Sklar Ó³»´«Ã½ Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students
Sklar BSRP students spend the summer performing original computational or experimental-based research in labs within the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research.
Past Sklar BSRP Fellows
Yosenelys Fabian
Yosenelys Fabian was the 2025 Sklar BSRP fellow. At the time, she was a rising junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in neuroscience. As a Sklar BSRP fellow, she worked in the Sheng Lab to investigate the role of AKAP11, a shared genetic risk factor for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in regulating ferroptosis, a form a iron-dependant cell death. Her project examined how AKAP11 deficiency impacted lipid peroxidation in brain tissue and cultured astrocytes. Her long-term goal is to pursue an M.D. and to conduct women’s health research while addressing health disparities
Marina Saffold
Marina Saffold was the 2024 Sklar BSRP fellow. At the time, she was a rising junior at Pomona College majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. As the Skalr BSRP fellow, she worked in the Nehme lab developing a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) model of aged astrocytes to study mechanisms for neurodegeneration. In the future, Saffold plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician scientist.
Juan Pineda
Juan Pineda was the inaugural 2023 Sklar BSRP fellow. At the time Pineda was a rising senior at Macalester College, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Anthropology and Music. As a Sklar BSRP fellow, he worked in the Macosko lab where he developed a tool to link cell transcriptome information with neuronal connectivity in the brain. Going forward, he is interested in pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. and research in neuroscience, specifically in finding therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders and subsequently developing therapeutics. Juan has since joined the Macosko lab as a research associate.
