SURF – Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program is one of many programs administered through the UNC Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and designed to enhance the educational experience of UNC undergraduates by engaging them in research opportunities. Each summer, PPMH sponsors two students who are working on precision-medicine related projects.
SURF Fellows
Year | Student Name | Research Mentor Name | Department | Project Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Tanisha Choudhury | Boa Kim | Cell Biology & Physiology | •The Effect of Endothelial Lipid Metabolism on Lipid Transport |
2024 | Corey Freeman | Adam Hantman | Cell Biology & Physiology | •Mapping Whole-Brain Activation Patterns for Complex Movement Sequences |
2023 | Katheryn Kapfer | Alisa Wolberg | Pathology & Laboratory Medicine | •Influence of Fibrinogen and Fibrin on Macrophage and Neutrophil Infiltration in the Lungs in SARS-COV-2 Infection |
2023 | Mia Foglesong | Melissa Herman | Pharmacology | •Examining the Potential Role of the Central Amygdala in the Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin |
2022 | Ian Klevans | Mark Heise | Genetics | •Determining the Function of Novel Nonstructural Proteins in Chikungunya Virus |
2022 | Parnika Agriwal | David Williams | Pathology & Laboratory Medicine | •Discovery of Novel Drug-like Molecules for the Treatment of Blood Disorders from a Combined In Silico and NMR Screen |
2021 | Lauren Sidelinger | Flavio Frohlich | Psychiatry | •Using an At-Home EEG Device to Evaluate Intra-Individual Variation in Alpha Peak Frequency |
2021 | Roger Yu | Brian Button | Biochemistry & Biophysics | •Mechanism of Action of Mucolytics in Improving Mucus Clearance in Lung Disease |
2020 | Fiona Wissink | Ageliki Tsagaratou | Genetics | •Response of the Immune Microenvironment in a Mouse Model of T-Cell Lymphoma |
2020 | Leo Pang | Sarah Linnstaedt | Anesthesiology | •Tissue Specificity and Timing of Post-stress Expression of the Chronic Pain-associated Protein FKBP51 |
Quote from a 2023 SURF recipient:
“My [SURF] research experience has solidified my desire to become a researcher professionally. I enjoyed conducting experiments, reading research articles, and explaining and presenting my research to others. This was my first time doing a project entirely on my own, and while it was intimidating, it has given me the confidence and skills to continue being on the front lines of scientific discovery.”
–Katheryn Kapfer