Current Research Ambassadors

	Myles Dudley I’m Myles, and I’m so excited to be a research ambassador! I’m a third year at Emory pursuing a Biology B.S. and a minor in Ethics. One fun fact about me is that I am learning American Sign Language (ASL) in my free time! I have been doing cell-biology research since my first year at Emory. I am focused on investigating the enzymatic pathways behind Fronto-temporal Dementia disease progression. I’ve also had the chance to participate in the SURE program. I’m happy to talk with you about how to get involved in research, how to present your research, how to find/prepare for conferences, and how to balance research with a busy schedule. Feel free to reach out to me anytime!
	Karina Esquer Amezcua I am a fourth-year student at Emory University majoring in Human Biology and Anthropology on the pre-medical track. Originally from Arizona, I have conducted research on healthcare disparities in rural communities, as well as research on Down syndrome and its associated congenital effects. My current research investigates creatinine biomarkers of kidney function in outdoor workers. I have also collaborated with the Girasoles Research Team to examine the health impacts on farmworkers. This past summer, I traveled to Apopka, Florida with our research team, to help collect biological samples and questionnaires from farm and outdoor workers for studies on gut and kidney health. She has also conducted research at UCLA on healthcare disparities and the impact of Alzheimer’s disease. Most recently, she presented her creatinine research at a national conference in Chicago. Beyond academics and research, Karina is a member of the Emory Club Gymnastics Team and actively volunteers in the Atlanta area. On campus, she is also involved with Emory Volunteer Medical Interpretation Services (VMIS), Emory Pipeline, and Emory QSN. Ask her about finding research opportunities, participating in club sports, artistic gymnastics, medical interpretation, mentoring, or summer programs!
	Daniel Hua My name is Daniel Hua, and I am a junior majoring in Biology and Interdisciplinary Studies, interested in applying to MD/MD-PHD programs. I started research at Emory in an immunology lab where I’ve worked for the past two years. I’ve also spent two summers back home in New York at Weill Cornell Medicine doing similar work through internships focused on immunotherapy and translational cancer research. More recently I joined a lab at Rollins that uses large datasets to better identify diabetes subtypes and connected it with my experience in cancer research, looking at how diabetes inflammation overlaps with cancer. Through my Interdisciplinary Studies major, I’ve also taken on independent projects that answer research questions on medical education by working with physicians at Emory. In my free time, I play tennis and find good food spots with my friends in Atlanta. I am excited to be a Research Ambassador so feel free to reach out and ask any questions about my research and how you can get involved in research as well.
	Emily Huang My name is Emily Huang. I am a junior from Houston, TX, double majoring in Chemistry and Math, aiming to go to graduate school. My research interests are in theoretical chemistry and computational physics, which I have explored since my freshman year in the Evangelista Group at Emory University and the Shee Group at Rice University. In the Evangelista Group, I work on the applications of multireference electronic structure methods to organic molecules while in the Shee Group, I have been working on developing quantum embedding methods in conjunction with phaseless auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo. My work lies at the intersection of Chemistry, Physics, CS, and Math, and I would love to give advice on any of these disciplines. Besides research, my other involvements on campus are the Asian Student Organization, Residence Hall Association, and Algory Capital. I love to go to the gym and play tennis in my free time. I enjoy meeting new people and sharing my experiences!
	Montana Jackson I am a fourth-year student from Brunswick, GA, majoring in Anthropology and Human Biology on the pre-med track. I enjoy pilates, getting my nails done, and eating seafood. During my second year at Emory, I participated in the SIRE program and conducted research at the Emory University School of Medicine, focusing on Hemophilia A and Factor VIII inhibitors. I presented my preliminary findings at the Spring 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium and have continued my project for the past two years. Building on this foundation, I received an Independent Research Grant from the URP officein Summer 2024, which supported my internship at Harvard Medical School. There I investigated treatment alternatives for Sickle Cell Disease crises and alloimmunization related to blood group antigens such as KEL and Rh factor. Most recently, in Summer 2025, I expanded my research experience through the SUPERR program, where I studied T cell responses in organ rejection and presented my findings at both the SUPERR Symposium and the Emory University Summer Undergraduate ResearchExperience Symposium. I am open to chat about my research topics, SIRE/SURE, research internships at other institutions, and research beyond undergraduate studies.
	Dishita Jallan I’m Dishita, a junior double majoring in Psychology and Human Health on the Pre-Health track. I grew up in New Delhi, India, and moved to Atlanta two years ago to start at Emory. Here, I’ve been lucky to get involved in a few research opportunities that have shaped my interests. I’m a research assistant in the Treatment Resistant Depression Program, where I help with interventional psychiatry studies on severe depression. I also work in the Lab for Existential Behavioral Medicine, which looks at the connections between psychology, spirituality, and religion. In the past, I’ve participated in the SIRE Program and the URP 499R Summer Research Program, which gave me a great introduction to the research process. I’d be happy to chat about how to get started in research, apply for opportunities, or prepare for conferences and presentations. I can also share tips on data analysis, qualitative research, and even clinical trials. Outside of work and school, I love reading, cooking, and working on art projects whenever I get the chance. Fun fact: I’m conversational in six languages!
	Julia Kamara My name is Julia, and I am a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Global Health, Culture, and Society. I am interested in applying to MD programs and plan to take a gap year or two to gain experience in life science consulting. I began research at Emory in Dr. Butts’s lab in the School of Nursing, a clinical research lab studying links between cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease, where I have spent the past three years gaining experience in both wet lab and dry lab techniques, including processing blood samples and entering data into REDCap. I have also worked as a clinical research assistant at Valkyrie Clinical Trials in Los Angeles, focusing on cancer treatment and gaining patient-centered research experience. Currently, as a senior, I am working on my honors thesis, which investigates sex and racial differences in salivary biomarkers and cognitive function to assess Alzheimer’s risk in underrepresented populations. I have received the Independent Research Grant, Conference Presentation Grant, and James Weldon Johnson Institute Fellowship to support this work. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, attending hot yoga, and exploring Atlanta’s food scene. I am excited to serve as a research ambassador, so feel free to reach out with any questions about my research, the pre-health path, or how to get started in research.
	Yash Kamdar My name is Yash Kamdar, and I am a senior from the Bay Area, California, double majoring in Biology and Psychology on the Pre-Medicine track. I have over 8 years of combined research experience in cancer therapeutics, drug discovery, clinical research, biomedical product development, and artificial intelligence. I have several publications, oral presentations at nationally and internationally recognized conferences with fellowships, and award-winning poster presentations. Currently, I research the connection between cardiovascular diseases and neurological conditions in South Asians at the Rollins School of Public Health and Emory School of Medicine. I am also an Emory Global Health Scholar, working with Dr. Anant Madabhushi and Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India, to develop AI solutions for breast cancer pathology. Previously, I have engaged with refugee populations by volunteering at the Mosaic Health Center as a phlebotomist and pharmacy technician. I also volunteer at the Emory University Hospital, have worked as a medical assistant in various private practices, and at the CDC as a SWEP volunteer. My expertise lies in writing and publishing manuscripts, preparing presentations, and obtaining fellowships for conferences. At Emory, I play for the Emory Men’s Club Volleyball team and am a Resident Advisor. Besides being a full-time Pre-Med student, I enjoy cooking, exploring new restaurants, going on scenic drives, and playing volleyball. I can help you find a research opportunity that interests you. Feel free to talk to me about food, research, and clinical experiences!
	Iman Kazani My name is Iman Kazani, and I’m originally from Karachi, Pakistan. I’m a senior at Emory majoring in Economics and Human Health. I’ve had the chance to do research in the Liang Lab at Emory School of Medicine, where I studied RSV viral proteins and presented my work at the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) symposium. I also collaborated on global health research focused on HIV and cervical cancer screening in Zambia. Alongside research, I’ve gained clinical experience at Clarkston Community Health Center, where I’ve worked with immigrant and refugee patients, assisted with diabetes education programs, and supported providers in delivering community-centered care. Outside of academics, I’ve been deeply involved in Emory’s Residential Life as a Senior Resident Advisor, where I’ve loved mentoring and supporting students through their college journeys. In my free time, I enjoy reading romance novels, exploring Atlanta’s food scene, and spending time with friends. As a Research Ambassador, my goal is to create a welcoming space where students feel comfortable asking questions, learning about opportunities, and realizing that research can be both meaningful and fun. A fun fact about me is that I’m a huge chai enthusiast and can debate endlessly about the “right” way to make it.
	Vanessa Sun My name is Vanessa, and I'm a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. I have been involved in research since my freshman year. I am currently involved in two labs in the Department of Neurology/Neurosurgery, both focusing on epilepsy. I do research in clinical settings and in translational animal science. I am also a current Lanier Petit Scholar. I have experience in research courses, NBB 299 and URP 499R. I have attended domestic and international conferences, and I’m in the process of publishing some papers. My research journey has not been the smoothest, as I navigated between multiple labs and had a confusing time choosing my research interest, but I’ve come a long way. Now I plan to pursue a PhD in neuroscience after Emory. I would love to assist you in your research journey so you can avoid some of the difficulties that I experienced. In my free time, I like to travel, enjoy good food, work out, listen to music, make covers, play tennis, and a lot more. Feel free to book an appointment with me. I’m looking forward to talking to you!
	Suhani Varma I’m Suhani Varma! I’m a senior from Ocala, FL, majoring in Biology and Psychology on the pre-med track. My academic journey has been shaped by a strong curiosity about pediatric oncology and molecular genetics, which I’ve been fortunate to explore through my research in the Wechsler/Aumann Lab. There, I work on investigating the role of SIX1 and EYA2 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I’ve shared my work at both the Southeastern Pediatric Research Conference and the Early Career Pediatric Research Conference, where I gave a talk and presented a poster on my project. I also recently participated in a healthcare innovation hackathon, where my team and I developed a technological prototype for DFD and got a chance to visit IIT Madras and CMC Vellore to learn from renowned physicians. Outside the lab, I stay involved in the Emory community as Co-Director of PRHL and Co-Head of Events for HDG, where I get to connect with peers, plan interactive events, and bring together people passionate about healthcare and service. A fun fact about me: I love traveling and finding aesthetic restaurants and cafes. If you ever want to chat about pediatric cancer research, molecular biology techniques (like CRISPR and gene knockouts), or how to prepare for research conferences, I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned. And if you just want to swap study tips—I’m your person!
	Leah Vazquez My name is Leah Vazquez, and I’m a third-year honors nursing student from Dallas, TX. My research focuses on using AI-powered sensors to study acute kidney injury (AKI) in college athletes who exercise in extremely hot conditions. For over a year, I’ve also worked with the Girasoles Research Team to investigate how heat stress impacts the health of farmworkers. This summer, I traveled to Apopka, Florida, with our research team to help collect biological samples and questionnaires from farmworkers for studies on gut and kidney health. Additionally, I work with the Las Voces Project, where I collect oral histories to uplift farmworker stories and experiences. I’d be happy to help you get started in research, find labs that fit your interests, workshop applications or compose cold emails, and navigate research as an FGLI student. Outside of research, I’m a Resident Advisor, Emory In MOTION Scholar, President of Emory Latinx Nursing Association, and a bilingual volunteer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. A fun fact about me is that I’ve watched every season of Grey’s Anatomy!
	Fei Xu My name is Fei Xu, and I’m a senior from Shanghai, China, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Anthropology. In my sophomore year, I tracked recruitment contacts and outcomes for the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HBCD) at Emory Brain Center. In my junior summer, I investigated the antipredatory behaviors in yellow-bellied marmots in the Rocky Mountains. Currently, I am working in Dr. Wilson’s lab at the Emory National Primate Center, where I am exploring statistical learning in non-human primates and running Serial Reaction Time (SRT) taskswith human participants. I can help with research topics related to animal behavior, comparative psychology, and evolutionary biology. I have engaged in the URP programs of SIRE and URP 499R, and I can answer your questions about those programs and how to apply.