Student Employees and Supervisor of the Year recognized

Johns Hopkins University honored three individuals on April 15, 2026, for their outstanding contributions as student employees and supervisors. Senior Dayrin Marquina received the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year award for her leadership in the Charm City STEM League, where she mentored students at Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School and Westport Academy. Marquina dedicated over 3,250 hours to the program, supporting more than 300 students in STEM activities across 20 disciplines and training new mentors. PhD student Rodrigo Guerra was named Graduate Student Employee of the Year for his work at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. The center conducts groundbreaking studies, including the first Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation/Electroencephalography research on psilocybin. Lorraine Dean, an associate professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, was recognized as Supervisor of the Year for her mentorship and support of student employees. Nickolas Lantz, executive director of university experiential learning, praised the awardees for embodying leadership, purpose, and mentorship. Marquina’s nomination highlighted her dedication to inspiring students to pursue STEM careers, particularly in underserved schools like Westport Academy in South Baltimore. She helped revitalize a struggling STEM program by motivating students and collaborating with teachers. Guerra’s contributions focus on advancing psychedelic research, expanding understanding of mental health and brain function. The awards celebrate students who go beyond their roles to drive impactful change at Johns Hopkins and in their communities.