Alumni Profiles

Graduated Year: 2021

Major: B.S in General Biology

Among the valuable opportunities at Cal Poly Pomona, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) capitalizes on the Polytechnic experience with programs, workshops, events, and conferences that enable students in all disciplines to expand their academic career through research.   

Lauren Sinks, a fellow OUR alumna, is currently working on her master's in public health and is concentrating on Health Sciences & Policy at the University of Southern California. She is working on a research project in the lab of Dr. Kevin Hur in the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology.  As a Randall Lewis Health & Policy Fellow, Lauren investigates social determinants of health in patients with chronic illnesses in the Inland Empire through San Antonio Regional Hospital's CHIP program. She is also a researcher with INSAN for Humanity and looks at cardiovascular disease and gestational diabetes in those experiencing homelessness. In the future, Lauren has plans to attend medical school with aspirations of becoming a physician. She intends to integrate her MPH and research experiences with her future practice.   

Q: What field of research did you study while in your undergraduate program? 

While at CPP, I was involved in the Achieve Scholars Program which allowed me to explore research more in depth and was very impactful on me actively seeking out research experiences in various fields. Through the Achieve Scholars Program, I also gained mentorship and was able to serve as a member to new ASP student mentees. I explored research topics in Neurobiology in Dr. Steele's lab, Anthropology in Dr. Cerezo-Roman's lab, and completed my Kellogg Honors College capstone in Diabetes research under Dr. Jellyman's mentorship. 

Q: How did you first learn about your program? 

Truthfully, I learned about the Achieve Scholars Program via email! I saw the opportunity and decided to apply for it as a freshman at CPP. I did not have any prior research experience at the time of the application and thought it to be a great learning experience if selected. Similarly, I found some of my research experiences and other extracurricular opportunities via email or by word of mouth. 

Q: How do you feel that your undergraduate program has impacted you?  

The Achieve Scholars Program had a robust impact on my undergraduate experience at CPP but has also had lasting impacts on me as a mentor and a researcher. For example, I applied the knowledge learned through the ASP course work to my degree program coursework. Now, when writing a research report for a course, creating hypotheses from observations, or I take an interest in a new topic I want to know more about, I apply fundamental research principles learned through ASP. ASP sincerely contributed to me being a better student and a better researcher! 

Q: What was your most memorable moment while you were part of your research program? 

I cannot pick one moment because from the discussions in CPU 4990 to socials to RSCA, it was all wonderful and impactful. But I can say that the people were truly what made this program so memorable. I have endless respect and thanks for Dr. Ever Barraza. He cares deeply about his students and ensures their success. I am also grateful for the friends I made through the program too. I learned from them even if (especially if) we had very different discipline interests or degree programs! Interdisciplinary work has been critical in my master’s program, and I attribute my success in collaborations in part due to ASP and my peers! 

Q: Did participating in undergraduate research influence your decision to go to grad school or join a profession? 

Absolutely, my undergraduate research experiences influenced my decision to go to graduate school tremendously! I decided to pursue my MPH prior to attending medical school because I wanted an opportunity to explore different fields, examine data at the population level, and expand my research experiences too. I believe research is so integral to every discipline and is a great skill as a working professional and a graduate student. 

Q: What advice would you give to undergraduates looking to get more involved in undergraduate research? 

To get involved in research, the Office of Undergraduate Research is the best place to start! Check your CPP emails for opportunities, join RSA, or ask faculty advisors for guidance -- they are there to help support you in achieving your academic goals.  

I also have a stepwise "formula" that I advise all students who are interested in gaining research experiences to do. 1. Find a topic that you are interested in and do a bit of background research on current focus areas. See if this is something that aligns with your interests. 2. Find a faculty member/researcher you would like to work with and read their most recent publication. 3. Send them an email! Let them know you've read their most recent publication, you are interested in their work and learning from them. Ask them if you can set up a time to meet. 4. Don't be afraid if they say no! You can always email or reach out to someone else, or they may make a recommendation on an advisor who may be a better fit. 5. If all else fails, don't be afraid to take charge and start your own research project! 

Q: How did Cal Poly Pomona's learning by doing Philosophy impact your studies as an undergraduate? 

The opportunities presented at Cal Poly Pomona are truly excellent. The CPP "learn by doing" philosophy is something that I apply to my research, educational, and life experiences even today! As an undergraduate, those words provided me with the confidence in not being afraid to fail, not being afraid to try something new, and actively seeking out knowledge and extracurricular opportunities. It is not just a philosophy but an impactful way of learning in academia and in life. 

Graduated Year: 2021

Major: B.S in Biology - Microbiology

Among the valuable opportunities at Cal Poly Pomona, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) capitalizes on the Polytechnic experience with programs, workshops, events, and conferences that enable students in all disciplines to expand their academic career through research.  

Veneese Brown, a fellow OUR alumna, is currently working on her PhD in Integrative Pathobiology at UC Davis and is set to graduate in 2023 reflects on her Polytechnic experience with us. Veneese will be starting a job as a Health Science Consultant at Cardno Chemrisk in September 2023!  

Q: What field of research did you study while in your undergraduate program?  

I was involved in McNair and the OUR’s Achieve Scholars Program, where I received the Researcher Spotlight for my amazing efforts. Research Spotlight provides examples of exciting new research conducted by undergraduate students in the Achieve Scholars Program. I also worked in an environmental Virology lab under the guidance of Dr. Snyder during my time at Cal Poly Pomona. I started working in her lab during my junior year and got the opportunity to work on an independent project. I attempted to extract Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus (STIV) from the host Sulfolobus acidocaldarius by using various methods such as ultraviolet light.  

Q: How did you first hear about your undergraduate research program? 

I first heard about her undergraduate research program through us here at the Office of Undergraduate Research. I wanted to expand my microbiology knowledge but did not know how to get started at first. With the help of the McNair Scholars program, I started working alongside Dr. Jamie C. Snyder and the rest was history. After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona in 2018, I knew that I wanted to pursue a Ph.D. program, and after countless searches, I found my match at the University of California-Davis.  

Q: How do you feel that your undergraduate program has impacted you?   

My undergraduate program impacted me in ways I did not know possible. Firstly, it introduced me to research and wet lab methods, and techniques that were translatable to what is done in biotech. It also provided me with the opportunity to present my research. My first presentation was at the 5th Annual RSCA conference hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research. This first presentation led me to new opportunities that I would have never been able to accomplish otherwise. What I took away from my undergraduate program is that if you are interested in working with a professor to not be afraid to go to their office hours and express your interest to them. Professors love to meet students who are passionate about their field and are willing to help them grow as young scientists.  

Q: What was your most memorable moment while you were part of your research program? 

One of the most memorable moments in my undergraduate research program is taking what I learned from the lab to share with the masses. I was able to have a REU, Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Taiwan, and presented my research to many other symposiums. It is never too early or too late to pursue research. Never sell yourself short of an opportunity. I had no idea that I would get into an international undergraduate program in Taiwan. If I told myself that they wouldn’t choose me, or that my GPA was too low, I would have missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Believe in yourself and keep doing what you love. After transitioning out of undergrad, the community always stuck with me. The familiar atmosphere that I created helped me navigate through graduate school and beyond.     

Q: Did participating in undergraduate research influence your decision to go to grad school or join a profession? 

“ABSOLUTELY. That initial introduction to research that I received as an undergraduate, especially presenting my research orally and on a poster, was great practice. I must also add the skill of creating experimental designs. That tool is a priceless skill.”  

Q: How did Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing Philosophy impact your studies as an undergraduate?   

Learning how to use equipment such as pipettes and having science labs was more valuable than I thought at first. As a graduate student at UC Davis, I see undergraduates who are in their 4th year, not having the opportunity to learn how to use this equipment because of the class sizes and the lack of one-on-one training. I am so grateful to Cal Poly Pomona for teaching me and giving me hands-on training because it made my transition to graduate school smoother than most.  

Q: What advice would you give to undergraduates looking to get more involved in undergraduate research? 

“If you are interested in research, ask a professor if you can join their lab. The worst a professor can say is no. Step out of your comfort zone and take that first step to be a scientist, to be the one that you know you can be. I promise you will not regret it”.  

Graduated Year: 2022

Major: B.A in Communication Studies

Among the valuable opportunities at Cal Poly Pomona, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) capitalizes on the Polytechnic experience with programs, workshops, events, and conferences that enable students in all disciplines to expand their academic careers through research.  Jezzabella Jimenez, a fellow OUR alumna and Linguistics master’s student at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa reflects on her Polytechnic experience with us as she pursues her goals.  

Q: What field of research did you study while in your undergraduate program?   

I studied a plethora of topics and some of those include Multilinguistic Identities, Second Language Speech Patterns, and Bilingual Education.  

Q: How did you first hear about your undergraduate research program?  

I first learned about the programs offered in the OUR through my own research. After researching how to get involved in undergraduate research. I came across the curriculum vitae of Dr. Winny Dong, the faculty director of the OUR, and became informed about the Achieve Scholars Program. From there, I began to learn more about the various programs offered by the OUR. I took notice of the Research Through Inclusive Opportunities (RIO) Program, OUR GRAD Program, and the McNair Scholars Preparatory Program.  These programs propelled me into the field of research by participating in, presenting, and publishing original research.   

Q: How do you feel that your undergraduate program has impacted you?    

The various programs offered by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) impacted me tremendously. They provided me with a strong foundation for my time in graduate school. I learned many skills through the experiences provided to me in these programs. I learned how to develop a research question/hypothesis, compile relevant information in a literature review, collect data and complete data analysis, as well as presenting my findings to others at Cal Poly Pomona and other California State Universities. In addition to these hard skills, I also learned how to navigate graduate school applications, and negotiations, and developed communicative skills which I will carry with me for all future endeavors now and beyond graduate school.    

I acquired these capabilities under the guidance of my faculty mentors who worked directly with me on my projects, Dr.Kermad and Dr.Griswold. I also learned so much from my advisors in the McNair Scholars program and OUR, including Dr.Bidlack, Dr.Barraza, Dr.Dong, Dr.Morales, Dr. Kafai, Lauren and so many others. These skills are all crucial for my current experience as a graduate student, graduate teaching assistant, and researcher.   

Q: What was your most memorable moment while you were part of your research program?  

Some of the most memorable experiences I had while participating in a research program were presenting at symposiums and conferences such as the RSCA Conference, CARS Symposium, and the McNair Conference.  

Q: Did participating in undergraduate research influence your decision to go to grad school or join a profession?  

The OUR GRAD program influenced my decision to go to graduate school because I felt more well prepared and capable of completing my graduate degree due to the various workshops, campus events, and conferences that I got to participate in. As an undergraduate, I got to participate in the RSCA Conference and CARS symposium to showcase my work and see the work of others in related and unrelated fields. These experiences inspired me to continue with my research and studies and to continue to learn more about the world around us from a scholarly perspective.   

Q: How did Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing Philosophy impact your studies as an undergraduate?   

Cal Poly Pomona's learn-by-doing philosophy impacted my studies as an undergraduate because I had so many opportunities to actively participate in many events which helped me to develop my skills as a scholar and researcher. I got the chance to apply the knowledge that I was learning in my classes in a real-world context. Through these experiences, I learned more about myself and about the world around me. The OUR truly fosters Cal Poly Pomona's Learn by Doing philosophy, by offering a multitude of opportunities and programs for all students, STEM and humanities alike, to participate in research. The OUR especially supports underrepresented students such as first-generation students, student parents, and students of racial and ethnic minorities by offering strong support for those students to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.   

Q: What advice would you give to undergraduates looking to get more involved in undergraduate research?  

My advice is to get started as soon as possible. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help if you are unsure of where to get started. The Office of Undergraduate Research has many research opportunities for STEM and Humanities Majors. Get connected and get involved.     

Graduated Year: 2021

Major: B.S in Biology

Among the valuable opportunities at Cal Poly Pomona, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) capitalizes on the Polytechnic experience with programs, workshops, events, and conferences that enable students in all disciplines to expand their academic career through research.  Jennifer Flores Moreno, a fellow OUR alumna and Biology master’s student at Cal Poly Pomona, reflects on her Polytechnic experience with us as she pursues her goal of becoming a professor.  

Q: What field of research did you study while in your undergraduate program?  

My major was general biology, and I was interested in microbiology at the time. Alongside the College of Agriculture, I studied validating parasite counting methodology. I was involved in a teaching program on campus known as the Prete Fellowship, where I developed science lessons for a bilingual third-grade classroom. I was able to teach science in Spanish and it was one of the experiences that I attribute to my want to become an educator.  

Q: How did you first hear about your undergraduate research program? 

The RIO program was a wild experience. I knew I needed to gain research experience and saw an email come in and I just applied not even realizing what I was signing up for. Even though I was a biology major, the advisor I ended up with was from the College of Agriculture because he was the closest to my field. It was a very casual process for me, but in retrospect, I realize how happy of an accident that was.  

Q: How do you feel that your undergraduate program has impacted you?   

It opened doors I did not even know existed. Research provided me with knowledge outside of the standard curriculum and gave me my first hands-on experience in the laboratory. My current field of research is biology education and while that may seem like a big jump, there are core lessons that I learned in this undergraduate program that I used to my benefit to enter my graduate program. 

Q: What was your most memorable moment while you were part of your research program? 

Working with the animals on the CPP farm was the most memorable part of my research project because I went from never having a pet at home to handling 86 sheep every week! I love my little buddies!"  

Q: Did participating in undergraduate research influence your decision to go to grad school or join a profession? 

Yes! Having the experience from this program introduced me to the world of academia, outside of the classroom, and gave me the confidence to believe I could make it in this field. 

Q: How did Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing Philosophy impact your studies as an undergraduate?  

I gained wet lab skills, pipetted for the first time, and got research certifications there! This experience with the RIO/ECRA was the foundation of my understanding of the research world with razzle-dazzle experiences like animal handling. Learning the curriculum is great but putting yourself out there and working with experts in their field is an experience that is priceless. Additionally, learning by doing has taught me that it cannot end with your singular experience, this culture exists because of the people who learn skills and then turn around and teach the next generation. That is a beautiful thing!   

Q: What advice would you give to undergraduates looking to get more involved in undergraduate research? 

Cold email and ask around for opportunities people might know about! In my experience, I have earned so many more opportunities by following up via email or asking a professor something about their research. Never count yourself out!  

Graduated Year: Spring 2020

Major: B.S in Computer Science

“I am very grateful for the opportunity as I learned a significant amount and obtained always wished-for experience such as publishing and attending a research conference.”

 Proud Alum Meetkumar Patel graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in Fall 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Meetkumar joined the Bronco family right after his high school graduation and began in the Fall 2017. He found Cal Poly Pomona to be quite enjoyable and was amazed by the abundant access to resources he had that had helped him throughout his college career. More so, Meetkumar mentioned that his favorite things about attending Cal Poly Pomona were being able to lead and grow a club, having the opportunity to interact with professors outside of the classroom, and having a research opportunity with graduate students.

At Cal Poly Pomona, Meetkumar not only found his career passion, but he also took initiative to get involved and take advantage of the field-related programs that were offered. Since a young age, Meetkumar has been passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields, also known as STEM. Throughout high school, Meetkumar had always engaged in extracurricular activities such as FIRST Robotics, Regional Science Competitions, and attending workshops/lectures focused on engineering and CS, so getting involved throughout his undergraduate was only a natural thing for him to do.

As a Computer Science major, Meetkumar found that he was able to blossom and gained confidence in his career pursuits due to having the ability to broaden his experiences by participating in programs such as the President of the Software Engineering Association during the 2019-2020 academic year.

“Participating in programs is extremely beneficial as it creates a community and provides an environment to foster and develop skills which enhance the academic portfolio,” stated Meetkumar.

Furthermore, Meetkumar was able to gain skills and experiences that continued to lead him to want to explore and challenge himself and his knowledge. He has always been a student to take initiative in his own growth and started his academic field growth quite early in his time here at Cal Poly Pomona. He decided to join a research team during his second semester of sophomore year, which continued until his graduation. Initially, he expressed his interest in the Cal Poly Pomona Scholarship for Service Program (CPP-SFS) to the program director. However, as a result, Dr. Mohammad Husain, CPP-SFS Program Director, and Associate Professor in the department of Computer Science, offered Meetkumar a research opportunity upon reviewing his resume to obtain the scholarship.

“Ever since joining the team, I've been an integral member. Part of my motivation to partake in research stemmed from a long desire to contribute to the field I'm studying and desire to build a strong portfolio for a graduate school,” commented Meetkumar.

Meetkumar found that his skills were at the desired level that was necessary for this research. He has also spent a significant time reading up on research foundations and developing skills in order to be a useful team member. Meetkumar is a prime example of a student scholar researcher who goes above and beyond to broaden their knowledge in order to perform innovative and pioneering research.

In this research team, Meetkumar was given the opportunity to work alongside graduate students. This was an advantage for his team and when they encountered difficulties along the way. However, with the support from all his team members, along with his professor, he was able to overcome the challenges presented to him during his research. In addition to help from

his peers, Meetkumar received a great amount of support throughout his whole project from his faculty mentor. He mentioned that he had weekly meetings with his mentor to brief on the status, brainstorm on ideas, and discuss the path forward. Some of the advantages Meetkumar mentioned that he received from having a faculty-mentor/student relationship included: obtaining thoughts/ideas from a highly experienced member, guidance on the flow of the research, and opportunities to publish research findings. Overall, having a great team to work with, who also provided that support needed throughout the project, made Meetkumar’s research experience at Cal Poly Pomona enjoyable and became a huge learning experience and contribution to his studies.

After graduating and completing his research, Meetkumar decided that he wanted to pursue his masters and is now attending Georgia Institute of Technology where is studying Computer Science. Additionally, Meetkumar is also a Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman. Meetkumar told us that he believes that his research has contributed to his work after graduating because it had helped him develop both academic and non-academic skills which have become an essential and crucial part of his job and graduate studies. Meetkumar has become another amazing example of what a successful Bronco Alumni who had the opportunity to participate in research looks like.

 Advice to Students

“Take the initiative and explore the unexplored! One should not be afraid, and it never hurts to ask.”

Graduated Year: Spring 2019

Major: M.S. in Biological Sciences

“Try, try, try again! Never ever give up! This is something I tell myself every day! Honestly, that’s what led me to get into a PhD program after 13 years of hard work!”

Jeyashree Alagarsamy is an alumna from Cal Poly Pomona who has made her alma mater very proud, embodying what it means to be a CPP Bronco! Jeyashree is not only a CPP graduate, but she is also a first-generation and international student, a mother, a woman in STEM, and a scholar researcher. She has become an example of strength and resilience that CPP students can look up to as they continue their educational journey and eventually become alumni themselves.

Originally from India, Jeyashree found her way to CPP after she received her bachelor’s in Industrial Microbiology in India. When she first arrived in the States, Jeyashree was volunteering in a research lab at University of North Dakota. During her time there, she learned that the educational system is completely different from the one she had experienced at home and was intrigued to learn more. She decided to apply for a master’s program in Biological Sciences before she fully committed to a 5-year PhD program in hopes of gaining more exposure to a variety of courses and research settings in the United States. This ultimately led her to apply to the master’s program in Biological Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona.

Once accepted, Jeyashree wasted no time in getting the ball rolling on participating in research and had already begun to contact a few faculty members of interest. She started her thesis work with Dr. Steve Alas from the CPP Biological Sciences Department. During her first year, she was attending a variety of extracurriculars, including journal clubs and grant writing, which are both essential skills for pursuing a PhD. In addition, her thesis work was an interdepartmental collaboration with the CPP College of Engineering that helped aid her in getting a different perspective of scientific research.

Her passion for the biological sciences developed early in her educational journey, specifically during her undergraduate degree. Jeyashree mentioned that the very first research experiment that she did in her microbiology lab was to leave fresh agar plates open for 15 minutes in multiple places followed by overnight incubation. The next day, she was intrigued to find the countless different fungal species that had grown on those plates under the microscope. This experience opened a new door for her life, and her fascination with this triggered her curiosity to ask questions. This curiosity not only lead Jeyashree on the path to pursue an education in the biological sciences, but it also helped her develop a hypothesis for her undergraduate thesis. Since then, she knew that this is what she wanted to do for the rest of her life!

Jeyashree added: “It’s been 13 years since my undergrad research and I’m still persistent in exploring different research areas.”

During her time at Cal Poly Pomona, Jeyashree was very active in the research community. She participated in the OUR GRAD program at CPP. The OUR GRAD program was created in hopes of being able to offer multiple opportunities for students to engage in research, get involved with research programs and labs, and present research on Cal Poly Pomona’s campus. Since she was a master’s student, Jeyashree had an opportunity to lead workshops for undergrad students in the program. Some of the workshops she led were: “How to Do A Professional Poster Presentation” and “Finding Research Opportunities and Faculty Mentors.” She also participated as a student panel member in the annual RSCA Conference to answer questions audience members had about her research. Participation in the programs helped her to improvise and improve her public speaking skills, plus she enjoyed sharing her research experience with the students. The OUR GRAD program helped her gain confidence and enabled her to participate in several conferences, where she earned several awards and recognition.

With the help and involvement of the research community, Jeyashree was able to focus on her most recent research project–her masters’ thesis! Her project focused on analyzing biofilm formation on novel human prosthetic metal alloys under the mentorship of Dr. Steve Alas and Dr. Vilupanur Ravi. She mentioned that one of the major reasons for prosthetic failure is due to bacterial infections; particularly, biofilm formations. Biofilms are highly antibiotic resistant compared to a planktonic bacterium. So, the only way to treat a patient is to remove the infected prosthetics. Her project goal was to find a metal alloy that will be least susceptible to biofilm formation. Here, she compared traditional metals with titanium boron alloys that have the potential to become better prosthetic biometals. With this, she also participated in a collaborative project with the engineering department, in which her part was to test these metals for biocompatibility.

Jeyashree mentioned there were some challenges throughout her time in research and academia as a whole. A challenge she faced was the continuous unsuccess she had with her project and the results. She had to try endlessly to get the foundation of her research correct in order to execute her project properly. She had help from Dr. Steve Alas, who always receptive of her ideas and there when needed. Dr. Ravi challenged Jeyashree with different questions and scenarios that helped her get a different perspective.

“One of the major struggles that every researcher will face is a “FAILURE,” said Jeyashree. “Things won’t work as you planned. Though carefully designing my experiments with the help of my mentor, there were times they won’t work, and you’ll get unexpected results. During that time, I got frustrated at the beginning, but doing several projects over the years taught me how to troubleshoot those experiments to successfully complete them.”

Both of her mentors were very supportive, including during her maternity leave. During her second year of her master’s, Jeyashree had her baby and became a mother. She mentioned it was difficult to juggle taking care of a newborn and doing research. Yet, with the support of her mentor – Dr. Steve Alas – and her spouse, she was able to conquer all the obstacles she encountered.

Moreover, Jeyashree said that being a woman and growing up in a small town from southern India, life has always been challenging for her. Her parents did their best to try to provide her and her sister a proper education, but due to the financial strain, her parents were not able to afford to send her to medical school despite her having a good score and being qualified. However, Jeyashree fell in love with scientific research after beginning her undergraduate degree in microbiology, which soon became her passion.

Jeyashree is also the first person to go to graduate school in her family, which resulted in experiences and barriers many first-generation students face. Furthermore, Jeyashree mentioned another barrier was that being an international student meant that she was not eligible to apply for many programs. However, that did not prevent her from looking for other opportunities to help her gain that research experience.

When asked what her favorite part about being a student at Cal Poly Pomona was, Jeyashree said: “Opportunities! Plenty of opportunities! From conferences, workshops, research conferences and more! All the amazing mentors that are very supportive and they tailor their mentorship towards the student’s goal. Constant encouragement that you receive from your peers and mentors; it's worth being a student at CPP!”

Moreover, Jeyashree worked as a Staff Research Associate in the gene therapy research lab at the UCLA School of Medicine. She explained that during her time at CPP and UCLA, she has been able to gain a strong foundation to focus on translational research that can help improve human life. Being able to acquire exposure to mentoring has been a contributing factor that is helping Jeyashree to achieve one of her long-term goals of becoming a faculty member and mentor for students. Her next step in achieving this goal is being accepted into a PhD program in the future, and she plans to explore cardiovascular research for her Ph.D thesis work.

Jeyashree Alagarsamy is a model alumna who, like many CPP students, has faced adversities in her lifetime and academia. From her transition as an international first-generation student to becoming a mother, to beginning and completing her master’s program, Jeyashree has shown us what it means to overcome and succeed no matter what life may have in store.

Advice to Students

“Seek opportunities! Don’t hesitate to contact any faculty members! They can be the someone who's taking classes for you or can be the one you meet at conferences/meetings. Don't let any discouragements disappoint you! They are integral parts of learning!"