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Student Spotlights

At Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, our students are at the forefront of groundbreaking research and discovery. These inspiring individuals come from diverse backgrounds and bring unique perspectives to the science community. Through their work, they are pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge and working tirelessly to improve patient care. In this section, we celebrate the journeys and accomplishments of our Ph.D. students, highlighting the passion, dedication, and innovation that drive them toward advancing the future of medicine.

Fan Feng

Fan Feng: The power of discovery

Driven by a passion for regenerative medicine, this Ph.D. student at Mayo Clinic is exploring how stem cell therapies can be improved by understanding tissue oxygen and metabolite conditions.

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Lizz Cervantes

Lizz Cervantes: Driven to make a difference

This Ph.D. student at Mayo Clinic is researching biomarkers of inflammation to identify infants at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, driven by personal experiences with autism and the desire to improve early diagnosis and intervention.

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Aura Figueroa Gonzalez

Aura Figueroa Gonzalez: Landing at my top choice

A Fulbright scholar and aspiring cancer biologist, this graduate student at Mayo Clinic is researching glioblastoma while developing leadership skills and finding joy in the local Latin dance community.

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Gabriella Fiorino

Gabriella Fiorino: Motivated by curiosity

Curious about the brain and driven to find better treatments for neurological diseases, this first-generation Latina Ph.D. student is researching Parkinson's disease while inspiring future scientists through volunteer initiatives.

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Nick Therrien

Nick Therrien: Exploring the unknown

Driven by a fascination with immunology, this Mayo Clinic Ph.D. student is exploring how naturally occurring viral components can influence cancer immunotherapy outcomes to improve clinical care.

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Maureen Pelissero

Maureen Pelissero: Addressing a growing curiosity

A former massage therapist turned biomedical engineering Ph.D. student at Mayo Clinic, this researcher is developing a diagnostic platform to detect antimicrobial resistance, aiming to address a global health crisis while promoting diversity in STEM.

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