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Editor: Rachel Baugh Photo: Erin Smith
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We are excited to welcome another exceptional group of interns to the Aspirnaut™ Summer Research Internship program. Sixteen undergraduate and 18 high school students from 13 states will be trained by 30 mentors for a summer of discovery science, professional skills development, and wellness training. Welcome, 2023 Aspirnauts!
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Meet the 2023 High School Interns**indicates returning Aspirnaut™
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|  | Karen Escobar-Salgado
Knoxville, Tennessee
| |  | Julianna Gallup**
Sevierville, Tennessee
| |  | Michael Gallup**
Sevierville, Tennessee
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|  | Evangelina Gurung
Winooski, Vermont
| |  |  | Aalia Holt**
Hector, Arkansas
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|  | Ashley Iglesias Ayala
Houston, Texas
| |  | Khushi Kaushal
Winooski, Vermont
| |  | Satori McCormick**
Castle Rock, Colorado
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|  | Sabrina Newenham
Southwest Harbor, Maine
| |  | Julia Nguyen
Diberville, Mississippi
| |  | Grace Park
Burlington, Vermont
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|  | Nayla Ramos Vega
Yuma, Colorado
| |  | Cesar Rosas
Houston, Texas
| |  | Owen Staples
Deer Isle, Maine
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|  | Brian Vang
Saint Paul, Minnesota
| |  | Nida Vang
Saint Paul, Minnesota
| |  | Nicole Xie
Burlington, Vermont
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Meet the 2023 Undergraduate Interns**indicates returning Aspirnaut™
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|  | Nadine Abazie
Houston, Texas
| |  | Hugo Arce-Santamaria
Hardyville, Kentucky
| |  | JoAnna Dennis
Cyprus, Texas
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|  | Jenny Diaz Sales
Berea, Kentucky
| |  | Aryan Gleason**
Hermitage, Tennessee
| |  | Bailey Groff**
New Tripoli, Pennsylvania
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|  | Oscar Hanson**
Charleston, West Virginia
| |  | Kayla Hardrick
Cordova, Tennessee
| |  | Hira Karim
Chitral, Pakistan
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|  | LilyJasmine Notice
Winter Park, Florida
| |  | Richmond Okparaugo
Maumelle, Arkansas
| |  | Emily Patmore
Santa Claus, Indiana
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|  | Gagan Phuyal
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| |  | Freddiemae Thompson**
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
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|  | Kaziah Vaughn
Milton, Vermont
| |  | Shaelyn Walker
Somerset, Pennsylvania
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Thank you to our generous investors whose support makes this program possible.
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We Matched!Congratulations to seven Aspirnauts who have finished medical school and matched into medical residency programs!
Mary Barber Daniels, a 2016 Aspirnaut™ intern, graduated from Harvard University School of Medicine and will be completing her residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in anesthesiology.
Ethan Clement participated in Aspirnaut™ as a high school intern in 2009, graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, and will be completing her residency at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in emergency medicine.
Issac Domenech, a 2017 Aspirnaut™ intern, graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine and will be completing his residency at Northwestern University in obstetrics/gynecology.
Shiloh Goecke, a 2018 Aspirnaut™ intern, graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and will be completing her residency at Baylor Scott and White in Temple, Texas, in anesthesiology.
Jenna Rufer Mamatova, 2014 Aspirnaut™ intern, will have a transitional year at the University of Kentucky in Bowling Green, Kentucky, before completing her diagnostic radiology residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.
James Bryson McCarthey, a two-time Aspirnaut™ intern, graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and will be completing his residency at Case Western in pediatrics.
Princess Onuorah, a 2016 Aspirnaut™ intern, graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and will be completing her residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center in internal medicine.
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Mary Barber Daniels
Massachusetts General Hospital, Anesthesiology
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Ethan Clement
University of Arkansas Medical School, Emergency Medicine
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Issac Domenech
Northwestern University, Obstetrics/Gynecology
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Shiloh Goecke
Baylor Scott and White, Texas, Anesthesiology
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Jenna Rufer Mamatova
The University of Kentucky Transitiona Yearl; Cook County Hospital, Illinois, Diagnostic Radiology
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|  | James Bryson McCarthey
Case Western Medical Center, Pediatrics
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Princess Onuorah
University of Rochester Medical Center, Internal Medicine
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Featured Aspirnaut™ Xavier ShackelfordXavier Shackelford is a two-time Aspirnaut™ participant and will complete his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change at Lipscomb University in 2023.
1. Tell me a little about growing up and your background.
I grew up in rural Eastern Arkansas in Marianna. I bounced around the foster care system, where I faced neglect and abuse, until I became a part of my adopted family at around four years old. I attended high school in Lee County (namesake Robert E. Lee), so segregation was still prevalent in the school system. The lack of preparation from my secondary education made adjusting to the rigor and discipline required to navigate my undergraduate degree very difficult. Still, I graduated with my bachelor's degree in biology in 2016 from The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. I then went on to receive my master's from Relay Graduate School of Education, and I will earn my doctoral degree from Lipscomb University in December 2023.
2. What are the major influences in your educational and career path?
The trauma I experienced throughout my childhood and young adulthood, along with mentors, led me to pursue science, medicine, and education. School became my safe space where I could pursue my dreams. I realized the opportunities education would allow me, and I applied myself. Ultimately, I found a path that allows me to leverage my story and love for learning to empower others.
3. How did you become involved with Aspirnaut™?
My 11th-grade chemistry teacher, Mr. Carr, encouraged me to apply and choose Aspirnaut™ over Govener's School because he knew the exposure would be life-changing. Under the mentorship of Drs. Billy and Julie Huson, the experience became transformative. I still remember the day I was given a white lab coat with my name on it. An inner feeling of value began to emerge.
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Portrait sketch by Igor V. Babailov
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| 4. Is there a particular moment during your summers with Aspirnaut™ that stands out?
Hearing Dr. Billy Hudson share his story of child abuse and his continued struggles really spoke to me. He introduced the group to a psychologist and invited us to work on our mental health. Removing the stigma of mental health and childhood trauma really helped.
5. What is your primary motivation in life?
My primary motivation is to share my story to help others triumph in the face of adversity. I'm passionate about helping youth learn and love science. It has been the most rewarding experience.
6. What are your future goals and aspirations?
It's simple...I aim to lead and be a 'good man' to everyone I connect with.
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2023 Aspirnaut™ Participant DataOver the years, we have established a successful framework for diversity recruitment. Recruitment begins in September of the year preceding the summer research program. Each fall, our internship announcement is posted on multiple websites, and a letter and program brochure are sent to over 1,700 key STEM faculty and administrators. Below is a snapshot of data for incoming 2023 interns.
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Urbanized: Area of 50,000 or more people
Rural: Populations not included in an urbanized area or part of a metropolitan statistical area
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Low Family Level of Education: No parent/guardian has a 4-year college degree
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