Carmen De Miguel, PhD, MS
Dr. Carmen De Miguel received her B.S in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), her Ph.D. in Renal Physiology from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and her M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from St. Cloud State University.
Dr. De Miguel is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Research in her laboratory is focused on understanding how immune cells and immune mediators impact renal function and end-organ damage during hypertension and diabetes. Dr. De Miguel is very active in the American Heart Association and American Physiological Society and has served in several society committees in these two societies. She is also passionate about science outreach and the value of social media to make science more accessible.
Current Members
Sara Biswal, MS
Major? Biology Major at Birmingham Southern College (Class of 2019) and Master of Multidisciplinary Science at UAB
Position in the lab? Research Assistant
Birthday? March 19
Hometown? Hoover, AL
Future career plans? Medical Doctor
Hobbies? Reading, concerts, and trying new restaurants in Birmingham
Favorite snack? Anything with peanut butter
Fun fact about yourself? I have a 3 year old dog named ThunderBolt
Abby J. Brooks, MS
Grad school theme? Pathobiology, Pharmacology, & Physiology (P3) and AMC 21 Scholar
Position in the lab? PhD student
Birthday? February 15
Hometown? Huntsville, AL
Future career plans? After obtaining my Ph.D., I hope to pursue a career in research and continue building upon studies focusing on sex differences
Hobbies? Any spare time I have is spent with my dog, Lila!
Favorite snack? I have an unhealthy obsession with iced coffee!
Fun fact about yourself? I played college volleyball
Bailey Maze, BS, BA
Major? BA in psychology and BS in biology from the University of Alabama
Position in the lab? Medical student researcher
Birthday? August 15th
Hometown? Huntsville, AL
Future career plans? Medical Doctor. I am interested in internal medicine, pediatrics, and neurology!
Hobbies? Cooking and getting active outdoors
Favorite snack? Anything sweet!
Fun fact about yourself? I’m left-handed
Gabriel Coleman
Major? Biomedical Sciences
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher – current RACE 21 scholar and previously 2021, 2022 and 2023 CORD Blazing to Biomedical Career Program summer undergraduate researcher. 2024 Caroline Marshall Research fellow.
Birthday? December 6
Hometown? Hoover, AL
Future career plans? I hope to pursue a career in the medical field.
Hobbies? Reading, pencil drawing, and playing piano
Favorite snack? Starbucks coffee or smoothies
Fun fact about yourself? I know this sounds insane, but I put peroxide in my ears at the first sign of a cold and as a result, I rarely get sick!
María A. Cabrera Echevarría
Major? Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus
Position in the lab? Remote undergraduate researcher (2023 KURE summer undergraduate student and prior 2021 Virtual Summer of Research Program of the American Physician Scientist Association (APSA) summer student)
Birthday? November 9
Hometown? San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico
Future career plans? To become a cardiologist
Hobbies? To read and write poems
Favorite snack? Bagels
Fun fact about yourself? I stress about everything!
Malaika Maqbool
Major? Biomedical Sciences
Position in the lab? Undergraduate Student Researcher
Birthday? June 3
Hometown? Hoover, AL
Future career plans? To go to Medical School to become a doctor
Hobbies? I love to paint and draw!
Favorite snack? Strawberries!!
Fun fact about yourself? Some of my art pieces are about Medicine and Science!
Trisha Sivam
Major? Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Personal Pathway Honors College
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher and 2024 UAB Summer Academy researcher
Birthday? January 19
Hometown? Hoover, AL
Future career plans? My future career plans involve obtaining a Ph.D. and eventually working in my own lab or for a company that specializes in improving somatic cell or germ line therapies for patients with genetic disorders
Hobbies? Dancing or cooking desserts
Favorite snack? Chocolate-covered almonds!
Fun fact about yourself? I got to shake hands with the Prime Minister of India once!!
María del Carmen Gallego López
Grad school theme? Physiology
Position in the lab? Visiting PhD student from Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
Birthday? August 19
Hometown? Seville, Spain
Future career plans? After obtaining my PhD, I hope to pursue a career in research and have my own lab
Hobbies? I enjoy listening to rock music, attending concerts, and trying new food
Favorite snack? Cheese is my passion
Fun fact about yourself? I’ve got a lovebird called Perico. I’ve raised it since it was a baby!
Abigayle Kraus, MD
Major? I completed my undergraduate degree in journalism and economics at Northwestern University. Graduated from UAB Medical School in 2023. Current OBGYN resident at UAB.
Position in the lab? I worked with Carmen during my gap year between college and medical school. I enjoyed working with and learning form her so much I decided to come back as a medical student researcher.
Birthday? May 15
Hometown? Birmingham, AL
Future career plans? I am unsure what exact speciality I want to pursue, but I am currently thinking surgery or obstetrics.
Hobbies? I love anything active, especially hiking, yoga and beach volleyball.
Favorite snack? I’m not much of a snack person, but I love sushi!
Fun fact about yourself? I played volleyball in college
Alumni
Raynel Y. Caraballo Ortiz
Major? Biomedical Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
Position in the lab? KURE 2024 Summer Undergraduate Researcher
Birthday? June 23
Hometown? Ponce, Puerto Rico
Future career plans? Become an MD
Hobbies? Playing basketball
Favorite snack? Sweet and spicy Doritos!
Fun fact about yourself? I became allergic to my favorite food, a type of seafood called “Carrucho” (conch shell in English)
Anmol Guard
Major? Computer science
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? October 22
Hometown? Montgomery, AL
Future career plans? Physician scientist
Hobbies? Reading
Favorite snack? Iced coffee
Fun fact about yourself? I love to ice skate!
Yihan Zhong
Major? Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology/Chemistry
Position in the lab? GAIN Gap year intern
Birthday? August 8
Hometown? Changchun, China
Future career plans? Medical School
Hobbies? I am a car enthusiast
Favorite snack? Dried seaweed
Fun fact about yourself? I can identify any car on the road today by only looking at how its lights look like lit up at night
Kayla Bui
Major? Biomedical Engineer
Position in the lab? Undergraduate Student Researcher
Birthday? October 3
Hometown? Biloxi, MS
Future career plans? I am currently interested in a career in biomechanics.
Hobbies? I love to learn new skills and travel!
Favorite snack? Grapes or Rice Crispies!
Fun fact about yourself? Traveling the world and eating different types of food is my happy place!
Jona Jenea Pidgette
Major? Immunology
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? November 23
Hometown? Memphis, TN
Future career plans? I hope to spend many years studying and researching in the field of epidemiology!
Hobbies? Reading
Favorite snack? Chai lattes
Fun fact about yourself? I am a first-generation student!
Savannah S. Cook
Major? Neuroscience and Psychology at University of Evansville, IN
Position in the lab? 2022 KURE Summer Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? April 26
Hometown? Vincennes, IN
Future career plans? I plan to attend medical school and become a physician
Hobbies? Going on walks or hikes
Favorite snack? Dots Homestyle Pretzels
Fun fact about yourself? I worked in a psychiatric unit as a mental health technician for a year
Sharrell Greene
Major? Biology Major
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? October 10
Hometown? Birmingham, AL
Future career plans? Veterinarian
Hobbies? Yoga, hiking, traveling, ziplining, listening to music and trying new foods
Favorite snack? Cucumbers
Fun fact about yourself? I enjoy working with therapeutic horses to help kids with physical, mental, development and behavioral disabilities. The horse allows them to gain confidence, enhance their communication both verbally and non verbally and decision making skills.
Lilla Stjernstrom
Major? Genetics and Genomic Sciences
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? December 8
Hometown? Dothan, AL
Future career plans? Medical school in 2 years to become a physician
Hobbies? Listening to and discovering new music along with traveling whenever there isn’t a pandemic!
Favorite snack? Popcorn
Fun fact about yourself? I have citizenship from 2 countries: USA and Sweden!
Will Johnston
Major? Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Personal Pathway Honors College
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? May 30
Hometown? Huntsville, AL
Future career plans? Radiologist/physician
Hobbies? Fishing
Favorite snack? Cookie dough!
Fun fact about yourself? I own a small business that makes fishing lures and I sell them across the country!
Madison J. D’Amico
Major? Undergraduate Immunology and Personal Pathway Honors College
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? November 16
Hometown? Birmingham, AL
Future career plans? Master’s Degree in Biomedical and Health Sciences and Medical School – I wish to become a Doctor
Hobbies? I love to draw! I currently make digital cards for kids admitted in Children’s Hospitals through a volunteer group and sometimes take commissions for character designs.
Favorite snack? I LOVE baked Lays chips.
Fun fact about yourself? I have a Super Giant Blue Eclipse Leopard Gecko named Blue (Like the raptor from Jurassic World).
Mingmar Sherpa
Major? Biomedical Sciences (Pre – Medicine)
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? April 14
Hometown? Solukhumbu, Nepal
Future career plans? Neurosurgeon
Hobbies? Listening to music
Favorite snack? MoMo, a typical Nepalese specialty!
Fun fact about yourself? I am very curious about different facts of Medicine!
Brian Soto Miranda
Major? Biology at Alabama A&M University
Position in the lab? 2021 KURE Summer Undergraduate researcher and 2023 UAB/UCSD O’Brien Summer Scholar
Birthday? December 19
Hometown? Lajas, Puerto Rico
Future career plans? Attending medical school and becoming an M.D.
Hobbies? Playing baseball
Favorite snack? Belvita golden oat crackers
Fun fact about yourself? Played college baseball for 2 years
Annalisse McKee
Major? Biochemistry and Italian Language and Literature
Position in the lab? 2021 KURE Summer Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? February 2
Hometown? Fort Walton Beach, FL
Future career plans? Physician (maybe Physician-Scientist!)
Hobbies? Painting and Drawing
Favorite snack? Anything with chocolate!!
Fun fact about yourself? I have a blog called Narrative Nephrology where I share inspiring stories about Kidney patients! Check it out at www.narrativenephrology.com
Ayomikunninujesu Mary Odusami
Major? Biology with a minor in sociology at University of South California
Position in the lab? 2021 Virtual Summer of Research Program of the American Physician Scientist Association (APSA) summer student
Birthday? December 24
Hometown? Lagos, Nigeria
Future career plans? To become a dermatologist and pioneer research on topical ingredients, epigenetics and skin of color
Hobbies? To cook, exercise, write poetry, and use skincare
Favorite snack? Welch’s fruit snacks
Fun fact about yourself? I have traveled to all but two continents
Heather Thorn
Major? Biomedical Engineering
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? January 10
Hometown? Fairfax, VA/Hoover, AL
Future career plans? I plan to work as an engineer and earn my Professional Engineer (PE) credentials, I hope to design and patent a device. I’d like to earn an MD/PhD to run clinical trials and work in policy.
Hobbies? Power lifting, spending time with my family, and reading.
Favorite snack? Tru Fru dark chocolate covered frozen raspberries and popcorn.
Fun fact about yourself? I play three instruments: the clarinet, the tenor saxophone, and the oboe.
Quincy Lacy Jr.
Major? Public Health and Spanish
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? December 3
Hometown? Mobile, AL
Future career plans? Medical school
Hobbies? Sewing; I am really into fashion design!
Favorite snack? Oreo cookies and milk
Fun fact about yourself? I was that kid that wore a doctor’s lab coat & tried to diagnose family members!
Hannah Northcutt
Major? Biology Major with a double minor in chemistry and psychology
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher
Birthday? December 22
Hometown? Jemison, AL
Future career plans? Pursue my dream to become a small and large animal veterinarian.
Hobbies? I love to paint and bake.
Favorite snack? Goldfish and a blue Powerade
Fun fact about yourself? If you know me, you know that my most favorite thing in the world is my dog, Moose. I adopted him from the Greatest Birmingham Humane Society, but I don’t believe I rescued him – he rescued me!
Aleena George
Major? Medical Sociology
Position in the lab? Undergraduate researcher (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)
Birthday? January 4
Hometown? Memphis, TN
Future career plans? Medical school
Hobbies? Dancing
Favorite snack? Oreos
Fun fact about yourself? I love traveling and learning about different cultures
Maryam Khawar
Major? MSc. Biomedical Science (concentration: Pharmacology and Toxicology)
Position in the lab? Volunteer Researcher (2019)
Birthday? July 27
Hometown? Dubai, UAE
Future career plans? For the near future goals, I want to work and gain as much experience in Research, that can buckle me up for my long term goals, that are:
1) Work as a Biomedical/Clinical engineer in a well reputed company/industry especially merging my Pharmacology knowledge with Rehabilitation engineering.
2) Pursue my PhD in Biomedical Engineering. This way I will be able to incorporate my undergraduate and graduate knowledge into practice and good use
Hobbies? Binge-watch shows/movies on Netflix (life during the pandemic 2020). Enjoying and experiencing the outdoors – all things adventure!
Favorite snack? Anything chocolate (but please, I don’t like fruit flavors in my chocolates, hehe!)
Fun fact about yourself? Even though I was born and raised in Dubai (UAE), my home city (as of now) is also Lahore (Pakistan), and across the globe, I am a resident of the USA. Sounds confusing, but I don’t mind calling several places – my home.
Rawan Almutlaq
Major? Biochemistry major in undergrad and master’s in biotechnology
Position in the lab? Research Assistant (2019)
Birthday? November 11
Hometown? Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Future career plans? Pursuing a PhD and having my own lab
Hobbies? Cooking and baking
Favorite snack? Ferrero Rocher
Fun fact about yourself? One of my favorite things to do in my free time is to clean and organize
Vianna Martinez
Major? Biological Sciences
Position in the lab? 2019 KURE Summer undergraduate researcher
Birthday? May 9
Hometown? Turlock, CA
Future career plans? At the moment I am interested in pursuing biomedical research in graduate school and am keeping my career options open!
Hobbies? Listening to Podcasts
Favorite snack? Lays with Tapatio and Lime or Chocolate
Fun fact about yourself? When I was 15 I did a karate move and needed knee surgery because I landed wrong!
Hayden Stephens
Major? Psychology/Pre-Law
Position in the lab? Web coordinator
Birthday? January 12
Hometown? Troy, AL
Future career plans? I hope to graduate with a degree in Psychology, go on to law school and eventually become a criminal defense attorney.
Hobbies? I love amateur graphic design, calligraphy, and traveling!
Favorite snack? Does iced coffee count?
Fun fact about yourself? My dog is named after both Chewbacca and Tom Petty…
