Previous SIP Alumni 2001 SIP Alumni
Jessica Beierle
Pennsylvania State University, Biology
A intern with Paula Clemens, MD, at the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Jessica is working on overcoming the hurdles inherent in gene delivery designed for therapeutic intervention. Jessica will be a senior at Pennsylvania State University, and is majoring in biology. She enjoys yoga, crocheting, reading and she also enjoys visiting Mt. Washington on the weekends.Matthew Dietz
Washington and Jefferson College, Chemistry/Biology
Erika Downs
Allegheny College, Biology
Erika completed her junior year at Allegheny College in May, and plans to go to medical school after graduation. She is interning with Lee Kaplan, MD, in the Radiofrequency Energy Consortium, working on articular cartilage research. Erika enjoys sports of any kind, shopping and being with her friends. Going to the park and having a picnic, or going to the zoo are ways she enjoys a weekend in Pittsburgh.Trent Echard
Carnegie Mellon University, Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering
Trent will be a junior at Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering. He is interning with Sudha Agarwal, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where his research will focus on the synthesis of biodegradable polymers and the testing of their biocompatibility. Trent’s hobbies are sport cars, archery and the outdoors.Jeffrey Florian, Jr.
Pennsylvania State University, Chemical Engineering with minor in Bioengineering
Jeffrey will be a senior at Pennsylvania State University, and plans to go to graduate school. His internship is with Robert Parker, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, where he is developing optional insulin delivery profiles for insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Jeffrey is a huge fan of amusement parks. He also enjoys going to baseball games.Jeffrey Graybill
Pennsylvania State University, Engineering Science with a minor in Bioengineering
A junior at Pennsylvania State University, Jeffrey will be interning with Phil Campbell, PhD, at Carnegie Mellon University, Bone Tissue Engineering Center. Jeffrey’s research will involve various aspects of bone engineering. His interests are model railroading, piano and percussions. He believes the best way to enjoy a weekend in Pittsburgh is a trip to Primati Brothers and Kennywood.Jared Kohler
Juniata College, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Jared will spend his summer working in the laboratory of Saleem Khan, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is a biochemistry major, and will be a junior at Juniata College. Jared enjoys movies, music and sports, especially baseball and bowling.Jeffrey Griffin Kuremsky (Griff)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Biology/Pre-Medicine
Michael Madigan
University of Notre Dame, Science Preprofessional, Psychology
Mike will be a junior this fall at Notre Dame, and plans to go to medical school. This summer, he is interning with Robert Getzenberg, PhD, working on urology research. The javelin, drums and skiing are some of Mike’s interests, and he enjoys spending a weekend afternoon with friends at Kennywood.Jennifer Miller
Dickinson College, Biology/Pre-Medicine
A biology major, Jennifer will begin her junior year at Dickinson College this fall. She will spend her summer working in the laboratory of Joseph Pilewski, MD, at the University of Pittsburgh, developing gene therapy for early treatment of lung cancer. Jogging, Tae-bo, listening to jazz and going to coffee bars are some of Jennifer’s interests. Jennifer believes going to Primati Brothers for lunch is the best way to enjoy a weekend in Pittsburgh.Sarah Nilson
University of Pittsburgh, Biology and Anthropology
Sarah is an intern with Joseph Ahearn, MD, at the University of Pittsburgh Arthritis Institute this summer. She will be a senior at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall, and plans on attending graduate school. Sarah enjoys rock-climbing, camping, music, books and animals. One of her favorite activities for a weekend afternoon in Pittsburgh is biking the trails at Hartwood Acres, followed by a picnic before one of the free outdoor summer concerts.Christine Peoples
Allegheny College, Biology
This summer will find Christine working with Jeffrey Hollinger, DDS, PhD, in the Bone Tissue Engineering Center at Carnegie Mellon University. She is finishing her junior year at Allegheny College, and plans to attend medical school after graduation. Playing tennis, sports, movies, music and volunteering are some of Christine’s interests. Taking in a Pirate game, with dinner at Primanti Brothers, followed by going to the Strip District for some fun and dancing is one of Christine’s favorite ways to spend her time on a weekend afternoon in Pittsburgh.Eileen Romito
Case Western Reserve University, Biomedical Engineering
Planning on a career in research or industry, Eileen is a biomedical engineering major at Case Western Reserve University. This summer, she is an intern in the laboratory of Kacey Marra, PhD, at Carnegie Mellon University, working on bone tissue engineering research. Dance, music and travel are among Eileen’s interests. She believes that a fun afternoon in the Pittsburgh area includes exploring shops and museums in Oakland with friends.Terra Rupert
Allegheny College, Biology
Terra will spend her summer working in the laboratory of Garth Ehrlich, PhD, at Allegheny General Hospital’s Center for Genomic Sciences. She is a biology major, and will be a junior at Allegheny College. Among her many interests are tennis, skiing and other sports, as well as drawing and reading. Terra likes to spend a weekend afternoon in Pittsburgh going to a Pirate or Steeler game and then having dinner in the Strip District.Stephen Soung
Schreyer Honors College at Pennsylvania State University, Mechanical Engineering
Stephen will be a sophomore at Penn State University, and plans to go to graduate school. His internship is with Hairong Peng, MD, PhD, at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Growth and Development Lab, where he will be researching bone and muscle tissue engineering. Stephen enjoys lacrosse, weightlifting, basketball and playing the violin. His idea of an enjoyable summer day in Pittsburgh includes visiting the Strip District, eating at Primanti Brothers, riding up the incline to enjoy the view of the city from Mt. Washington, nd having dinner at one of the many South Side restaurants.James Starman
University of Notre Dame, Science/Pre-Medicine
Jim is an intern this summer with Daniel Farkas, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh, and is working on a bioimaging/bioengineering research project. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, he plans to attend medical school. Jim’s interests include travel, golf, skiing, whitewater rafting and hiking. On a weekend afternoon in Pittsburgh, Jim likes to take a boat out on the river and do some water-skiing, or just relax.Steven Walsh
Duquesne University, Biology/Pre-Medicine
A biology major, Steven will begin his senior year at Duquesne University this fall. He will spend his summer working in the laboratory of Robert Rubin, MD, PhD, at Allegheny General Hospital, Center for Neurosciences Research, where he will research sex differences in the brain and their influence on endocrine function. Steven’s hobbies are ice hockey, golf, basketball, running, reading and music. He believes the best way to spend a weekend in Pittsburgh is at one of the city’s parks/museum or a Pirate game.