HONORS BULLS SHINE IN RESEARCH EXPERIENCES NATIONALLY
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N 2021, AS IN YEARS PAST, Judy Genshaft Honors College students were selected to participate in prestigious Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) across the nation. REUs are competitive opportunities for undergraduate students to take part in authentic research activities over a focused period of time, typically 10 weeks during the summer. We are proud to highlight the achievements of four of our REU awardees from 2021. All students showcased here have a long-standing record of engagement with USF’s Office of National Scholarships and worked with ONS Director, Dr. Sayan Basu, to shape their applications.
Adriana Ladera, Class of 2022 Major: Computer Science Minor: Physics Adriana Ladera attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Summer Research Program. She is interested in real-world applications of Machine Learning Algorithms and using the physics and chemistry of materials to aid in discovery of novel materials that can be used to innovate technology. Her previous research experience working with Dr. Inna Ponomareva in USF’s Department of Physics and Long QuinChen at Penn State University (on a previous REU) gave her the skills and experience needed for this highly selective REU.
Alexandria Brady-Miné, Class of 2023 Major: Mechanical Engineering
While at MIT, Ladera worked with Professor Heather Kulik on Machine Learning studies important for energy conversion and for the design of new drugs. She also presented her research at the 36th annual MIT Summer Research Program Research Forum, and is currently co-authoring a manuscript for publication with the Kulik Group. Adriana is the President of Women in Computer Science and Engineering at USF and a National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge Scholar.
Alexandria Brady-Miné was awarded a 2021 National Institute of Standards and Technology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NIST-SURF) to attend NIST-Gaithersburg in Maryland. Due to COVID guidelines this 10-week REU was administered virtually. Brady-Miné is interested in 3D Bioprinting and novel biomaterials. She was drawn to this research while working on human rights issues with the Human Projects, an organization she founded at the age of 17.
Adriana Ladera 52 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA
Alexandria Brady-Miné
Brady-Miné works with Dr. Nathan Gallant in USF’s College of Engineering and has published with Dr. Thomas Angelini of the University of Florida. At NIST, she was guided by Dr. Harold Hatch on a computational approach to simulate a wide variety of phenomena including phase equilibrium, self-assembly and aggregation in biological materials, colloids, and polymers. This REU nicely complemented her experimental work in the Gallant group and gave her valuable experience on the theoretical facets of biomaterial research. Brady-Miné is founding director of the Human Project and is also a Jane Goodall Institute Fund II Roots and Shoots Fellow.
