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.
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.
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.
Skyler Reka
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a junior majoring in biology with a minor in healthcare ethics. I am a fellow in the institute of clinical bioethics and am a co-investigator for a bioethics research project. I am the publicist on the executive board of the commuter club “hawks in flight”. I am also an active member of biology club. Off campus i am a CNA and also volunteer at CHOP once a week! I am planning to attend medical school after graduating in 2027!
Juniper Haglund
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Juniper is a sophomore biology major with a minor in Spanish. On campus, she is a TA for the chemistry lab department, a Hawk Host, a part of the Institute of Clinical Bioethics, and in biology club. She is also a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and a volunteer in the Lankenau NICU. She plans on entering the medical field after graduation in 2028
Lauren Zile
Lauren is a junior biology major with a minor in healthcare ethics. She is a fellow of the Institute of Clinical Bioethics and a coordinator of the BIPOC health promoter. She is also an active cancer center volunteer, phage TA, and biology TA. Lauren is an EMT and plans on attending medical school after graduating in 2027.
Ariana Corapi
Ariana is a junior majoring in health sciences with a minor in biology. She is involved on campus through the Kinney Center, Residence Life, and a TA for an organic chemistry lab. Off campus, she volunteers at Lankenau hospital and is starting a job there soon as a patient care technician. She plans on attending PA school after graduation.
Alexis Rainis
Alexis is a freshman biology and mathematics major. She is a McNulty Scholar, and she is a member of Saint Joseph's Honors Program. Additionally, Alexis is a coordinator for the Hispanic Health Promoter in the Institute of Clinical Bioethics. Outside of academics, Alexis participates in Chapel Choir, City Belles (an all-female a cappella music group), and Club Volleyball. She is also an assistant coach at Synergy Volleyball Club. Upon graduation in 2029, Alexis intends to pursue an MD-PhD.
Olivia Capitano
Olivia is a sophomore Biology major and Music minor at Saint Joseph’s University. She is part of the Honors Program, serves as the Director of Instagram for 1851 Entertainment, and is a member of the Biology Club and Pre-Medical Society. She is also involved with the Institute for Clinical Bioethics and sings the National Anthem at Saint Joseph’s sporting events. Outside of campus, Olivia volunteers at St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital and at her local dance studio as a demonstrator. This upcoming semester, she will be working as a Chemistry lab TA, Biology 101 tutor, and CNA. After graduation, Olivia plans to attend medical school.
Keerat Singh
Keerat is a rising junior undergraduate student majoring in biology. She is President of the SJU Biology Club and also Vice President of SJU Dhadkan, a bollywood dance club on campus. She is also an active member of ACS and Project Sunshine. After graduation, Keerat plans on attending medical school.
Camryn Demetrius
Camryn is a sophomore neuroscience major at Saint Joseph’s. She is a Supplemental Instruction Leader in the subject of Chemistry, a member of the Biology Club, volunteered for Philadelphia Service Immersion Program (PSIP), a McNulty Fellow, and has been a part of the Nelson Lab since freshman year. Off campus, Camryn has been working at Dock Woods, a nursing home, for five years and has volunteered with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and their Teen Talk Text Line. After graduation, she intends to pursue a career in medicine.
McNulty Fellows 2022
Sigma Xi Research Symposium 2022
Summer 2022 - Summer Scholars and Masters students
Teagan McCarthy at EB 2022
Nelson Lab Alumni
Mercedes Pierce (BS Biology ‘26) | Dental Assistant (Pre-dental)
Fredy Abboud (BS Biology ‘26) | Sidney Kimmel Medical College (Jefferson University)
Santino Diana (BS Biology ‘26) | Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Anthony Gargani (BS Biology ‘26) | EMT in Ocean City NJ, Pre-PA
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) | Sidney Kimmel Medical College (Jefferson University)
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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