Featured Trainees
Featured Trainees are students, postdoctoral fellows, practicing physicians and faculty, and others who work under the tutelage of Levy CIMAR Core Faculty members and who stand out for their efforts in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Trainees might be graduate students, antimicrobial stewards, educators, scientific researchers, medical doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, or a combination of any of these and other professions. If you are a Levy CIMAR Core Faculty member and would like to nominate someone for “Featured Trainee” distinction, please email us any time at cimar@tufts.edu.
Fall 2026 Featured Trainee
Marbella Arroyo
- Tufts University junior and 2026 Levy CIMAR Summer Scholar developing a synthetic route to a key component of saarvienin A
- Studying the synthesis of complex carbohydrates in the lab of Levy CIMAR faculty member Clay Bennett, PhD
As one of four 2026 Levy CIMAR undergraduate Summer Scholars, Tufts Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology double major Marbella Arroyo spent her summer developing a synthetic route to a key component of saarvienin A, a promising glycopeptide antibiotic with potent activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens.
Now a junior, Marbella is continuing her work on the total synthesis of saarvienin A this fall with her mentor, Levy CIMAR faculty member and Professor of Chemistry Clay Bennett, PhD. The antibiotic consists of a cyclic peptide attached to a five-sugar chain, or pentasaccharide, and Marbella has focused on synthesizing this carbohydrate component. The synthesis of saarvienin A’s pentasaccharide has not yet been reported, and Marbella’s work could ultimately provide a route to this component while also informing the synthesis of other antimicrobial glycoconjugates.
Born and raised in El Salvador, Marbella attended a small school with about 40 students in each graduating class. With few electives and only one AP-level course offered each year, opportunities to explore her growing interest in STEM were limited. Rather than let those limitations define her education, Marbella looked for opportunities outside the classroom.
Marbella Arroyo with mentor Clay Bennett, PhD
She began conducting independent research via the Pioneer Research Program, an accredited online research program for high school students. Her project explored the intersection of physics and chemistry through the materials science of biomaterials used in medical implants. Marbella was also a member of El Salvador’s junior national physics Olympiad team, competing in regional competitions. These experiences led to her interest in chemical engineering and ultimately brought her to the Bennett Lab and the Levy CIMAR.
Marbella says she was initially drawn to synthetic chemistry because of the problem-solving involved in building a molecule.
“The research almost resembles a puzzle,” she says. “We know exactly what compound we are trying to make, but there is always a more efficient route to obtain it, or the existing route can always be further optimized. This type of research requires a lot of trial-and-error, subtle tweaking of conditions, and careful analysis of the resulting product.”
Her work has impressed Dr. Bennett, who serves as Marbella’s research mentor.
“Marbella has been awesome this summer, working at the level of an advanced graduate student,” he says. “I am happy she is staying on to continue work on this project and anticipate seeing great things from her both here at Tufts and as she transitions into her independent career.”
After completing her undergraduate degree, Marbella hopes to work in industry before pursuing graduate study and further specialization. She envisions a career in pharmaceutical research and development, specifically with respect to process development and continuous-flow chemistry.
Marbella’s drive extends well beyond science. Outside of the lab, her biggest passion is golf. She competed extensively while growing up in El Salvador, winning two national championships and earning a spot at the 2023 Junior World Championships. She continues to compete when she returns home during breaks and she recently qualified for the Central American Championship.
In her spare time, Marbella also enjoys cooking with friends, playing volleyball, and exploring new parts of Boston.
Meet all of the Levy CIMAR's Featured Trainees:
Rebekah Johnson, High School Citizen Scientist and Antimicrobial Steward at the Little Rock Zoo
ASMSA high school student conducting college-level microbiology research
Ashley Luo, Second-Year Molecular Microbiology (MERGE-ID Track) PhD Candidate
UMass Boston junior exploring how bacterial spores transition from dormancy to germination—a process crucial to infection recurrence and antibiotic resistance.
Maryam Utegulova, 2025 Recipient of the Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship in Science and Medicine
UMass Boston junior exploring how bacterial spores transition from dormancy to germination—a process crucial to infection recurrence and antibiotic resistance.
Mallika Subramanian, 2025 Recipient of the Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship in Science and Medicine
Tufts junior researching tick-borne illnesses and majoring in Community Health on a pre-medical track; studying antibiotic resistant babesiosis and the potential for novel therapies in the lab of Tufts Medical Center’s Dr. Edouard Vannier
Asli Dirik, Tufts IDoc Student Specializing in Bioresponsive Materials and Wearable Interfaces for Monitoring Female Health
Interdisciplinary doctoral student aiming to set new standards for innovation in “fem-tech” (technology that focuses on female health)
Mohamed Salem Jedeh, BDS, MSc, Dean of Zintan College of Dentistry, Tufts PhD Candidate Investigating AMR in Dental Patients
Dean of Zintan College of Dentistry at Zintan University in Libya; PhD Candidate in Clinical and Translational Sciences at Tufts University investigating antibiotic resistance among dental patients in Libya
Kap Sum Foong, MD, LEAP Fellow for 2023-2024 and Tufts CTSI K12 Scholar for 2025-2027
Attending physician and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts Medicine; LEAP Fellow for 2023-2024 and Tufts CTSI K12 Scholar for 2025-2027
Krystal Mutebi, 2024 Recipient of the Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship in Science and Medicine
Tufts Senior, studying Community Health via the pre-medical track; 2024 Levy CIMAR Summer Scholar researching how to address health disparities in antibiotic prescribing.
Nhi Van, Research Assistant in the laboratory of the Levy CIMAR’s Bree Aldridge, PhD, and a member of the Aldridge Lab’s “DiaMOND” team
Research Assistant in the laboratory of the Levy CIMAR’s Bree Aldridge, PhD, and a member of the Aldridge Lab’s “DiaMOND” team interested in learning to optimize drug combination therapies for tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria.
Xiaoxu Lin, Tufts Vet Doctoral Student Investigating How Mtb May Control its Metabolism by Regulating Lipid Production
Fourth-Year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) student at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in the Amanda Martinot Lab studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis and how it may control its metabolism by regulating lipid production.
Umaojo Ojogbane and Julia Hershelman, Biology PhD Students and Members of the Wolfe Lab Antibiotic Resistance Team
Two first-year Biology PhD Students—Umaojo Ojogbane and Julia Hershelman—work with Levy CIMAR’s Benjamin Wolfe, PhD, to explore the ecology of antimicrobial resistance in fermented foods. Both are members of the Wolfe Lab antibiotic resistance team.
David Manning, Recipient of the Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship in Science and Medicine
Senior at Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences working with Levy CIMAR investigator Dr. Alysse Wurcel on researching the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in state prisons and jails. Recipient of the 2023 Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship in Science and Medicine.
Jonathan Samuel, Recipient of the Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship in Science and Medicine
Sophomore at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences working with Levy CIMAR investigator Dr. Ralph Isberg on understanding factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii
Rachel Ende, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar in the lab of CIMAR’s Dr. Joan Mecsas, studying mechanisms of synergistic antibiotic interactions against Klebsiella pneumoniae in the lungs
Postdoctoral Scholar & first-year IRACDA Fellow in the lab of Levy CIMAR’s Dr. Joan Mecsas, studying mechanisms of synergistic antibiotic interactions against Klebsiella pneumoniae in the lungs
Irene Nagawa, Inaugural Recipient of the Levy CIMAR’s Undergraduate Summer Internship
Senior at UMass Boston majoring in biology and working with the Levy CIMAR’s Aimee Shen, PhD; Inaugural recipient of the Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship for Underrepresented Groups in Science and Medicine
Rebecca Tenner, Inaugural Recipient of the Levy CIMAR’s Undergraduate Summer Internship
Rising Senior at Tufts University’s Undergraduate School of Arts & Sciences working with the Levy CIMAR’s Alysse Wurcel, MD; Inaugural recipient of the Levy CIMAR Undergraduate Summer Internship for Underrepresented Groups in Science and Medicine
Emma Price, VMD, master’s candidate in Clinical and Translational Science at Tufts University’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
2nd year master’s candidate in Clinical and Translational Science at Tufts University’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences working with the Levy CIMAR’s Claire Fellman DVM, PhD, and Shira Doron MD, to identify factors driving antimicrobial prescription in hospitalized dogs and cats
Joshua Khuvis, MD Candidate at Tufts University School of Medicine and Levy CIMAR Student Researcher
MD Candidate at Tufts University School of Medicine and Levy CIMAR Student Researcher working with Dr. Shira Doron on exploring the impact of diagnostic stewardship interventions on Clostridioides difficile test ordering practices and results
Efrat Hamami, Molecular Microbiology PhD Candidate Working to Identify Vulnerabilities in Drug Resistant A. baumannii Isolates
Molecular Microbiology PhD Candidate Working in the Ralph Isberg Lab to Identify Vulnerabilities in Drug Resistant A. baumannii Isolates
Kathleen Davis, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar Working on Adapting Drug Combination Testing of Clinical Isolates
Postdoctoral Scholar working to identify antibiotic and small molecule combinations that function against problematic community and hospital-acquired pathogens; Working on adapting drug combination testing of clinical isolates
Shailab Shrestha, MERGE-ID Ph.D. Candidate and Recipient of the Tufts GSBS Fellowship For International Students
PhD Candidate in Molecular Microbiology, MERGE-ID (Medically-oriented Research in Graduate Education – Infectious Disease) track at Tufts University’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Inaugural Recipient, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Fellowship Supporting International Student Education, 2018
Courtney Chan, Infection Prevention Coordinator, Medical Scribe, and Researcher
Infection Prevention Coordinator and Infectious Diseases Clinic Medical Scribe at Tufts Medical Center; Research contributor and co-author with the Levy CIMAR’s Drs. Maya Nadimpalli and Shira Doron: “Antibiotic Resistance: A Call to Action to Prevent the Next Epidemic of Inequality,” in Nature Medicine (2021)
Eve Abraha, Undergraduate Researcher and Co-Teacher
Undergraduate Researcher at Tufts Medical Center working with the Levy CIMAR’s Dr. Shira Doron; Co-teacher in the PARE (Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment) program’s short course, PARE-Seq, under the guidance of the Levy CIMAR’s Drs. Carol Bascom-Slack and Amy Pickering
Aubrey Specht, DVM Candidate and Award Winner, 2020 Tufts Vet Summer Research Training Program
Second-Year Graduate Student pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the Cummings School; Winner, Basic Science Award at the 2020 Tufts Vet Summer Research Training Program
Iyob Gebremariam, Levy CIMAR Software Developer
Software Developer working with the Levy CIMAR on our Cutter and DiaMOND research and analytics tools; Masters student studying International Business at the Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Juan A. Hernández-Bird, MERGE-ID PhD Student
2019 American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Capstone Fellowship awardee and PhD Candidate in Molecular Microbiology – MERGE-ID (Medically-oriented Research in Graduate Education – Infectious Disease) track at Tufts University’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Scarlet Bliss, Undergraduate Laidlaw Fellow
Laidlaw Scholar working with CIMAR’s Drs. Amy Pickering and Carol Bascom-Slack to incorporate molecular methods into the PARE (Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment) project
Erica Fuhrmeister, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar and National Science Foundation Fellow
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pickering Lab, Tufts University School of Engineering; Recipient: National Science Foundation Fellowship titled, “Transfer of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes betwee
Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, MD, Inaugural LEAP Fellow
Attending physician, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine; Inaugural LEAP Fellow for 2018-2019