UT Southwestern STARS Program

Album 1: STARS Alumni Day 2026

What an incredible day reconnecting with our STARS alumni! From sharing research experiences and career journeys to networking with current scholars, Alumni Day showcased the lasting impact of the STARS community.

Thank you to our alumni for returning to inspire the next generation of researchers, scientists, and health professionals. Your achievements, insights, and mentorship continue to light the path for future STEM leaders.

💡 Once a STARS scholar, always a part of the STARS family.

Hi! My name is Elena Gil, and I am a rising senior at Paschal High School! This summer, I am working in the Neurology department under the guidance of my PI, Dr. Ty Shang, on a project that aims to determine whether a reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the form of shingles increases a patient’s risk of developing acute or epileptic seizures after experiencing an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). VZV has previously been linked to stroke causation, and we are using the programming language R and various statistical tests to analyze patient TIA and AIS data and determine whether this correlation extends to the development of post-stroke seizures. I am also working with two other mentors, Dawit Measho and Dr. DaiWai Olson, to develop 3D-printed models of arteries affected by four stroke-causing vasculopathies: Moyamoya disease, Vasculitis, Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS), and Atherosclerosis. In my free time, I enjoy doing arts and crafts, reading, going on long bike rides, and writing. Next year, I plan to apply to colleges with strong programs in both STEM and the humanities, including Johns Hopkins, UChicago, Yale, UT Austin, and many more. I am very grateful to the STARS program for this incredible opportunity!