Meet the 2025 Caxide Scholars
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
Meet the 2026 Caxide Scholars
Hope Chokshi '28 (CLAS)from Avon, CT, is a sophomore Nutmeg Scholar pursuing a dual degree in Classics and Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut. She is a recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship and is involved in volunteer organizations across campus, including Generations Connect, Conversation Partners, and Cross Cultural Connections. Academically, Hope is a Teaching Assistant for Cell Biology and conducts research in Dr. Dealy’s lab, where she studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to disease and impair healing and growth. In her free time, Hope enjoys reading, running, and spending time with friends.
Project: Articular Cartilage Response to a Pro-Regenerative Agent in a Human Ex Vivo Model
Mentor: Dr. Caroline Dealy, Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Orthopedic Surgery, and Cell Biology
Katherine Larson '28 (CLAS) from Chicago, IL is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Climate Science. Katherine currently works in an organic and inorganic chemistry research laboratory and is interested in using chemistry as a tool to study environmental change. Specifically, her research has focused on organic synthesis—making molecules. Outside of the laboratory, Katherine is an intern for UConn’s Office of Sustainability, where she helps lead university sustainability initiatives. Katherine is passionate about making an impact in science and aspires to do so through continued research and graduate studies.
Project: Chemical synthesis of a thiol-containing pyrene derivative for metal ion immobilization
Mentor: Dr. Gaël Ung, Department of Chemistry
Lauren McCarroll '28 (ENGR) from Clinton, Connecticut is an honors student pursuing a major in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. Lauren has been keen on research since her first year and has taken part in the Health Research Program. On campus, Lauren is involved in the Society for Women Engineers and Biomedical Engineering Society. Lauren is inspired by the impact biomedical engineering has on the medical field, and in the future, she hopes to pursue a graduate degree and to continue research in the field.
Project: Assessing Cadmium Effects on Bone Mechanics, Turnover, and Composition, and Zinc’s Protective Role
Mentor: Dr. Alix Deymier, Department of Biomedical Engineering
NaShyla McQuirter '28 (CLAS)
I’m a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. In the future, I aim to be a Physician-scientist, treating patients with Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) and pursue research that uncovers the underlying mechanisms of gut dysmotility. As I engage in the coursework for this discipline, I strive to push the boundaries of what is known about the mechanisms that govern contractile regulation. Being at the forefront of clinical translational research will give me the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between mechanistic research and patient-centered care.
Project: KCNQ+ Cells ModulateColonic Migrating Motor Complexes
Mentor: Dr. Bin Feng, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Daniel Senior '28 (CLAS) is double-majoring in Sociology and HDFS, with a minor in Urban and Community Studies. Raised in New Britain, Connecticut, his lived experiences with homelessness, poverty, and mental health challenges ignited his commitment to community advocacy and public health. Daniel has served as a founding member of the NBYP Coalition, a nationally trained youth leader on the CADCA National Youth Council, and a contributor to research and service initiatives across Connecticut and beyond. He is now the founder of PULSCE, a youth-led coalition focused on tackling substance misuse and the loneliness epidemic through prevention, unity, leadership, service, and community engagement on college campuses around CT, with plans to expand and continue his leadership journey by pursuing a Master of Public Health.
Project: LABILE: A PULSCE Documentary
Mentor: Dr. Raymond Moody, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences
Tori Zebko '28 (CAHNR) from Orange County, California Tori is pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a minor in Biology on the pre-veterinary track. Since her childhood, Tori has always been curious about science and the "why" behind biology. This curiosity led her to join Dr. Upadhyay’s foodborne pathogens lab upon arriving at UConn, which has been an amazing learning experience. Since joining the lab, Tori has cemented her passion for research and her goal to pursue a career as a lab animal veterinarian. On campus, Tori serves as a WiMSE floor mentor, and she has also secured an externship at the Yale School of Medicine for this coming summer to work with and learn from lab animal veterinarians.
Project: Investigating the efficacy of Resveratrol in modulating Listeria monocytogenes virulence and proteome expression in vitro
Mentor: Dr. Abhinav Upadhyay, Department of Animal Science