June 9, 2025

Twelve seniors have completed the SuperNova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program this year, demonstrating their commitment to research and related activities throughout their undergraduate careers. This accomplishment required significant dedication, along with reflection on the impact of research on their lives.

Collectively, these seniors reported completing 43 terms of full-time research and 18 terms of part-time research during their time at Drexel. They've shared their work in 20 conference presentations and four publications in peer-reviewed journals, and have submitted nine applications for external fellowships.

We're so proud of their hard work and wish them the best as they take this next step in their lives! Read more about their future plans and lessons they learned from undergraduate research below.

Serenity Baruzzini
BS engineering ’25

Serenity will be teaching 9th-12th grade CTE engineering at Science Leadership Academy here in Philadelphia.

“Stay curious!”

Yan Burets
BS physics ’25

Yan plans to pursue engineering in a manufacturing field.

Hunter Cheng
BS psychology ’25, Honors

Hunter will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Social Sciences at the University of Chicago with support from the NSF GRFP, then plans to pursue a PhD.

“No harm in applying to stuff even if you don't think you'll get it, because sometimes you will get it and it'll change your life.”

Meredith Davies
BS custom-designed major in translational biomedical research ’25, Honors

Suhani Dheer
BS psychology ’25, Honors

Monisha Gupta
BS chemistry ’25

“Research has taught me to think critically and stay curious. It’s helped me grow both as a scientist and as someone learning to lead with purpose and vision.”

Lindsay Hager
BS/MS biomedical engineering ’25, Honors

Lindsay will be starting a PhD in biomedical engineering at Rowan University this fall.

“My undergraduate research experience has introduced me to a variety of biomedical applications, where I have had the opportunity to work alongside professionals and students who share a passion for the field. I am grateful for the mentors I have studied under, for teaching me how to ask questions, providing me with wet lab techniques, and preparing me for a career in research! Not only have I learned the basics of experimental design, but I have learned how to communicate my work within the scientific community.”

Alyssa Kemp
BS/MS environmental engineering ’25, Honors

Alyssa received a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to the Philippines to strengthen community involvement in coastal conservation and disaster planning.

“I’ve learned you don’t need to have it all figured out. If you stay curious and true to yourself, growth will find you even without a perfect path!”

Nisha Patel
BS biological sciences ’25, Honors

Nisha will be starting a full-time role as a research associate at a vaccine development biotech.

“You are truly not limited to anything, whether it's in research or otherwise! For example, I have been able to conduct lab research in neuroscience, survey-data focused research on social and structural determinants of health in aging, and archival research on women in medicine. Many of these experiences came about because I was simply interested in learning more about their respective topics, and I thoroughly enjoyed each for different reasons. My undergraduate research journey has taught me the value of following your passion and curiosity because it can lead you to wonderful places and insights, even if you didn't expect it!”

Griffin Stein
BS biomedical engineering ’25, Honors

Griffin will be working in clinical research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the department of rheumatology, with the eventual goal of attending medical school.

“My experience in research throughout Drexel has made me more organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative, all valuable skills that I will take with me to my future research and schooling.”

Nawal Syed
BS biological sciences ’25, Honors

Nawal is part of Drexel’s BS/MD program and will be starting medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM).

“Consistency pays off! Sticking with labs throughout my time at Drexel showed me how research projects evolve from idea formation to project execution and ultimately to data analysis and follow-up. It was gratifying to see how small, daily tasks involved in research projects add up into bigger findings with important applications.”

Kaylee Wilson
BA sociology & global public health ’25, Honors

Kaylee will be enrolling in the Joint Sociology and Community and Environmental Sociology PhD program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall.

“Social science is valid and important! Engineering and business and everything else wouldn't mean much without information about and from people behind it.”

Learn more about the SuperNova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program, which recognizes students for participating in research-related activity throughout their time at Drexel.

Interested? Apply here or email urep@drexel.edu with questions.