Matt Nelson
Professor of Biology and John J. Meehan, M.D., Pathways to Medical Professions Director
Matt graduated from Penn State with a BS in mathematics and then went on to complete a master’s in biology at Villanova University. At this time he worked in Anil Bamezai’s lab studying the heterogeneity of membrane microdomains called lipid rafts, using cultured CD4+ T-cells. Matt then went on to complete his PhD in biology under the guidance of Dave Fitch at New York University, where he leveraged the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to better understand the mechanisms underlying morphogenesis during development. He then continued his training as a postdoctoral fellow in David Raizen’s lab at the University of Pennsylvania. His work focused on identifying and characterizing neuropeptide signaling pathways that regulate sleep behaviors in C. elegans, this has become the primary focus of his current lab as well. He mentors many undergraduate and master’s students, teaches upper-level courses in physiology, histopathology, and developmental genetics. Additionally, he serves as a pre-health advisor and director of the pathways to medical professions program.
Santino Diana
Santino is an undergraduate majoring in Biology and minoring in Philosophy. His project focuses on characterizing the mechanisms of neuropeptide signaling, sleep, and avoidance. He serves as the fundraising chair of the SJU Biology Club, volunteers with Campus Ministry as a recess helper at Gompers Elementary School, and is a fellow in the Institute of Clinical Bioethics. Outside of school, he loves physical fitness and is a certified personal trainer at The Exercise Coach where he works part time. He trains in Martial Arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. After graduating in 2026 he plans on attending medical school.
Mercedes Pierce
Mercedes is a rising sophomore biology major with a minor in health care ethics. She is a TA for the biology lab department, apart of the institute of clinical bioethics, and a member of the biology club. She is a member of the SJU cheerleading team and apart of the Greek life alpha phi sorority. She plans on entering the medical field after graduation in 2026.
Fredy Abboud
Fredy is a sophomore biology major. Fascinated with the rapidly advancing field of biotechnology, he is interested in researching bioethical dilemmas and diving deeper into theological studies. As a research fellow at the Institute of Clinical Bioethics, Fredy participates in bioethics-themed research projects investigating daily medical initiatives and hospital policies; he also helps in setting up one of the institute’s five monthly health-promoter clinics, in hopes of attending medical school post-graduation and assisting in coordinating similar clinics as a trained medical professional.
Madeleine Malesich
Madeleine is a first year undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Sciences. At Saint Joseph's, Madeleine is in the Honors Program and Pathways to Medicine Program. In Spring '24, she will be a Kinney SCHOLAR and plans to volunteer at the Lankenau Medical Center. Additionally, she is a member of the Project Sunshine Club and Biology Club. Madeleine plans to continue her education in the medical field after graduation in 2027.
Gina Gazzara
Gina is a second year undergraduate student majoring in biology with a minor in healthcare ethics. On campus, she is the Marketing Director for Club Dance, and a member of the Biology Club and Project Sunshine. Additionally, she participates in weekly service as a tutor at Gompers Elementary School, and is a fellow in the Institute of Clinical Bioethics. Off campus, she volunteers at the trauma intensive care unit at Penn and Philabundance. Gina plans on attending medical school following graduation in 2026.
Anthony Gargani
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Anthony is a senior undergraduate student studying biology with a minor in psychology. His project uses optogenetics to identify the mechanisms downstream of the sleep-promoting receptor npr-38 in Caenorhabditis elegans. He is a fellow of the Institute of Clinical Bioethics and the coordinator of the Mobile/Rural Health Promoter. Anthony is a peer tutor for the Office of Learning Resources in chemistry and biology. He also co-founded The Huddle, a student-athlete faith group, and helps coordinate the service night every semester.He is the Co-Vice President of Alpha Sigma Nu, the international Jesuit honors society, a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the Biology Club, and the Pathways to Medical Professions Program. Anthony is a communion minister for the chapel and a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He will be a captain of the Division 1 Cross Country/Track and Field team and has achieved two Top 10 lists in program history for the indoor 5,000-meter and the outdoor 10,000-meter events. He has also competed in nine Atlantic 10 Conference meets and is a two-time IC4A All-Eastern performer. Anthony plans to attend medical school after graduating in 2026.
Rachel Vemula
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rachel Vemula is a rising junior biology major at Saint Joseph’s University with minors in healthcare ethics, autism studies, and Spanish. She is part of the Honors Program and Dean’s Leadership Program and works as a Kinney Scholar and Biology Department TA on campus. She is involved in the SJU Biology Club and the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honor society. As a fellow at the Institute of Clinical Bioethics, she coordinates the African Health Promoter and is a part of a few bioethics research projects. In addition, she volunteers as a certified EMT, gaining hands-on experience that fuels her dedication to ethical healthcare. Rachel plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in internal medicine after graduating in 2027.
McNulty Fellows 2022
Sigma Xi Research Symposium 2022
Summer 2022 - Summer Scholars and Masters students
Teagan McCarthy at EB 2022
Nelson Lab Alumni
Caroline Curtin (BS Biology ‘25) | Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Quinn Howe (BS Biology ‘25) | Medical Assistant - Dermatology
Mary Frattara (BS Biology ‘24) | Veterinary technician
Caroline Kominick (BS Biology ‘24 | Medical student at Penn State College of Medicine
Sage Aviles (MS Biology ‘24) | Research Technician in Dr. Meera Sundaram’s lab | Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania
Jala Cosley (MA Biology ‘23) | John Hopkins University Nursing program
Emily Le (MS Biology ‘23) | PhD program in biology, Pennsylvania State University
Oyedamilola Diya (Biology ’23) | MS program in biology, SJU
Paige Conrad (Biology ’22) | Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine
Teagan McCarthy (Biology ’22) | Thomas Jefferson University Medical School
Courtney Brown (Biology ’21) | Nursing Student Jefferson University
Maura Flynn (Chemical Biology ’21) | Research specialist in the lab of Dr. J. William Gaynor at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania | Medical Student PCOM
Lynly Carman (Biology ’21) | MS program in biology, SJU
Madison Honer (Biology ’19; MS Biology ’21) | PhD Candidate Biomedical Sciences Temple
Sanjita Subramanian (MS Biology ’21) | PhD Candidate in Pharmacology and Physiology at Drexel University
Jordan Olenginski (Biology’21) | Medical Student Drexel Medical School
Ryan Schuck (Biology’18; MS Biology’20) | PhD Candidate University of Tennessee
Amelia Brown (Biology’18) | Vet student University of Pennsylvania
Alana Cianciulli (Biology’19) | Research specialist with Dr. J. William Gaynor and Dr. Matthew Jolley at CHOP | Medical Student PCOM
Lauren Yoslov (Interdisciplinary Health Services’20, RN ‘22) | Jefferson University Nursing School | RN at CHOP and Jefferson
Mary Kate Dougherty (Chemical Biology’19) | IRTA fellow working in the labs of Dr. Andrew Mannes and Dr. Michael Iadarola at the National Institutes of Health
Christopher Saul (Biology’19) | Research Technician with Dr. Julie Williams at the University of Pennsylvania | PhD Candidate at University of Delaware
Alessandro Sparacio (Biology’17; MS Biology’19) | Research specialist with Dr. Meera Sundarum at University of Pennsylvania | Veeva Pharmaceuticals
Thomas Buerkert (Chemical Biology’18) | IRTA fellow in Dr. Clifford Lane's lab at the National Institutes of Health | Medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth
Natalie Barrett (Biology’18, DO ‘22) | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) | Medical resident
Niknaz Riazati (MS Biology ’17) | PhD Candidate Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology | UC Davis
Mary Szurgot (BS Chemical Biology ’17) | PhD Candidate Biochemistry and molecular biophysics | University of Pennsylvania
Brendan Gleason (BS Biology ’17, MD ‘21) | Thomas Jefferson University Medical School | Medical resident
Francis Janton (BS Biology ’17, MD ‘21) | Thomas Jefferson University Medical School | Medical resident
Jaqueline Boran (BS Biology ’17, DDS ‘21) | University of Pittsburgh Dental School | Pediatric dentistry resident in Boston
Nicole Sullivan (MS Biology ’17, PA-C ‘19) | Jefferson University PA school | PA-C urology at Lehigh Valley Health Network
Ryan Vance (BS Biology ’16, MD ‘21) | Cooper Medical School | Medical resident in emergency medicine at UPMC
Gerald Orlando (BS Biology ’16, DO ‘20) | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) | Medical resident (internal medicine) at Crozer
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