STEM Superstars

These Alverno students have a big summer ahead after winning spots in highly competitive scientific research programs

Ameera Pearsall

Major: Biomedical Sciences

Minor: Psychology

Ameera Pearsall, a Thea Bowman Scholar, is one of just 15 undergraduate students selected from across the United States to join the Amgen Scholars Program at the National Institutes of Health. As an Amgen Scholar, Pearsall will work with top scientists while exploring what it means to conduct biomedical research at the federal government’s main medical research arm.

“I’ve always wanted to do science that improves the quality of life for others. Amgen addresses health disparities in marginalized communities, and that really aligns with my values of diversity, equity and inclusion,” says Pearsall, class of 2023. “To do this work so early in my career is an amazing opportunity.”

Merub Irfan

Major: Biomedical Sciences

Future physician Merub Irfan will be doing clinical research through the Student-centered Program to Advance Research in Cancer Careers (SPARCC) at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The competitive, eight-week program will give her the chance to explore possible career options in a field that interests her.

“My hope is to learn more about pediatric oncology because I really want to help kids,” says Irfan, class of 2023.

An advocate for her Patients

Abby Brodbeck, class of 2023 MSN candidate — Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Madison Kreil

Major: Human Biology

Minor: Psychology

Madison Kreil is exploring her career options but knows she wants to work in health care. Through her participation in the 2022 Wisconsin Community Health Internship Program (CHIP), she will work at the Findley Foundation’s Findley Medical Clinic, a nonprofit provider of primary and urgent care to patients regardless of insurance status. She will serve as a project coordinator focused on COVID-19 vaccine outreach and data analysis.

“I will be communicating the benefits of vaccination and potentially delivering the vaccine safely and effectively,” says Kreil, class of 2023. “I’m looking forward to working alongside health professionals to help the community in the fight against COVID-19.”

Rachel Manselle

Major: Biology

Minor: Data Science

For Rachel Manselle, mosquitoes won’t be just a summer annoyance — they’ll also be the subject of her scientific research. This summer, she will be working with scientists from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the Medical College of Wisconsin in a project focused on identifying the genetic mechanisms underlying differences in malaria susceptibility and vector competence of Anopheles mosquitoes.

“I plan on going into bioinformatics, and this internship will help strengthen the skills I have learned in my data science classes,” says Manselle, class of 2022.

Abby Brodbeck has known since high school that she wanted to be a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse. She loves caring for premature babies and helping families learn how to take care of their newest additions.

“As the bedside nurse, you are your neonatal patient’s biggest advocate because the babies can’t tell you when they’re sick or in pain. It’s on you to be their voice,” she says. “Decoding that puzzle … that’s my favorite part of the job.”

For the next step in her nursing career, Brodbeck has enrolled in Alverno’s Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program. “I want to help families transition into their caregiving role by being their own child’s advocate, and I know the best way I can do this is by being a neonatal nurse practitioner,” she explains. Alverno’s NNP program, the first of its kind in Wisconsin, prepares nurses to provide advanced nursing care to children from premature neonates to infants up to two years of age. Except for an advanced clinical procedures workshop, courses are online and are open to women and men.

To date, Brodbeck has mentored undergraduate Alverno nursing students in a research program. This spring, she presented the group’s research ― about topical human milk as a treatment modality for diaper rash ― at a regional research conference in Illinois, a symposium at an Ohio hospital, the State of Wisconsin Association of Neonatal Nurses conference, and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses Research Summit.

Brodbeck expects to graduate from the NNP program in May 2023, ready to advance in a career she loves.

“The NICU is a magical place,” she says. “How lucky I am to take just a small part in it.”