in gymnastics and volunteer with adolescents wishing to pursue a career in STEM fields. |
Amy Hickman
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I am a third year cellular and molecular biology major at SDSU. I absolutely love the laboratory setting, particularly that of medicine. As a certified phlebotomy technician, I plan to grow in my laboratory skills, so I look forward to explore Dr. Sussman’s research here on campus. I think both the social and health impacts that vaping have in our society have been detrimental, so I am very excited to play a role in this research! |
Mckenzie Buss
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I am a 4th year undergraduate student studying cellular/molecular biology and psychology here at SDSU with future career plans in healthcare. I was drawn to Dr. Sussman’s lab for its research on the adverse effects of vaping as well as regenerative cardiology, and I am looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in these areas. As a former EMT and medical assistant, I am additionally looking forward to the opportunity to approach human health and disease from a molecular research-based perspective as well as expanding on my laboratory skills. In my free time, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, reading, and spending time with my dog. |
Bella Navarro
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Hi! I am a third- year student at SDSU studying Public Health. I am pursuing a pathway of pre-medicine studies with the hopes of going to medical school in the future. I have a great interest in the intersections between public health and medicine. My involvement in the Emergency Department as a medical scribe has highlighted the importance of heart health and the risk factors that play a large role in your overall health. I am thrilled to be a part of the Sussman lab to study the effects of vaping on the cardiopulmonary system to further explore and learn about the heart and lungs. I am looking forward to learning from the Masters/PhD Students in the lab and expanding my laboratory skills. Outside of the lab, I am a Lead Scribe at Palomar Health in the emergency department and volunteer in the Telemetry unit at Kaiser. In my spare time I love to exercise and explore San Diego |
Nicholas Konja
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I am a first-year pre-dental, biology student, and a member of the Sussman research lab studying the effects of vaping on the body. Vaping affects a majority of my generation and I want to learn how it will affect my peers later on in life. Outside of school I am a radiographer at Saint Orthodontics and also make patients retainers. I also teach church school to 1st graders every Saturday morning at my local parish. I look forward to learning about the effects of vaping and getting more hands-on experience in a lab. |
Nicole Chen
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Hey everyone! My name is Nicole and I’m finishing my last semester here at SDSU majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Business Administration and I just applied for Physician Assistant (PA) school. I wanted to spend my remaining time volunteering in Dr. Sussman’s lab and it’s been an amazing experience so far running the SCIREQ machine and helping the grad students. The incredible support and learning opportunities I’ve been given from all the staff and other volunteers has made me so grateful to have joined. (Better late than never!) Besides the lab I am part of a professional business fraternity (Alpha Kappa Psi) on campus and I currently work as a phlebotomist for Family Health Centers of San Diego. When I’m not at school you’ll find me trying new coffee shops, working out, or playing card games with my friends! |
Natosha Welborn
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I am a 4th year Pre-Med, Biology and Criminal Justice student at SDSU. I added a second major in Biology when I became curious and excited about performing experiments in my first college Biology class at SDSU. I joined Dr. Sussman’s lab the beginning of Fall 2022- I am excited to learn more about the effects of vaping in the human health and to get more hands on experience in the lab. |
Esmerelda Salcedo
Gina Jerjees
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Hi! I am a third year pre-med biology student with the privilege of working under Dr. Sussman and his master/PhD students in hopes to understand the effects of vaping on the cardiopulmonary system. I am also involved in WSS, social media coordinator on NAAMA Next Gen, and served as community service coordinator in AMSA in the Spring of 2022. I am excited to expand my knowledge of the cardiovascular system that I have gained through being a medical assistant at the office of Dr. Kafri’s Heart and Vascular Clinic and hopefully make a difference among my college peers. In my free-time, I like to learn the effects of self-care, exercise, go shopping, and read a good book. |
Calista Forlenza
Eddy V