I am a junior at Tufts University in Medford, MA. I study biochemistry, and also have chosen to focus on bridging barriers for low-income, first-generation students that will allow them to get into colleges that are financially feasible.
I volunteer as an advising mentor through the nonprofit organization Matriculate and launched a resource website targeting important resources for first-gen, low-income students who are applying to college during the pandemic.
My first summer of Laidlaw research focused on writing a literature review that focused on tissue engineering and biomedical techniques that are making way into more personalized medicine. I focused on how these new upcoming technologies will pave way for more inclusive medicine. I also highlight the pitfalls within the FDA process of approval of medicines and technologies and how research should encompass more diverse patient populations
My second summer of Laidlaw research focused on college access and reaching out to students who come from first-generation low-income backgrounds. I collected data from students who were mentored through Matricualte over the pandemic, and I hope to provide information from my survey to organizations like Matriculate to help them use for funding, donation opportunities in the future.
Hello fellow scholars!
My name is Thi (pronounced like tea) and I am a sophomore pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Computer Science. I look forward to learning more about my research, which is about traumatic brain injury, and connecting with you all this summer!
I am a double major in Cognitive & Brain Sciences and Computer Science at Tufts University. I have always had a passion for music and a fascination with the brain! I fused these two interests by studying the impact of music on the brain, and I hope to use my research to inspire empirically-backed music therapy programs.
Serra Muftu
North American Chapter President of the Laidlaw Scholars Program, Tufts University
I am a senior at Tufts University and a Laidlaw Scholars Program Alumni. In June 2020 I transitioned into the position of North American Chapter President where I coordinate panels and discussions among the wider scholars network. At Tufts, I am studying intergenerational instability of trinucleotide repeats in DNA using a homologous recombination assay in Drosophila to look at the genetic underpinnings of how Huntington's Disease is passed from parent to progeny. I am also pursuing an independent project investigating the potential role of Polymerase Delta Interacting Protein 2 in switching from replicative to translesion synthesis pathways in response to DNA damage.
I am a rising Junior at Tufts University studying Biology and Computer Science. I tend to get excited about Bioinformatics, computational biology, and data science. This summer my research involves using network propagation methods to determine genes that are associated with Alzheimer's Disease.
In my free time, I like to journal, explore nature, and travel to new places.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments about my work, I am always happy to chat about it!
Hi! I am an undergraduate student at Tufts University majoring in Biology and Community Health. I conduct research in a biomedical engineering lab on lipidoid-like molecules and their abilities to act as efficient drug carriers. Besides research, I mentor elementary schoolers in engineering. I am also a project coordinator for the Sharewood Project, a free clinic run by Tufts Medical School. I love medical and public health related topics!
Mindy Duggan
Youth Transition Services Facilitator at Boston Center for Independent Living, Tufts University
Hi fellow scholars! My name is Mindy Duggan and I am recent Tufts alum. My Laidlaw research was on autism representation in the hit television show The Good Doctor. During my free time, I love to volunteer with kids— especially children with disabilities. I also love escaping to nature, camping, and trying hole-in-the-wall food places :) Feel free to reach out if you ever want to connect!