Apply to present your research or creative work at URCAD by Monday!

Come celebrate URCAD's 30th anniversary on April 22, 2026! 

The event will be moving to a bigger space in the RAC… how do you see your work being presented there? 

Posters, oral talks, films, exhibits, and performances are welcome. URCAD is open to all majors and group projects are accepted. You can present your capstone, Honors thesis, REU research, or you can be unaffiliated with a scholars program. 

Applications to present mentored research or creative work are due by February 23rd and require a 200-word abstract and mentor approval. See you at the RAC as we showcase UMBC student research and art and throwback to where it all began in the 90s!

Questions? Email: aprilh@umbc.edu

Laila is a Biological Sciences major. Most recently, she completed a summer research fellowship at Duke University School of Medicine through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).

Mentors: Dr. Chantell Evans in the Department of Cell Biology at Duke SOM.

Title of your research project: Mitochondrial Stress Remodels TFAM Organization in Primary H

What research experiences have you had? (focus on most recent)

I began my research journey as a freshman in 2022 at the University of Maryland

Baltimore, School of Medicine in the Kelly Lab, where I was introduced to neurobiology

and neurodegenerative research. Since then, I have continued working in translational

neuroscience across multiple labs, including the Parker Lab at UMSOM and currently the

Wolff Lab at UMSOM.

Most recently, I completed a summer research fellowship at Duke University School of

Medicine through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Summer Undergraduate

Research Program (SURP). In the Evans Lab (Department of Cell Biology), I studied

mitochondrial DNA integrity in primary neurons, specifically investigating how cellular

stress remodels endogenous TFAM puncta using confocal microscopy and 3D image

analysis.

Across these labs, I have gained experience in rodent colony management, transcardial

perfusions, embryonic microinjections, vibratome and cryosectioning, primary

hippocampal neuron culture, immunocytochemistry, and confocal microscopy. I have

applied machine-learning–based behavioral analysis (SLEAP), curated large behavioral

datasets, and implemented Python/Conda workflows for scalable analysis. These

cumulative experiences have strengthened my interest in translational neuroscience and

mechanistic disease research.

How did you find the research opportunity?

I discovered the HHMI SURP opportunity through UMBC’s pre-med/pre-dental online

community in April. I applied shortly after and was thrilled to be accepted in May.

Who is your mentor for your research, scholarship, or artistic project? (give full

name and department) How did you arrange to work with this person?

My principal investigator was Dr. Chantell Evans in the Department of Cell Biology at

Duke SOM. I also worked closely with graduate student mentor Olivia Conway.

After being accepted into the HHMI SURP program, I was matched with Dr. Evans’s lab

based on my research interests. From the beginning, Dr. Evans and her lab created an

incredibly supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.

Do you get course credit for this work? Paid? How much time do you put into it?

This summer fellowship was fully funded by HHMI, and I was fortunate enough to have

received $12k over the course of three months. I worked full-time in the lab throughout

the summer, dedicating approximately 40 hours per week to experiments, lab meetings,

and weekly virtual HHMI programming.

What academic background did you have before you started?

At the time, I was a junior/rising senior majoring in Biology.

How did you learn what you needed to know to be successful in this project?

HHMI SURP provided weekly seminars covering both scientific topics and professional

development, including how to present research effectively. Within the lab, I learned

hands-on through mentorship, troubleshooting experiments, reading primary literature,

and asking questions constantly. The lab culture emphasized curiosity and persistence.

My mentors modeled what it looks like to approach research not with fear of failure, but

with excitement about discovery.

What was the hardest part about your research?

The hardest part was not mastering technical skills.. it was developing grit.

Experiments don’t always work the first time. Cells don’t always stain correctly. Imaging

parameters sometimes need to be completely re-optimized. Early on, that unpredictability

felt frustrating.

One of the staff scientists, Dr. Lola Kalejaiye, often reminded me that it’s called

“research” for a reason — you must keep re-searching. She genuinely found joy in

troubleshooting and refining experiments. Over time, I began to understand that

persistence and patience are the true foundations of scientific growth. Learning to

embrace that process was the most challenging, and most valuable lesson.

What was the most unexpected thing?

How much I loved it.

This experience solidified my desire to pursue an MD-PhD rather than solely an MD. I

found deep fulfillment not only in conducting experiments, but in asking mechanistic

questions about disease and working toward translational impact.

How does this research experience relate to your work in other classes?

As a Biology major, my research directly connects to concepts I’ve learned in cell

biology, genetics, and molecular biology courses. Seeing mitochondrial dynamics,

transcriptional regulation, and cellular stress pathways play out in real experiments

reinforced and deepened my classroom learning.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?

Believe in yourself before anything else.

You must believe you belong in scientific spaces.. even before you feel “ready.”

Opportunities often come from putting yourself forward and being willing to learn. Every

researcher starts somewhere. Confidence, curiosity, and resilience matter just as much as

prior experience. Send the email. Apply to the program. Ask the question. Growth

follows initiative.

What are your career goals?

I plan to pursue an MD-PhD with hopes to specialize in transplant medicine, particularly

end stage kidney disease in diabetic patients. As someone deeply invested in both clinical

medicine and biomedical research, I hope to bridge mechanistic discovery with patient-

centered innovation.

What else are you involved in on campus?

I am involved in the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Egyptian Student

Association at UMBC. I have also previously volunteered with Hearts for the Homeless.

• Option B: Scan the QR code on the printer and then click 'print' at the bottom of the page. Pro-tip: if there is no print button, close the mobileprint tab and scan again.

Name: Jana Esmat

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Spring 2026

Major: Information Systems & Financial Economics

Current Class Level: Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Co-Op

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Red Bull North America, INC.

Location of the Organization (City, State): Santa Monica, California

Title of position: Baltimore Student Marketeer Team Lead

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

As the Red Bull Student Marketeer Team Lead for the Baltimore Team, I oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training while continuing to execute in-field marketing initiatives. I was promoted to Team Lead in September after serving as a Student Marketeer for over a year and am proud to be the first UMBC student to hold this role. In my day-to-day responsibilities, I coach team members, contribute ideas during weekly meetings, support new hire training, and ensure executional excellence in the field. I also continue actively sampling, organizing events, and engaging directly with consumers across Baltimore, D.C., and the nation, whenever there's a big Red Bull moment happening in any other state, through strategic activations and events, I have helped increase brand awareness, drive product trials, and expand Red Bull's presence on campus, while building meaningful connections with diverse communities and organizations.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I first learned about the Red Bull Student Marketeer position in May 2024 while attending a Red Bull Show run Formula 1 event in Washington, D.C. At the event, I met my now former Team Lead, who was sampling and representing the brand. We had a great conversation about Red Bull, campus involvement, and my interests, and she shared that they were actively recruiting Student Marketeers from UMBC. She took my contact information and later sent me the application through LinkedIn. I submitted my application shortly after in May, excited about the opportunity to represent a brand I had long admired.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I have enjoyed most about my position is the opportunity to be part of unforgettable experiences while representing a global brand. Through Red Bull, I have had the chance to work at incredible events and concerts, and even travel to places like Boston, Massachusetts and Santa Monica, California to be part of major global moments such as the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Finale. It is inspiring to work for a company that is consistently ranked as having one of the best student jobs in the world, and I am especially proud not only to have been part of it, but to serve as the Team Lead for my city. Beyond the events, what stands out most is the community, teamwork, and connecting with Student Marketeers from across the country has given me a strong network and a sense of belonging within the organization.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe I've made an impact by extending Red Bull's reach to UMBC and in the Baltimore market while also building a motivated, high-performing team. As the first Student Marketeer and now Team Lead from UMBC, I helped expand brand visibility through strategic activations, increased product awareness, and ensured consistent in-field execution. Beyond driving results, I've supported recruitment, onboarding, and coaching to ensure my team feels confident and aligned, creating a positive and high-energy environment that reflects the brand.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

My advice would be to put yourself in the right environments and not be afraid to start conversations. I found my opportunity by attending an event, introducing myself, and showing genuine interest. You never know which interaction can open a door. 

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

"Work hard, play harder" is a mindset that truly defines my experience with Red Bull. I love being part of a role that pushes me to perform at a high level while also allowing me to be part of exciting, unforgettable experiences. The UMBC Career Center supported me along the way by reviewing my resume.

Start your morning the UMBC commuter way.

Join us for breakfast with fellow commuters and connect with helpful on-campus resources. There's no better way to kick off your day!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) takes place every Tuesday from 8:30–11:00 AM *except one a month when Good afternoon Commuters (GAC) is held* and is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC event (cash only):

• $5 for Commuter Students

• $10 for Residential & Graduate Students

We can't wait to see you there!

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss/events/149333