Student Ambassadors
Neuroscience Ambassadors are outstanding neuroscience majors who demonstrate dedication to academic excellence, ongoing professional development, and community leadership. We are proud to have them represent our program in the UAB Gold Visits program. Gold Visits are a great way to see where you fit within the UAB Honors College — you’ll get to tour UAB’s outstanding facilities by one of our student ambassadors, talk to professors in the Honors College, sit in on a seminar, and check out the honors floors in the residence hall.
For more information about Gold Visits contact Molly Kate Poole, Senior Admission Counselor,
Rising Juniors are encouraged to apply for UAB Neuroscience Ambassador positions. Interested students should contact Dr. Cristin Gavin at
Samuel Castillo
My name is Sam Castillo, and I’m currently studying neuroscience in my Junior year. I’m originally from Anniston, AL, and I’m so glad to be living in Birmingham! The Undergraduate Neuroscience Program at UAB has certainly illuminated my perspective of medicine, service, and my own values. Throughout my time as a student here, I’ve discovered that I would love to spend my vocation doing missionary/service work in impoverished communities. I hope to aid in community development in areas such as emergency medical services, education, and spiritual formation. Apart from academics, I can be found playing piano at Children’s Hospital, reading in most coffee shops, or sitting in the chapel at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Overall, I’m extremely thankful for the opportunities I’ve had in Birmingham so far, and I’m excited to encounter many more!
Annika Daya
Annika Daya is a junior in the Honors College pursuing degrees in neuroscience with minors in Spanish and chemistry, as well as a Master's in Public Health. She is currently working as a research assistant in UAB Hospital's emergency department and working in Dr. Victor Mark's lab, which focuses on eye-hand coordination in patients who have suffered from a stroke. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. She loves to rock climb and listen to music.
Baraa Hijaz
Baraa Hijaz is a junior neuroscience and philosophy major in the Science and Technology Honor’s Program. While he enjoys research in a variety of disciplines, he is currently pursuing therapeutics for Parkinson’s Disease in the Volpicelli-Daley lab at UAB. Upon graduating, Baraa intends to pursue a career in medicine, research, and academics. When he isn’t in the lab or in class, you can probably find him at the UAB recreational center or mountain biking down the slopes of Oak Mountain.
Anna Jones
Anna Jones is a junior neuroscience major with minors in Chemistry and STEM Education (UABTeach). She is in the Personalized Pathway Program within UAB's Honors College. Anna is actively involved in multiple student life organizations on UAB's campus. She is currently on the Leadership Team for UAB TrailBlazers and serving as the Vice President of Recruitment-Internal for the UAB Panhellenic Council. After graduation, Anna plans to attend medical school to become an OB/GYN. In her free time, she sings in the Southside Baptist Church choir.
Shreya Malhotra
Shreya is a junior in the Science and Technology Honors Program majoring in neuroscience and pursuing a Master's in Public Health. She is currently working in Dr. Jacques Wadiche's neurobiology lab to study the cerebellum and movement disorders related to it. After graduation, she plans to pursue an MD/Ph.D. In her free time, Shreya enjoys running, reading, and exploring Birmingham.