Some of the greatest moments in my research journey include watching a mentee's face light up when they view a neuron under the microscope for the very first time.
During my PhD training, I had the privilege of mentoring seven undergraduate students, including two
full-time summer undergraduate research program recipients.
As a Postdoctoral Scientist, I have mentored two undergraduate students at Columbia University and two full-time summer undergraduate research program recipients at The Child Health Institute of New Jersey.
Mentees
Kiara Tantalean Canepa
(Summer 2026)
2026 Child Health Institute Research Program Recipient
Currently pursuing a BS in Cell Biology &
Neuroscience at Rutgers University
Christopher Salmon
(Summer 2026)
2026 Aresty Summer Science Program Recipient
Currently pursuing a BS in Microbiology at Rutgers University
Brea Sloboda
(January 2025 - December 2025)
Luke Smith
(January 2025 - December 2025)
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior
Columbia College Summer Funding Program Recipient 2025
Anya Mirmajlesi, BS
(August 2021 - May 2024)
Major: Cell Biology & Neuroscience
2023 Rutgers Aresty Fellowship Recipient
Research Assistant in the Arciniega Lab at NYU
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Zain Mughal
(January 2023 - May 2024)
Major: Cell Biology & Neuroscience
Early Decision Acceptance into New Jersey Medical School, Class of 2029
Daniel Popov
(September 2022 - May 2023)
Major: Psychology
Minors: Russian and Biology
Christiana Ntim, BS
(October 2021 - May 2024)
Major: Cell Biology & Neuroscience
2023 NSF-funded Neuroscience Summer Undergrad Research Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia Recipient
Currently applying to Post-baccalaureate programs
Divya Thomas, BS
(February 2023 - May 2024)
Major: Cell Biology & Neuroscience
Currently pursuing a Master's in Biomedical Sciences
at Rutgers University
Alisa Halchenko
(Summer 2023)
Major: Neuroscience at The University of Vermont
2023 NIH-funded Neuroscience Summer Undergrad Research Program at Rutgers RWJMS Recipient
Katherine Kimbark, BS
(Summer 2022)
2022 NIH-funded Neuroscience Summer Undergrad Research Program at Rutgers RWJMS Recipient
Currently a PhD student in the Arnold Lab at Penn State College of Medicine
COURTNEY R. MCDERMOTT, PhD