2015 Scholars

Abigail Brady

Mentor: Georgina Gould, Ph.D.

The Atonement Academy
Abigail is an active member of the Latin Club, Varsity Soccer Team and Cross Country Team. Her quest for knowledge has led her to explore volunteering experiences with the San Antonio Zoo as a Camp Counselor and Summer Naturalist. She also regularly volunteers with the Humane Society. Her academic goal is to study biology and to become a medical professional.

Alyssa Alonzo

Mentor: David Wampler, Ph.D.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Alyssa is a member of Gamma Sigma and has participated in Gear Up and Upward Bound Programs. Her teachers describe her as an exemplary student who is self-motivated and commits diligently to completion of her schoolwork and group projects. Her goal is to become a health care professional and help those in need.

Andrew Kamali

Mentor: Lora Talley Watts, Ph.D.

Fox Tech High School

Andrew is a member of the Medical Health Magnet Program. He earned the Presidential Education Award and serves as Captain of the Academic Octathelon Team. He volunteers at Baptist Health System and plans to pursue a career in translational research.

Benita Lee

Mentor: Georgianna G Gould, Ph.D.

Alamo Heights High School

Benita has been recognized by the Duke Talent Program. She is President of the National Junior Honor Society at her school and placed 1st in Latin Literature at the state level. Additionally, she received a Summa Cum Laude commendation on the National Latin Exam. Benita plays the violin and is a member of the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio.

Bryon Martinez

Mentor: Gregory Aune, M.D., Ph.D.

Edison High School

Bryon is a member of the Upward Bound Program. He is a member of the Cross Country and Track teams. His current interests are in the area of oncology and he hopes to become a scientist in the future.

Coral Marquez

Mentor: Brian Wickes, Ph.D.

Roosevelt High School

Coral is a member of HOSA, the school dance team and regularly volunteers at a local animal shelter. She was chosen to be part of a Student Launch Initiative that explores rocket science alongside the NASA Program. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge in the field of medical and would like to pursue a career in science.

Desiree Sharp

Mentor: Lora Talley Watts, Ph.D.

Fox Tech High School

Desiree is a member of the Medical Health Magnet Program. She is a member of the Student Council and volunteers for Camp CAMP and Meals on Wheels. Her teachers praise her leadership skills and her commitment to volunteerism. Desiree’s career goal is to become a forensic scientist.

Dominic Gomez

Mentor: Charles Mathias, Ph.D.

Central Catholic High School

Dominic is a volunteer at the UTHSCSA Pediatrics Reach Out and Read Program. He has earned First and second place awards in the Academic Bowl in Art and Science, is a state finalist in the Duke Talent Search and the recipient of the St. Peter PTC Scholarship. He plays electric guitar for the Central Catholic Jazz Band and plans to pursue a career in the biomedical sciences.

Federico Chavez

Mentor: Mohan Natarajan, Ph.D.

Health Careers High School

Federico serves as the Vice President of the HOSA chapter at his school and as the treasurer for the Maronite Youth Organization. He is the Principal Chair for the Varsity Orchestra, and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. He has future aspirations of becoming an accomplished scientist in the field of stem cell research.

Florencio Ontiveros

Mentor: Manuel Oscos, M.D.

Fox Tech High School

Florencio is a member of the Health Professions Magnet Program. He is a member of the Octathalon Team, the school choir and participates in UIL Science competitions. Florencio has been described by his teachers as a model student that is ready to help others and is eager to explain concepts to the class.

Hannah Wool

Mentor: Mohan Natarajan, Ph.D.

T.M.I. Episcopal School of Texas

Hannah actively participates in the TMI Student Ambassador Program and she is a writer for the T.M.I. literary publication, The Muse. She is a member of the track and field team and enjoys presenting at science fair competitions. She is especially interested in pursuing a career in biomedical engineering.

Jacqueline Gunter

Mentor: Brian Wickes, Ph.D.

St. Mary’s Hall

Jacqueline is an active member of the Model United Nations and UNICEF Club. She has demonstrated excellence in the Science Olympiad and has placed in the 2013 Texas State Competition. Jacqueline is the recipient of a full academic scholarship at St. Mary’s Hall. She plans to pursue a career in biomedical research.

Julia Wool

Mentor: Tom Slaga, Ph.D.

T.M.I. Episcopal School of Texas

Julia is enrolled in Experimental Physics Honors at TMI. She enjoys learning and presenting her science projects at the Southwestern Association of Episcopal School’s annual competitions. Julia is a member of the TMI Student Ambassador Program and she aspires to become a dermatologist.

Lea Morin

Mentor: Veronica Galvan, Ph.D.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Lea is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, the JV Basketball team and Gamma Sigma. She participates in Science Fairs and frequently volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House. Lea is interested in neuroscience and plans to pursue a career in Neurology.

Lilah Qubrosi

Mentor: Pei Wang, Ph.D.

Providence Catholic School

Lilah is a member of National Art Honor Society. She is a member of a Flamenco dancing troupe and is an active member of the Southwest Gem and Mineral Society. Her career goal is to become a biomedical engineer.

Madeline Saunders

Mentor: David Morilak, Ph.D.

Ronald Reagan High School

Madeline is a member of HOSA and the Latin Club. She is a district champion in golf. Madeline wants to enter the science field in order to further understand childhood diseases and she wants to help those with serious health conditions.

Rebecca Lee

Mentor: Sumathy Mohan, Ph.D.

Sam Houston High School

Rebecca’s teachers describe her as a mature, selfmotivated student. She currently holds first chair in the orchestra program at Sam Houston and tied for first place in UIL competition for Dictionary Skills.

Ruby Polanco

Mentor: Senlin Li, M.D.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Ruby has an interest in becoming an Internist Research Biophysicist. She is a member of the Science Club and President of the Math Counts chapter at school. Ruby received perfect scores on the Algebra I and 8th grade science standardized tests and placed first in a recent UIL competition.

Ryan Flores

Mentor: David Wampler, Ph.D.

McCollum High School

Ryan has been a member of the PREP program for the past three summers and is a facilitator for the UTHSCSA Teen Medical Academy. He is a Private 1st Class in the JROTC Program and is the treasurer for the Freshman Class. Ryan’s future plans include becoming a medical doctor to proudly serve in the U.S. Military.

Saleel Sripada

Mentor: Zhenyu Qin, M.D., Ph.D.

Klein High School

Saleel is a member of HOSA and enjoys mentoring at a local elementary school. He is a member of HASSA (Houston Area Suzuki Strings Association) and section leader of the Klein High Philharmonic Orchestra. Saleel’s career goal is to become a biomedical engineer.

Sean Sulyama

Mentor: Pothana Saikumar, Ph.D.

Health Careers High School

Sean is a member of HOSA. He regularly volunteers in community service activities at the San Antonio Food Bank, the Children’s Hunger Fund and the Bulverde Animal Shelter. His volunteerism also extends to participation in faith-based mission endeavors and activities within his church community. He plans to pursue a career in medicine.