2021 – 2023

Umer Ahmed

Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Alma Mater: Duke University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Neuroscience
Graduate Degree: M.S. Biomedical Sciences from Duke University
Mentor: Dr. Yueh Lee
Research Focus: Developing cardiac-gated imaging approaches using carbon nanotube x-ray sources
Specialty Interest: Diagnostic Radiology

Franklin Blum

Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Alma Mater: North Carolina State University
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biomedical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Sayed
Research Focus: Examining the role of genetics, inflammatory antibodies, and tissue characteristics in Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Initiating a randomized controlled trial comparing the benefits of two postoperative wound bandaging techniques following surgical removal of HS lesions
Specialty Interest: Dermatology

Gabrielle Nortey

Hometown: Gastonia, North Carolina
Alma Mater: Georgia Institute of Technology
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biomedical Engineering
Graduate Degree: M.S. Physiology from North Carolina State University
Mentors: Dr. Katherine Chan, Dr. Angie Smith
Research Focus: Investigating the experiences of Black patients with bladder cancer and working to increase diversity in patient engagement in bladder cancer
Specialty Interest: Urology

Kaylyn Pogson

Hometown: Hermanus, South Africa
Alma Mater: UNC Chapel Hill
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Biology, B.A. English, Minor in Medicine, Literature, and Culture
Graduate Degree: M.A. Literature, Medicine, and Culture from UNC Chapel Hill
Mentors: Dr. Lynn Damitz, Dr. Booker King, Dr. Yemi Ogunleye, Dr. Jeyhan Wood
Research Focus: Exploring the utility of ultrasound in Plastic Surgery, outcomes of gender-affirming top surgery, pain management after cranial vault reconstruction, and comparing the efficacy of different skin substitutes in the treatment of partial thickness burns in pediatric patients
Specialty Interest: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Rachel Swier

Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Alma Mater: UNC Chapel Hill
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. Psychology, B.A. Spanish, Minor in Art History
Mentors: Dr. A. Sidney Barritt, Dr. Andrew Moon
Research Focus: Epidemiology and outcomes research in hepatic sarcoidosis, NAFLD, and liver cancer
Specialty Interest: Internal Medicine