Prachi Shah - MWC Chapter Scholar 1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate
Biology Georgetown University
Research:
Memory and forgetting are highly regulated biological processes fundamental for animal survival in an ever-changing environment. This project aims to understand the neurobiological basis of retrograde amnesia induced by different insults. This research requires the...
Patrick Banner – MWC 55th Anniversary Scholar 1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate
Physics University of Maryland
Research:
This research spans atomic, optical, and detector physics. The primary research uses strongly interacting atoms to make light and matter interact in ways that can be used for both studies of fundamental few-body...
Antonia Schierling (Toni) has been a member of ARCS Metro Washington Chapter (ARCS MWC) since 1992. We applaud Toni’s continued commitment to ARCS MWC and her many contributions to the chapter over the past 33 years, especially her participation in so many leadership roles on the Board!
Emily Cheung – MWC Endowment Scholar 1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate
Biomedical Engineering George Washington University
Research:
To develop a novel therapy that provides targeted activation of specific neuron populations in the brain to mitigate progression of cardiovascular diseases that have higher prevalence in women. I use high-speed optical mapping techniques...
Sydney Shannon – Virginia Lukasik Memorial Scholar 1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate
Biomedical Engineering John Hopkins University
Research:
Gene therapies are transforming treatment approaches for many human diseases; but current approaches can be very costly and not available for all patients. This research focuses on engineering novel biomaterials that incorporate...
Ariel Slepyan – Willard and Marilynn Sweetser Scholar 1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate
Electrical & Computer Engineering John Hopkins University
Research:
My research is focused on developing ‘CS-Skin’, a next-generation touch sensor mimicking the acuity of human skin. CS-Skin boasts a large area, numerous sensors, and fast response times, replicating...
Paula McNichols joined ARCS Metro Washington Chapter (ARCS MWC) in 1999 and is a lifetime member. We applaud Paula’s continued commitment to ARCS MWC and her many contributions to the chapter over the past 26 years!
Paula was invited to join ARCS by Gloria Driessnack. Gloria's husband, LTG “Whitey” Driessnack, was on the Board of Directors of...
Washington D.C. (March 2025) – Reach for the stars! The Metro Washington Chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation (ARCS MWC) will hold its Eagle Celebration at the Army and Navy Club on April 4, 2025 (6-9:30pm), in Washington, DC. ARCS MWC presents this prestigious award to highly distinguished...
Akshaya Annapragada – Danaher Foundation Scholar 1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate
Biomedical Engineering
Research:
There is a great need for accessible and sensitive screening approaches for carcinomas worldwide. This research focuses on novel artificial intelligence approaches to enable new whole genome analyses and enhanced understanding of cancer-related genetic changes. These...
Alexander Lu – Mulford Endowment Scholar 1st Year Scholar, MD/PhD candidate, Biomedical Engineering Johns Hopkins University
Research:
Surgeons use a variety of imaging systems to guide diagnostics and interventions; patient movement during imaging is often unavoidable and can substantially distort the images. This current research combines machine learning with physics-driven...
