Maya Bullied '27 (SFA & CLAS) from Pomfret, Connecticut is pursuing a dual-degree Music and English and University Honors Laureate. Maya is passionate about the arts and the power they hold. This has driven Maya's work prior to college and now at the collegiate level. When Maya is not in the classroom you can find her reading, learning a new hobby, or singing in an opera. Maya hopes to pursue a career that combines both degrees and passions in both the literary and musical arts.

Project: "This Is How It Ends" A New Musical

Mentor: Professor Constance Rock, Department of Applied Vocal Studies

Tyrese Fenton '27 (CLAS) from Jamaica now resides in Hamden, Connecticut is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Tyrese's goal for both his academic and personal life is to pursue justice and equity, and foster collaboration among communities. Tyrese has served—either professionally or through volunteering—young, disabled and immigrant communities. He has also conducted research on religion and colonized Anglo-Caribbean countries through an independent research project and an internship. Tyrese hopes that the research he does will meaningfully contribute to the health and security of vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Project: The extent to which immigration policies shape immigrant cultures in the U.S.

Mentor: Professor Anne Gebelein, Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies

 Ashly Gasior '27 (CLAS) from Seekonk, Massachusetts pursuing a double major in Chemistry and Physics with a minor in Mathematics. Ashly Gasior has been a member of the New Synthetic Methods Group since Spring 2023 at the University of Connecticut. Ashly's research interests lie in “green” electrochemistry, with a focus on curating more environmentally friendly oxidation methods. Ashly is also interested in mentoring fellow students and peers, and has done so by spending time as a Student Instructional Specialist for Dr. Nicholas Leadbeater’s Organic Chemistry courses and as a General Chemistry tutor. Ashly hopes to spread her love for research and physical chemistry.

Project: Electrocatalytic Amidation of Aldehydes using 4-acetamidoTEMPO

Mentor: Professor Nicholas Leadbeater, Department of Chemistry

Grace Gewirtz '27 (CLAS) from Freehold, New Jersey is pursuing a double major in Physiology & Neurobiology and Psychology with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Grace currently volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician in her hometown in New Jersey, serves as president of UConn Rescue, a 501(c) non-profit organization, and works as a research assistant in Dr. Park’s Spirituality, Meaning, and Health Lab. Grace aspires to pursue a career in medicine and make a positive impact on the lives of patients through compassionate care and holistic approaches to healing.

Project: Implementing ICU Diaries to Reduce Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) Symptoms in High-Risk Patient Populations

Mentor: Doctor Jennifer Kanaan, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care

Olivia Joyce '27 (CLAS) from Long Island, New York is an honors student pursuing a double major in Political Science and Statistics with minors in Analytics and Public Policy. Olivia got involved in research during her first semester at UConn. Olivia has been working in research in Political Science and Psychology. On campus Olivia is involved in Law Society, Empowering Women in Law and Ecoposium (an environmental symposium). As well as being the Supplemental Instructor for STAT 1100Q Olivia is interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Political Science and continuing to do research as a career.

Project: Legal Protections Against Non-State Actor Torture: The Case of Gender-Based Violence. A New Global Data Set and Analysis. 

Mentor: Professor David Richards, Department of Political Science

Caitlyn Moon '26 (CAHNR & CLAS) from Mansfield Center, Connecticut Caitlyn is pursuing s dual degree in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences and Molecular and Cell Biology. Since Caitlyn's childhood, she has been looking forward to doing research, specifically in the fields of genetics and immunology. Joining a research lab at UConn has been a wonderful experience and is exactly what Caitlyn hoped it would be. Since joining the research lab Caitlyn has cemented her passion for research as something to pursue more in her future and hopefully do as a career.

Project: Investigating the Impact of Social Network Density on Allogrooming in Fungus-Growing Ants

Mentor: Professor Jonathan Klassen, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology