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Simons STEM Scholars Program
HomeSimons Scholar ProfileSimons Scholars Profile - Karina Ramnauth

KarinaRamnauth

Image of Karina Ramnauth

Cohort 2

Hometown: Valley Stream, NY

Major: Psychology

Year: Sophomore

High School: Valley Stream Central High School

Biography:

In Karina's time at Stony Brook they plan on researching the synthesis of Rhodamine B tagged methyl pyridinium. This compound functions as a fluorescent probe that allows for astrocyte identification. Consequently, scientists and researchers are now better able to differentiate said astrocytes (the most abundant glial cell found within the brain) from other cell types. While this research is what Karina is currently focusing on, Karina hopes to also gain more experience in the field of psychology. More specifically, Karina is interested in studying the correlation between the events in one's childhood and mental illnesses that developed within adulthood. In Karina's free time, they like to listen to music (specifically A Boogie, Lil Uzi,  PND, TV Girl, etc.), go to the beach, travel, spend time with family and friends, and go on late-night drives. Before becoming a Simons STEM Scholar, Karina participated in research as an assistant to a research specialist who is affiliated with the Ophthalmology Department at Weill Cornell Medicine and she is a recipient of the AP Capstone Diploma for research involving studying the impacts of sex on handwriting legibility.

Leading the Future:

"As someone who vies to enter the field of psychiatry, I aspire to be the proprietor of a new era of psychology and medicine that focuses on a lesser usage of medication to treat mental illness. While psychiatrists do have the ability to prescribe medication to their patients, I believe that holistic approaches are also overly necessary. Nonetheless, I want to place a greater emphasis on natural remedies and other forms of holistic approaches opposed to medication."

Why did you become a Simons STEM Scholar?:

"The community that the Simons STEM Scholars Program offered was truly an opportunity that I could not pass on. For most college students who are away from their loved ones, it tends to become challenging to find individuals that make college feel like home. From the moment Selection Weekend began, I automatically felt a sense of comfort and warmth from all members of the SSSP community. Besides the amazing community that has been built, the countless research opportunities that Simons STEM Scholars are presented with are outstanding. As someone who has conducted some research before and was not necessarily interested in furthering my skills, being shown how I can discover research that specifically peaks my interests and then partaking in said research are opportunities that are truly irreplaceable."

What would you say to someone who is applying?:

"I would advise anyone who was interested in applying to the Simons STEM Scholars Program to absolutely go for it! When I had submitted my application, I had done so the night that it was due. I honestly did not know much about the program at all. After finding out that I had made it to Selection Weekend, I had decided to do some more research. To my amaze, I had applied to a full-ride academic scholarship that provides students interested in STEM with countless opportunities to hone in on their current interests, discover new ones, and join an amazing community, all simultaneously. If you have the ability to apply, do it!"

Research Experiences:

Summer 2025 - Stony Brook University: Explorations in STEM REU Program under Dr. Scott Laughlin on "Synthesis of Rhodamine B Tagged Methyl Pyridinium, as an Astrocyte Specific Fluorescent Probe"