Introducing this year's Epstein Scholars

Through a generous gift, Michael Epstein, Esq. (’75, B.A. Bio) established the Epstein Family Endowment for the purpose of supporting undergraduate research. Michael Epstein was featured in the 2011 edition of the department newsletter (“The Law of Nature, pages 4-5). He and his wife, Lisa, have three children: Jesse, Emily and Eric.

We are proud to introduce the newest recipients of the Epstein Family Endowment for undergraduate research. All of this year’s recipients are members of the department’s honors class and will be receiving their degree at the May 2019 commencement.

• Brandon Fricker (Behavioral Neuroscience) - Brandon is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Professor Julie Haas. His research proposal is “Long-Term Potentiation of Electrical Synapses.”

• Alecia Rokes (Biology) - Alecia’s research is supervised by Professor Greg Lang. Her research proposal is “Using the Killer Virus in Yeast to Study Intracellular Competition among Viral Particles.”

• Layna Mager (Biology) – Layna is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Professor Kathy Iovine. Her research proposal is “Understanding localization of joint forming cells and analyzing genes implicated in the joint formation pathway in zebrafish.”

2018-2019 Epstein Scholars  (l-r) Brandon Fricker, Alecia Rokes, Layna Mager

Fricker, Mager and Rokes  received funding for materials and supplies to complete their research. They will present their research at the department’s annual undergraduate research symposium on April 19, 2018.