Each summer, Barrow Neurological Institute opens its doors to the next generation of scientists, clinicians, and innovators, and this year is no exception. We are proud to welcome the 2026 class of summer undergraduate interns: 30 students representing 13 universities across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. Of the three international interns, two are funded by the Franke Global Neuroscience Education Center.
Through the Summer Undergraduate Internship Program, participants spend 10 weeks embedded in the heart of Barrow, working alongside mentors in translational neuroscience laboratories and contributing to research that is actively shaping the future of brain and spine care. From neurodegenerative diseases and neuro-oncology to neurovascular disorders, neurotrauma, neuroimaging, and beyond, interns are placed where the work is happening. And the Program isn’t just for aspiring scientists; Interns can join other areas of the Institute, including medical illustration and neuro-rehabilitation.
The experience culminates in a full-day research symposium, where interns present their summer findings through oral presentations or scientific posters. “We are really excited to welcome this year’s cohort to Barrow,” said Rita Sattler, PhD, MSc, David and Weezie Reese Chair for Neurodegeneration Research and program director. “Every year, these students bring a level of curiosity, energy, and fresh perspective that pushes all of us, and we are looking forward to seeing what they accomplish over the summer. It’s always impressive how quickly they become part of the community and contribute in meaningful ways to the work happening across the Institute.”
Alejandro Zayas Abril
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Bowser Laboratory
Brooke Allen
School: Cleveland Art Institute
Internship: Spine Virtual Reality Laboratory
Jude Bayasi
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Dortch Laboratory
Mandi Bluth
School: Northern Arizona University
Internship: Racette Laboratory
Austin Boie
School: Clarkson University
Internship: Kelly Laboratory
Rafi Chahine
School: Brown University
Internship: Lawton Clinic
Harshini Chaturvedula
School: Brown University
Internship: Lawton Clinic
Ronald Chen
School: Princeton University
Internship: Mufson Laboratory
Chih-hua (Alick) Chung
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Neuroscience Publications
Olivia Goodwin
School: Queen’s University
Internship: Geda Laboratory
Vanessa Roman Hernandez
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Mufson Laboratory
Elen Issahhanjan
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Tovmasyan Laboratory – Ivy Brain Tumor Center
Connor Jung
School: Johns Hopkins University
Internship: Sattler Laboratory
Olivia Lee
School: University of Georgia
Internship: Department of Neuroscience Nursing
Tanya Liu
School: Johns Hopkins University
Internship: Phuah Laboratory
Elliott Loftus
School: Iowa State University
Internship: Neuroscience Publications
Mackenzie Lopez
School: Brown University
Internship: Neuro-Rehabilitation Center
Sahana Madala
School: Johns Hopkins University
Internship: Jha Laboratory
Ria Moharil
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Bowser Laboratory
Stefan Muñoz
School: Northern Arizona University
Internship: Neuro-Rehabilitation Center
Uma Nathan
School: Johns Hopkins University
Internship: Sabbagh Laboratory
Andrew Ni
School: Brown University
Internship: Lawton Clinic
Adhya Parna
School: Rutgers University
Internship: Oh Laboratory
Nora Payán
School: Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua
Internship: Cantoni Laboratory
Wyatt Peterson
School: Northern Arizona University
Internship: Speech Lab
Thiago Ziggiatti Ucio Pompeo
School: State University of Campinas (UNICAMP)
Internship: Oh Laboratory
Arya Sebastian
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Tien Laboratory – Ivy Brain Tumor Center
Noah Verdugo
School: Northern Arizona University
Internship: Racette Laboratory
Michael Von Whipple
School: Arizona State University
Internship: Kelly Laboratory
Phillip Meader Yetter
School: Brown University
Internship: Lawton Clinic
By: Sydnee Wilson | May 21, 2026 | Original Post