Matt Wiese
BS/MS mechanical engineering '18
2014 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentors: Youngmoo Kim, Ryan Young

Matt is currently a mechanical engineer at the US Naval Research Laboratory.

“I learned an incredible amount about robotics and software design, but the biggest takeaway was learning the research mindset. Whether that's pushing your own limits and comfort level, or pushing the limits of what software/hardware is available to you. STAR gave me the first glimpse of research; the feeling of excitement, uncertainty, and innovation that borders the line between an idea and reality.”

Kristine Loh
BS chemical engineering, MS materials science & engineering '20
2016 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Jason Baxter

Kristine is currently an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a College of Science and Engineering Fellow at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She is pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering focused on silicon quantum dots in solar window applications. Outside of her research, she is still heavily involved with the Society of Women Engineers.

“I would not be where I am today without the STAR Scholars Program. As someone who didn't have familial or community connections in STEM, I don't think I would have been even informed of research opportunities without the formal structure of a program like STAR. I continued conducting research with the same research advisor from STAR for the next five years and I grew so much both personally and technically in that lab. The independence, confidence, and comfort I have in myself and my abilities as a researcher started with STAR.”

Nicholas Barber
BS geoscience '18
2014 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Anna Jaworski

Nicholas is currently finishing a PhD in Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge, UK, where he is a Gates Cambridge Scholar. He will begin a postdoctoral research position as a Wares Earth Sciences Fellow at McGill University in Montreal, QC this autumn.

“STAR taught me the basics of how to approach earth science research. I was given the ability to conduct my research independently, but with a strong support system. This model let me learn, for the first time, what kind of approach to scholarship I enjoyed and was most successful with. After STAR, the vibrant undergraduate research community at Drexel provided a strong network of like-minded peers with whom I could conduct professional development activities, and with whom I could attend presentation opportunities like NCUR and BCUR. Without STAR, I would have never had the world view and confidence needed to apply for and receive external opportunities like the Goldwater Scholarship, the Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, and the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. To me, the benefit of STAR and UREP's programming for students is most apparent when I speak to my fellow graduate students, who can't believe the diversity of research I was able to do as an undergraduate.”

Rachael DiSciullo
BS biology '13
2010 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Jim Spotila

Rachael is currently pursuing a PhD in Biology at Illinois State University, focusing on the sexual selection of male song in house wrens.

“[iSTAR] was my first experience conducting field work, and it was in a foreign country (Costa Rica) which was so exciting for me. I learned how to be a field biologist (here, studying iguanas, ctenosaurs, and sea turtles), and to navigate relationships with graduate students and scientists at the field station. I also learned that this was the career path I wanted to take, and made sure to find a field biologist experience for my one co-op, where I returned to Costa Rica to work with a PhD student studying toucans.”

Jakub Zegar
BS environmental science '20
2016 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Dane Ward

Jakub is currently a Ph.D. student in biology at the University of Mississippi using amphibians as a model system to study the interactions of disease ecology and climate change. Jakub has also recently been accepted to the university’s M.Ed. in secondary education program.

“I learned that ‘Failure’ is not a bad ‘F’ word, despite the connotations that society bestows upon it. Indeed, failure is one of the most effective tools in learning – if we didn’t make mistakes or mess up, we wouldn’t have an opportunity for growth. [W]hen I was admitted into the STAR program and afforded the opportunity to do research with [reptiles and amphibians], I really could not imagine the impact it would have on me. I did not hold my first frog until I was 18 years old, yet here I am pursuing a Ph.D. studying them. Truthfully, there is no reason that I would have fallen in love with the system and the animals that I study other than my STAR experience.”

Kyle Matthews
BS materials science & engineering '20
2017 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Mitra Taheri

Kyle is currently a PhD Candidate in the AJ Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, researching 2D MXenes for energy storage applications under Dr. Yury Gogotsi.

“My research in the STAR program along with other undergraduate research opportunities played a key role in my decision to pursue a PhD. I worked on multiple research directions throughout my undergraduate degree (metallurgy, characterization, nanomaterial synthesis), and this was important in finding what I wanted to pursue long-term based on my strengths and interests.”

Anjali Ganguly
BS biological sciences '20
2017 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Sean James Miller

Anjali is currently finishing the second year of medical school at Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“[STAR] allowed me to get insight into the research world and find out if this was something I wanted to pursue beyond my undergraduate years. Additionally, it gave me a basic science perspective that will complement my clinical knowledge and experience as I continue my journey as a student doctor and eventual physician.”

Sudhanshu Pareek
BS business & engineering '20
2016 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Sabrina Spatari

Sudhanshu is currently a New Product Introduction Lead at Lucid Motors.

“STAR was a fantastic opportunity for me to live in and develop professionally and personally. I lived with students who were curious, inquisitive, and ready to take risks. Overall, [STAR] helped me to build my first principles thinking and work at Airbus & Tesla before I moved to Lucid Motors.”

Ryan Measel
BS computer engineering, MS electrical engineering, PhD electrical engineering '11
2006 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Bill Regli

Ryan is currently the VP of Engineering at TIER Mobility, driving innovation for light-weight electric vehicles.

“Getting to work on real research projects with budgets, deliverables, and timelines sets context early on for how to work in a professional research environment. [STAR] put me on the path to feeling confident enough to run my own projects in grad school and ultimately launch a company.”

Ray Canzanese
BS computer engineering '08, PhD electrical engineering '15
2004 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentors: Moshe Kam, Spiros Mancoridis

Ray is currently the Director of Threat Research at Netskope, a cloud-focused cybersecurity startup.

“I learned that my penchant for taking things apart to figure out how they worked (especially computer-related things) translated very well to the field of cybersecurity. That STAR summer program directly put me on the career path I am on today. It also instilled a passion for learning and academic endeavors that eventually inspired me to join Drexel's Ph.D. program.”

Dagmawi Mulugeta
BS computer engineering, MS cybersecurity '19
2015 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Youngmoo Kim

Dagmawi is currently a threat research engineer at a cloud security company.

“The skills I learned at STAR were foundational to the career I have today. STAR introduced me to the scientific method and how it applies to the real world. The research I did on the mobile applications at AppLab positioned me well for my first co-op in mobile app development. Then again for a software engineering role at a start-up (where my manager was also a previous STAR student).”

Hannah Cherusseril
BS biological sciences '20
2018 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Felice Elefant

Hannah is currently in the third year of medical school and about to begin clinical rotations.

“Previous to participating in the program, I was not involved in much research in my field and I also felt quite intimidated by working in a research lab. However, through STAR I gained confidence in myself and my ability to conduct research. I become familiar with lab technique, data interpretation, and communicating findings with my colleagues. Exposure to these skills and the structure that the STAR program provided created an environment that allowed me to grow as a student and a scientist. It allowed me to figure out what I enjoyed about research and what I did not enjoy, which in essence helped drive my decision to enter my current career path.”

Cali Chesterman
BS animation & visual effects '17
2014 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Aroutis Foster

Cali is currently a Consumer Products Manager at Microsoft (343 Industries/ Halo) managing their toy lines.

“[STAR] taught me to filter out the most important information, which is important to my role as a product manager. Communicating the relevant information shows respect for my team's time and makes it easier to reach our collective goals.”

Katy Vieira
BS health sciences '20
2017 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Stella Volpe

Katy is currently in Drexel’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

“Challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone can open so many doors - I hesitated to join STAR but convinced myself to take on the challenge. Thank goodness because to this day I have developed wonderful professional relationships and been exposed to more opportunities!”

Katelyn Kavanaugh
BS materials science & engineering '17
2013 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Giuseppe Palmese

Katelyn currently works as a Materials Development Engineer for Millipore Sigma Life Science Research Solutions, which develops research tools and equipment used for research and development activities within academics, biology, pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.

“STAR introduced me to research activities and sparked my interest in problem solving and innovation around new materials. After participating in STAR, I had a clearer picture of what I wanted to major in and eventually do with my life.  STAR gave me meaningful experience that allowed me to get better co-op opportunities, and eventually get hired right after graduation at an experienced-hire level.”

Ankira Patel
BS accounting '18, MS accounting '19
2015 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: David Becher

Ankira is currently a senior associate with the Capital Markets and Advisory Accounting group at PwC in Philadelphia.

“Participating in STAR provided me the opportunity to explore accounting and finance in a qualitative manner, which was very different than the content I learned in classes. I gained confidence to not only perform research but also present the findings to classmates and industry professionals. STAR helped identify which post-graduate opportunities would be the most meaningful for me, and I am grateful for the experience.”

Sylvia Herbert
BS/MS mechanical engineering '14
2009 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Adam Fontecchio

Sylvia is currently a professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering at UC San Diego and runs a research lab.

“The STAR program helped spark my love of research. I was able to continue in the lab for co-ops and my research experience was key to getting me into a top PhD program at UC Berkeley, and ultimately to becoming a professor myself!”

Priyanka Shah
BS biological sciences '20
2017 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Jessica Barson

Priyanka is currently a fourth year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine.

“[STAR] truly launched my research as a student. I stayed on as a research volunteer at the same lab during the rest of college, and I started seeking research opportunities from the beginning of my first year of medical school! I felt more comfortable because I had experience in STAR. I have several published papers now, and it all started with STAR!”

Karim Chen
BS product design '19
2016 STAR Scholar
Faculty Mentor: Michael Glaser

Karim is currently a Shop Design Manager at IKEA in Linz Haid, Austria.

“STAR accelerated my learning and prepared me for sophomore year in Product Design. It gave me freedom to think during my projects with all the technical learnings out of the way.”