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Cohort I

• Sara Giraldo Castillo

  Major: Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychology

  Sara's favorite part of UNF: "The meaningful friendships I have made and the significant personal and professional growth I have experienced during my time here."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "The potential to create a positive impact in healthcare by advancing medical research and learning more about patient care to improve their quality of life."

• Jaelen Facey

  Major: Public Health

  Minor: Health Administration

  Jaelen's favorite part of UNF: "The small classes give me the opportunity to build a connection with my professors. It also gives me the opportunity to learn more effectively."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "I want to be in clinical research because I believe it will put me right place to succeed. I desire the ongoing research and always hunting for results. The opportunity to continue learning about new topics fascinates me. Overall, I think clinical research will help me to achieve the goals I am striving for."

• Madison Rivera

  Major: Biomedical Sciences

  Madison's favorite part of UNF: "The beautiful scenery of the campus!"

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "My end goal for my career is to become a pediatric neurologist. As I am doing this job, I’ll be required to address and treat many neurological diseases and disorders in children. I believe that clinical research will allow me to contribute to the improvement of different treatments, tools, and therapies to help my future patients. My experience gained in clinical research will allow me to be on the forefront of such future treatments to not only be able to provide my future patients with the best care possible, but also to be able to provide them with the most accurate information."

• Rachel Boyd

  Major: Kinesiology & Lifestyle Medicine

  Rachel's favorite part of UNF: "I really enjoy the proximity of the buildings. Once I've parked my car, I'm able to walk to most of the areas I need to get to."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "I am passionate about the advancement of healthcare in every community, but especially those who are typically underrepresented. Clinical research will allow me to be at the forefront of this process and bridge the gap between discovery and real-world application."

• Jennifer Wells

  Major: Masters of Public Health

  Jennifer's favorite part of UNF: "The supportive faculty."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "While I have research experience, it isn’t in this realm, and I would love to learn all of what is involved in clinical research. This type of research is incredibly important for the improvement of health and I am passionate about working in an area directly involved in improving the health of my community and further."

• James Nguyen

  Major: Biomedical Sciences

  James's favorite part of UNF: "My favorite thing about ³ÉÈË´óƬis the campus atmosphere and the nature preserve it sits on. Walking around our campus with open and 'plant-integrated' architecture is calming (especially after a big exam). The Lake Oneida trail is a beautiful getaway from the sometimes busy and stuffy labs. I love exploring and being in nature at and around UNF."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "I believe the forefront of medicine starts in the lab. Working in clinical research is a way to save countless lives through future advancements. This idea has been my driving force in pursuing clinical research. Alongside this, I have a passion for lab work, especially in histology and microbiology. Through my courses, I fell in love with the idea of an entire world hidden in the molecular and cellular level. Exploring this world, and discovering medical and technological advancements along the way, is what drives me to be in clinical research."

• Presley Murray

  Major: Biomedical Sciences & Nutrition & Dietetics

  Presley's favorite part of UNF: "My volleyball teammates and coaches, and how willing the professors are to help me understand material."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "I want to be in clinical research because I want to find new ways to help people and expand my knowledge in biology."

• Amanda Slater

  Major: Nursing

  Amanda's favorite part of UNF: "The wide offering of courses that allow for professional development paired with professors that truly care about your goals and success."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "I want to pursue a career in clinical research because I aim to make a lasting impact on those around me by contributing to advancements that better various areas of medicine. Through research, I plan to bridge the gap between innovative discoveries and patient care, ensuring that the work I do improves lives, supports communities, and helps best address medical needs."

• Manolya Apak

  Major: Behavioral Neuroscience

  Manolya's favorite part of UNF: "I absolutely love UNF's faculty. The professors are amazing and genuinely care about their students, which only motivates me to continue learning from them and be inquisitive in my field. They inspire and support students, like myself, to push through difficult obstacles, search for new opportunities, and set and achieve ambitious goals that will shape the future."

  Reason for Interest in Clinical Research: "I aspire to become a physician in a field that is relatively new. There are huge mysteries regarding the brain, and I want to be part of the process that discovers and explains complex phenomena, such as the nature of consciousness and memory, all while applying new techniques and findings to patients and educating the public. Through clinical research, I hope to improve an aspect of someone's life and the future of neuroscience and related fields."