Class of 2022
The first graduating class of the Minor in Science and Patient Advocacy
Alyssa DiPaolo graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior minors in Public Policy and Science and Patient Advocacy. During her time at Notre Dame, Alyssa was involved with numerous clubs and activities: she participated in the BRAVE Research Lab (Building Resilience Against Violence Exposure), the Center for Social Concerns, the Notre Dame Symphony Orchestra, and the Student Policy Network, where she lead a team of students working to expand metabolic formula coverage for individuals with inborn errors of metabolism. Most recently she served as the Division Head of Advocacy for the Student Policy Network. Alyssa worked with a Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center geneticist as part of her capstone. She created an effective patient-friendly resource for the rare disorder Absence of Ductus Venosus that will be given to parents with children born with this disorder. She will spend the summer in Boston with Dyne Therapeutics as a Medical Affairs & Patient Advocacy intern. Dyne is a biotech company focused on advancing therapeutics for individuals with rare muscle diseases. After that, she plans to work as a Genetic Counseling Assistant in Pittsburgh before pursuing a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling.
Emily Ziliak graduated with a B.S. in Science Pre-Professional Studies along with minors in both Science & Patient Advocacy, and Compassionate Care in Medicine. She participated in biological research involving genome editing with Dr. Michelle Whaley and Dr. Rebecca Wingert. Emily says, “Having the opportunity to participate in the evolution of rare disease awareness made me feel as though I was making a real impact on the future of medicine. I have always known that my calling involves caring for others, and my primary focus begins at the level of the patient-physician relationship.” Emily has volunteered at La Casa de Amistad and volunteered as a patient advocate at A Rosie’s Place for Children. She will be writing an op-ed piece inspired by her work, which will be posted on our website. After Notre Dame, she hopes to work as a medical scribe during her gap year, in which she will also be applying to Medical Schools and build a career in the service and advocacy of others.
Bailey Perczak graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Science and Patient Advocacy. She has done research on adolescent socioemotional behavior, and research with Know the Glow Foundation, a global nonprofit leader in raising awareness of leukocoria and preventing childhood blindness, and completed 3 reports to be published in the National Organization for Rare Disease database; 2 of those reports are original works. This summer, Bailey will also be in Boston as an intern in patient advocacy with Dyne Therapeutics and will then return to Colorado to continue working in research before beginning medical school in the fall. Bailey says that patient advocacy is a vital component of practicing medicine, and is something that she will continue to prioritize long after graduating from the University of Notre Dame.
Adviti Bali is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Minor in Science and Patient Advocacy. She served as the president of the RareND club for two years, worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Haldar Lab, and was a student intern with Know the Glow Foundation, a global nonprofit leader in raising awareness of leukocoria and preventing childhood blindness. Addy is interested in rare disease research, she believes “Incorporating patient perspectives and natural histories can provide motivation and persistent research.” She says, “rare disease diagnoses are delayed and often a result of parent-initiative. When healthcare professionals and the general public know about rare diseases, the method of diagnosis is faster. Early diagnoses can improve prognosis and even save lives.” Addy will be a Teaching Assistant in the fall clinical research course and will then be taking a gap year to focus on applying for Ph.D. programs in rare disease research.
Elizabeth Kerner also known as Liz “Lights Out” Kerner (from the Notre Dame women’s boxing club, Baraka Bouts) is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences specializing in Biomedical Sciences, with minors in Sustainability, Science and Patient Advocacy, and Studio Art. She served as a student ambassador for ND Listens, a student engagement center designed to listen to, learn about, and love Notre Dame alumni, parents, and friends. She worked as a research assistant with Dr. Xin Lu focused on molecular understanding and immunotherapy of metastatic cancer.. After graduation, Elizabeth is planning on working in clinical research
Kathryn Alana Rosshirt is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior and minors in Science and Patient Advocacy and Theology. Since her freshman year she has shown her passion for advocacy and mental health through her involvement in Active Minds, UnmaskedND, the Our Stories Project, and as an Apparel Graphic Designer for the Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse 2022 Mental Health Awareness Game. In addition, Katie has been a competing member of the Notre Dame Club Gymnastics Team and has been an active member of Lewis Hall. Katie worked with the Clubhouse of St Joseph County, an organization that helps the severely mentally ill find their place in society again. She collaborated with one member of the Clubhouse to write a short memoir about their life and experience with mental illness. This memoir will be combined with 22 other memoirs and published to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people living with mental illness. Katie will begin work as a field marking coordinator for The Giving Block, a startup company that assists nonprofits with the process of accepting donations in the form of cryptocurrency, and quickly identify crypto-ready charities.
Carissa Salamatin graduated with a B.S. in Science-Business with minors in Russian and Science & Patient Advocacy. In addition to the work she has done within the Asian community through the Filipino American Student Organization and Asian American Association, she was part of the Eberhard Research Lab since freshman year researching task-based communication. Throughout these past few years, she became a certified counselor for the Crisis Text Line and the Trevor Project, a crisis line exclusively for at-risk youth. During her time with the minor, she conducted MYBPC3 research for the Community Health Clinic that centers its care on the Amish and Mennonite populations in the region. Carissa believes "Patient Advocacy is an essential component of being a holistic and competent physician. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to be there for their patients beyond providing them the physical care. Especially for those with rare disease, it's important for a physician to be knowledgeable in their approach". As she continues on her path to becoming a doctor, she wants to stay conscientious of her role as a patient advocate because it is the best way to connect with patients and help them feel truly supported in what they may be going through. As a gap year before medical school, Carissa has been awarded a Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Award to be an English Teaching Assistant in Kazakhstan and will be teaching for the 2022-2023 Kazakh school year.
Kathleen Narloch is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior with honors, and a minor in Science and Patient Advocacy. She has been an active advocate for students with disabilities while at ND through the student club Access-ABLE, working as a liaison for the Sara Bea center, and the student club: Make-A-Wish. She has worked in a cardiovascular physiology research lab with emphasis on newly developed H2S-donating drugs (hydrogen sulfide) and her work is expected to be published this summer. Kathleen will take a gap year to apply to medical school. She aspires to engage in patient advocacy “to enhance the quality of life for many individuals suffering from rare and often misunderstood maladies.” Kathleen said, “the SPA minor has given me a chance to better understand rare diseases and how to work alongside patients and their families to get the care they deserve.”