Nine undergraduate scholars from disciplines across Simmons have been selected to join the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs). From May to June, students will receive funding and mentorship to support their independent research. The six-week program includes workshops and research presentations, culminating in a student showcase in June.
SURPASs is sponsored by Research and Fellowships, in collaboration with and coordinated by Associate Professor Arpita Saha from the Department of Chemistry and Physics. It is also made possible by generous gifts from alumnae/i and friends, including Trustee Regina Pisa and Trustee Pamela Toulopoulos ’73, and support from the Division of Student Engagement, Success, and Diversity.
The 2026 SURPASs Scholars
Fatima Adam ’28 (Public Health), Project: In Vivo Screening of Chemotherapeutic Agents’ Response in a RAF-Induced model of Fruit Flies. Mentor: Assistant Professor Seth Johnson (Biology).
Fuma Iwakura ’27 (Biology), Project: Assessing The Effects of Spastin Knockout on Neuronal Survival and Behaviors of a Parkinson’s Disease C.elegans Model with Pan-Neuronal Expression of α-Synuclein. Mentor: Associate Professor & Neuroscience Program Co-Coordinator Eric Luth (Biology).
Jaiden Laskaris ’27 (Communications), Project: Exploring Historic Lesbian Newsletters as Advanced Networks and Counterpublic Communication Models: An Epicenter for Democratizing Information and Fostering Lesbian Connectivity. Mentor: Associate Professor and Department Chair Briana Martino (Communications).
Buzeinep Mamytova ’27 (Data Science, Computer Science), Project: Developing and Evaluating a Local LLM as a Qualitative Coding Assistant. Mentor: Assistant Professor Madiha Tabassum (Computer, Data, & Mathematical Sciences).
Heidi Osgood ’28 (Nursing), Project: Drivers of Nursing Experiences in Assisted Living: The Impact of Organizational Context, Interpersonal Dynamics, and Workplace Strain. Mentor: Assistant Professor Katherine Ladetto (Nursing).
Abigail Pearson ’28 (Social Work), Project: Assisted-Living Facilities and Intimate Partner Violence: An Exploratory Study. Mentor: Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kristie Thomas (Social Work).
Thamar Pierre ’29 (3+1 Sociology & Public Policy), Project: A Tool of Mobility and a Mechanism of Exclusion: The Redlined Veins of Boston’s Subway System. Mentor: Associate Professor Tatiana M.F. Cruz (Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies).
Kaleigh Stout ’27 (Neuroscience), Project: Impact of Prenatal Opioid Exposure on Endocannabinoids in the Amygdala. Mentor: Assistant Professor Kelsea Gildawie (Psychology).
Zalaikha Wahid ’27 (Neurobiology), Project: Estradiol (E2) Protection Against TNF-α–Induced Inflammatory Atrophy in C2C12 Myotubes. Mentor: Assistant Professor Ling Xin (Biology).