Janerys Rodríguez Montalvo – Testimony

Janerys Rodríguez Montalvo is an undergraduate student studying in the Biology Department with a concentration in Pre-Medical Studies at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. Her goal is to pursue a doctorate in medicine, specializing in a field involving live surgery, such as urology.

She participated in the 2024 Summer Program for Undergraduate Urology Research (SPUUR) this summer. Alongside her mentor Thomas Niepsuj and supervisor Kristina Penniston, she conducted the genitourinary development and hormonal influences; urinary bladder tissue engineering project.

She created a blog about her experience and details her experience:

“The Summer Program for Undergraduate Urology Research (SPUUR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison proved to be a pivotal point in my academic journey. Focusing on genitourinary development, hormonal influences, and urinary tissue bladder engineering provided an unparalleled opportunity to delve into a field that deeply fascinates me. Witnessing firsthand the intricacies of this research and its potential impact on patient lives solidified my ambition to pursue a career in urology. Beyond the research itself, SPUUR fostered a dynamic learning environment that extended far beyond the lab. Symposia and collaborative events, including jamborees with renowned researchers from institutions like Stanford and Columbia, broadened my perspective on the vastness of urology research and its diverse methodologies.”