Klaudia Baran ’26: Undergraduate Researcher of the Year Pursues Neuroscience
Major: B.S. in Forensic Science with concentration in Molecular Biology
Minor: Biology
Programs: Honors Program; Program for Research Initiatives in Science and Math (PRISM); CUNY Immersive Research Experience (CIRE); CUNY Inclusive Economy Initiative (CIE)
Mentors: Angélique Corthals, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Sciences; Edgardo Sanabria-Valentín, Ph.D., Associate Program Director of PRISM
Internships: Neurometa Therapeutics, Aalborg Universitet, Aalborg, Denmark; ECHO Summer Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Career Aspiration: Neuroscience Researcher
What was life like before John Jay?
Both my parents are from Rzeszów, Poland. They moved to New York and got their citizenship in the 1990s. So, growing up, my first language was Polish because it’s the language we spoke at home. I didn’t learn English until I was in pre-K. I went to Polish School every Saturday until I was in high school. In Polish School, I learned the language and about the country’s history. Now I know more English than Polish.
When I was younger I didn’t really like school, but once my parents moved me to a school where the classes were smaller in size, the learning experience got more enjoyable and it was easier for me to pay attention. That’s when my interest in school, and in getting as much as I could from my education, really kicked in.
I have two sisters, including my fraternal twin, Patricia. She is currently studying urban planning and development at Rutgers and is on her way to completing her master’s degree. My younger sister, Sylvia, is like me and really into science. She wants to be a radiologist. While our parents didn’t really push us to pursue higher education, they led by example. We kids understood the sacrifices they made to provide us with a life of educational opportunities. Our academic and professional successes, and how we put good back into the world, is our way of showing our gratitude toward them and of paying it forward. As a first-generation American and first-generation college student, I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish.
What sparked your passion for science?
In high school, I took an anatomy and physiology class. The teacher I had was fantastic. She made science, and more specifically the subject of anatomy, accessible and fun. In class, we learned how organs form and function, and how tissue regenerates during wound healing. On a school trip, we visited a lab, where I got to see the intricacies of the human body. I was able to hold a heart in my hand and was amazed that my thumb could fit into an aorta. I also saw a uterus, the intestines, and the brain. I was intrigued by the human body and science. That high school class experience made me want to learn more. Since I’ve been at John Jay, that passion for science and biology has only intensified.
Why John Jay?
When I was applying to colleges, my plan was to become a forensic pathologist, and a family friend suggested I consider John Jay. He had graduated from the College and told me it was one of the best schools for forensic science in the country. He also raved about his own John Jay experience. He said the campus was beautiful, the community was great, and the opportunities for working and learning were plenty. He shared that while at the College, he was recruited by a government agency for a government job.
I was a bit nervous to apply because the deadline was quickly approaching, but he pushed me to do it. I’m so glad I listened because John Jay has been such an awesome experience. The community on campus is great, the student resources and support programs are exceptional, and the professors are completely committed to their students’ success.
How have your mentors put you on the path to success?
Dr. Corthals has played a huge role in my growth as a researcher. She’s been massively supportive throughout my time in her research lab. One of the things I appreciate most about Dr. Corthals is that she completely trusts her students and sees their potential. She gives you the space to learn on your own, but if you don’t understand something, she’s the first to help you get to the point of understanding. A lot of the work I was doing in her lab, I didn’t think I could do on my own, but I realized I was creating protocols, troubleshooting when necessary, and completing my work. Dr. Corthals helped me realize my potential and see my capabilities.
Dr. Ed has been an incredible guiding force during my time at John Jay. He’s introduced me to a variety of learning experiences and helped me gain clarity on my post-graduate plans. Before connecting with him, I was trying to decide between different career paths and graduate school, and he took time to help me figure out my next steps.
That’s what’s been so incredible about Dr. Corthals and Dr. Ed. Both have provided me with an environment where I felt supported enough to pursue all my interests, take on different experiences, and expand on my knowledge and capabilities. They’ve pointed me to incredible research and internship opportunities that will set me up for future success. Dr. Corthals pushed me to take on the research opportunity at Neurometa Therapeutics at Aalborg Universitet in Denmark, and Dr. Ed encouraged me to apply for the ECHO Summer Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Without them I don’t know where I’d be. I’m very grateful for their help.
How have your internships enhanced your education and career aspirations?
The research I was doing in Denmark with Neurometa Therapeutics focused on how certain medications can help treat the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. The opportunity was perfect for me because I want to work in neuroscience research. At Neurometa Therapeutics, we focused on MN9D cell cultures—cells we use in research to learn more about the brain and neurodegenerative diseases—and tested how they process certain chemicals. Our goal at the time was to induce them to grow and act like Parkinson’s cells. If we could accomplish that, we could then observe how the cells would react to certain medications, which could, in the future, lead to the development of medications that would slow or stop the disease’s progression. The experience was incredible, because it was so collaborative and educational.
At Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s ECHO Program, I was conducting research on the correlation between socioeconomic conditions and diseases. I was also in a forward-facing position as a patient advocate, working closely with patients who were coming into the hospital. I saw the opportunity to give back and help people. I wanted every single patient I met to feel seen and heard. If I saw a patient in the emergency department waiting room who had been waiting for a long time, I would check on them. I remember one day the emergency department was packed, and there was a patient who was having pain in his appendix area. He was feeling so unwell he was shaking from the pain. He didn’t have appendicitis, but he still wanted to see a doctor. I went up to one of the doctors, explained the situation, and he agreed to see the patient right away and sent him up for a CT scan. The next morning, I learned the patient had to have surgery. I went to see him in recovery, and he thanked me for not leaving him in the waiting area. It’s moments like that, where the drive to work in the medical field becomes stronger for me.
What was the focus of your research with Dr. Corthals?
I’m currently working in two of Dr. Corthal’s research labs. The first lab, where I’ve been working for about three years, focuses on the relationship between three metabolic genes and chronic pain. Specifically, we’re looking at how the interaction between Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and GTP Cyclohydrolase 1 can trigger chronic pain.
We’re using two groups for this project. The first is a control group that doesn’t have a neurodegenerative disease, and the experimental group includes brain samples with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). People living with MS tend to experience a lot of chronic pain. What we’re doing in the lab is taking formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissue samples, cutting sections, and extracting DNA to analyze gene expression. My hypothesis is that the interaction between and expression of these three genes will be much higher in MS patients than in the control group. If my hypothesis is correct, it would give us a new perspective on pain pathways, and hopefully, help us find better ways to treat chronic pain.
I started with the second Corthals research lab in December 2025, and the work is in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute of Animal Biology. In this project, we’re looking at how brain cells in shrews change during a shrinking process called Dehnel’s phenomenon. To survive during winter and save energy, shrews shrink their brain and then regrow them in time for the summer. Using shrew brain samples allows us to see how the shrinking and regrowth process affects communication and connections between cells, impacts brain recovery, and provides us with a better understanding of neurogenerative diseases. When the shrew brain shrinks, its mimics neurodegeneration in humans. Often in neurodegeneration we see the damage of or a reduction in myelin, which is the protective lipid-rich cover around neurons, and a decrease in peroxisomes, which are small membranes that break down fatty acids and remove toxic substances. During this research I’m observing these changes, specifically the peroxisome cells, in the shrew brain samples. My hypothesis is that the number of peroxisomes in shrews will be much smaller in the winter compared to the summer.
How has PRISM and the Honors Program helped shape your John Jay experience?
PRISM has been an amazing experience. It feels like a “mini-Ph.D.” program. I’ve had incredible mentors, conducted exciting research, created my own protocols, and presented my work across the country. I’ve also been able to see what success outside of John Jay can look like. PRISM hosts several events each month where students hear from alumni and professionals working in different STEM fields. These speakers discuss their life journeys, education and graduate school experiences, and careers. That level of insight into what can possibly come next is especially helpful when you’re a student trying to figure out where you want to go after commencement.
The Honors Program has also been exceptional and pivotal to my success at John Jay. Honors courses center on the main theme of the common good—how can you contribute to society, help uplift others, and make a community feel seen and supported. Each Honors course was so philosophical and deeply resonated with my desire to contribute positivity to the world. I’ve also had a wonderful advisor in Ms. Alana Philip. Since day one of joining the program, she’s been supportive of all my plans. Every time I see her, I have a new 10-year plan to show her. No matter what alternative path I show her, Ms. Philip is always encouraging, and she motivates me to stay the course and be patient.
What are your plans after graduating John Jay?
I’ll be supporting research at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Biology in Germany for two months this summer. The Institute has provided the shrew brain samples for our research in Dr. Corthal’s lab these last few months, so they are familiar with the work we’ve done. At the Institute, I’ll be helping in several ways including serving as a research assistant. I’m excited for the opportunity to be part of their work and to expand my skillset. Once I’m back in New York, I’ll continue to work in Dr. Corthals lab, get my certification in mouse training—which will help in my future research—and apply to Ph.D. programs.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I will have earned my MD-Ph.D., finished my postdoc research, and published papers. I see myself working in the neuroscience field as a researcher aiming to stop and reverse neurodegenerative diseases and, on the medical front, working with patients and performing neurosurgery. I would also love to teach at John Jay and run my own research lab at the College. I want to be able to build students up the way Dr. Corthals and Dr. Ed did for me.
Finish this sentence: Because of John Jay…
My eyes have been opened to a world of opportunities I didn’t know existed.
