Penn State Bridge Scholars
Tatyana “Taty” Hollingbird
Tatyana is a recent graduate of Alcorn State University Chemistry department. In the fall, she will be retuning back to Alcorn entering her first year of graduate studies in their Biotechnology Master’s Program. She is a native of Jackson, MS. Tatyana will be the first student to help bring back the Alcorn State and Penn State Bridge to the Doctorate program. Tatyana’s summer research will involve using C. elegans to investigate the connection between reproductive aging and NAD+ metabolism. Previous work from Dr. McReynolds revealed glycolysis is impaired in NAD+ biosynthetic mutants. Therefore, Tatyana’s research will provide C. elegans with glucose isotope tracer to measure flux in the NAD+ biosynthetic mutant strains.
Education:
- Associate of Science Degree in Biology with a concentration in Pre-Professional from Hinds Community College, Utica Campus
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from Alcorn State University—Magna Cum Laude
Personal and Fun Facts from Taty:
During free time, Tatyana enjoys dancing and listening to music. Tatyana also likes listening to poetry and working on enhancing her artistic skills.
Shanilah “Nini” Frierson
Shanilah Frierson is a native of Milwaukee, WI. She recently just graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Chemistry from Alcorn State University. Furthermore, Shanilah is also a Fall 2019 initiate of the Delta Beta Chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma Chemistry Fraternity and a Fall 2020 initiate of the Gamma Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She plans to continue her educational studies and receive her Master’s in Biology Medical Science at Mississippi College. She is also a post-graduate scholar for the Alcorn State and Penn State Bridge to the Doctorate Program. She has a passion to one day receive her MD/PhD. This summer Shanilah’s research focuses on understanding how redox metabolism and stress is affected with age in mice. Also, she is interested in identifying sex-specific differences with age and stress between male and female mice.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from Alcorn State University—Summa Cum Laude
Personal and Fun Facts from Shanilah:
Shanilah enjoys traveling, listening to music, trying new foods, hanging out with friends and family, and singing.
Honors and Awards:
- Dean’s List Scholar
- President’s List Scholar