About

Ereny Gerges is originally from Egypt and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated in the spring of 2018 with a degree in chemistry with a concentration in pre-health professions and a degree in biology with a biomedical emphasis. Ereny was proud to be selected as a RISE fellow, a program that gives students the opportunity to conduct their own research at no cost. Ereny was very involved during her time at UNCP and was proud to be President of Alpha Chi Kappa Chapter during her senior year and a Residence Hall Advisor of Oak Hall during her sophomore year. Ereny had the opportunity to present her research at various local and professional conferences and enjoyed having the opportunity to work alongside her research mentors. She was thankful to have the opportunity to take honors classes and be surrounded by a defined community of people that encourages one other to maintain academic excellence and seek out extracurricular opportunities.  

Ereny’s senior project was a thesis paper that was titled “Understanding the Interplay between the RNA polymerase II and the Nucleosome Interaction.” She conducted her research under Dr. Maria Santisteban’s guidance. This research helped Ereny understand diseases and genetic mutations that are tied to cancer and the impact that these diseases and mutations leave on gene expression levels.    

After graduation Ereny attended a summer medical program at UNC Chapel Hill to gain experience that would help her when applying to medical school. Her goal was to attend medical school to obtain her MD and Ph.D. in family medicine or general practice so that she could practice and conduct research in a lab. Ereny advises honors students to work hard and always be at the top of their game: “Always seek out help if its needed and form a good relationship with faculty, staff and mentors because they can help to provide amazing opportunities.” Something Ereny will never forget was the Summer Program for Future Doctors that she attended during the summer after her junior year at East Carolina University. She knows that UNCP helped prepare her for this opportunity and for medical school. Ereny was also one of the top five students that was nominated for the 2017-2018 Outstanding Senior Award.  

Senior Project

Thesis: Understanding the Interplay between RNA Polymerase II and the Nucleosome Dynamics

Faculty Mentor: Maria Santisteban