Student Spotlight
Incoming Fall 2025 Cohort
Rahmatullah Alseksek
Email: RahmaKamal@tamu.edu
Education: Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacology concentration) and a Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, both from the University of Sharjah (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates)
Research Focus: Cancer Epigenetics, Pharmacology, Drug Resistance Mechanisms, Metastasis
Research Interest/Experience: Driven by a desire to outsmart cancer at its molecular core, I am passionate about understanding how epigenetic changes fuel drug resistance and metastasis in the most aggressive cancer types. I aim to identify key molecular switches that drive these malignant behaviors and explore how targeting them can restore treatment sensitivity. Having worked extensively in pharmacology and cancer biology, I am particularly interested in bridging basic epigenetic discoveries with translational applications. I am also eager to harness innovative technologies such as CRISPR gene editing, single-cell sequencing, and 3D tumor models to dissect these complex regulatory networks. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to the development of next-generation epigenetic therapies that not only overcome drug resistance but also prevent cancer relapse and metastasis, offering patients more durable and personalized treatment options.
Fun Facts:
Hobbies:
- Swimming, Traveling and cultural exploration, Snowboarding.
- I often use long walks to untangle research puzzles—some of my best ideas have come while wandering quiet trails or bustling city streets.
- I keep a "research idea notebook" by my bedside because my best hypotheses often come just before I fall asleep
Soo Lim Kim
Email: hisoolimk@tamu.edu
Education: Master’s degree in Medical Sciences – Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences – Incheon National University, Incheon, South Korea
Research Focus: Disease mechanisms, therapeutic development, immunology
Research Interest/Experience: During my master’s, I studied parasite and bacterial communities in feces using metabarcoding to investigate host-parasite interactions. As a research technician, I contributed to projects on hormonal receptor signaling in human tissues and mouse models. I’m broadly interested in host-pathogen dynamics and disease mechanisms, with a strong motivation to support the development of novel therapeutics.
Fun Facts:
- Hobbies: Golf, tennis, and freediving (snorkeling when breath-holding gets too hard)
- Pets: A Siberian Husky named Sookie
Anh Nguyen
Email: nguy4494@tamu.edu
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Minnesota.
Research Focus: I plan to focus on immunology, particularly research that is highly translatable to human therapeutics.
Research Interest/Experience: I worked for three years in Dr. Alejandro's lab as a research technician, where I managed multiple projects independently. My research explored immune responses in the placenta under sterile conditions and how immune cell populations shift across trimesters. This experience influenced my interest in understanding immune dynamics and their relevance to human health. Now, as a TAMU graduate student, I plan to build on this foundation and contribute to translational research that bridges basic science and therapeutic applications.
Fun Facts:
- Hobbies:
I'm quite a plant person. I enjoy caring for my plants and watching them thrive. I also love trying out new restaurants and exploring different cuisines.
Anna Price
Email: anna.price@tamu.edu
Education: B.A in Human Biology from Washington State University
Research Focus: Genetics and cell biology, immunology, infectious diseases, microbiology
Research Interest/Experience:
How genetics and epigenetics influence human health, specifically disease susceptibility, progression, and symptoms. Goal is to develop therapeutics addressing infectious diseases and immune dysfunction
Fun Facts:
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Hobbies: baking, hiking, paddle boarding, bonfires, traveling
I was raised in Alaska and hold New Zealand citizenship due to my father.
Jiselle Zavala
Email: jiselle.zavala@tamu.edu
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology (with a minor in chemistry) from Tarleton State University
Research Focus:
Immunology, inflammatory diseases, gene therapy, immune responses
Research Interest/Experience: I am interested in exploring the immune responses behind inflammatory diseases with the goal of identifying novel targets for more effective treatments.
Fun Facts:
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- I have a keychain collection from the places I have traveled to
- I’ve never had a pet (hopefully soon I’ll get a cat)
- I love going to concerts
- I own a small at home bakery with my best friend
- I’ve traveled to more countries than I have states in the U.S.
Hobbies: baking, embroidering, traveling and learning how to crochet