Gunn Lab Undergrads Receive Summer Fellowships
Two undergraduate researchers from the Gunn Lab - Zhone Jack and Alyvia Herman - have been selected for highly competitive summer research fellowships, recognizing their academic excellence and commitment to advancing biomedical science!
Zhone Jack
Zhone Jack has been accepted into the Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Summer Research Program, a nationally recognized initiative designed to prepare students interested in pursuing MD/PhD degrees. The nine-week program immerses participants in cutting-edge biomedical research while providing mentorship and clinical exposure.
This summer, Zhone will join the Cha Lab at Vanderbilt University, where he will contribute to research exploring how genetic changes influence pancreatic cell function. This work has significant implications for improving treatments for diabetes, a condition affecting millions worldwide. By studying the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying pancreatic cell behavior, the research aims to inform the development of more precise and effective therapies.
In addition to laboratory research, Zhone will gain valuable clinical insight by shadowing an obstetrician-gynecologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This experience will allow him to observe firsthand how scientific discoveries translate into patient care—an essential perspective for aspiring physician-scientists.
Zhone’s selection for this program reflects both his strong scientific foundation and his dedication to bridging research and medicine.
Alyvia Herman
Alyvia Herman will spend her summer at the University of Michigan Health’s Frankel Cardiovascular Center as part of its Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program. She will conduct research in the Holinstat Lab, which focuses on the signaling pathways that regulate hemostasis and thrombosis—processes critical to blood clotting and cardiovascular health.
Alyvia’s project centers on identifying active compounds in natural oils that may influence platelet function. Platelets play a key role in clot formation, and understanding how their activity can be modulated is essential for developing treatments for conditions such as heart attack and stroke.
By studying naturally derived compounds, Alyvia’s work explores a promising avenue for the development of new pharmacological therapies that could offer effective and potentially safer alternatives to existing treatments. Her research contributes to a growing field focused on harnessing bioactive substances from natural sources to address complex medical challenges.
Gunn Lab Undergraduate Research Excellence
The achievements of Zhone Jack and Alyvia Herman highlight the strength of undergraduate research at Stony Brook University and the mentorship fostered within the Gunn Lab. Opportunities like these fellowships not only provide hands-on experience in leading research environments but also help shape the next generation of scientists and medical professionals.
As Zhone and Alyvia embark on their summer programs, they carry with them the skills, curiosity, and determination cultivated at Stony Brook—qualities that will continue to drive their future contributions to science and medicine.