Graduating this spring with a B.S. degree in Biology is Aaron Sandoval, an exceptionally accomplished student and researcher. Throughout his four years at UF, Aaron has conducted research in Biology Professor Malcolm Maden’s lab studying regeneration in spiny mice. Spiny mice are exceptional among mammals for their ability to completely regenerate damaged skin tissue without scarring. Aaron’s research has led to publications in Scientific Reports, PLOS ONE, the Journal of Comparative Neurology and the FASEB Journal. During his undergraduate years, Aaron also served on the executive board of the National American Physician Sciences Association and helped to create an undergraduate program in regenerative medicine at UF.
As a sophomore, Aaron received The Goldwater Scholarship, an award to students who show promise to lead the next generation of research in their field. As a junior, Aaron won first prize in the Life Science competition at the National Collegiate Research Conference. Over 200 undergraduate students from 81 universities attended this national conference held at Harvard University in January 2019. As a senior, Aaron received the prestigious Marshall Scholarship, only the second Marshall Scholarship ever awarded to a UF student. The Scholarship will support Aaron’s pursuit of an M.Phil. degree in Biochemistry at Cambridge University during the first year and an MSc in Stem Cell & Regenerative Therapies at King’s College, London, in the second year.
Aaron plans to earn an MD/PhD in stem cell and regenerative biology before pursuing a research career in regenerative medicine. Dr. Maden said of Aaron, “This guy had rockets on his shoes right from day one—a class above—and his shoes will never be filled. But his success is so rewarding.”