2013 Scholars

Adam I. Wenzlaff

Mentor: Steven R. Bailey, MD

Tom C. Clark High School
Adam is Class President and plays key roles in the Student Council and Young Men’s Service League. He is a member of the Latin and Chess club, Science Bowl & Certamen Team, is a Junior Docent in the Institute for Texan Cultures and has participated in PREP at UTSA and volunteers in San Antonio Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. He is passionate about science and is excited to pursue a career in bioengineering.

Adriana S. Avendano

Mentor: Jennifer Phipps, PhD

Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Adriana is a student in the GT program, a member of Gamma Sigma and the National Art Honor Society. After two years in the NJHS, she will be inducted into the National Honor Society this year. She is active in tennis, volleyball and the equestrian club and has participated in GT, math and UIL competitions. Her dream is to become a chemist.

Amanda M. Dick

Mentor: Lily Q Dong, PhD

St. Anthony Catholic High School
Amanda was valedictorian of her middle school and is part of the 4H Youth Development Organization involved in community service. As part of her work, she has raised a flock of Suffolk sheep. She is a State Livestock Ambassador and has attended vet-science meetings. She is interested in both medicine and science.

Christina Zhu

Mentor: Senlin Li, PhD

Ronald Reagan High School
Christina has been awarded an Engineering Scholarship to St. Mary’s University following her completion of three years at UTSA’s Pre-Engineering Program. She is a member of HOSA and UIL Academics. She plays the piano and volunteers as a Junior Docent at the Institute for Texan Cultures which earned her the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She plans to become a physician to improve patients’ lives.

Christopher J. Nash

Mentor: Borries Demeler, PhD

TMI- The Episcopal School of Texas
Christopher has been enrolled in the San Antonio Pre Engineering Program, FTC robotics and the Science Club. He is also a member of the NJHS and the Model UN. He volunteers in the Animal Defense League, Food Bank Food Drive and the Book Drive. He serves as a TMI ambassador and is interested in a career in the field of biomedicine

Christopher K. Corona

Mentor: James D. Lechleiter, PhD

Luther Burbank High School
Christopher attends the International Baccalaureate Magnet program. He is a member of the San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble which includes some of the most talented high school musicians in the San Antonio area. He has participated in the Burbank High School spelling bee and has advanced to the regional level. He serves as secretary of the high school band and strives to become a scientific engineer.

Clover L Moten

Mentor: Georgianna G Gould, PhD

Thomas Edison High School
Clover is a member of the Health Professions Magnet program. She is a member of the NJHS and participates in the pep squad, Hermann Sons Dance Team and sings in her church. She is passionate about science, especially microbiology, and plans to attend Texas Tech to pursue a career in pharmaceutical science.

Corina Rodriguez

Mentor: Jennifer S Potter, PhD, MPH

Earl Warren High School
Corina was awarded fourth place in the NISD science fair and enjoys enhancing her knowledge in the fields of science and biology. She is a member of the varsity volleyball team and has volunteered with the San Antonio Food Bank and at the Embassy Church. She is enthusiastic about making new scientific discoveries as a research biologist.

Darley Guzman

Mentor: Jennifer S. Potter, PhD, MPH

Sam Houston High School
Darley is a student at the New Tech San Antonio Magnet program. She received the Superintendent Award while in middle school. She has been described by her teachers as being ‘the best and brightest’ and is ranked first in her pre-AP biology and geometry classes. She has participated in a health fair research project linking obesity and lifestyle and is pursuing a career in health and science.

Ethan Shelburne-Dominguez

Mentor: Veronica Galvan PhD

Brooks Academy of Science and Engineering
Ethan is a member of the National Hispanic Institute and the Latino Educational Advancement Pipeline. He is a volunteer at the San Antonio Children’s Museum, a member of the running club and class representative in the student council. He has been described by his teachers as ‘outstanding in his dedication and compassion for the field of biomedical science’ and is interested in a career in computer science.

Iman Wallace

Mentor: Alina Maloyan, PhD

Fox Tech High School
Iman is a member of the Medical Sciences Magnet Program. After a school field trip to UTHSCSA, she became very interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. She also enjoys singing in her church choir, dancing and volunteering in the San Antonio Library Free Tutoring Program where she shares her passion for science and medicine. She plans to become a dentist and hopes to make people smile.

Isabella R. Torres

Mentor: Jannine D Cody, PhD

Thomas Edison High School
Isabella is a member of the Health Professions Magnet Program. She was a finalist in the ‘Do the Write Thing’ contest and has placed in the top ten in the National French Contest. She is Vice President of the NJHS and participated in the Duke Talent Identification/SAT Program. She volunteers at the Wounded Veteran Center and at the Cisneros Senior Center. She is seeking a career in either the biomedical or medical fields.

Jessica Tuholsky

Mentor: Borries Demeler, PhD

The Atonement Academy
Jessica is passionate about math and science and was described by her teachers as having an ‘extraordinarily focused mind and a deep appreciation for underlying, systematic relationships in nature’. She is the captain of the girls’ varsity soccer team, a member of the junior varsity volleyball team and has been a competitive soccer player for over ten years. She would like to apply her findings to practical applications of helping others.

Joaquin Ramirez

Mentor: Alina Maloyan, PhD

Thomas Edison High School
Joaquin is a member of the Health Professions Magnet program. He is described by his teachers as having a ‘natural and contagious love for science’. He plays soccer and enjoys playing the vihuela. He plans to attend UTHSCSA Medical School to train and become a cardiologist.

Jonathon Medina

Mentor: Jean Jiang, PhD

TMI- The Episcopal School of Texas
Jonathon has spent his last three summers enrolled in UTSA’s Pre-Engineering Program and has been awarded an Engineering Scholarship to St. Mary’s University upon completion. He is a member of JROTC and the Corps of Cadets. He is a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and also participates in track. He looks forward to expanding his knowledge in the field of medical research and would like to pursue a career in science.

Karen Jimenez

Mentor: Jason O’Connor, PhD

Health Careers High School
Karen is a member of HOSA. She placed 2nd in San Antonio in the Medical Assisting category and will be representing San Antonio in the Texas State Competition. She is a member of NJHS and has received the Presidential Award twice. She is a Girl Scout working towards the Gold Award and plays the cello in her school’s orchestra. She plans to become a biomedical researcher in the field of immunology or genetics.

Kristian Rivas

Mentor: Jason O’Connor, PhD

William J. Brennan High School
Kristian is described by his teachers as ‘more than the ideal student, a critical thinker demonstrating outstanding leadership’. He is a member of the school band and the freshmen football team, volunteers in his neighborhood association and is curious about nature and science. His dream is to become a research scientist and contribute to the quest for the cure for cancer and other diseases.

Maria E. Silvaz

Mentor: Consuelo Walss-Bass, PhD

Douglas MacArthur High School
Maria is a member of HOSA and serves as Vice President of the French Club at her school. She has been described by her teachers as being incredibly passionate for science and as having ‘all of the things it takes to become a medical professional’. Her dream is to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

Meg A. Garcia

Mentor: Pothana Saikumar, PhD

Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Meg has participated in the Academic Decathlon and the National History Fair and is a member of the National Art Honor Society and the NJHS. She volunteers for the student council, uniform drive and canned food drive at her school. She takes part in both the photography and film clubs and would like to pursue her dream of becoming a surgeon.

Nathan P. Therien

Mentor: Sunil K Ahuja, MD

Claudia Taylor Johnson High School
Nathan completed three years in UTSA’s Pre-Engineering Program and has been awarded an Engineering Scholarship to St. Mary’s University. He is a member of the NJHS and the Winner’s Circle and is recognized by the Duke Talent Identification Program. He would like to pursue an education in the medical field.

Thomas A. Pecha

Mentor: Henry Ralph Rawls, PhD

The Atonement Academy
Thomas is the recipient of the Gold Arrow Award High Honor Roll, the Gold Medal in the National Latin Exam and a member of the NJHS. He placed 1st in science at the Private Schools’ Interscholastic Association twice. He is a member of the varsity soccer team and the Boy Scouts of America and has received numerous awards for his piano skills. He is passionate about chemistry and would like to choose a career path in scientific advancement and studies.

Thomas Vargas

Mentor: Senlin Li, MD

Central Catholic High School
Thomas is a member of the National Hispanic Institute and the Student Council Public Relations Director. He is an ROTC cadet and has volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank. After embarking upon a research project in neurology, he is interested in medical research and would like to pursue an education in microbiology.

Yugena Gunawardena

Mentor: Sunil K Ahuja, MD

Keystone School
Yugena has been awarded the Silver Honor in the National Spanish Exam and was awarded the grand prize at the district Exxon Mobil Science and Engineering Fair last year. He plays varsity soccer and junior varsity basketball, as well as the piano. He would like to combine his passion for science and sports to pursue a career in sports medicine.