We are now accepting applications for entry Summer 2025.
2024 MU PREP Scholars
MU PREP scholars have come from the full range of academic institutions, from small liberal arts colleges to large research universities. Many are from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Minority Serving Institutions.
MU PREP scholars said that they were attracted to MU PREP for its cutting-edge faculty research programs, its interdisciplinary research focus, our comprehensive research and professional development program for PREP Scholars, and because of the collegiality they saw among our Scholars when they visited campus.
Our former Scholars are very successful: 92% enrolled directly in graduate programs and 80% in PhD programs. Of those that enrolled in PhD programs, 93% have already received their PhD or are on track to do so. Those who received their PhD took on average 5.6 years to complete the degree, well below the national average of 6.9 years in the life sciences and 7.8 years for underrepresented minority PhD candidates in the life sciences.
Once they earned their PhD, PREP Scholars moved rapidly into postdoctoral positions and research positions in industry and government, mirroring the early career paths of life science PhDs nationwide. Our Scholars then entered a wide range of “permanent” careers: 58% are in an educational institution, 25% in industry, 8% in Federal or State Government labs or policy, and 8% in health care.
Fahim Ahmad
fazzr@missouri.edu
BS, Medgar Evers College
Javier Diaz Laboy
jjdmvw@missouri.edu
BS, University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Stella Lukusa
malvy9@umsystem.edu
BS, Miami of Ohio
Kathleen Medina-Rodriguez
km8ym@missouri.edu
BS, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Justine Miller
jlmdk5@missouri.edu
BS, Southeast Missouri State University
Angie Pantoja
napcfr@missouri.edu
BS, New Mexico State University
Truman Poteat
tp6cb@umsystem.edu
BS, University of Illinois
Willie Agee, PhD
BA, Savannah State University
MU PREP Scholar 2003-2004
PhD, Medical College of Georgia, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, 2011
Asst. Chief, Microbiology, Tripler Army Medical Center, 2011-2015
MD, Meharry Medical College, 2015
Currently: Clinical Fellow, Director Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Vanderbilt Medical School, Anesthesiology
Laurie Agosto
BS, University of Central Florida
MU PREP Scholar 2020-2022
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences
Tolulope (Tolu) Ajayi
BS, Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis
MU PREP Scholar 2017-2018
PhD, University of Florida, Biomedical Engineering, 2023
Currently: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Florida
Patrick Akande
BS, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2014-2016
Currently: Level Two Water Ecologist and Team Lead in Small Business Community Outreach and Education, New York City Department of Health
Currently: applying to MPH programs
James Allen
BS, University of Illinois-Urbana
MU PREP Scholar 2011-2013
PhD, Washington University, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, 2019
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University-Mass General Hospital
Vimal Arora
BA, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences
Alicia Barnes, DO, MPH
BA, Knox College
MU PREP Scholar 2004-2006
DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2011
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, St. Louis University, 2011-2021
Currently: Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Director of Center for Youth Advocacy and Well Being, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Edelio Bazan
BS, University of Texas-Pan American
MU PREP Scholar 2013-2015
Currently: Doctoral Student, Pennsylvania State, Plant Pathology
Telia Bledson
BA, Alabama State University
MU PREP Scholar 2003-2005
Currently: Technologist LabCorp, Durham, NC
Militza Bonet
BA, Inter American University of Puerto Rico
MU PREP Scholar 2006-2007
MPH, University of Missouri, School of Public Health, 2009
Currently: Program Manager/Community Engagement Liaison, Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin
Hairol Breton
BS, University of Virgin Islands
MU PREP Scholar 2019-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, UCLA, Chemistry
Lana Bruney
BA, Alabama State University
MU PREP Scholar 2003-2005
PhD, University of Notre Dame, Chemistry/Biochemistry, 2015
Currently: Chemist, Office of Policy, Center for Drug Evaluation, FDA
Jessica Burroughs-Garcia
BA, Inter American University of Puerto Rico
MU PREP Scholar 2005-2007
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2013
Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurobiology/Anatomy, University of Utah
Currently: Research Fellow, University of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Italy
Aisha Burton
BS, University of Illinois-Chicago
MU PREP Scholar 2012-2013
PhD, Indiana University, Microbiology, 2019
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH, NICHD
Regan Cadena
BS, New Mexico State University
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2019
Laboratory Assistant, TriCore, Santa Fe, NM, 2019-2021
Currently: MA Student, New Mexico State University, History
Gerialisa Caesar
BA, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2009-2011
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2018
Postdoctoral Fellow, IRACDA, Rutgers 2019
Currently: Scientist, Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY
Currently: Scientist, Phosphorus Diagnostics, NY, NY
Taylor Craig
BS, Emory University
MU PREP Scholar 2016-2017
Currently: Doctoral student, University of Michigan, Neuroscience
Tara Crawford
BS, University of Missouri, Columbia
MU PREP Scholar 2019-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Missouri, Biochemistry
Laureen Daniels
BS, Bowie State University
MU PREP Scholar 2019-2020
Currently: Doctoral student, University of Illinois, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Richard De La Rosa
BS, New Mexico State University
MU PREP Scholar 2015-2016
PhD, University of Texas Health Sciences Center-San Antonio, Integrated Biomedical Sciences, 2022
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. Air Force Bioeffects Research Laboratories, San Antonio
Theresa Dinh
BA, University of California-Davis
MU PREP Scholar 2004-2006
PhD, Univ. of California-Riverside, Chemical Genomics/Bioinformatics, 2012
Postdoctoral Fellow in Pathology, Stanford University
Currently: Research Scientist in Pathology, Stanford University
Natalie Downer
BA, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2006-2007
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2014
Currently: Assistant Teaching Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri,
and Director of the McNair Scholars Program at MU
Franklin Echevarria
BA, Iowa State University
MU PREP Scholar 2010-2011
PhD, Vanderbilt University, Neuroscience, 2017
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University
Gilbert Encarnacion Cortes
BS, University of Puerto Rico – Humaco
MU PREP Scholar 2013-2014
MPH, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, 2018
Epidemiologist Regional Level, Puerto Rico Department of Health, US Centers for Disease Control, 2019-2020
MD, Universidad Autonomade Guadalajara, 2024
Patricia Enmore
BA, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2009-2011
PhD, SUNY-Stony Brook, Neurobiology, 2016
Currently: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Medgar Evers College
and Assistant Professor of Biology, SUNY Old Westbury
Wanda Figueroa-Cuilan
BS, University of Puerto Rico-Cayey
MU PREP Scholar 2012-2014
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2019
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University, Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine
Lauryn Flannagan
BS, Marquette University
MU PREP Scholar 2022-2023
Currently: Doctoral Student, Cellular and Molecular Pathology, University of Wisconsin
Kristal Gant
BS, Elizabeth City State University
MU PREP Scholar 2015-2016
PhD, University of Wisconsin, Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology, 2021
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Shaundra Glass (Shaw)
BA, Tennessee State University
MU PREP Scholar 2006-2007
Currently: Clinical & Research Specialist, West Clinic in Memphis
Jarreau Harrison
BS, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2015-2016
PhD, University of Rochester, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, 2023
Chiamaka Isiguzo
BA, St. Olaf College
MU PREP Scholar 2014-2015
DO, A.T. Still University, 2019
Currently: Resident, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI
Antarius Jackson
BS, Southeastern Louisiana University
MU PREP Scholar 2022-2023
Currently: Doctoral Student, Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Taryn James
BA, Florida A&M University
MU PREP Scholar 2003-2004
PhD, University of Missouri, Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, 2011
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Wisconsin, Oncology, 2011-2015
Postdoctoral Associate in Toxicology/Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 2015-2019
Currently: Assistant Scientist (Medicine/Geriatrics) University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 2019
Rody Kingston
BA, Morehouse College
MU PREP Scholar 2016-2018
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Pittsburgh, Ophthalmology, Louis J Fox Center for Vision Restoration
Dan Landayan
BS, University of California-Davis
MU PREP Scholar 2011-2013
PhD, University of California-Merced, Quantitative and Systems Biology, 2019
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
Audrey Loaiza
BS, University of California-Davis
MU PREP Scholar 2021-2023
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of California-Irvine, Cellular and Molecular Biosciences
Angela Lovett
BS, California State University-Sacramento
MU PREP Scholar 2012-2014
PhD, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Biomedical Sciences/Microbiology, 2021
Dezzarae Luera
BS, University of Texas, San Antonio
MU PREP Scholar 2019-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Missouri, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Kayla Marks
BS, Rochester Institute of Technology
MU PREP Scholar 2015-2017
PhD, University of Missouri, Microbial Pathogenesis and Therapeutics, 2023
Currently: Staff Scientist, MRI Global, Washington DC
Jose Marquez
BA, University of California-Davis
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2020
Currently: Doctoral student, University of California-Davis, Neuroscience
David Martin
BS, Alabama State
MU PREP Scholar 2017-2018
MA, Alabama State University, Masters in Education with High School Emphasis, 2022
Currently: General Science Teacher G6-12, Birmingham, AL
Gilmarie Rodriguez Martinez
BS, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
MU PREP Scholar 2021-2023
Currently: Disease Intervention Specialist, Missouri Department of Health
Currently: Applying to Masters in Veterinary Public Health Programs for Fall 2024
Sierra McAlister
BS, University of Missouri-St. Louis
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2019
Currently: Doctoral Student, Indiana University, Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
Walatta-Tseyon Mesquitta
BA, Illinois Institute of Technology
MU PREP Scholar 2009-2011
PhD, University of Wisconsin, Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, 2018
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Organ Design and Engineering
Janelle Miranda Fajardo
BS, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Pedras
MU PREP Scholar 2014-2015
Currently: Doctoral Student, New York University-Sackler Institute, Neurosciences
Tina Ndam
BS, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore
MU PREP Scholar 2015-2017
MD, St. George’s University, 2023
Currently: Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Christie Ojiaku
BS, University of Florida
MU PREP Scholar 2011-2013
PhD, University of Pennsylvania, Pharmacology, 2018
Vice President of Communications, Penn Biotech Group Healthcare Consulting, PA, 2018
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Rutgers Institute of Translational Medicine and Science
Rachel Omolewu
BA, Wilberforce University
MU PREP Scholar 2004-2006
MA, Wright State Univ. School of Medicine, Physiology, 2010
Currently: Quality Management Analytical Chemist, Cargill Inc.
Ruth Opoku
BS, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences
Kristy Ortega (Johnson)
BA, California State University-Stanislaus
MU PREP Scholar 2014-2015
PhD, George Washington University, Biomedical Sciences, 2022
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Children’s National Research Institute, Center for Neuroscience Research, Washington, DC
Keila Pena-Hernandez
BA, Inter American University of Puerto Rico
MU PREP Scholar 2004-2005
MPH, University of Missouri School of Public Health, 2011
Currently: Contact Representative, Social Security Administration
Nadia Perez
BS, University of North Carolina-Pembroke
MU PREP Scholar 2011-2013
MS, University of Michigan, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, 2020
Currently: High School Science Teacher, Danbury, CN
Jordan Rede
BA, St. Martin's University
MU PREP Scholar 2017-2018
Currently: Doctoral Student, Cornell University, Microbiology
Raphael Reyes
BA, University of California-Riverside
MU PREP Scholar 2017-2018
PhD, University of Texas Health Sciences University at San Antonio, Integrated Biomedical Sciences-Infection, Inflammation, Immunity, 2023
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Ragon Institute, MIT, Harvard, Mass General
Jesse Rosalez
BS, San Jose State University
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2019
Process Engineer, Hyve Design Solutions, Fremont, CA, 2019-2021
Currently: Masters Student, San Jose State University, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Arturo Rosete
BS, California State University – Channel Islands
MU PREP Scholar 2021-2023
Currently: Doctoral Student, Biological Sciences, University of Missouri
Jolill Ross
BA, Spelman College
MU PREP Scholar 2009-2011
MA, University of Missouri, Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, 2014
Associate Account Manager, Life Science Solutions, Thermo Fisher, 2015
Currently: Territory Manager, Takara Bio USA
Jocelynda Salvador
BS, University of California Irvine
MU PREP Scholar 2016-2018
Currently: Doctoral Student, Northwestern University, Life Sciences
Gabriela Sanchez
BS, University of California-Riverside
MU PREP Scholar 2017-2019
Currently: Doctoral Student, UCLA, Biochemistry, Molecular & Structural Biology
Stephen Shannon
BA, University of Missouri-St. Louis
MU PREP Scholar 2004-2006
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2012
Postdoctoral Fellow in Oncology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 2012-2016
Certificate in Mini-MBA BioPharma Innovation from Rutgers University Business School, 2016
Medical Affairs/Communication Fellow, Novocare, New York, 2016-2017
Currently: Assistant Medical Director, Biolumina, New York
Christine Simbolon (Baudenstiel)
BS, Whitman College
MU PREP Scholar 2011-2013
Currently: Doctoral Student, John Hopkins University, Cell, Molecular, Developmental and Biophysics
Currently: Senior Data Scientist/Project Manager, Atlantic Medical Management, Chattanooga, TN
Andrew Smith
BS, California State University-Stanislaus
MU PREP Scholar 2016-2017
DDS (Academic/Research Dentistry track), University of Southern California, 2021
Ashley Smith
BS, Alcorn State University
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Biomedical Sciences
Jerry Steward
BS, University of Missouri
MU PREP Scholar 2013-2014
Family and Community Specialist, St. Louis Public Schools, 2014-2016
Currently: Lead Teacher KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Triumph Academy, St. Louis
Reinier Suarez
BS, Florida State University
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Missouri, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Tiffany Taylor
BS, State University of New York at Oneonta
MU PREP Scholar 2016-2018
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Pittsburgh, Microbiology and Immunology
Simone Maria Temporal
BA, SUNY-Stony Brook
MU PREP Scholar 2005-2007
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2012-2017
Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurobiology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2017
Currently: Licensing Associate, Office of Technology Transfer, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Cecil Terrell
BS, University of Missouri
MU PREP Scholar 2018-2020
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Missouri, Biochemistry
Marielis Torres-Medina
BA, Inter American University of Puerto Rico
MU PREP Scholar 2005-2007
MA, University of Missouri, Food Science and Nutrition, 2008
Currently: Quality Coordinator Global Microbiology, Covance Food Solutions, Covance Laboratories, Madison, WI
Jacqueline Trujillo
BS, University of Illinois
MU PREP Scholar 2021-2023
Currently: Doctoral Student, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University
Pamela Valentin-Crespo
BS, University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla
MU PREP Scholar 2022-2023
Currently: Applying to Medical Technology Programs
David Vasquez
BS, Virginia Tech
MU PREP Scholar 2015-2016
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Georgia, Interdisciplinary Disease Ecology Across Scales
Jaylon Vaughn
BS, Tuskegee University
MU PREP Scholar 2021-2023
Currently: Doctoral Student, Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri
Eric Villalon
BA, University of California-Davis
MU PREP Scholar 2010-2012
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2016
Postdoctoral Fellow in Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, 2016-2019
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University, Biological Chemistry School of Medicine
Charles Washington III
BA, University of Pennsylvania
MU PREP Scholar 2013-2015
Currently: Doctoral Student, University of Chicago, Human Genetics
Patricka Williams-Simon
BA, Medgar Evers College
MU PREP Scholar 2013-2015
PhD, University of Missouri, Biological Sciences, 2021
Currently: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, Biology