Announcing the 2025 Stanford-HBMC RISE Awards

Lay Teng Ang, PhD

Nominated by Devon-Jaron Irvin (CDU)

"She displayed a great deal of knowledge and created a welcoming environment. She was quite motivational along with others in the laboratory and in totality the overall experience has inspired me to take on a new approach to my way of learning in medical school. She is a great asset to the Stanford community."

Ashu Mohammad, MD

Nominated by Zade Mahayni (Morehouse)

"They taught me beyond just research: how to see what your research implies, what it can propose, and how to make meaning of your data. Beyond a professional capacity, Ashu was like a brother to me and we bonded over both our traditional any new cuisines. I would not have considered this summer a success without Ashu’s guidance and support."

Emma Wagner, PhD

Nominated by Alexxandra Hurtado (CDU)

"I would like to nominate Emma Wagner for the 2025 Stanford-HBMC RISE Award. Emma welcomed me into her project with warmth, always encouraging questions and taking the time to explain complex concepts clearly! Her knowledge and support made this summer an amazing learning experience, and I am very grateful for her mentorship and looking forward to continue working on the project!" 

Pauline Funchain, MD

Nominated by Crystal Griffith (Howard)

"I'm nominating Dr. Pauline Funchain because her mentorship this summer left a lasting impact on me. During moments when I doubted myself, she didn’t just brush it off. Even with everything she had going on, she took the time to really see me and remind me that I was doing amazing and should keep going. That kind of encouragement meant so much coming from someone I deeply respect. She leads with both brilliance and kindness, and I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance."

Angela Rogers, MD and Andrew Moore, MD

Nominated by Ifeoluwakiisi Adejoorin (Howard)

"They were (and are) my mentors. As a neurodivergent introvert, 8 weeks is usually not long enough for me to feel comfortable around new people. I prefer a year or more but I was determined to push myself in order to make the most of this experience. Their approach to mentorship made it easier for me to step out of my comfort zone more quickly than usual. I was neutral on the lungs before this internship. Thanks to them, I think the lungs are neat. Still, I can’t process pulmonology will win the battle over my heart."

Allison Salinas

Nominated by Anshika Motiani (Howard)

"Allison is truly a breath of fresh air in every interaction. She is always willing to help and has a natural way of making everyone around her feel welcomed and appreciated. When I first arrived at Stanford for the summer, I wasn’t sure how I would “fit in,” but Allison immediately put me at ease. Simple, thoughtful gestures — like learning my name right away, asking how I was doing, and offering support — made me feel at home. What stands out most is that it wasn’t just me; Allison extended this same warmth and kindness to everyone she encountered. Her presence creates a genuinely inclusive and uplifting environment."

Anthony Sawyer, MD

Nominated by Yeab Guracha (CDU)

"Dr. Sawyer was a great joy to be around and work with. From the first day we met he treated me as a colleague rather than just a med student. While I shadowed him, he involved me in his work and always introduced me to patients as part of the anesthesia team and it made me feel seen. Something else I also appreciated greatly was how accessible he made himself and how easy he was to communicate with. He freely gave advice, not just about book knowledge but also about the hidden curriculum within medical education, especially as a Black man, which was very impactful and really helped build my confidence."

Vipul Sheth, MD, PhD

Nominated by Vidhi Dave (Meharry)

"Dr. Sheth was the mentor I was paired with this summer, and from my first day at Stanford, he and the entire Body MRI team welcomed me as a true member of the group. I always felt my opinions were valued, space was made for me to contribute, and everyone showed genuine interest in helping me achieve my goals for the summer—most importantly, to learn.

Beyond his exceptional communication and kindness, Dr. Sheth’s passion for sharing his medical knowledge was evident in every interaction. He not only guided my professional growth but also fostered an environment where curiosity was encouraged.

I believe Dr. Sheth is extremely deserving of the RISE award, and I am genuinely excited for all future mentees, students, residents, and peers who will have the privilege of learning from him.

I truly appreciate the care taken in pairing me with my mentor. It is clear that the Stanford-HBMC team thoughtfully considers both applicants and mentors when making matches. Thank you for making my experience so meaningful and rewarding."

Alexandra LaPat Polasko, PhD

Nominated by Yasmin Abdellatiff (Meharry)

"I am nominating Alex because she is the most exceptional mentor I have ever worked with. Even before I arrived in California, she reached out to introduce herself and took the time to learn about me both personally and academically. She asked thoughtful questions and designed a research project that perfectly matched my interests and goals. Beyond the project itself, she helped me with housing, parking, and tips on how to navigate the area. She made sure I felt supported before I even stepped into the lab. When I arrived, she already had a detailed plan ready for me. She walked me through the project, welcomed my input, and adjusted the plan based on my priorities. From the very first day, I was in the lab and hands-on. She explained complex concepts so clearly that they suddenly became easy to understand. She made sure I knew how to work safely, and at the same time, she trusted me to do things independently. She never made me feel like I wasn’t capable just because I lacked experience. She was always available, approachable, and genuinely interested in how I was doing. As I gained confidence, she let me contribute more to setting up experiments and valued my questions and suggestions. She treated me like a true member of the lab and respected my contributions as she would a colleague’s. Her energy, intelligence, and kindness created an environment where I was constantly learning and motivated to do my best. She not only taught me how to design experiments and write a manuscript, but she also modeled what it means to be a thoughtful and supportive mentor. 

Thanks to her guidance, I recently presented at a research event where I was able to confidently explain and defend my work. The audience asked challenging questions, and I was able to answer them clearly because Alex made sure I understood every part of our research. I am incredibly grateful for her mentorship. The impact she had on me this summer is something I will carry with me far beyond this program. She truly deserves this award more than anyone I know. 

Anyone would be lucky to have Alex as their mentor. She is not only the best mentor I have worked with but also one of the most caring and inspiring individuals I have encountered in my life."