Our Speakers
Native American Blessing
Clanmother Shoran Waupatukuay Piper
Tribal Head Leader of the Golden Hill Paugussett
Clanmother Shoran Waupatukuay Piper isTribal Head Leader of the Golden Hill Paugussett. She is a medicine woman and spiritualist and the author of the book Red Road. Clanmother Shoran Wuapatukuay Piper currently serves on the Connecticut Curriculum Committee for schools teaching Tribes history. She has served as spokesperson for American Indian rights on numerous occasions.
She will be speaking the opening words of for blessing for our conference.
Keynote
Associate Professor of Anthropology,
Dartmouth University
Dr. Thayer is an Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology at Dartmouth College. Using data from multiple cultural contexts, her work addresses how and why early life environments shape patterns of later life health. Central to her research program is a commitment to conducting research that benefits the communities she works with. A Human Biology Association Fellow and recipient of the Michael A. Little Early Career Award, her research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Wenner Gren Foundation.
Panelists and Facilitators
Opening Remarks
Carla Becerra Sabrera
YSACNAS Undegraduate President, Yale University
Carla Becerra Sabrera is a junior at Yale University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology with a Certificate in Global Health Studies. In addition to leading the undergraduate branch of the Yale SACNAS chapter and being involved in research, she volunteers as Director of Patient Services at HAVEN Free Clinic and offers tutoring in Math and English to local students.
Nathalie Alomar
YSACNAS Graduate Co-President, Yale University
Nathalie is a graduate student in the Department of Ecology and Evolution of Yale University. Working in the research group of Martha Muñoz, she is broadly interested in the patterns and mechanisms of ecophysiological evolution. She is currently examining several adaptive and non-adaptive radiations of lungless salamanders through a combination of laboratory studies and observations in the field.
Giovanna Guerrero-Medina, PhD
YSACNAS Co-Advisor, Yale University
Dr. Guerrero-Medina leads inclusion and workforce initiatives for the Wu Tsai Institute and at the Yale School of Medicine. From 2012-2024 she was Executive Director of the Ciencia Puerto Rico science network. She specializes in designing and leading initiatives to address gaps in mentoring, information, and access to opportunities in STEM. Through programs like the Intersections Science Fellows Symposium, Yale Ciencia Academy, the Program to Advance Training in Health and Sciences, and Semillas de Triunfo, she has mentored hundreds of young people interested in the sciences. She is a member of the Board of Directors of SACNAS and is originally from Puerto Rico with ancestry from Ecuador and Argentina.
Darin Latimore, MD
Deputy Dean and Chief Diversity Officer, Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Latimore is Yale School of Medicine’s first deputy dean for diversity and inclusion and its first chief diversity officer. He is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs to nurture the success of each member of the YSM community by providing mentorship, sponsorship, and collaborative opportunities. He also inspires prospective students, trainees, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds to apply to YSM’s programs by sharing remarkable stories about our community and the exceptional offerings and resources of YSM.
Getting a Good Start: Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
Adán Colón Carmona, PhD
Professor of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston
Adán Colón-Carmona is a plant cell and developmental biologist studying growth control in response to internal and external environmental cues. Dr. Colón-Carmona leads university initiatives that include research education activities geared towards diverse student populations; focus on cancer and cancer disparities research, outreach and training; and address diversity, equity and inclusion within faculty ranks. A SACNAS member since 1989 and a mentor to 100s of undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs in his laboratory, Dr. Colón-Carmona is dedicated to social change in higher education as a vehicle to improving peoples’ lives.
María Moreno, PhD
Sr. Lecturer II in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology & Research Scientist, Yale University
Dr. Moreno is a Senior Instructor for Yale College and conducts research developing technologies for population genomics to enhance food security. For many years, she served as Academic Coordinator and Instructor for the Science, Technology and Research Scholars (STARS) program at Yale, which supports students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. She has a BS and MS from Iowa State University, a PhD from Yale, and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of California-Berkeley, where she characterized the molecular properties of maize ligulesless 1 gene, an important target for yield improvement.
Aimee Shen, PhD
Associate Professor, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Clostridium difficile causes ~500,000 infections each year and is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and gastroenteritis-associated death in the US. The Shen lab studies how C. difficile forms infectious spores and how these spores germinate upon sensing specific bile salts in the mammalian gut, essential processes in disease transmission. Dr. Shen is a molecular microbiology faculty member at the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts. She was recently recognized with the Tufts Faculty Award for Student Advocacy.
Transferable skills from academia to industry
Montrell Seay, PhD
Senior Associate Director of Graduate and Postdoc Employer Relations
Dr. Seay supports the career advancement of Yale graduate students and postdoctoral scholars by building robust talent pipelines from Yale to industry, with a focus on the local life sciences ecosystem. He brings expertise in diverse scientific fields—including neurobiology, hematology, genomics, and translational research—and has extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing cross-functional partnerships, and driving large-scale projects. Outside of Yale, Montrell has held teaching positions in the Hartford school system and is involved in mentoring and outreach initiatives. He has a PhD from Yale in Molecular Biology, where he also conducted postdoctoral studies.
Sandra Martínez Morilla, PhD
Sr. Lecturer II in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology & Research Scientist, Yale University
Dr. Martínez graduated with a Bachelor's in Biology from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 2006 and a Master's in Biomedical Research from the University of Seville in 2009. After earning her PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in 2013 in Spain, she embarked on a postdoctoral role at Yale University. At the Department of Pathology at Yale University’s School of Medicine, she focused on biomarker discovery in human cancer using quantitative immunofluorescence and advanced high-plex methods like Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC) and Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP). She developed diagnostic assays for clinical applications and utilized digital image analysis in pathology. This experience helped her secure a position as a Senior Scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim in 2021, where she currently leads a molecular histopathology lab. She develops assays to establish biomarker strategies that bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical settings, while supporting programs across the company's oncology portfolio.
Taryn Olivas, PhD
Senior Scientist at Perosphere
Dr. Olivas received her Bachelor's in Biochemistry from Texas State University in 2018 and graduated with her PhD in Cell Biology from Yale in 2023. During her thesis work, she developed a method using styrene maleic acid nanodiscs to identify proteins co-resident on a membrane. This experience in method development led to her role at Perosphere as a Senior Research Scientist in 2023, where she works on expanding the testing platform of Perosphere's universal coagulometer. In her current position as Research Manager, Senior Scientist, she leads a team of scientists in product development from concept to commercialization in order to address the sensitivity gap in coagulation diagnostics for patients on direct oral anticoagulants.
The importance of communities of support in science
Charla Lambert, PhD
Director, Office of Career Advancement & Scientific Engagement, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL)
Dr. Lambert directs the Office of Career Advancement and Scientific Engagement at CSHL, an independent biomedical research institute on Long Island in New York. Her work focuses on career development and community building programs for students, postdocs, early-career faculty, and scientific staff, with the goal of ensuring that everyone who works and trains at CSHL experiences an accessible and inclusive research environment. She also serves as the immediate Past President and member of the SACNAS Board of Directors. To date, her career has spanned many aspects of science and nonprofit administration -- from grant writing, program development, program evaluation, and scientific communication to postgraduate teaching and education.
Karina González Herrera
Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion Programs, Yale School of Medicine
Dr. González Herrera is a scientist and educator, known for her work in scientific research and her efforts to enhance diversity in higher education. As Associate Dean in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) at the Yale School of Medicine she collaborates with faculty, students, and staff to create strategies to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in graduate programs. Additionally, she has led recruitment efforts, advised graduate students and affinity groups, and implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops across the community. She has been recognized for her work with several prestigious awards, including a National Institutes of Health Pre-doctoral Fellowship, the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, the Harvard Medical School Sharon P. Clayborne Staff Diversity Award, and was named as an inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientist in America in a Cell Mentor article in 2020.
Angel Rebollar
National Chapters Manager, SACNAS
Angel is the point of contact for the National SACNAS Chapter network, where he helps to provide logistical support for the Chapter and Member Services department. Having pursued a Business degree as a minority in college, Angel is honored to serve historically undeserved groups and be part of a historical change in this next generation. In his spare time, Angel likes to go thrift shopping, playing/watching soccer, listening to music, explore new coffee shops and going out for spontaneous adventures!
MD, PhD, or MD-PhD: Which program is right for me?
Dariana Gil Hernández
MD Student, Yale School of Medicine
Dariana is a first-year medical student at Yale School of Medicine. A public school student from Manatí, Puerto Rico, she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and music from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. After graduation, she participated in the REACH post-baccalaureate program at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry. Dariana is committed to advancing mental health equity in underserved communities, with a particular focus on Latinx populations. She is currently pursuing a concentration in Global Health and volunteers at HAVEN Free Clinic and the Yale Center for Asylum Medicine. She also mentors students through Yale PATHS and CienciaPR's Seeds of Success program in Puerto Rico. Her long-term goal is to become a psychiatrist and researcher dedicated to addressing disparities in mental health through community-centered clinical care and culturally informed research.
Erika López Alfonzo, PhD
Research Associate, Yale Ciencia Initiative, Yale School of Medicine
Dr. López Alfonzo is originally from Puerto Rico. She completed her BS in Biotechnology and in Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. She obtained her PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, while also supporting initiatives to increase access to science research and inclusive communities. She is now a Research Associate with the Yale Ciencia Initiate (YCI) at Yale School of Medicine. At YCI, she oversees the Program to Advance Training in Health and Science (PATHS) to support students aiming to pursue MD, MD/PhD, and PhD advance degrees in the biomedical sciences. In her free time Erika enjoys camping, being with her cats, and trying out new foods.
Juan Francisco Ruiz
MD-PhD Student, Yale School of Medicine
Juan Francisco is a first-year MD-PhD student originally from Medellín, Colombia. He graduated from Boston University in 2023 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.A. in Molecular, Cell Biology, and Genetics. As an undergraduate and after graduation, as a research assistant, Juan worked in the lab of Dr. Mustafa Sahin at Boston Children's Hospital investigating the molecular pathophysiology of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), specifically looking at the transcription factor EGR1 and its role during synapse development and synaptic activity. Juan's current research interests include the study of the basic molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying the development of the nervous system during health and disease.
Víctor Sánchez Franco
PhD Student, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University
Víctor is a second-year neuroscience PhD student in the lab of Alicia Che. He is studying the impact of stress on the synaptic physiology of cortical circuits. Víctor was born in Venezuela, was raised in Puerto Rico, and came to the United States for his undergraduate studies at Case Western Reserve University. In his free time, he likes to play video games and go running.
Strengthening Mentor-Mentee Relationships
Héctor Arce, PhD
Professor, Astronomy, Yale University
Héctor Arce is a professor in the Department of Astronomy at Yale University. His main areas of research are star formation, molecular outflows from young stellar objects, molecular clouds and cores, and the physical and chemical processes in the interstellar medium. He was born and raised in Puerto Rico.
Corey O'Hern, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Applied Physics, and Physics, Yale University
Dr. O'Hern's employs theoretical and computational research methods (e.g., all-atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations) to tackle a broad range of fundamental questions in soft matter and biological physics. Current projects include the dynamics of protein folding, unfolding, and aggregation, the binding and self-assembly of proteins, and the structural and mechanical properties of cells and tissues in the context of collective cell motion and wound healing. He is a co-founder and director of the Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology (PEB), established to train a new generation of scientists skilled at applying physical and engineering approaches to biology research. He did his postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago and has a BS in Physics from Duke, and a PhD in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Helen Poynton, PhD
Associate Professor, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston
Dr. Poynton's research focuses on using genomics to understand the sub-lethal effects of environmental pollutants and the consequences of adaptation to pollution. Her lab is also working to uncover molecular biomarkers that can be used to detect environmental pollutants and understand their bioavailability. Helen is also a passionate teacher of environmental science and a mentor for undergraduate researchers. She is the director of an NSF sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program to train young scholars in transdisciplinary coastal research. She loves the idea of using a variety of teaching methods to reach broad audiences and expand the public’s understanding of environmental science. She has a BS from Temple University, a PhD from UC Berkeley, and did postdoctoral studies at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Ren Koontz
PhD Student, Astronomy
Buenas! I’m Ren. I’m a fourth year PhD candidate in the department of astronomy at Yale University. I study star formation under Professor Héctor Arce. I primarily investigate how stars during their infancy feed from the surrounding gas environments probed by radio wavelengths. During my free time, I enjoy the gym, hanging out with friends and dog, and I also enjoy dance classes such as ballet.
Science Communication and Outreach for Busy Scientists
Katie Meine
President, SheCode
Katie is a sophomore at Yale University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is the President and Coordinator of SheCode, a student-led group that teaches introductory programming skills to New Haven middle school and high school girls. The group aims to lower the initial intimidation barrier of computer science and create a supportive environment where students of all backgrounds can learn, collaborate, and create something incredible.
Lester Rodríguez Santos
Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Graduate Student, Yale University, Program Director, OpenLabs
Lester obtained a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Puerto Rico's Rio Piedras Campus in San Juan - Puerto Rico. As an undergraduate, he worked with pre-clinical rodent models to understand to role of endocannabinoids in regulating anxiety-like behaviors. After graduating, he became a postbaccalaureate fellow with Dr. Elliot Stein at the Neuroimaging Research Branch of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. His work focused on understanding how functional connectivity is altered during acute nicotine abstinence in tobacco smokers. He is deeply interested in scientific outreach and is currently involved with many different community-oriented initiatives at Yale University. He is the Director of OpenLabs at Yale, a student-led outreach group that hosts multiple events on campus each semester. Lester also works as a GPE Fellow for the Yale Pathways To Science program at Yale's Office of New Haven Affairs. He is a Wu Tsai Institute Graduate Fellow and and NSF Graduate Research Fellow.
Jorge Torres Espinosa, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Physics
Dr. Torres is an experimental particle physicist, originally from Mexico. He studies neutrinos, tiny particles that barely interact with matter. He received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in Experimental Particle Astrophysics, where he worked on data analysis and simulation for the Askaryan Radio Array (ARA) experiment, an experiment on the South Pole searching for the most energetic neutrinos. He completed his undergraduate studies at Universidad de Colima, in Mexico. He loves sharing his excitement about physics through science communication, outreach and mentoring. He is one of the City Coordinators for the Pint of Science Festival in New Haven, an initiative he''s been involved with since 2023 and which brings some of the most brilliant scientists to local bars or cafés to discuss their latest research and findings. Outside of physics, he enjoys rock climbing, cycling, and photography.
Giovanna Guerrero-Medina, PhD
YSACNAS Co-Advisor, Yale University
Dr. Guerrero-Medina leads inclusion and workforce initiatives for the Wu Tsai Institute and at the Yale School of Medicine. From 2012-2024 she was Executive Director of the Ciencia Puerto Rico science network. She specializes in designing and leading initiatives to address gaps in mentoring, information, and access to opportunities in STEM. Through programs like the Intersections Science Fellows Symposium, Yale Ciencia Academy, the Program to Advance Training in Health and Sciences, and Semillas de Triunfo, she has mentored hundreds of young people interested in the sciences. She is a member of the Board of Directors of SACNAS and is originally from Puerto Rico with ancestry from Ecuador and Argentina.