Commercialization Academy Fellows

Senior Fellows

STEPHEN BROWN
Stephen is a PhD candidate in the Pathobiology department under the mentorship of Charlotte Sumner, MD. He leverages third-generation, direct RNA nanopore sequencing to explore the RNA factors involved in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) pathogenesis. Stephen’s thesis focuses on characterizing SMN transcripts and exploring how factors like RNA methylation, splicing, untranslated regions, transcript stability, and transcript localization influence SMN protein expression, while also identifying globally dysregulated RNA processing events that contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Prior to his graduate studies, Stephen earned his bachelor’s in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Gettysburg College and worked as a research technician in the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Favorite Quote: “In the dark times, should the stars also go out?”– Disco Elysium, inspired by Bertolt Brecht
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SARAH GRAHAM
Sarah is a PhD Candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her thesis research, under the mentorship of Dr. Laura Wood, focuses on using 3D multi-omics to investigate precursor lesions in pancreatic cancer. Before beginning her graduate studies, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Leadership Studies and Practices. Sarah is deeply interested in cancer heterogeneity, molecular genetics, and precision medicine. She is also passionate about mentoring and co-founded and currently runs PATCH, a peer mentoring group designed to support incoming students in her program. Outside the lab, Sarah enjoys hiking, mountaineering, weightlifting, baking, reading, and spending time with her two cats.
Favorite Quote: “Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated.” – Rosalind Franklin
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ELIZABETH HARPER
Elizabeth is a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health studying the relationship between aging and melanoma. With her advisor Dr. Ashani Weeraratna, she studies the effect of the aging extracellular matrix on the immune response in the tumor microenvironment, and how these changes can affect response to immunotherapy. Prior to starting her position at Johns Hopkins, she did her PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Cancer Biology at the University of Notre Dame, and she did her BA in Biochemistry at Earlham College. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, exploring Baltimore with her dog, and DIY home improvement projects.

VANIA WANG
Vania is a PhD candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is currently conducting her thesis work in the laboratory of Dr. Ashani Weeraratna under the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the School of Public Health. Her research focuses on UVA induced photoaging in skin fibroblasts in the context of the tumor microenvironment in melanoma progression. Prior to coming to Johns Hopkins, Vania received her bachelor’s in science at the University of California, San Diego in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Outside of research, Vania enjoys exploring the outdoors, running, yoga, and trying new baking recipes.
Favorite Quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
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Fellows

JACOB BLUM
Jacob is an MD, PhD candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is currently studying epigenetic dynamics of aging and cancer in the colon under the mentorship of Dr. Hariharan Easwaran. Prior to coming to Hopkins, Jacob received his bachelor’s in Biochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis. Outside of work, Jacob enjoys baking, running, and traveling.
Favorite Quote: “It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.” – Samwise Gamgee (J.R.R. Tolkien)

DORIS CANDELARIA-ESTEVES
Doris is an MBA student at Carey Business School. Originally from Manatí, P.R., she earned her B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Puerto Rico. She began her career at a public relations firm, but a class project during her last semester in college led to co-founding Insu Health Design. This health-tech startup emerged from the needs she witnessed in her community post-hurricane. She led the company’s commercialization strategy and helped secure over $1.7M in non-dilutive funding to develop and scale its patented cold-chain storage technology. Doris later also joined the UPR Innovation Center and Bravo Family Foundation, supporting small businesses and teaching entrepreneurship to high school students from underserved communities. Outside of work, she loves cooking, running, and walking with her husband and their fluffy pup, Oliver.
Favorite Quote: “The limit does not exist!” – Cady Heron, Mean Girls

ANDY CHARLORIN
Andy is a MBA student at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, focusing on the Health, Technology, and Innovation Pathway. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology with a biology focus and a BSN. Andy has built a strong nursing career in emergency and critical care settings, including his work within the renowned Mount Sinai Health System. His passion for improving healthcare goes beyond clinical practice, as he has also conducted public health research with the CDC’s Department of Viral Hepatitis. Driven by the desire to combine his clinical expertise with business acumen, Andy aims to advance healthcare through innovation. As a dedicated entrepreneur, he runs a nursing education business, shaping the next generation of healthcare providers. His post-MBA goal is to enter the healthcare venture capital space, where he hopes to invest and develop groundbreaking healthcare solutions. In his free time, Andy enjoys working out, practicing martial arts, and traveling the world, embracing new experiences and perspectives.
Favorite Quote: “To be horrified by inequality and early death and not have any kind of plan for responding – that would not work for me.” – Dr. Paul Farmer
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ROSS KLIEGMAN
Ross is a PhD candidate in the Physics and Astronomy department at Johns Hopkins University. His research in Professor Yaojun Zhang’s group focuses on how cells organize their contents into dynamic, liquid-like networks of molecules called biomolecular condensates, which can carry out key biological functions like genome organization and regulation. Prior to Johns Hopkins, Ross spent two years as an Associate Scientist at Zeteo Tech, where he first got a taste for the challenges and joys of transforming cutting-edge research into commercially viable products. Ross holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins and a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, both in physics.
Favorite Quote: “Coincidence? I think not!” – Bernie Kropp, The Incredibles
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EMMANUEL LEBLOND
Emmanuel is an undergraduate studying Mechanical Engineering at Hopkins and is interested in aerospace and patent law. At the Commercialization Academy, he is excited to learn about the patenting process and study Hopkins’ latest technological developments. In his free time, he enjoys competing in Cross Country and Track at the NCAA level, hiking and rock climbing outdoors, and playing the guitar.
Favorite Quote: “Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions.” – Eliud Kipchoge
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ERICA LEE
Erica is an MD, PhD candidate in the Cross Disciplinary Graduate Program in Biological Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her thesis work in the labs of Dr. Sami Tuffaha and Dr. Ahmet Hoke investigates surgical interventions and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for the improvement of functional motor recovery and prevention of chronic pain following peripheral nerve injury. Prior to medical school, Erica received a Combined BS/MS in Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University with a minor in Visual Arts. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling and learning new culinary and artistic techniques.
Favorite Quote: “Science for me is very close to art. Scientific discovery is an irrational art. It’s an intuition which turns out to be reality at the end of it – and I see no difference between a scientist developing a marvelous discovery and an artist making a painting” – Carlo Rubbia, Nobel Prize in Physics
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BONITA H. POWELL
Bonita is a PhD candidate in the Biochemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) graduate program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the functional role of small non-coding RNA in cancer, viral infection and neurological disorders. Prior to graduate school, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology and Applied Molecular Biology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). In her free time, Bonita likes to volunteer, work on arts and craft projects, and exercise.
Favorite Quote: “We can respond to misfortune by learning more, working harder, and being more creative.”– Katalin Karikó
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RANEEM RAYES
Raneem is an MPH/MBA candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Carey Business School. She earned her BA in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed an honors thesis analyzing the epidemiology of polio transmission in Syria. Before graduate school, Raneem worked as a consultant on the Commercial Data Solutions team at Trinity Life Sciences. She is passionate about the intersection of healthcare, technology, and innovation, and aims to advance commercial strategy and market access to ensure patients can benefit from life-changing products. In her free time, Raneem enjoys reading, traveling, and experimenting with new baking recipes.
Favorite Quote: “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” – Rumi

MARK SCHUWEILER
Mark is an MD student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is excited to be working at the intersection of technology and clinical care. Prior to medical school, he worked as a consultant for Optum. There, he worked on projects designing health technology products and optimizing clinical delivery systems. He earned bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry and Business Management from the University of St. Thomas. Away from work, you can find him enjoying the sunshine on a hike, thrift-shopping for books, or taking in a baseball game. 
Favorite Quote: “Ninety percent of the game is half mental.” – Yogi Berra
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