PABGAP admitted its first cohort in 2018 but we also include four students from Fort Valley State University who came to Davis for summer research in 2017.
In addition to the annual summaries below, we list scholars who've entered PhD programs, both at the University of California and elsewhere.
- alumni at UC campuses -- be sure to check out all the PABGAP alumni!
- alumni at other universities
Regardless of their career choices, we're proud of all our alumni.
2023 cohort
Our 2023 cohort did amazing work and we were happy to host them. And they were featured in an article on the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences website!
- Celaya Murray (Christine Diepenbrock lab) returned to Fort Valley State University to finish out her senior year.
- Srinivas Rao Voruganti (Ameer Taha lab) will complete his MS degree at Fort Valley State University and plans to apply to PhD programs for Fall 2024 matriculation.
- Marisha Towner (Cristina Lazcano lab) returned to Fort Valley State University for her junior year.
- Eryse White (Elisabeth Forrestel lab) is back at FAMU and considering programs in viticulture and enology for her next steps.
2022 cohort
At last! An in-person program -- our first in two years! We enjoyed hosting these scholars and wish them well in their future work.
- Asia Carthan (Christine Diepenbrock lab) will complete her bachelor's degree at Fort Valley State University this year. She is considering her future options.
- Nnamdi Eneh (Nitin Nitin lab) returned to Fort Valley State to complete his MS and plans to pursue a PhD.
- Maya Ellison (Li Tian lab) returned to Fort Valley State University, where she will wrap up her MS research in Plant Biotechnology. She plans to defend her thesis this fall.
- Alexis Irving (John Harada lab) is completing her MS research in Animal Science and considering her options for further study.
- Florida A&M alumnus Dylan Lenczewski-Jowers (David Block lab) intends to pursue an advanced degree in viticulture and enology.
- Mary-Alaysha Woodford (Abhaya Dandekar lab) will graduate from Fort Valley State University in May and is considering her options.
2021 cohort
We had every hope of running a full-scale on-site program in 2021. Alas, no. Once again, our scholars demonstrated persistence, dedication, and an amazing tolerance for online research.
- Amber Davenport (Philipp Zerbe lab) returned to FVSU to resume her master's research.
- Darrell Sparks (Tiffany Lowe-Power) returned to THE Fort Valley State University to complete his master's degree.
- Darrielle Williams (Tiffany Lowe-Power) graduated from Tuskegee University and is taking a gap year. In Fall 2022, she started the PhD program in Integrative Pathobiology at UC Davis.
- Abigahill Simon (Elisabeth Forrestel lab) graduated from Florida A&M University and is working as a lab assistant while preparing for graduate program applications.
2020 cohort
In 2020, our pandemic-summer students conducted virtual research with mentors from UC Davis. We are so very proud of their tenacity and courage in pursuing this very non-traditional program.
- Alana Chaney (Philipp Zerbe lab) returned to FVSU to complete her MS degree and is preparing applications for PhD programs. News flash: Alana is back at UC Davis to begin a PhD in Nutritional Biology!
- Capri Charleston (Elizabeth Mitcham lab) began a MS program at Tuskegee University
- Anna Cobb (Daniel Kliebenstein lab) is applying for research positions and exploring future options.
- Fanaye Moore (Stacey Harmer lab) began a MS program at Tuskegee University. When not doing research last summer, Fanaye continued work at a Virginia ice cream shop and received recognition for her dedication and cheerful spirit. Check out the video here!
2019 cohort
- Bryshal Moore (Siobhan Brady lab) returned to FVSU to complete her MS degree. She now is a first year grad student in Biochemistry, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at UC Davis. Bryshal also was selected as a trainee in the UC Davis IMSD program. May 2021 update: Bryshal’s PABGAP research was just published in the journal Cell and featured in UC Davis news articles!
- Jaylen Parks (John Harada lab) is completing his senior year at Tuskegee and entered a MS program in Animal Science at the University of Florida.
- Sheriff-Seedy Phaal (Li Tian lab) returned to FVSU to complete his MS degree and is now is a first year grad student in Horticulture and Agronomy at UC Davis.
- Kevanice Traylor (Diane Beckles lab) is completing her senior year at FVSU and is considering options for further study.
2018 cohort
- Zakiyah Brannen-Buxton ( Amélie Gaudin lab) will graduate from FVSU in May 2019 and plans a gap year
- Caylen Goldsberry (Diane Beckles lab) graduated from Tuskegee in May 2019 and is a DVM student at Tuskegee University.
- Mel Groves (Neelima Sinha lab) will graduate from Tuskegee in May 2019 and is considering his next steps
- Trahmad Wiggins (Claire Casteel lab) graduated from FVSU in May 2018 and entered the MS program at FVSU in Fall 2018. Tragically, he died in a vehicle accident in July 2020.
2017 cohort
- Courtney Lester (Diane Beckles lab) graduated from FVSU in May 2018 and is teaching English as a Second Language in China.
- Ashleigh Porter (Laura Van Winkle lab) returned to FVSU for her junior year and plans to pursue health science professional programs
- James Taylor (Abhaya Dandekar lab) will graduate from FVSU in December 2018
- Jontravious Wallace (Kent Pinkerton lab) graduated from FVSU in May 2018 and plans to apply to professional programs in the health sciences