Meet 2026 Award Recipient
Rollie Hampton
Before joining Mount Sinai, Rollie conducted undergraduate research in Dr. Manuel Aregullin’s lab at Cornell University. There, he investigated possible nootropic plants (enhancing memory/cognition) using chromatography and mass spectrometry in search of novel compounds for Alzheimer’s disease therapies. This experience established a strong foundation in experimental design, data analysis, literature review, and scientific communication. During his time at Mount Sinai, Rollie first joined the NIGMS-supported PREP program in Dr. Rupangi Vasavada’s lab, where he studied prolactin’s protective effects against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pancreatic beta cells, resulting in a publication in Diabetes. After completing PREP, he matriculated into the Sinai MSTP program. As a Neuroscience PhD student in Dr. Sarah Stanley’s lab, Rollie investigated how obesity disrupts the structure and function of nerves regulating pancreatic islet function, contributing to impaired glucose metabolism. He presented findings from the project at the American Physician Scientists Association conference, the ADA Scientific Sessions, Keystone Symposia, as well as numerous intra-institutional meetings at Sinai. Rollie will graduate with his MD/PhD and will continue his training as a physician scientist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in the Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) in Internal Medicine.