Research Scholar Initiative alumni have joined PhD programs at top universities including Harvard University, University of Chicago, New York University, UC Berkeley, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania, and UC San Francisco. Learn about their experiences below.
Francheska López Rivera
- 2013-2015 RSI alum
- PhD '21, biological and biomedical sciences, Harvard Griffin GSAS
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dr. Angela DePace's Lab, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
"The Research Scholar Initiative was my bridge from undergraduate study to graduate school. As an architecture major with a second concentration in biology, I felt I was not prepared to compete with top graduate school applicants who had multiple summers of scientific research experience. Having completed my undergraduate degree in Puerto Rico, I also knew that I needed more exposure to the English-speaking system. The Research Scholar Initiative gave me that and more. As a research scholar, I had an individualized plan that was tailored to my needs. I received two full years of research experiences in an awesome lab that focused on my field of interest. I also received a lot of mentoring from my advisor, the program director, and other faculty members. I was able to interact with current graduate students who gave me insight into life as a graduate student. During my time in RSI, I participated in two conferences for minority students and even won my first scientific research award! I also took a core course with my fellow research scholars, in which we discussed papers, presented data, and developed writing skills. RSI also provided me with funding for a GRE prep course, and I received a lot of advice while completing my graduate school applications. I even got the chance to practice for graduate school interviews with Harvard faculty. Finally, the Research Scholar Initiative gave me the chance to explore what Harvard has to offer, and I discovered that it is the perfect place for me to complete my graduate studies."
Elisa Judith Rojas Palato
- 2021-2023 RSI alum
- MD/PhD prospective applicant
- Research Assistant for the Cellular Therapeutics and Systems Immunology Lab at Boston Children's Hospital
"As the part of the Harvard Research Scholar Initiative cohort of 2021-2022, I participated in both immersive research and classes tailored for professional growth as an early career scientist for two years. Combined with my undergraduate research experience, this experience undoubtedly helped me grow and truly partake in the day-to-day life of a research scientist. As a member of both RSI and the Program in Neuroscience Post-Baccaleaurate program, I joined Dr. Michael Tri Do's lab as a research assistant. Here, my research aimed to understand how light is transmitted as neural information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the master circadian clock, to drive circadian photoregulation. We hypothesized the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in the retina heavily influence the circadian rhythm through its connection to the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) neurons in the SCN. I explored the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of the VIP neurons in the SCN in in vitro mouse brain slices to understand how they are poised to receive information from the ipRGCs. It was both a challenging and rewarding experience to be at the cutting-edge of science. I am grateful I had the support of my RSI cohort fellow members and directors. Classes were a safe space to ask questions and learn science from one another through journal clubs and presentations. I appreciate the flexibility RSI classes provided that allowed for some of us to volunteer to present at a journal club. One of my favorite classes of RSI was getting to present an article I was really excited for with two of my classmates! Informally, the cohort provided a great emotional support system as I adjusted moving across the country and into the prestigious atmosphere of Harvard. Together, we helped each other adjust and thrive! I appreciate RSI supporting social bonding activities. A couple of my favorites I helped organize were a ferry trip to Provincetown, Boda Borg, karaoke, and a Boston Celtics Game. These activities helped form long-lasting friendships that I am grateful now and will be for when my cohort members and I are future colleagues! Moreover, the professional network RSI provided me was invaluable. As I move forward with my career, I can whole-heartedly say RSI played a pivotal role for which I am grateful for."
Eric Garcia
- 2021-2023 RSI alum
- PhD candidate in neuroscience, University of California San Francisco
“My favorite part of the program was connecting with other underrepresented minorities like me who shared similar goals, values, and experiences. I also appreciated some of the workshops that focused on graduate school, particularly the hands-on activities such as reading submitted personal statements, mock NSF writing, peer feedback on essays, etc.”
Seresa McDowell
- 2022-2023 RSI alum
- PhD candidate in chemistry and chemical biology, Harvard Griffin GSAS
“What I enjoyed most about this program was the journey, including networking with other students in different areas of science, having the exposure to research from a top-tier university such as Harvard, being able to familiarize myself with research on a higher level than undergraduate research, and having opportunities to meet faculty and students and build a community.”
