Video Series
Face of Science
“Face Of Science” is video series visualizing inclusive excellence in STEM. Filmed in 2019, the series features 10 then-undergraduate students pursuing biomedical research careers in disciplines like biology, chemistry, psychology and public health.
Watch the original series to learn about their research, their perspectives on science and research, and how they hope to impact the future of science. Then watch our "Where are they now?" series to see how they made progress on their goals and how they navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. For more info on each featured researcher, please read below.
“Face Of Science” is video series visualizing inclusive excellence in STEM. Filmed in 2019, the series features 10 then-undergraduate students pursuing biomedical research careers in disciplines like biology, chemistry, psychology and public health.
Watch the original series to learn about their research, their perspectives on science and research, and how they hope to impact the future of science. Then watch our "Where are they now?" series to see how they made progress on their goals and how they navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. For more info on each featured researcher, please read below.
Watch the original series
Where are they now?
Meet the Faces of Science
Jade Dodge
Jade Dodge graduated from Morgan State University (MSU) with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a minor in biology. At MSU, Dodge participated in the NIH-funded ASCEND research training program, where she developed her scientific research skills. After graduating from MSU, she completed a one-year Pre Med Post Baccalaureate Program at Temple University, where she also served as a part-time adjunct faculty member. Dodge is currently a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her primary research interest is in neuroscience with plans to pursue a medical degree and specialize in neurology.
Connect with Dodge on LinkedIn.
Ayanna Culmer Gilbert
Ayanna Culmer-Gilbert is at Indiana University Bloomington pursuing her PhD in chemistry, specifically materials with a minor in sustainable energy science. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Morgan State University, where she participated in the NIH-funded ASCEND program as a research trainee. Her undergraduate research involved the synthesis of organometallic compounds that will undergo DNA binding and cytotoxicity studies to test their effects on breast cancer cells. Culmer-Gilbert’s current graduate research is on comparing the catalytic activity of substituted 1,10-phenanthroline and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione ligands in the selective conversion of acetylene to ethylene.
Connect with Culmer-Gilbert on LinkedIn.
Leonardo Romero-Barajas
Leonardo Romero-Barajas participated in the NIH-funded ReBUILDetroit undergraduate research training program at the University of Detroit Mercy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology with a concentration in applied genetics. Romero-Barajas is now a second-year medical student at Michigan State University in the College of Human Medicine.
Sydni Alexis Elebra
Sydni Alexis Elebra is a graduate student at Emory University pursuing a PhD in chemistry and doing research in the Lynn Lab. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Wayne State University, where she sharpened her research skills through the NIH-funded ReBUILDetroit research training program. Elebra’s current research interests include synthesizing moieties to determine their impact on biological systems. She also enjoys working with students and studying pedagogy as it relates to undergraduate chemistry courses. Outside of research, she enjoys attending community events like festivals, pop-ups and listening parties.
Connect with Elebra on LinkedIn.
Cynthia Bautista
Cynthia Bautista graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she participated in the NIH-funded BUILDing SCHOLARS research training program. After graduating, Bautista was a research assistant at Mayo Clinic. She is currently a Master of Science candidate in metallurgical, materials and biomedical engineering at UTEP and works as an associate engineer at Bessel.co.
Connect with Bautista on LinkedIn.
Aiyana Ponce
Aiyana Ponce is currently a first year medical student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in cellular and molecular biochemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she participated in the NIH-funded BUILDing SCHOLARS research training program. After graduating from UTEP, Ponce completed a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). She helped co-found the Lay Mental Health Advocates Program (LMHA), a program designed to teach mental health advocacy through the lens of understanding how social determinants of health and structural racism play a key role in worsening mental health outcomes for marginalized communities. Ponce is currently involved with the Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, Student National Medical Association and other organizations.
Connect with Ponce on LinkedIn.
Adetunji Adeniran-Adetoye
Adetunji Adeniran-Adetoye graduated with his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Morgan State University, where he participated in the NIH-funded ASCEND research training program. He is currently a medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. Adeniran-Adetoye is thinking about specializing in nephrology, but is still open to considering other specialties.
Connect with Adeniran-Adetoye on LinkedIn.
Ismael Bousso
Ismael Bousso graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology from Morgan State University, where he participated in the NIH-funded ASCEND biomedical research training program. He earned a Master of Science in biomedical engineering from the University of California, Davis. Bousso is currently a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at Columbia University.
Connect with Bousso on LinkedIn.
Jamie Michelle L. Prundencio
Jamie Michelle L. Prudencio is a Master of Public Health candidate at the University of California, Los Angeles. They attended California State University, Northridge where they participated in the BUILD PODER research training program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in public health. Prudencio is currently serving as a lead research coordinator, looking at the influence of Asian American culture and the prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes. They are also involved with a Filipinx/a/o Community Health Association as a research team intern. In addition, Prudencio is a Health and Wellness Coordinator at Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), a non-profit organization in Los Angeles' Historic Filipinotown. Through their work, Prudencio aims to emphasize the health disparities within the Asian American Pacific Islander communities in California.
Connect with Prudencio on LinkedIn.
Nathali May
Nathali May graduated from Portland State University (PSU) with a Bachelor of Applied Science in social science and a minor in psychology. At PSU, she participated in the NIH-funded BUILD EXITO undergraduate research program, developing her identity as a scientist. As a first-generation college student, first-generation immigrant and a single mom, May is passionate about finding innovative ways through research to help minorities overcome traumas and challenges. Currently, she works at Catholic Charities in Portland, Oregon, providing mental health resources to the community.
Connect with May on LinkedIn.
