Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
Our Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) accepts applications from mid-November through mid-February each year. Program activities start in June/July. Hopkins PREP is funded through several sources, including the NIH, the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative at Johns Hopkins, and individual research mentors.
PREP Provides:
- Research experience: Scholars conduct hypothesis-driven research in their Mentor’s lab, with day-to-day guidance by an experienced PhD student or postdoc. Scholars participate fully in weekly lab meetings, attend weekly research seminars in their department, attend a vibrant PhD program retreat and a national conference of their choice.
- Community: Scholars come together each month for two-hour ‘chalk-talk’ events to present and discuss their research with Peer-Mentors (PhD students, postdocs) and faculty.
- Project (‘mini-thesis’) meetings: Scholars gain confidence by organizing, preparing for, and convening three one-hour ‘mini-thesis’ meetings with two subject-expert faculty, plus their research mentor and the PREP Director. Scholars benefit both scientifically and professionally by building strong working relationships with multiple faculty members at Johns Hopkins who are experts in their field of interest.
- Professional training and custom mentoring: Scholars participate in workshops designed to improve their scientific writing skills, and understand ethics in science, and can choose from many other workshops including communication and improvisation. Each Scholar charts an individual development plan with the PREP Director, with custom mentoring both formal (monthly one-hour meetings) and informally as needed.
- Preparation for MCAT exam, graduate school applications and interviews.
- Annual salary of $40,000 plus health, retirement, tuition and other benefits
Who Should Apply:
- US Citizens or Permanent Residents with a keen interest in entering a PhD or MD/PhD program from populations under-represented in the Biomedical Sciences.
- College seniors or recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science— including but not limited to biochemistry, bioinformatics, biology, biomedical engineering, biophysics, chemistry, cell biology, computational sciences, genetics, mathematics, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, tissue engineering, virology and related fields.
We consider a variety of factors that demonstrate scientific potential and motivation for PhD careers. Applicants should have strong grades in science and math (GPA 3.3 or better)— or a strong upward trajectory in science/math grades. Exceptions may be made for students with research experience.
The Complete Application
To apply to PREP, you will need:
- Two letters of recommendation (preferably science faculty from undergrad or summer research experiences)
- Transcripts for each undergraduate institution attended (transcripts can be unofficial)
- Current CV or resume
- Personal Statement
Your statement can be up to 2 pages, single-spaced, and please use 11-point font. Please tell us about- yourself (e.g., you; your family/growing up; pathway-guiding and/or formative experiences);
- your previous research experience(s), how they turned out, and what you learned from each;
- your motivation for pursuing an advanced degree(s) and what your ‘dream career’ might look like in about 15 years;
- what you personally hope to gain to be more competitive for entry and success in graduate school.
Please contact PREP-DDP@jhmi.edu with any additional questions.
Meet Our Staff
Dr. Katherine Wilson, (she/her) - PREP Director
Professor of Cell Biology (School of Medicine)
Professor of Biomedical Engineering (Whiting School of Engineering)
725 N. Wolfe Street - WBSB G10
Baltimore MD 21205
klwilson@jhmi.edu
Dr. Jennifer Kavran, (she/her) - PREP Co-Director
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Bloomberg School of Public Health
621 N. Washington Street - W3116
Jkavran@jhu.edu
Dr. Janielle P. Maynard, (she/her) - PREP Co-Director
Assistant Professor of Pathology & Oncology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
411 N. Caroline Street - B302
Maynard@jhmi.edu
Kristina Nance, (she/her) - PREP Manager
Assistant Director, Graduate Student Experience and Diversity
Office of Graduate Biomedical Education
1830 E. Monument St, Office 619
Baltimore MD 21205
knance2@jhmi.edu
Office of Graduate Biomedical Education
1830 E. Monument St, Office 619
Baltimore MD 21205
knance2@jhmi.edu
Andre Grajeda, (he/him) - PREP Experience Coordinator
Graduate Student Life Coordinator
1830 E. Monument Street-Suite 620
Baltimore MD 21205
agrajed1@jhmi.edu
2024 Scholars
Janelle Bellot
- BS (Molecular & Cellular Biology) 2024
- Johns Hopkins University
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Danfeng Cai
Enyce Fairbanks
- BS (Biology) 2024
- Arizona State University
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Jessica Queen
Colin Gardiner
- BS (Public Health Sciences) 2024
- University of Maryland, College Park
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Dominique Frueh
Harpreet Kaur
- BS (Biological Sciences) 2022
- San Jose State University
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Utthara Nayar
Andrew Love
- BS (Biology) 2024
- University of San Francisco
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Michael Kornberg
Yusef Mathkour
- BS (Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics) 2024
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Jennifer Elisseeff
Mayra Mendiola
- BS (Human Biology) 2024
- University of California, San Diego
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Brian Ladle
Jazlynn Meza
- BS (Cognitive Science) 2024
- University of California, San Diego
- Hopkins PREP 2024 mentor: Wanli Smith
2023 Scholars
Brianna Bullock
- BS (Psychology) 2023
- Delaware State University
- Hopkins PREP 2023, Mentor: Kellie Tamashiro
- 2024: Continuing in PREP
Janiya Cherry
- BS (Psychology) 2023
- Prairie View A&M University
- Hopkins PREP 2023 Mentor: Andrea Young
- 2024: PhD student, University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Chloe Gilkesson
- BS (Neuroscience) 2023
- Agnes Scott College
- Hopkins PREP 2023, Mentor: Christopher Ross
- 2024: Continuing in PREP
Magdiel Jaroszewski
- BS (Biology) 2023
- St. Mary’s University
- Hopkins PREP 2023 Mentor: Cindy Moss
- 2024: PhD student, Johns Hopkins University
Danielle Grace Jones
- BS (Biochemistry) 2023
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Hopkins PREP 2023 Mentor: Challice Bonifant
- 2024: PhD Student, New York University
Sophia Keil
- BM (Flute Performance) 2023
- Oberlin College
- Hopkins PREP 2023, Mentor: Marina Bedny
- 2024: Continuing in PREP
Bria Massey
- BS (Computer Science) 2020
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Hopkins PREP 2023 Mentor: Hadi Kharrazi
- 2024: PhD Student, Carnegie Mellon University
Delaney Medcalf
- BS (Biology) 2023
- University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
- Hopkins PREP 2023, Mentor: Jennifer Pluznick
- 2024: Continuing in PREP
Aaron Patterson
- BS (Biology and Psychology) 2023
- Howard University
- Hopkins PREP 2023, Mentor: Susan Courtney
Elisa Rouse
- BA (Chemistry) 2023
- University of Missouri at Kansas City
- Hopkins PREP 2023, Mentor: Petros Karakousis
- 2024: Continuing in PREP
Ohel Soto
- BA (Molecular and Cellular Biology) 2023
- University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras
- Hopkins PREP 2023 Mentor: Jennifer Kavran
Samuel Vazquez
- BS (Biological Sciences) 2023
- North Dakota State University
- Hopkins PREP 2023, Mentor: Bindu Paul
- 2024: PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh
2022 Scholars
Reina Ambrocio
- BS (Biology) 2022
- Emory University
- Hopkins PREP 2022 Mentor: Anastasia Kralli
- 2023: continuing PREP research
Evan Carlyle
- BS (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) 2022
- University of Maryland at Baltimore County
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Takashi Tsukamoto
- 2024: MD/PhD student at University of Maryland Baltimore
Jordan Johnson
- BS (Psychology) 2022
- SUNY Buffalo
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Arnold Bakker
- 2023: PhD Student, Cornell University
- 2023 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Lauryn Martin
- BS (Biology) 2022
- Alcorn State University
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Laura Wood
- 2024: PhD student at Johns Hopkins
Alicia Mercado
- BS (Biochemistry) 2022
- Mount St. Mary’s University
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Dionna Williams
- 2024: MD/PhD student at Stanford
Joan Sobo
- BS (Biology) 2021
- Bowie State University
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Karen Reddy
- 2024: MD/PhD student at Georgetown
Taylor Southward
- BS (Biology) 2022
- Howard University
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Jessica Queen
- 2024: continuing PREP research
Tiera Thomas
- BS (Biochemistry) 2022
- Salem College
- Hopkins PREP 2022 Mentor: Katherine Wilson and Karen Reddy
- 2023: Student Advocate, Shepard Pratt School, Baltimore
Makenzie Wilkinson
- BA (Neuroscience) 2020
- Johns Hopkins University
- Hopkins PREP 2022 Mentor: Gül Dolen
- 2023: PhD Student, University of California at Berkeley
Lauren Williams
- BA (Cognitive Science) 2022
- Johns Hopkins University
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Kishore Kuchibhotla
- 2023: PhD Student, Johns Hopkins University
Saron Yoseph
- BS (Chemical Engineering) 2022
- Howard University
- Hopkins PREP 2022, Mentor: Netz Arroyo
- 2024: MD/PhD student at Einstein
2021 Alumni
Bella Cabrera Brito
- BS (BioMolecular Engineering) 2021
Milwaukee School of Engineering - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Joshua Modell
- 2022: Staff Scientist, Thermo Fisher Inc (Rockville IL)
Ariana Campbell
- BA (Biology) 2019
University of North Texas - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Sabra Klein.
- 2022: PhD student, U Pennsylvania (Cell & Mol. Biology)
Eddie Campos
- BS (Chemistry) 2020
Linderwood University - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Daniele Gilkes
- 2023: MD/PhD Student, Washington University at St. Louis
Jarisa Escalante
Adler Guerrero Zuniga
- BS (Biology) 2021
New York University - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Eneda Toska
- 2022: PhD student, Johns Hopkins (BCMB)
Kris Malebranche
- BS (Biochemistry) 2020
Mississippi State University - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Jeff Rubens
- 2023: DPT Student, George Washington University
Samer Mathkour
- BS (Microbiology, Immunology, & Mol. Genetics) 2021
University of California: Los Angeles - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Elsa Anagnostou
- 2022: PhD student, U Texas Southwestern (Immunology)
Patricia Mensah
Justin Nwafor
- BA (Chemistry) 2021
Connecticut College - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Sandra Gabelli & Mario Bianchet
- 2023: MD/PhD Student, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Isiaha Price
- BA (Biology & Psychology) 2021
Amherst College - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Justus Kebschull
- 2022: PhD student, Harvard (Systems, Synthetic & Quant. Biol.)
Tatiana Prioleau
- BS (Biology) 2021
College of William and Mary - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Eneda Toska
- 2022: PhD student, Duke (Molecular Cancer Biology)
Jeremy Young
- BS (Biochemistry) 2021
Hampton University - Hopkins PREP 2021, mentor: Nathan Archer
- 2023: PhD Student, Johns Hopkins University
2020 Alumni
Kaleem Coleman
- BS (Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, & Molecular Biology) 2018, Towson University
- Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Barbara Slusher
- 2022: Masters student, George Washington University
- MS 2024, George Washington University
- Current: Immunotherapy research tech at Children’s National Hospital
Milan Dower
- BE (Biomedical Engineering) 2020,
University of Miami - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Jeff Gray
- 2021: PhD student, Johns Hopkins (Biomedical Engineering)
Tawnjerae Joe
- BS (Biochemistry) 2020,
Fort Lewis College - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor Barbara Slusher
- 2022: PhD student, Northern Arizona U (Interdisciplinary Health); mentor: Naomi R. Lee
Ashley Melendez
- BS (Biology) 2019,
University of Puerto Rico: Mayaguez - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Karen Reddy
- 2022: PhD student, U Pennsylvania (Cell & Molecular Biology)
Asha Murrell
- BS (Health Science) 2020,
Spelman College - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Dionna Williams
- 2021: Science Teacher
Victor Quiroz
- BE (Biomedical Engineering) 2020,
Illinois Institute of Technology - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Joshua Doloff.
- 2021: PhD student, Johns Hopkins (Biomedical Engineering); mentor: Joshua Doloff
Alex Rendon-Jonguitud
- BS (Biology) 2020,
University of South Carolina: Beaufort - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor Katherine Wilson
- 2022: Medical student, Medical University of South Carolina
Nuri Smith
- BS (Biology and Experimental Psychology) 2020,
University of South Carolina: Upstate - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Keri Martinowich
- 2022: PhD student, Emory (Genetics & Mol. Biology)
- 2024 NSF graduate research fellowship
Hannah Tsingine
- BS (Biology) 2020,
Fort Lewis College - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Richard Roden
- 2022: PhD student, Johns Hopkins (Immunology)
Awarded Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative Graduate Fellowship
Marcus Williams
- BS (Biochemistry) 2020,
Fort Lewis College - Hopkins PREP 2020, mentor: Deok-Ho Kim
- 2022: MD/PhD student, UC San Francisco
2019 Alumni
Aitana Azurmendi
- BE (Earth & Atmospheric Sciences) 2019,
Cornell University (New York) - Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Sandra Gabelli
- 2022: PhD student, Johns Hopkins (Cellular & Molec. Medicine)
Dezmond Cole
- BS (Biology) 2019,
University of Montevallo (Alabama) - Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Brendan Cormack
- 2021: PhD student, Johns Hopkins (BCMB). Mentor: Erin Goley
Sergio L. Crespo
- BS (Chemistry) 2019, New Jersey City University
- Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Jungsan Sohn
- Current: Molecular Biosciences PhD student
Rutgers University; mentor: Annika Barber
Hannah Navarrete
- BS (Biochemistry) 2019, University of California Riverside
- Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Erika Matunis
- Current: Biomedical Sciences PhD student
University of Michigan; mentor: James Bardwell
Kyndall Nicholas
- BS (Biochemistry) 2019, Hampton University (Virginia)
- Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Keri Martinowich
- Current: Neuroscience PhD student
University of Pennsylvania; mentor: Kacy Cullen - 2023 Gilliam Fellow (HHMI)
Jareb J. Pérez
- BS (Medical Microbiology) 2019, University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo
- Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Dionna Williams
- Current: PhD student (Molecular Pathology & Immunology), Vanderbilt School of Medicine; mentor: Ruben Martinez-Barricarte
Alexa Perez-Torres
- BS (Biology) 2019, University of Puerto Rico, Cayey
- Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Loyal Goff
- Current: MCO PhD student
Harvard University
Yishak Woldestsadik
- BS (Cell & Molecular Biology) 2019, Towson University (Maryland)
- Hopkins PREP 2019, mentor: Sabra Klein
- Current: Biomedical Sciences PhD student
Tufts University; mentor: Andrew Camilli
2018 Alumni
Melissa E. Fajardo
- BS (Biological Science) 2016,
Florida International University - Hopkins PREP 2018, mentor: Nicholas Maragakis
- Current: Neuroscience PhD student,
Northwestern University (Chicago); mentor: CJ Heckman
Kelly A. Fogelson
- BS (Neuroscience) 2017,
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - Hopkins PREP 2018, mentor: Kishore Kuchibhotla
- PhD 2022 (Biomed. Sciences) UC San Diego, with Amir Zarrinpar
- Current: Consultant (Associate), McKinsey & Company (Minneapolis)
Gabriella Muwanga
- BS (Biomedical Sci) 2018, Makerere University (Uganda)
- Johns Hopkins PREP 2018, mentor: Michael Caterina
- Current: Neuroscience PhD student, Stanford University; mentors: Vivianne Tawfik & Raag Airan
Diego R. Ramos Ortiz
- BS (Chemistry) 2018, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
- Johns Hopkins PREP 2018, mentor: James M. Berger
- 2021 NSF graduate research fellowship
- Current: Biophysics PhD student
UC Berkeley; mentor: Andreas Martin
2017 Alumni
Caitlin Corona-Long
- BS (Psychology) 2016,
University of Oregon - Hopkins PREP 2017, mentors: Michaela Gallagher and Arnold Bakker
- PhD (Psychology) 2024, Johns Hopkins
- Postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Aging (NIH)
Cera Hassinan
- BS (Neuroscience) 2017,
Johns Hopkins University, Native Circle - Hopkins PREP 2017, mentor: Charlotte Sumner
- PhD 2024, University of Washington (Seattle)
- Current: Postdoctoral fellow
Ambar Jimenez
- BS (Biology) 2016,
SUNY, Plattsburgh - Hopkins PREP 2017, mentor: Rangaramanujam Kannan
Cyrianne S. Keutcha
Alejandra Patino
- BS (Neural Science) 2017,
New York University - Hopkins PREP 2017, mentors: Gül Dölen and Loyal Goff
- Current: MD/PhD student, Duke School of Medicine; mentor: Joshua Snyder
2016 Alumni
Lauren Askew
- BS (Biology) 2016,
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Hopkins PREP 2016, mentor: Janice Clements
- Current: MD/PhD student
Emory University (North Carolina)
Chelsy R. Eddings
- BA (Molecular & Cellular Biology; Neurobiology) 2016,
University of California, Berkeley - Hopkins PREP 2016, mentor: Christopher Ross
- Current: BCMB PhD student
Johns Hopkins, mentor: Shigeki Watanabe
Elizabeth Henderson
Adriana Landeros
- BS (Molecular Cell Developmental Biology) 2016,
UC, Santa Cruz - Hopkins PREP 2016, mentor: Tamara O’Connor
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship - PhD (Microbiology) 2024, Northwestern
- Current: TRIO Math-Science Advisor, Carl Sandburg College
Arena Manning
- BA (Neuroscience) 2016, Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY)
- Hopkins PREP 2016, mentor: Barbara Slusher
- PhD 2023, University of Washington
- Current: Scientist I, Allen Institute, Brain Science-Neuroanatomy
2015 Alumni
Jesús Acevedo-Cintrón
- BS (Cell & Molecular Biology) 2015,
University of Puerto Rico - Hopkins PREP 2015, mentor: Ted Dawson
- Current: MD/PhD student
Washington University (St Louis, MO)
Christopher Anderson
- BS (Biology) 2015,
University of St. Thomas (Texas) - Hopkins PREP 2015, mentor: Jennifer Ellisseff
- PhD 2022 (Biol. & Biomed. Sciences), Yale University, with Yibing Qyang
- Current: Postdoctoral Fellow at UC San Diego with Andrew McCulloch's Cardiac Mechanics Research Group
James D. Barnett
Alyssa Florwick
- BS (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) 2015,
UMBC, mentor: Michael Summers - Hopkins PREP 2015, mentor: Katherine Wilson
- MS 2021 (Biochemistry), Duke University, with Michael Boyce
- Current: Technical Information Specialist, USDA (Raleigh NC)
Jean Garcia-Diaz
- BS (Microbiology) 2015,
Turabo University (Puerto Rico) - Hopkins PREP 2015, mentor: Erika Matunis
- PhD (Cellular & Molecular Medicine) 2023, Johns Hopkins
Elsie Gonzalez-Hurtado
- BS (Biochemistry) 2015, University of California, Riverside
- Hopkins PREP 2015, mentor: Michael Wolfgang
- PhD 2024, Yale University
- Current: MD in progress
Kevin Justus
- BA (Psychology) 2014, University of Central Florida
- Hopkins PREP 2015, mentors: Susan Courtney and Veit Stuphorn
- MS (Neuroscience) 2020, Wake Forest University
Ismael Munoz
- BS (Bioengineering) 2015, University of California, San Diego
- Hopkins PREP 2015, mentor: Daniela Drummond-Barbosa
- PhD 2022 (Bioengineering), UC San Diego
- Current: Systems Engineer, National Resilience, Inc (San Diego)
