Hilliary Frank

Hilliary Frank is a 4th Year PhD Candidate at the University of California San Diego where she works under Francesco Paesani studying metal organic frameworks and their usage in atmospheric water harvesting and carbon dioxide capture . Hilliary Frank graduated from Lehman College earning a Bachelor’s in Science in Chemistry. While in undergrad ,she has had the opportunity to do research at The Institute for Creative Technologies at USC through the Natural Science Foundation Research for Undergraduates (NSF REU). On her free time, she enjoys creating music mixes and pending time with her cat Moo.

Keaton Holt

Keaton am a 3rd year PhD student in Elena Koslover's group in the biophysics branch of the physics department. His research has to do with the physics of intracellular transport and network dynamics, focused specifically on mitochondria. Keaton is also involved with the UCSD triathlon club and enjoys exercising and being outdoors in his free time. He is open to any physics or math questions. Keaton is also happy to discuss research, applications, grad school and other relevant topics to undergraduate students.

Georges Leconte

Georges is a first year ACS Bridge fellow at UCSD in the Chemistry & Biochemistry department on the chemical biology track. He is a big fan of synthetic organic chemistry and the ways that it can be used to probe/understand biological systems. Outside of lab, he loves listening to avant-garde music, reading Russian literature, and playing video games.

Jayke Nguyen

Jayke is a graduate student in the new Astronomy & Astrophysics department. He studies exoplanets in the mid-IR and work on adaptive optics systems for telescopes. Jayke is really excited to be a mentor and enjoy helping people navigate their way through academia.

Gongping Niu

Gongping is a PhD student at UC San Diego's Math Department in the field of differential geometry. He is happy to teach students.

Javier Sanelly

Zhichao Wang

Zhichao is a fifth year PhD student at Department of Mathematics. He works in probability, statistics and machine learning theory. Currently, he is applying high-dimensional probability to theoretically analyze the deep neural networks. He loves hiking, swimming, cooking and drawing during his free time.

Stella Zhang

Stella is a sixth year student working with Dr. Dusan Keres in Astrophysics. Her focus is on the first star of the universe.

Aliyah Adeogun

Lauren Agarwala

Brenda Aviles

Panagiota Benetatos

Panagiota is a first year Biochemistry major. She is interested in the application of where biology and chemistry meet and interact with each other. Panagiota joined the EXPAND Program because she wanted to gain research experience and develop more hands-on experience. Outside of academics, she enjoys going hiking, hanging out with friends, and exploring new places!

Valentina Canongo

Valentina is a first-year student studying Molecular Synthesis at UCSD. She is a first-generation college student and she enjoys listening to music, drawing, and playing video games. Valentina is interested in the field of biotechnology because she wants to work with technological and biological systems. Valentina joined the Cohort Program because she wanted to explore what research opportunities were offered and receive mentorship for her major. During her free time, Valentina likes to eat food, sleep, and make random sketches.

Dale Capewell 

Emre Cetin

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Minseo Chu

Minseo is a first-year student majoring mathematics-computer science at UCSD in seventh college. She is an international student from South Korea and she enjoys drawing and playing games. Minseo is interested in the field of software programming, where she feel the sense of fufillment every time she watches her code working flawlessly. Minseo joined the DPS Cohort Program, expecting to meet with new peers, staff, and faculty, participate in collaborative study group, and build up good relationship with people in the program.

Italy Clark

Italy is a current 1st year majoring in Astrophysics. She works as an Office and Events Assistant at the Student Success Center. She plans on pursuing her studies, aiming for her Ph.D. in physics while exploring internships with space and defense companies. During her free time, Italy dances and DJs as a hobby. She also enjoys her quiet time by reading, cooking, or exploring nature

Dorothy Davenport

Dorothy is a first-year student studying biochemistry at UCSD. For a long time they planned on studying English or literature, but eventually realized that nothing excited them like science. They are interested in biochemistry because of its relation to so many other fields of study. Dorothy joined the Cohort Program because of the support from peers and faculty, as well as the assistance getting involved in undergraduate research. During their free time, Dorothy enjoys reading and drawing, as well as having fun with their friends.

Antonio Esho

Antonio is a first-year student studying Biochemistry at UCSD. He is a first-generation college student, and he enjoys math, science, and the gym. Antonio is interested in the field of Biochemistry because he enjoys the intersection of the mathematical organization of chemistry, and the interconnected topics of biology. Antonio joined the Physical Science Cohort Program because of the friends he can make, the cozy study spots he can relax in, and the faculty he can bond with. During his free time, Antonio enjoys relaxing with a cup of coffee, playing volleyball, and watching movies.

Daniella Esho

Daniella is a first year Pharmacological Chemistry Major at UC, San Diego. Being interested in getting more involved with the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at UCSD led her to the Physical Sciences Cohort. She is studying with the goal of getting into pharmacy school, learning more about modern medicine practices, and engaging with her peers. On her spare time, Daniella enjoys watching movies, playing tennis, and baking. She's excited to learn more about all of the opportunities life at UCSD has to offer!

Marie Joe Franci

Marie Joe Franci is a first-year student majoring in Pharmacological Chemistry at Muir College. She was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, where her interest in STEM sparked after her involvement in a local pharmacy. There, she learned the cruciality of accessible medication. In 2020, Marie Joe moved to San Diego for higher education. Although the change was a major challenge, she persevered by taking advantage of the opportunities available in the United States to make an impact in STEM. Thus, she volunteered at the Pharmacy Department at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, and participated in an internship at the Schroeder Lab at UCSD, where she was part of a research project on CO2 signal transduction in plants. Currently, Marie Joe works at Dr. Anjan Debnath’s laboratory for the Center of Drug-Discovery and Innovation for Parasitic Diseases (CDIPD), conducting research to push for the development of antimicrobials for parasitic diseases. Other than her involvement in the lab, Marie Joe serves as Co-Treasurer for the Lebanese Student Association. Marie Joe hopes to grow further in her STEM through collaboration and exploration inside and outside UC San Diego.

Aleesha Guido

Aleesha is a first-year student studying Mathematic-Computer Science at UCSD. She is a first-generation college student and enjoys to spend time with her family any chance she gets. She loves her chocolate Labrador retriever as well as making new friends. Aleesha joined the DPS Cohort Program because she wanted guidance throughout her STEM courses at UCSD. During her free time Aleesha loves to sleep, and daydream while listening to Mexican banda music.

Brenda Holguin

Joseph Hunt

Joseph is a first-year student studying physics at UCSD. He enjoys gymnastics and learning math. Joseph is interested in the field of astrophysics because he thinks it is fascinating and important. Joseph joined the DPS Cohort Program because he wants access to more oppurtinites to learn about physics.opportunities

Sanaa Hunter

Kimberly Ibanez Cruz

Saina Kadni

Angela Khadour

Angela is a first-year student studying pharmacological chemistry at UCSD. She is Iraqi-American. She is left-handed, loves hanging out with her friends and family, and exploring. Angela is interested in becoming a pharmacist because she loves taking care of others and the healthcare field is had way to show it. Angela joined the DPS Cohort Program because she wanted to make connections with STEM majors at UCSD, learn more about UCSD culture and be able to smoothly adjust into UCSD life with other people that have similar interests.

Manasvini Komandur

Manasvini (she/her) is a freshman studying Physics at UCSD. She enjoys spending time with her friends, reading a good book, and playing her violin. Although she is unsure of exactly what career path she wants to follow, Manasvini is interested in Physics because because it challenges her way of thinking about the universe and teaches her problem solving skills. Manasvini joined the cohort program to connect with individuals in her major and find access to research opportunities.

Shriya Konda

Shriya is a dedicated data science major at UCSD. She is fascinated by artificial intelligence and its impact on society, as she actively explores and experiments with it in her free time. In the future, Shriya aspires to use artificial intelligence as a powerful tool to solve real world problems. She joined the DPS cohort program to be connected with like minded individuals and resources to further explore her interests and expand her knowledge to explore and expand her knowledge of this dynamic field. Outside of the classroom she loves to tutor kids, stay fit, and listen to music.

Kimberly Krakover

Kevin Lin

Kevin is a first-year student studying Chemistry at UCSD. He is a first-generation college student and he enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, and going shopping. Kevin is interested in the medical field because he loves helping those around him and is fascinated by this complex stimulating career. Kevin joined the DPS Cohort Program because of the perks of priority registration for STEM classes, amazing connections to people older than him and people who share his major, and the promising research opportunities they provide. During his free time, Kevin likes to hang out with friends in cafes, explore places he's never been, and take naps.

Summer Lindauer

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer is a first-year Pharmaceutical Chemistry student at UCSD. She is interested in pursuing a career as a Forensic Toxicologist. Jennifer joined the DPS Cohort Program to connect with her peers perusing a similar major, to gain assistance in her classes, and to learn about new and exciting opportunities that the Student Success Center has to offer. Outside of the classroom, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and going to the theatre.

Alex Morales

Reeca Palisoc

Zaide Pasion

Leo Pineda

Leo is a second year student studying Mathematics at UCSD. He's interested in the field of medicine because he is fascinated with the human body and how we understand it and can treat it. In his free time, he enjoys playing the violin, hanging with friends, and doing karaoke.

Paola Pineda Padilla

Hrithik Yash Prakash Lavanya

Hrithik is a first year student studying math-cs at UCSD. He is a second generation college student and he enjoys eating, studying, cycling. Hrithik is interested in the field of ai, cs and math because they are really fun and expect you to reason and sure pay you a lot. Hrithik joined the cohort because he wanted to meet like minded people and meet with professors to get research opportunities. During his free time, hrithik like watching YouTube.

Alexander Rozas

Anthony Sanchez

My name is Anthony Sanchez, and I am a Chemistry major but possibly switching to a biochemistry major. I am a first-generation university student from the growing town named Lindsay: a friendly city. I am interested in Chemistry because I love to cook in my spare time. I want to dig deeper into the process of how each molecule and nuclei interacts in a chemical interaction. I also like a simpler reason too; I just love food.

Johanna Sanchez

Marissa Sheehy

Marissa is a first year student studying Biochemistry. She is interested in potentially studying rare genetic disorders, understanding more about how diseases or medical conditions operate (especially those that disproportionately affect certain communities), and other concepts related to the field of medical science. She is also interested in concepts related to global health. She joined the Cohort Program to receive guidance concerning her future interests and to meet people in the fields she wanted to explore. In her free time she enjoys reading, baking, playing piano, and nature walks.

Achintya Shukla

Paxton Smith

Paxton Smith, first year, pronouns (he/him) studying Physics. I enjoy puzzles and board games. I am interested in the field of physics because of how adaptable it is, able to connect extremes from the micro to macro. I joined the Cohort Program because I wanted to take advantage of more opportunities, meet new peers, and maybe connect with more professional people.

Sancho Martin Syquia

Alyvia Vaughan

Elizabeth Velazquez

Elizabeth is a first-year student at Revelle pursuing biochemistry. She enjoys swimming in the swim club, working in groups, and giving back to her community. Elizabeth is interested in the biochemistry field because her experience in volunteering in her hometown has shown her how medicine can help people across borders. During her free time, Elizabeth likes to paint, swim, and bake.

Citlali Villanueva

Sydney Vongsarath

Sydney is a first-year student studying Biochemistry at UCSD. She is from Thailand, and enjoys making traditional art. Her favorite mediums are alcohol markers and colored pencils. She also loves going into nature to appreciate the view and de-stress. She is interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or in biomedical research. Because of this, she joined the Physical Sciences Cohort Program because she believes that she’ll be able to meet peers with similar career goals, mentors who can provide guidance, and lots of exposure to research opportunities that allow her to explore her fields of interest.

David Wang

David is a first-year math and computer science student at UC San Diego. He is particularly interested in the multidisciplinary applications of computer science involving chemistry, biology, and math. David joined the DPS cohort to connect with other physical science majors that share similar interests and to get involved in research. In his free time, he likes to play basketball with friends, visit new places, and swim.

Shuxian (Sophia) Xie

Sophia is a first-year General Biology student at UCSD. She is interested in pursuing a PhD in cancer biology. She likes doing research and dive into cancer and in order to contribute to cancer treatments methods. She is now in one of the Moores Cancer Center lab. Sophia jointed the DPS Cohort Program because she wants to build a network of peers who are also passionate in science, and desire to hear about their career paths. Outside of academics, I like riding horses, cooking, and spending time with family.

Shuyang Xu

Shuyang Xu is a first-year student studying in cognitive science specific in neuroscience at UCSD. He is Chinese and comes from Shanghai, China.He like playing basketball, enjoying video games, reading books, watching movies, listening to music and take photos. Shuyang Xu is more interested in going on a MD program career and focusing on neuroscience or cardiovascular. He joined the DPS Cohort Program because he wants access to more opportunities and more ways to meet different people.

Sherlyn Yanez

Sherlyn Yáñez (sure-lean) is a first-year student studying Biochemistry at UCSD. She is a first-generation college student and she enjoys going to the gym, cooking, and attending pop-up shops. Sherlyn is interested in the field biochemistry because she wants to attend graduate school and pursue a career in Dermatology. She joined the Cohort to get connected with her department and peers. During her free time, she likes to watch the sunset, hang out with her friends, and experiment with skin care products.