Celebrating Manuel, Welcoming Summer Scholars, and Congratulating Jalil

On May 27, 2026, the HEART-GeN Lab gathered for a celebration that brought together several important moments for our team.

We said goodbye and thank you to Manuel Hurtado, Jr., whose work, care, and steady presence contributed meaningfully to the lab. Manuel has been an important part of HEART-GeN, and we are grateful for everything he helped build with us.

The gathering also served as a warm welcome for our HEART-GeN Summer Scholars. We are excited to have them join the lab community and begin a summer of research, mentorship, computational training, and scientific growth.

We also celebrated Jalil Hemphill winning the Fletcher Prize for Rising Undergraduate Research Star, recognizing his commitment to undergraduate research and the promise of the work he is developing in the lab.

These moments are what make lab community matter: honoring contributions, welcoming new scientists, and celebrating the milestones that move each person forward.