Danya A.

  • Major: Neuroscience and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
  • Minor: Philosophy
  • Certificate(s): STEM Education, Public Health, Honors Scholars
  • SPRING 2025
Danya A.

Danya is a Zorbent BBC Scholar. Her two summa cum laude theses were in Neuroscience "The Effect of Sleep Disruption on Subclinical Alzheimer’s Disease," and General Honors "Sheltered but Still at Risk: Addressing Tuberculosis Prevention, Mitigation, and Treatment in a Homeless Shelter." 

Best opportunity at CU: Attending an R1 institute has allowed me to take part in research that directly pertained to my interests. I have spent time researching Alzheimer’s disease under the mentorship of Kora Kastengren in the labs of Dr. Link and Dr. Hoeffer, as well as undertake my personal project exploring tuberculosis in the unhoused-sheltered population under the supervision of Dr. Reid and Dr. Krauter.

How the BBC scholarship has helped: The scholarship has given me the ability to take time off of work so I can focus on research, which ultimately lead to me being able to pursue two honors theses. Now, I am graduating summa cum laude in Neuroscience and summa cum laude in General Honors (bridging MCDB and Public Health).

Future plans: I plan to take two gap years, during which I will focus on research and then apply to M.D./Ph.D. programs.