HONEY Pathway Students

Hello! My name is Mariana Lee Acevedo, I'm a Neuroscience major with a pre-med concentration. I was introduced to this course by my best friend. I'm super excited to learn all the medicinal properties and benefits honey has to offer so I can apply them myself in day to day life.

I am a senior at UTSA majoring in public health. Some of my hobbies and interests are watching movies, I love seeing dramas, psychological thrillers, and much more. Some movies I have recently watched are The Pianist and The Godfather. I recommend them to anyone because they are exciting movies. Another hobby of mine is knitting! I love to knit, fair warning I am not that great, but I have made small things so far such as some flowers. My future plans are to take the DAT and apply for dental school! I want to become a dentist so my next step after graduating is that. I joined the HONEY Pathway class because I was fascinated that honey, a common household food, has so many medicinal properties that I was not aware of. It was really intriguing to see that honey is more than just food. Lastly, my research project currently is the effects of honey on gingival fibroblasts.

Hello, my name is Sam Anderson and I am a Biology major junior. Honey interests me because I have a love for medicine and history and I want to rediscover ways to use it as those before us have.

Hi! My name is Goretty Artalejo, and I am a Biology major with a concentration in Plant Biology at UTSA. I'm a coffee enthusiast who loves working as a barista, exploring new coffee shops, watching movies, reading romantasy novels, and creating art. After graduating, I plan to complete dental school prerequisites during my gap year and apply to dental school, with a focus on holistic and cosmetic dentistry. I joined the HONEY Pathway to explore how natural products like honey can support oral health and healing, which connects to both my career goals and cultural background. My research focuses on how different concentrations of Texas honey affect gingival fibroblast cell viability, proliferation, and wound healing.

I am majoring at Molecular Microbiology & Immunology (MMI) at UTSA. I love my plants and traveling! I plan to go into research before going into PA school. Exploring the therapeutic effects of local Texas honey on gingival fibroblasts to explore its use in periodontal and gingivitis treatment.

Hey, my name is Samhitha Boyana! I am a Neuroscience major with a pre-med concentration. I hope to be a psychiatrist or get a PhD to study neuropsychology! When I was younger, I was always given a spoonful of honey whenever I was sick. I didn't understand why and thought it would've been better to just use medicine. But now, I realize there is so much more to honey than just a sweetener. In this class, I am excited to learn about the components of honey and how it improves our health to expand my knowledge of natural remedies in medicine!

Hello, my name is Dondrae Carter and I am an aspiring orthodontist. This is my third year at UTSA and I am so excited for the opportunities this class will provide. I first heard of this class through my academic advisor. He told me that this class is a great way for me to network and gain experience in the realm of research. Personally, I am eager to gain more knowledge about beekeeping and the positive attributes of honey.

I'm a Biology major with a concentration in Pre-Medical Sciences in the College of Sciences at UTSA. Some things that I love are plants, honey, and a solid dad rock playlist. I plan to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatric cardiology. I joined the Honey Pathway because it combines both my love for honey and my passion for medicine. Currently I am working with my group on a research project focused on the efficacy and cytotoxicity of Texas honey and honey-coated nanoparticles on wound healing.

Hello, my name is Melissa Fernandez Ayala! I am a Biology major starting my junior year at UTSA :) I am an aspiring Physician Assistant who hopes to specialize in Pediatrics. I heard of the class through word of mouth from my peers, and became highly interested in the concept of using a holistic approach to resolve ailments rather than relying solely on pharmaceutical means. Additionally, growing up I was given honey with lime whenever I got a sore throat, and was interested in learning the scientific explanation behind this. I hope to gain research experience, and be able to network with like-minded individuals while fostering a sense of community with my team!

Hi! I'm a Biology major with a Chemistry minor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I enjoy reading, running, and being with my family and friends. I plan to apply to dental school and pursue a career in dentistry. I joined the HONEY Pathway because I’m interested in natural therapeutics and wanted to explore honey's medicinal potential. My research focuses on evaluating the therapeutic effects of honey on gingival fibroblasts to explore its use in periodontal and gingivitis treatment.

Hi everyone, my name is Ahsan. I'm a Psychology major on the pre-med track. I am interested in studying honey because its usefulness has been highlighted extensively in scientific research and it is valued in many cultures and religions throughout the world. In a world full of processed foods and synthetic medications, I believe honey is one of the best natural substances that humans can utilize for both nutritional and medicinal benefits.

Hello, I am Kaelie Leal and I am a Junior with a Neuroscience major with a concentration in Pre-medical Sciences. I first heard of this class through a presentation I attended and was actually interested in it because it sounded like a great way to improve my resume, make good long lasting connections, and I was actually interested in the topic itself. A fun fact about me is that I did a presentation on medical properties of honey before knowing there was a program.

Hello! I am a Biology major and undergraduate researcher at the University of Texas at San Antonio Honors College and College of Sciences. In my free time I love to read, bake, spend time with my friends and family, and volunteer at Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coalition (BAHRC). In the future, I plan on attending medical school and pursuing a career as a physician. I joined the HONEY Pathway to gain valuable hands-on research experience as well as further develop my research methodology, grant writing, presentation, and scientific collaboration skills that will aid in my goal of becoming a well-informed and communicative future physician. My group's research project focuses on evaluating the potential inhibitory and bactericidal effects of pure Texas honey samples on wild-type Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in the hopes of providing evidence of a new effective treatment against antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae!

I am a biology major on the Pre-Medical track at the University of Texas at San Antonio. My goal is to pursue a career in medicine and specialize in cardiac surgery. I joined the HONEY Pathway – Medicinal Properties of Honey because of my personal connection to honey and its healing properties. Growing up, my family often used honey to treat common illnesses such as the flu, sore throat, cold, etc. However, we did not fully understand the science behind it. I found out about the HONEY Pathway and learned through presentations about the use of honey for civilizations across all different cultures, and how it has been used to treat severe diseases and wounds. This interested me in exploring how and why honey works so effectively with so many diseases, and how it has been recognized as a therapeutic agent from ancient times, even without modern technology. For my research project, I am studying the Efficacy and Cytotoxicity of Honey and Honey-Coated Nanoparticles on Wound Healing. This research demonstrates the potential of integrating natural and nanotechnological approaches for improved wound care, paving the way for safer and more effective therapeutic applications. This research does not only connect back to my curiosity about natural medicine but also gives me hands-on experience in understanding the science behind what makes honey such a powerful healing agent.

I'm a Biology major at UTSA, part of the College of Sciences, the Honors College, and the APPEX program. Swimming is one of my hobbies—I'm both a competitive swimmer and a coach. I plan to become a psychiatrist in the future. I joined the HONEY Pathway program because I'm deeply fascinated by the medicinal properties of honey. Its well-known antibacterial and antioxidant effects are especially intriguing to me, and I'm excited about the potential applications of these properties in treating various health conditions. As part of my research in the CURES program, I am focusing on understanding how to prevent or reduce the transition of Candida albicans from yeast to hyphal form, which is a key factor in the development of infections.

Hi! I am a student at UTSA and I'm a Biology major on the pre-med track! My favorite thing to do for fun is to watch reality television and try new snacks. I hope to become an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and help disadvantaged women and girls. I joined the HONEY Pathway because I wanted to learn the more traditional side of medicine, I think it's beneficial to understand alternative ways to approach a situation. Our research project focused on determining the inhibitory and antibacterial efficacy of varying Texas honey samples on Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
– Michaela Marks LinkedIn

I'm a Microbiology and Immunology major with a minor in Biology at UTSA. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, gardening, and cooking. I plan to attend medical school and become a pediatrician, where I can combine my passion for science with my love for working with children. I joined the HONEY Pathway because I’m passionate about natural medicine and interested in honey's potential to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. My research explores the antibacterial activity of honey against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus.
– Michelle Orihuela-Milligan LinkedIn

I'm a Biology major at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis and exploring topics related to healthcare and medicine. I joined the HONEY Pathway because I was fascinated by the idea that something as natural as honey could have real medicinal applications, especially in treating bacterial infections. My research focuses on the antibacterial activity of honey against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus, two pathogens of major clinical concern. In the future, I hope to pursue a career as either a physician or a physician assistant, where I can continue combining science with patient care.
– Angela Pacheco LinkedIn

I am majoring in Microbiology and Immunology. My hobbies include spending time with my pets. I am interested in microbes and learning about viral infections. I intend to pursue a PhD in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology. I would like to work for the CDC or in industry. I joined the Medicinal Properties of Honey class because I found the research to be very niche and intriguing. My research project in the HONEY Pathway focused on honey-coated nanoparticles. I investigated whether coating nanoparticles with honey could reduce toxicity and explored the implications this might have for wound healing.

Hello, I'm Temiyemi (Temmy) Adewumi, a passionate senior Biology major with a minor in Psychology. Beyond the world of academics, I find joy in the intricate art of crocheting, a creative outlet that allows me to unwind and express myself. Aspiring to become a pharmacist, my curiosity led me to explore the medicinal properties of honey and its impact on the human body. My research project in Honey Pathway is "Safeguarding Beef from Lipid Oxidation Using the Power of Texas Honey."
– Temiyemi Adewuni LinkedIn

My name is Teno Awotu-Utunedi. I am a Microbiology & Immunology major with a minor in East Asian Studies and a part of the College of Sciences. My favorite thing to do is read and listen to music, as well as watch anime. I joined the HONEY Pathway because I found the subject intriguing; I had never thought to dig deeper into the uses of honey as a medicine before and, as recommended by a previous alumni who had participated the year before, I signed up. As someone who is pre-med as well, planning to apply to medical school in the future, the potential for honey to be used in the medical field also drew me to this research. My research project explores the antibacterial properties of honey against ESKAPE pathogens.
– Teno Awotu-Utunedi LinkedIn

Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, Hobbies: Basketball, Future Plans: Apply to medical school
I joined the HONEY Pathway because I grew up in a holistic medicine household which ingrained memories of warmed up honey and lime to treat sore throats. I am deeply intrigued by health sciences and I wanted to learn more about the ways honey can solve patient concerns and symptoms. My partner and my research in the HONEY Pathway is on the sensory analysis of honey. The purpose of this study is to identify specific taste and aroma characteristics of monofloral honey from different areas. To address this, we will be using standardized tests on our experimenters and a sensory lexicon to assist the characterizations of different honeys. From our study we will be able to collect information on different types of monofloral honeys and advertise this information to the public through marketing on grocery store shelves. This means honey consumers will be more educated on the characteristics of the type of honey they are buying, which will be beneficial to both our commercial beekeepers and our honey consumers.
– Samantha Chapa LinkedIn

My name is Helen Cruz. I am a pre-med student at The University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in Biology. I enjoy going out with my friends and family. I also like going on a nice run when the weather is nice and watching Mexican dramas; I am currently watching Minas de Pasion. In the future, I plan to get into medical school and become a cardiologist, but I am open to all specialties. I decided to join the HONEY Pathway lab because I love honey and am a daily consumer of it. It would be interesting to know more about it because it is also very commonly used for medical purposes. This Spring 2024, my partner, Alessia, and I are doing a research project about using nanoparticles and applying them to honey for catheter application to lower potential infection after catheter insertion.
– Helen Cruz LinkedIn

My name is Oceanna Escribano, and I am a student at UTSA pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in French. Outside the classroom, I enjoy making lace, baking, and gardening, and my future goal is to become a dentist. My academic journey is deeply intertwined with a desire for knowledge and a commitment to contributing positively to the community around me, two ideals made possible by the HONEY Pathway. Through my work in this program, I am able to conduct research that expands my knowledge and offers meaningful insights to academic and medical communities. My current research project focuses on bee behavior during celestial phenomena in Texas, specifically the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse and 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
– Oceanna Escribano Perez LinkedIn

My name is Michael Frei and I am a Biology major attending The University of Texas at San Antonio. My hobbies include watching / playing basketball and baseball, fishing, cooking, playing video games, and spending time with my loved ones. I plan to graduate undergrad at the end of the Spring 2024 semester, attend dental school, and pursue a career in dentistry. I joined the HONEY Pathway - Medicinal Properties of Honey because I felt that it was a wonderful opportunity to take part in research while simultaneously learning more about honey's potential to contribute to the field of healthcare. My lab partner and my research project in the Honey Pathway is Sensory Analysis of Honey, a project focused on creating sensory profiles for select Texas honeys in an effort to better inform consumers, helping them make decisions about the honey that is right for them.
– Michael Frei LinkedIn

Hello, I'm Kyra Hagan, a current Biology major at the University of Texas at San Antonio. My academic journey is fueled by the ambition to attend medical school after graduating, with a keen interest in specializing in orthopedics. My hobbies/interests are reading, spending quality time with my cats, and staying updated on the latest medical advancements. I joined the HONEY Pathway - Medicinal Properties of Honey course because of the dynamic nature of honey and its potential in the realm of medicine caught my interest. This year, my partner Christine and I have delved into researching "The Use of Honey to Treat Streptococcal pharyngitis Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes."
– Kyra Hagan LinkedIn

My name is Ahmad Hassan and I am a junior attending the Honors College at UTSA. I heard about the Honey CURES while attending professor Ozturk's Biology I class in the spring of 2022. Before that point, I had believed that honey had no medicinal properties and became interested in learning more about how and why honey has such great healing properties. The Honey CURES has allowed me to engage in meaningful research and has helped me in my goal of publishing at least one study before the end of 2024. I would like to use the knowledge I gain from this class to continue research well beyond my undergraduate education. When I'm not working on school or conducting research in the lab, I enjoy working on cars and taking care of my cats.
– Ahmad Hassan LinkedIn

My name is Haley Hataway. My major is in Biology in the College of Sciences. My hobbies include drawing, sewing, and walking outdoors. I plan to apply to a NAACLS-accredited program for PAs to become a Pathologist Assistant, but I am still open to many possible career paths. I joined the Medicinal Properties of Honey sophomore research experience after hearing Dr. Ozturk talk about it in my Bioscience I class because I thought it sounded fascinating. Before last semester, I had little knowledge of honey's medicinal benefits, but I have grown passionate about it. My research project in the HONEY PATHWAY involves finding how medicinal and authentic various grocery store honeys are compared to local Texan honeys.
– Haley Hataway LinkedIn

My name is Gabriella. I am a Neuroscience major with a minor in Biology in the College of Sciences. I enjoy reading, journaling, and Pilates. One of my future goals is to live overseas serving others as a missionary. I joined the HONEY Pathway because I used to be terrified of bees until my mom taught me about how amazing they are. She ended up getting her own beehive and we got to harvest our own honey! Then I met Dr. Ozturk my first semester at UTSA and he told me about his Medicinal Properties of Honey class. I couldn't wait to learn more about bees and just how much their products can help people! I am partnered with Sam and Micheal to research honey through the analysis of its sensory information.
– Gabriella Hicks LinkedIn

My name is Gracie S. João, I am a Biology major with a Cellular and Molecular concentration at the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Sciences, and Honors College. In my free time, when I actually get some, I enjoy sleeping and spending quality time with my family. My future plans include, but are not limited to, becoming a practicing physician here in the United States. I joined HONEY Pathway - Medicinal Properties of Honey initially to gain the research experience needed for my intended graduate school program. Surprisingly, I got hooked on the amazing "powers" of honey. Honey has a synergetic mechanism of action toward bacteria and thus far, there is no literature on honey resistant bacteria! My research project in HONEY Pathway consists in analysing the antimicrobial properties of Texan honey samples on ESKAPE pathogens (a group of bacteria known for their multidrug resistance). It has been an enjoyable and educational experience.
– Gracie João LinkedIn

Hello! I'm Karyme Lozano, a dedicated biology student at UTSA, who has a passion for bees, the healthcare field, and going out to new places with friends. After getting my bachelor's, I plan to attend UTHealth for a master's in Medical Laboratory Sciences. The HONEY Pathway captured my attention as it seamlessly merges my two interests: bees and medicine. I love that the HONEY Pathway allows me to further develop my interest in bees in a lab while preparing me for careers in research. Currently, my research project within the HONEY Pathway is observing the impact of various Texas honeys on the healing time of different types of burn wounds.
– Karyme Lozano LinkedIn

Major: Post-bacc, University of Texas at San Antonio, Hobbies/Interests: I find joy in the kitchen when I am baking, and I love writing poems and documenting my thoughts in my journal. I also play guitar in my spare time and I love spending time in nature, as it combines adventure, relaxation, and inspiration. Future Plans: My goal is to apply to medical school to pursue a career in medicine.
Why did I join HONEY Pathway - Medicinal Properties of Honey? With a deep appreciation for bees and their invaluable contributions, I was eager to join the Medicinal Properties of Honey class to explore the application of honey in medicine. I am continually gaining knowledge, and it is truly exciting to be a part of a program that advocates for bees, honey, and the art of beekeeping. My research project is focused on assessing the purity, physicochemical attributes, and bioactivity potential of various honey samples, both grocery stores honey and locally sourced honey to gain a comprehensive perspective on the honey market in San Antonio.
– Viviana Martinez LinkedIn

Hello my name is Christina Ndayisenga and I am a senior Biology major. I love working out and I recently took up crocheting this winter break and I really enjoy it. I aspire to make meaningful contributions to the field of neonatal surgery, enroll in a reputable Ph.D. program in Medical Research to deepen my understanding of cutting-edge research methodologies, and contribute to the scientific community. I joined the HONEY Pathway course because I wanted to get my hand on getting in the lab and the medicinal part really interested me. My research project in the course is how honey can heal burns and the time period it takes for it to heal.
– Christina Ndayisenga LinkedIn

Hello everyone! My name is Trina Nguyen and I am a fourth year MARC-2 scholar undergraduate research assistant majoring in Biology here at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Outside of my work and academic commitments, some hobbies I enjoy consist of photography, edm music, and volleyball. My future plans are to keep expanding my horizons on self discovery and live more spontaneously. I became a part of the HONEY Pathway to Medicinal Properties of Honey because it presented a unique learning opportunity unlike any other course I have taken. One of my interests lies in delving deeper into natural treatments and herbal medicine, bridging traditional knowledge with modern science as well as how health disparities impact our healthcare systems. In my research project, I will be studying the antimicrobial efficacy of various Texan honeys on bacteria growth for potential therapeutic applications.

My name is Claudia Ponce and I am currently majoring in Biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Some hobbies and interests of mine include community involvement such as volunteering in soup kitchens, and going on walks. My future plans consist of attending dental school to become a general dentist. As I follow a pre-health track, I decided to join the HONEY Pathway to learn more about the medicinal properties of honey and possibly share these findings with future patients and colleagues later on. My current research project is about using honey to help treat periodontal disease and testing the antimicrobial properties of honey against common periodontal bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis.
– Claudia Ponce LinkedIn

My name is Jason Ruiz-Gonzalez, I am currently a senior in the College of Health, Community, and Policy studying the major of Public Health. Some of my interests involve music, hiking, and cooking. Future plans include attending dental school after graduation. An active interest in becoming a beekeeper soon through the honey pathway opportunities. Part of the reason I joined the HONEY Pathway was from childhood experience. As a kid, I met a man who was a beekeeper and there was always something so captivating about him and his profession selling honey. Keeping that in mind, I was very intrigued by the idea of being involved in the medicinal studies of honey. As part of the studies, research in the area of periodontitis and its related bacteria has been pursued with efforts to expand the use of honey in the dental field through honey's various properties.
– Jason Ruiz-Gonzalez LinkedIn

Hi! My name is Christine Tomydas, and I am currently a second year Biology major at UTSA. Some of my hobbies include reading, listening to music, and binging K-dramas. After graduating, I plan to attend medical school and hopefully go into pediatrics. The reason I joined HONEY Pathway was to learn more about how something so attainable, such as honey, is able to treat problems that we would usually turn to medications for. The project my partner Kyra and I are working on pertains to the use of honey to treat strep throat, in which we hope our results will be able to showcase honey's medicinal properties in treating this common infection.
– Christine Tomydas LinkedIn

Howdy! My name is Alessia Valdes and I am a senior majoring in Biology at UTSA. I am a huge fan of music, art, and pickleball! I love to be outside surrounded by good company and good food. My career aspiration is to become a physician someday and specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or Neurology to work with patients who have disabilities! I joined the HONEY Pathway - Medicinal Properties of Honey to dip my toes into research and a topic I found so interesting. Having such an accessible focal point, the possibilities for research and overall effects are endless! My partner, Helen, and my research project is going to be composed of two potential ideas. Our research project could be related to the implementation of honey and nanoparticles or the exploration of endurance and honey. Both projects would provide insight and improvement to current situations faced by potential beneficiaries, I am very excited to see how we can aid consumers!
– Alessia Valdes LinkedIn