The Holster Scholar Program is a selective enrichment opportunity for curious first-year Honors students that supports a select number of motivated students interested in independent research the summer following their first year. Holster projects are in-depth, individualized learning experiences. Beyond some basic requirements, projects are self-designed. The Holster Scholars Program is made possible by a generous gift from Robert (’68) and Carlotta (’68) Holster.
Applications, due in early November, are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of faculty and staff who then invite about a dozen students to enroll in a one-credit proposal development seminar in the spring. Finalists spend the first half of the spring semester refining their proposals before submitting them mid-semester. At that point, the committee reviews the proposals and interviews the finalists before naming the new cohort of Holster Scholars. Scholars conduct their research over the summer under the guidance of a faculty mentor and then present their research to the university community at the Holster Scholar Research Symposium in the fall.
Meet the nine students who make up the 13th cohort of Holster Scholars!
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Andrei Abarientos (CAHNR ’26), from Higganum, CT, is a pathobiology major who intends to pursue graduate training in the biomedical science field. A graduate of Xavier High School in Middletown, Andrei was Treasurer of the Science Honor Society, as well as a member of a park clean-up club, the school newspaper, and the photography club. He was also captain of the Robotics team, where he ran multiple LEGO robotics teams and created curricula for STEM summer camps. At UConn, he is a member of Partners in Health Engage, Campus Big Buddies, and Kids UConn Bridging Education. He is also an undergraduate member of the Verardi Lab, which focuses on insect-borne viruses. In his free time, he likes to read, play guitar and piano, and go on hikes.
Project: Investigating Sex-Related Antibody Responses to a Powassan Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Vaccine Using a Mouse Model Mentor: Prof. Paulo Verardi, Dept. of Pathobiology & Veterinary Sciences |
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Safiyah Ahmed (CAHNR ’26), from Shrewsbury, MA, is a STEM Scholar majoring in allied health sciences who intends to pursue a career in dentistry. She worked at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine assisting with research on new therapies for periodontitis as a member of Dr. Chen’s Lab. Safiyah grew interested in biology along with healthcare management and accessibility after working in multiple dental offices. While at Shrewsbury High School, she advanced to the State level after competing twice in the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair. She was a member of the FRC robotics team and coached a middle school FLL robotics team. She was the president of the Calligraphy Club, a member of the National Honors Society, and secretary of the Muslim Student Club. At UConn, Safiyah is a member of the Pre-Dental Society, competes as part of UConn’s Equestrian Team, and is a co-coordinator of the Sci-Art Gallery. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, painting, and visiting family.
Project: Geospatial Disparities in Dental Care Access across Worcester County, Massachusetts Mentor: Prof. Ryan Talbert, Dept. of Sociology |
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Kathryn Andronowitz (CLAS ’26), from Monroe, CT, is an English major pursuing a dual degree in sociology. She graduated from Masuk High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Science Honor Society and captain of the volleyball team. She also played violin and was vice president of Masuk’s orchestra, with which she traveled to Germany to perform. Kathryn completed a Capstone project and volunteers at the nonprofit Groundwork Bridgeport, whose mission is to improve social and environmental conditions in local communities. At UConn, she is a member of the Honors Arts and Humanities Collective and writes opinion articles at The Daily Campus. She plans to earn a J.D. in preparation for a career in public policy emphasizing community-based solutions, while also advancing her passion for writing. In her free time, Kathryn enjoys traveling, yoga, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Project: ThriftTok: Examining Social and Cultural Identity in TikTok’s Second-hand Clothing Communities Mentor: Prof. Clarissa Ceglio, Depts. of History and Digital Media & Design |
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Clerin John (CLAS ’26), from Stamford, CT, is a molecular & cell biology major on the pre-medicine track with a strong interest in patient care and research. During her time in high school she was the President of the Medical Mentorship Club and Tri-M Music Society, and Founder and President of the American Red Cross Club. Furthermore, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and served as the CT COLT representative of the Spanish Honor Society. She helped study the connection between the size of the aorta at the time of dissection at the Aortic Institute (Yale School of Medicine). At UConn, she is the Secretary Pre-Medical Society, Co-Director of the BIOL 1107 Tutoring Program, a UNIV 1784 Facilitator, and a member of the Red Cross Club. During her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, baking, reading a book, and spending time with family and friends.
Project: Creating an in-vitro coculture model of Megakaryocytic Erythroid Progenitor Cells and Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells to test factors that skew fate Mentor: Prof. Vanessa Scanlon, Dept. of Regenerative Medicine & Skeletal Biology (UCHC) |
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Irena Komninakas (CLAS ’26), from Easton, Connecticut is a STEM Scholar majoring in molecular & cell biology and Spanish. She is a graduate of Hopkins School in New Haven, where Irena was captain of her high school crew team and secretary of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association. Throughout the summer, Irena worked at The Plaza Diner in Shelton, Connecticut. She assisted The Lolis Lab of Pharmacology in conducting research investigating alternative signaling pathways of human chemokine G-protein-couples receptors to find more efficient ways to target cancer cells at the Yale School of Medicine. At UConn, Irena is a coxswain on the women’s crew team and a member of the 2023-2024 CLAS Student Leadership Board. She also enjoys mentoring for youth rowing programs and volunteering in a variety of community organizations. Outside of athletics and academics, Irena enjoys reading, eating out, cultivating kombucha, and spending time with her loving family and friends.
Project: The Effectiveness of CRISPR/dCas9 Technology to Insert Methyl Groups to the Promoter Region of the PG gene of the Solanum Lycopersicum Mentor: Prof. Yi Li, Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture |
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Louise Leonard (CLAS ’26), originally from Torrington, CT, is a molecular & cell biology major with a minor in human development and family sciences. Currently, she is on the pre-health track, but she is considering a career in research. She is extremely interested in genetics, philosophy, and human development, specifically masculinity. In high school, she was secretary of the National Honor Society, captain of the swim team, a member of the Interact Club, and a competitor in the National High School Ethics Bowl. She participated in bioinformatics research where she annotated the genomes of bacteriophages. In addition, she was Co-Chair of Torrington High School’s Raider Rally, a biannual, field day fundraiser that raised thousands of dollars for local charities. Here at UConn, she is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity. In her free time, she likes to volunteer, bake, swim, and play games with friends and family.
Project: How Masculinity Beliefs Impact LGBTQIA+ Relationships Mentor: Prof. Kari Adamsons, Dept. of Human Development & Family Sciences |
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Maggie Liu (CAHNR ’26), from Woodbridge, CT, is a STEM Scholar majoring in allied health sciences. At Amity Regional High, she served as the captain of the Science Olympiad team, conducted research on phytoremediation and eutrophication, and founded the Amity Envirothon Club to help her fellow classmates cultivate ecological stewardship. She also volunteered at the town’s Human Services Department and was a member of the National English Honor Society. On campus, Maggie is the President of the Pharmacy Debate Club and a member of CUSA and JSA. She is fascinated by plants and biological systems and hopes to learn more about them during her time at UConn. In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing tennis, and spending time with her friends and family.
Project: The Effect of Chitosan on Plant Growth, Flowering and Substrate Characteristics of Potted Geraniums Mentor: Dr. Mayra A. Toro Herrera, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture |
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Ademide Ogunsina (CLAS ’26), from Toronto, ON, is a biological sciences major who hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics. In high school, Ademide was the president of her Student Council and founder of the STEM Club. She was also a proud member of the STEM Fellowship Organization as a high school chapter lead. In 2021, she was awarded the Youth Excellence Award by the Canadian Cancer Society for raising over $1,000 in donations for cancer research through the Relay for Life program. At UConn, Ademide participates in the UConn Conversation Partners program, plays badminton, and as a Nigerian, she frequently uses her voice to promote diversity and inclusion, which includes being a Multicultural and Diversity officer at the UConn Undergraduate Student Government. When she gets to relax, Ademide enjoys reading graphic novels, painting, traveling, and spending time with her huge family.
Project: Investigating Relationships Found in the Kidney Microenvironment to Understand Malfunctions of Proteins in Kidney Disease Mentor: Prof. Dong Zhou, Dept. of Nephrology (UCHC) |
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Sofia Papanikolaou (CLAS ’26), from Shelton, CT, is a Nutmeg Scholar majoring in physiology & neurobiology. In high school, she was Valedictorian, Vice President of the National Honor Society, President of the Writing Resource Center, Co-Editor of her school’s Literary and Arts Magazine The Amaranth, and a Student Ambassador. She was also a competitive dancer for 16 years. At UConn, Sofia is involved with Windham Hospital’s Volunteer program, Natchaug Elementary School’s After-School Tutoring Program, the UConn chapter of MedLIFE Movement, the UConn American English Language Institute’s Conversation Partners Program, and the UConn Dance Company. She also serves as the Director of Health and Wellness Education and Junior Panhellenic Council Representative for her sorority. Sofia is fascinated by the neural mechanisms of decision-making and motivational behavior, as inspired by her years as a dancer, and hopes to utilize her research in neuropsychopharmacology to provide foundational knowledge for a career in medicine. In her spare time, Sofia enjoys doing yoga, reading classical novels, and listening to 60s/70s music.
Project: Assessment of the triple reuptake inhibitor diclofensine: effort-based decision-making in a rodent model of motivational dysfunction Mentor: Prof. John Salamone, Dept. of Psychological Sciences |
