CIRM/Teams Trainee Profiles

Mentor: Yanhong Shi, Ph.D.| Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine 

Alyssa graduated from Diamond Bar High School before entering the CIRM/TEAMS program. Shortly after completing the program, she will begin her undergraduate career as a part of Johns Hopkins University’s Class of 2026, where she plans to pursue a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. The opportunities she had through the CIRM program allowed her to “interact with distinguished scientists and their work” and “motivate her to continue exploring the scientific gateways of disease research” in the next stage of her career.

Mentor: Qiong (Annabel) Wang, Ph.D.| Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology 

Zaighum was a rising senior at North Hollywood High School while a summer trainee in the program. He hopes to study Neurobiology & Anatomy or Neuropathology, with the goal of becoming a neurosurgeon or neuropathologist, researching how to combat serious neurodegenerative diseases. He recollects his time at CIRM as “a place where fundamental research skills [were] learned and a deep interest in solving problems at a cellular level was sparked.” He believes the CIRM/TEAMS program establishes “a foundation for future research.” 

Mentor: Fouad Kandeel, M.D., Ph.D. | Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics 

Audrey participated in CIRM/SPARK as a rising junior at Flintridge Preparatory School. Her goal is to study biomedical sciences during her undergraduate career. Her experience with CIRM/SPARK fostered this interest by “introducing [her] to the search for cures that [she] had not thought possible.” Thanks to the program, Audrey remains “inspired by science's potential to change lives and bring hope to many.”

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Mentor: Hung-Ping (Ben) Shih, Ph.D. | Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics 

Lauren had completed her senior year at Flintridge Preparatory School while a trainee in the program. She matriculated into Rice University’s Class of 2025 where she is currently pursuing a B.S. in Biosciences with a minor in Medical Humanities. She cites her time at CIRM as “the launchpad for her interest in the applications of cellular mechanisms”. She is “grateful to CIRM/SPARK for challenging and inspiring [her] in equal amounts.” 

Mentor: Lynn Miao, Ph.D. | Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics 

While in the program, Lina was a high school junior at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. After graduating from high school, she will enter Columbia University’s Class of 2026, where she will continue to explore the biological sciences. By exposing her to a "vibrant community [of scholars] and to leading research in diabetes”, CIRM played an instrumental role in deepening her desire to pursue science.