Meet STEM2VA Interns

Congratulations to our summer 2022 and 2023 students who have been matched with organizations across Virginia for an experiential internship opportunity. A collaborations with Virginia Bio-Connect (Richmond), CvilleBioHub (Charlottesville), Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech University (Roanoke) have given these students an exciting experience within the life sciences! Learn more about each of our interns below!

2023 Interns

  • Siena Morlatt
    Classification: Junior (Rising Senior) College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry Internship: HemoShear Therapeutics, Charlottesville, VA
  • Janine Icalla
    Classification: Junior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: B.S. Biomedical Engineering Internship: CHIP Intern: Luminoah, Charlottesville, VA
  • Madison Dietl
    Classification: Junior (will be rising Senior this summer) College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biology Internship: Hemoshear, Charlottesville/Albemarle
  • Mckenzie Proffit
    Classification: Junior College/University: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Medicinal Chemistry and Bachelor of Science, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Internship: Hemoshear, Charlottesville/Albemarle
  • Grace Ford
    Classification: Freshman or First Year Undergraduate Student College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Biomedical Engineering Degree Internship: ReAlta, Norfolk
  • Jason LaPierre
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: William & Mary Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biology Internship: The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
  • Sarah Alsuleiman
    Classification: Postbaccalaureate research fellow at the NIH College/University: University of Nebraska Omaha Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Biomedical Biology Internship: Polaris Genomics (labs in DC and Manassas, VA) and Exom BioPharma (labs in Gaithersburg, MD).
  • Madeleine Krotine
    Classification: Junior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: CHIP Intern-Caretaker Medical, Charlottesville/Albemarle
  • Julia Leonard
    Classification: 2nd year PhD student College/University: George Mason University Degree/Major: Bioengineering Internship: Capra Biosciences, Manassas
  • Rebekah Gresham
    Classification: Sophomore Undergraduate College/University: College of William and Mary Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Chemistry Internship: Capra Biosciences, Manassas
  • Alexis Jerde
    Classification: Freshman (rising Sophomore) College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: General Engineering, pursuing an Electrical and Computer Engineering degree Internship: Capra Biosciences, Manassas
  • Skye Everett
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biology Internship: Athari, Sterling VA
  • Mahaniya Srinivasan
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Bioinformatics Internship: Athari Biosciences, Sterling, VA
  • Nadhir Cherfaoui
    Classification: 1st Year Graduate Student College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Master of Engineering Internship: CytoRecovery Intern Blacksburg, VA
  • Ryan Noll
    Classification: Senior College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering Internship: Rivanna Medical, Charlottesville
  • Lily Burns
    Classification: Third-year undergraduate College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Cytorecovery, Blacksburg
  • Megha Shinde
    Classification: Second year Ph.D College/University: Old Dominion University Degree/Major: Ph.D Biomedical Engineering Internship: Cytorecovery, Blacksburg
  • Haley Tenney
    Classification: Senior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Cytorecovery, Blacksburg
  • Ala Al-Humadi
    Classification: Master's program College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Rivanna Medical, Charlottesville
  • Marissa Marine
    Classification: Master's Student College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Master of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Internship: CHIP Intern: Rivanna Medical, Charlottesville
  • Nazirah, Farach Rojo
    Classification: 1st year Graduate Student College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering (May 2022) - PhD, Mechanical Engineering (in-progress) Internship: Cerillo, Charlottesville/Albemarle
  • Venera Atambayeva
    Classification: Sophomore (class of 2025) College/University: Sweet Briar College Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Engineering Science Internship: William & Mary, Williamsburg
  • Alex Irizarry
    Classification: 3rd Year Graduate Student College/University: George Mason University Degree/Major: School Systems of Biology Concentration Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Internship: Virongy Biosciences Manassas, VA
  • Ella Fitzgerald
    Classification: Rising Junior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor's of Science in Biological Sciences Internship: Cytorecovery in Blacksburg, VA
  • Ravi Jayaraman
    Classification: Rising 3rd year undergraduate (Junior) College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Computer Science and Mathematics Internship: Icarus Medical Innovations, Charlottesville
  • Roshan Vemuri
    Classification: 4th year Undergraduate College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and Economics Internship: Ourobio
  • Catherine Engel
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Rivanna Medical, Charlottesville
  • Shea Miller Novello
    Classification: Rising Junior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Major: Media Studies Internship: Icarus Medical, Charlottesville
  • Hayden Penczak
    Classification: Rising junior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: CHIP Intern: Icarus Medical Innovations, Charlottesville
  • Colby Koenig
    Classification: Junior (3rd year - though graduating in December 2023, College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: CHIP Intern: Icarus Medical Innovations, Charlottesville
  • Caroline Thompson
    Classification: Undergraduate Graduating Senior (Summer 2023) College/University: William & Mary Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience; Bachelor of Art, English (double major) Internship: Virongy Biosciences Inc., Manassas
  • Supriya Kanaparti
    Classification: Junior/Rising Senior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering Internship: Athari BioSciences, inc. (Sterling, VA)
  • Lincoln Moore
    Classification: Prospective Grad Student College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor in Science, Biology Internship: Polaris Genomics: Manassas, Virginia
  • Viha Chakrapani
    Classification: Rising Sophomore College/University: Johns Hopkins University Degree/Major: Biomedical Engineering Degree Internship: PAK BioSolutions in Vienna, VA
  • Chih-Hsiang (Sean) Hu
    Classification: Ph.D. Candidate by the summer 2023 College/University: George Mason University Degree/Major: Ph.D. in Bioengineering and B.S. in Chemical engineering Internship: Caerus Discovery, Manassas, VA
  • Kyrah Golden
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Chemistry with a specialization in Forensic Chemistry Internship: Olokun Minerals, Richmond
  • Ria Sharma
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: Case Western Reserve University Degree/Major: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering Internship: Olokun Minerals in Richmond, VA
  • Kandice Wimbush
    Classification: Spring 2023 Graduate College/University: Old Dominion University Degree/Major: Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a Minor in Psychology Internship: Ruffin Neurolab LLC , Richmond
  • Gino DiMatteo
    Classification: Rising Junior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Science and Mechanics Internship: Virginia Tech’s BEAM department and Carilion Clinic Innovation
  • Selah Wangler
    Classification: Rising Junior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Carilion Innovations, Blacksburg/Roanoke
  • Lauren Turner
    Classification: Junior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Chemistry Internship: Athari, Sterling
  • Ethan Bass
    Classification: Graduated Student College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor's of Science: Mechanical Engineering Internship: Skyphos Technologies, Blacksburg Virginia
  • Jason Taylor
    Classification: 1st year junior College/University: Hampton University Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry Internship: Athari Bio, Sterling
  • Deyan Saleem
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: CHIP Intern: Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville/Albemarle
  • Sarah Scheerer
    Classification: Rising Senior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Carilion Clinic Innovation and Virginia Tech Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
  • Becca Rainey
    Classification: Junior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design Internship: Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic, Blacksburg
  • Emma Nguyen
  • Emma Nguyen
    Classification: Senior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Carilion Clinic, Roanoke
  • Melina Punsalan
    Classification: 2023 Graduate College/University: James Madison University Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences Internship: Rivanna Medical, Charlottesville
  • Julia Perschbacher
    Classification: Incoming 1st-year Graduate student College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Degree/Major: Master of forensic science Internship: Tympanogen, Richmond, VA

2022 Interns

  • Aidan Houser
    Classification: 1st Year Graduate Student College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: Master of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Internship: Atelerix Life Sciences Inc., Charlottesville, VA
  • Aimee Straka
    Classification: Junior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: B.S. Biomedical Engineering Internship: CytoRecovery Inc., Blacksburg, VA
  • Alexis Moody
    Classification: 2nd Year Ph.D. Student College/University: Old Dominion University Degree/Major: Ph.D. Biomedical Science Internship: LifeNet Health, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Alisha Jain
    Classification: Junior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: B.A. Biology Internship: HemoShear Therapeutics, Charlottesville, VA
  • Alison Gomeiz
    Classification: 1st Year Ph.D. Student College/University: George Mason University Degree/Major: Ph.D., Biosciences (Cellular and Molecular Biology Concentration) Internship: ISOThrive LLC., Manassas, VA
  • Ashley Stack
    Classification: Junior College/University: College of William & Mary Degree/Major: B.S. Mathematics & B.S. Psychology Internship: LifeNet Health, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Brendan Jamieson
    Classification: 1st Year Graduate Student College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: Master of Public Health, Epidemiology Internship: Uniphage Inc., Washington, D.C.
  • Bryana Vasquez
    Classification: 1st Year Graduate Student College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: M.S. Biomedical Engineering Internship: Perfusion Medical, Reston, VA
  • Caitlin Coogan
    Classification: Junior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: B.S. Biological Sciences. & B.A. Foreign Language, Spanish Internship: CytoRecovery Inc., Blacksburg, VA
  • Chinemerem Nnadi
    Classification: 1st Year PharmD Student College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: Doctor of Pharmacy Internship: Atelerix Life Sciences Inc., Charlottesville, VA
  • Claire Rehm
    Classification: Senior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: B.S. Biological Sciences Internship: Eastern Shore Microbes, Eastern Shore, VA
  • Ella Taylor
    Classification: Freshman College/University: Duke University Degree/Major: B.S. Biomedical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering Internship: Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville, VA
  • Emily Wandling
    Classification: 1st Year Graduate Student College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: M.S. Biomedical Engineering Internship: Tympanogen Inc., Richmond, VA
  • Grace Philips
    Classification: Senior College/University: College of William & Mary Degree/Major: B.S. Biology & B.S. Psychology Internship: TransFoam LLC., Charlottesville, VA
  • Julia Perschbacher
    Classification: Junior College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: B.S. Forensic Science Internship: Tympanogen Inc., Richmond, VA
  • Julia Som
    Classification: Junior College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: B.S. Biomedical Engineering Internship: Athari BioSciences Inc., Sterling, VA
  • Khushi Kompally
    Classification: Freshman College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: B.S. Biological Sciences (Computational Modeling & Data Analytics) Internship: BrightSpec Inc., Charlottesville, VA
  • Krithi Chakrapani
    Classification: Senior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: B.S. Biology and Cognitive Science Internship: Bacchus Therapeutics, Manassas, VA
  • Kyle Kinskie
    Classification: Junior College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: B.S. Biomedical Engineering Internship: CytoRecovery Inc., Blacksburg, VA
  • Lauren Soleo
    Classification: Graduating Senior (May 2022) College/University: James Madison University Degree/Major: B.S. Biotechnology Internship: Capra Biosciences Inc., Manassas, VA
  • Naga Tejaswi Veluri
    Classification: 2nd Year Graduate Student College/University: George Mason University Degree/Major: M.S. Data Analytics Engineering Internship: TransFoam LLC., Charlottesville, VA
  • Natalie Murphy
    Classification: Graduating Senior (May 2022) College/University: Virginia Tech Degree/Major: B.S. Biochemistry Internship: Capra Biosciences Inc., Manassas, VA
  • Paul “Wesley” Stepler
    Classification: Junior College/University: University of Virginia Degree/Major: B.S. Computer Science Internship: BrightSpec Inc., Charlottesville, VA
  • Pouya Parsinejad
    Classification: Junior College/University: James Madison University Degree/Major: B.S. Biotechnology Internship: Athari Biosciences Inc., Sterling, VA
  • Preksha Jerajani
    Classification: 2nd Year Graduate Student College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: M.S. Bioinformatics Internship: Bacchus Therapeutics, Manassas VA
  • Ryan Granché
    Classification: Junior College/University: James Madison University Degree/Major: B.S. Biotechnology Internship: Capra Bioscience Inc., Manassas, VA
  • Sabrina Ye
    Classification: Sophomore College/University: College of William and Mary Degree/Major: B.S. Biology Internship: ReAlta Life Sciences Inc., Norfolk, VA
  • Sai Krishna Kaushik Pinnelli
    Classification: 2nd Year Graduate Student College/University: George Mason University Degree/Major: M.S. Data Analytics Engineering Internship: TransFoam LLC., Charlottesville, VA
  • Yaa Adarkwa Darko
    Classification: 2nd Year Graduate Student College/University: Virginia Commonwealth University Degree/Major: M.S. Bioinformatics Internship: Polaris Genomics, Rockville, MD