Trainees

Cynthia Chan
Geisel School of Medicine Student, mentored by Margaret Karagas

Cynthia grew up in New York City and China, majored in Biology at Yale University, and conducted occupational health research in China before attending Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Her research during medical school has focused on pediatric nevus development under the mentorship of Dr. Karagas, oncologic dermatopathology, and non-invasive cutaneous imaging devices.

Nicolina (Nina) Mascia
Geisel School of Medicine student

I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and I am currently a 2nd year medical student at Geisel School of Medicine. I studied neuroscience at Dartmouth College before continuing on at Geisel. My research interests include infertility, neonatal exposures, and developmental outcomes. I hope to use all I learn with the Department of Epidemiology and NHBCS to pursue a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and possibly a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Larry Kuklinski
Geisel School of Medicine Student, mentored by Margaret Karagas

Larry is a 4th year student at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Originally from Southern California, he studied neuroscience at Harvard College before coming to Dartmouth. His clinical interests include dermatology and pathology, and he plans to pursue a residency in dermatology and possibly a fellowship in dermatopathology. He has enjoyed exploring the epidemiology of keratinocyte cancers with Dr. Karagas and his published work has included case-control studies of the risk of keratinocyte cancers in relation to sex hormone exposure and photoaging. He is also interested in the intersection of hematology and dermatology with research on keratinocyte cancers in the post bone marrow transplant setting as well as mastocytosis.

Sara Fragione, '23
I am a Dartmouth undergrad from Methuen, Massachusetts. I plan on majoring in neuroscience and am currently on a pre-med track. I am also considering minoring in anthropology. Besides academics, I am on the track and field team at Dartmouth. I hope that working with NHBCS will help me improve my organizational skills and learn about the many components of doing research, which is an important aspect of biomedicine.

Julia Robitaille '23
I am currently studying Biology as an undergraduate at Dartmouth and I am part of the Cross County and Track and Field teams. I also write for the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science and hope to attend medical school in the future. I am particularly interested in preventative medicine, which aligns with the research done at the NHBCS. I enjoy being able to contribute to a study that is making a difference in the health and well-being of many people in my community and beyond.

Lydia Davis '23
I am from the Bay Area of California and I am currently in my first year at Dartmouth. I plan on double majoring in biology and art history and, if possible, pursuing a minor in global health. I am interested in how infectious disease disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities and I am on the pre-med track. I believe that working with NHBCS will provide me with data organization skills that will be valuable for my future endeavors, as well as an insight into the field of epidemiology.

Sylvia Hipp, '22
I grew up in Pinehurst, North Carolina before coming to Dartmouth. I am pre-med and potentially majoring in Geography modified with Sociology. I hope to focus my studies on public health with an emphasis on understanding how under-servedpopulations and regions are disproportionately affected by disease. I am new to NHBCS and believe working with this group will allow me to gain valuable insight into data collection and epidemiology research, which I hope will influence my own research in the future as I work toward becoming a doctor.

Lily Mott, '21
Lily lives in Enfield, New Hampshire and is a junior studying environmental engineering at the University of Vermont. She has enjoyed her time working for the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study and is looking forward to applying the skills she has learned to life after college. One of the main things she has learned while working for NHBCS is that attention to detail is key to having good organization skills. Another thing she has learned is that you need to be organized in order to be an efficient worker.

Alexandra Eyvazzadeh '21
I am currently a junior at Dartmouth College, where I have translated my interests in global health and healthcare equity intoa curriculum including the Sociology major, Global Health minor, and pre-med track. In summer 2019, I began working for the NHBCS, and the experience has only proved more and more invaluable. Joining the project has taught me the fundamentalsof population-based research through my work in data collection, and exposure to research methods and outcomes. I planto use my work experience from the NHBCS in Kosovo this upcoming winter, where I will be working for the Global Health Policy Lab. My future aspirations include attending medical school and continuing to be an advocate for globalhealthcare equity wherever my work may lead me.

Brynn Rankin
I grew up in York, ME, and am currently a sophomore at Dartmouth College looking to major in Biology modified with Math. In January of 2019, I began working with the Department of Epidemiology in the NHBCS as a research assistant, and the experience has allowed me to learn more about what goes into research and all the moving parts that need to be coordinated for a successful study. I am so thrilled to be able to work for such an important project and wish to attend medical school after graduation.

Michael Green '21
I was born in Columbia, Maryland, and am majoring in Biology with a minor in Global Health. I started working for the Department of Epidemiology during January of 2018, within the NHBCS. With the NHBCS I have worked as a research assistant. During my time with the team I have developed my skills as an aspiring scientist by working on different data collection methods and evaluating the protocol implemented regarding the collection and entry of this data. At Dartmouth, I joined the heavyweight crew team as a novice during my freshman winter. Additionally, I have been an active member of the EE Just program and received funding from them in order to gain experience that will help my path towards becoming a research scientist. My time with the Department of Epidemiology has given me a desire to pursue some form of a Doctorate degree in a public health field.

Nate Gallagher
Nate Gallagher is an undergraduate student majoring in biology and anthropology at Dartmouth College. His research examines the association between inflammatory markers during pregnancy and birth as they relate to neurodevelopmental scores in infants. Beyond inflammatory markers, he is interested in other mechanisms by which maternal experiences of stress or discrimination can be embodied and transmitted to the next generation.

Stephanie Rivera Ithier '21
I grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am currently a freshman at Dartmouth College studying Biology and Spanish. Being part of the Department of Epidemiology has allowed me to gain a new perspective on research, a truly invaluable opportunity. Since I began working for the NHBCS, I have been able to learn about the distinct methods of data collection used in epidemiological studies. Moreover, I have witnessed all the preparation and, most importantly, the teamwork that is necessary for such amazing projects to be carried out. I hope to go on to medical school to obtain my M.D. degree after graduation.

Haillie Zens
I grew up in Thetford Center, Vermont. Currently, I am in my second year of undergrad at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario majoring in Chemistry. I am interested in pursuing a career in medicine. During the summer of 2019, I worked in the Department of Epidemiology as part of Anne Hoen's Lab, where I learned valuable programming and analytic skills while helping clean datasets from the NH Birth Cohort Study for use in analyses. When I'm not in the lab or the library I enjoy dance, theatre, going to the movies, and cooking.

Cindy Takigawa '21
During the time I have worked at the Department of Epidemiology, I have learned and gained many invaluable skills. I now understand how much coordinated effort goes into research, and have become more productive and methodical with how I use my time. Working at the NHBCS has broadened my view on research, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work here. After graduating, I plan to attend Medical School.