(Click student’s names for ePortfolio)
Biology
Faculty Mentor: Nicholas J. Shikuma
Tatyana was appointed to the MARC program in August 2023. Her major is General Biology B.S.
Being a part of the Shikuma lab, Tatyana studies host-microbe interactions and embryology of the model tubeworm Hydroides elegans.
After graduation, she hopes to attend a dual OD/ Ph.D. program and study Vision Science, while still being an eye healthcare provider to patients.
*not funded
Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
Faculty Mentor: Nicholas J. Shikuma
Alpher was appointed to the MARC program in August 2023. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in Sustainability.
As a researcher in the Shikuma Lab, he studies to expand the scientific knowledge and diversify the tools available for genetic manipulation of marine bacteria.
After graduating from San Diego State University, he plans to further his education by pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical science.
Shiloh Bolden
Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:Natalie Mladenov
Shiloh joined MARC in September 2023. At San Diego State University, he is studying Environmental Engineering. Under his supervisor, Dr. Natalie Mladenov in the “WIRLab”, he is researching anammox bacteria and its possible uses for cleaning wastewater in a low-cost Anaerobic Baffled Reactor.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, he will go on to receive his Ph.D. in Systems Engineering which will allow him to become a project manager.
Josselyn Jacobo
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Mentor: Tom Huxford
Josselyn was appointed to the MARC program in July 2023. She is double majoring in Cellular & Molecular Biology and Psychology and minoring in Interdisciplinary Studies.
She is currently an undergraduate researcher for the Huxford Biochemistry Lab. She has worked on understanding regulation in the NF-KB signal transduction pathway, which is associated with inflammatory-based diseases.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either Biochemistry or Biophysics. She has a career goal of becoming a PI in her own lab and continuing to do research with clinical applications that can help patients.
Diego Leon
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Margaret Friend
Diego was appointed to the MARC program in August 2023. He’s currently studying psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience and a minor in counseling and social change. As a research assistant at the Infant and Child Development Lab, Diego assists Dr. Margaret Friend in conducting research on language and cognition in children under five years of age. We are currently studying how the COVID-19 pandemic affected language acquisition and cognition in bilingual Spanish-speaking children
After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he plans to receive a Ph.D. in neuropsychology/clinical. Diego aspires to become a psychology professor at a top-tier four-year university, practice clinical neuropsychology at a medical clinic, and research mental disorders in children.
Sama Mikhail*
Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Mark Sussman
Sama was appointed to the MARC program in August 2022. She is majoring in Microbiology and minoring in Chemistry.
As an undergraduate researcher, she has studied host-microbe interaction, bioinformatics, and genetic modification of bacteria for about a year in the Shikuma Lab. Sama is now working in the Sussman Lab studying cardiopulmonary effects of vaping.
After graduation, she plans to pursue an MD/Ph.D. program and continue her career in science by working as a physician-scientist. Her professional goal is to run her research lab as a PI in a research-focused medical school.
Sama spent summer 2023 participating in the University of Michigan UM-SMART program designed for undergraduate students who have an interest in obtaining a combined MD/PhD degree leading to a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist performing basic research relevant to human health and disease.
*not funded
Scott Monahan
Evolutionary Biology
Faculty Mentor: Arun Sethuraman
Scott was appointed to the MARC program in August 2022. He is majoring in Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Statistics.
After joining Dr. Sethuraman’s Lab in October 2021, he has researched the heritability and plasticity of morphological traits in the parthenogenetic parasitoid wasp Dinocampus coccinellae and the population genetics of the invasive lady beetle Coccinella septempunctata.
After graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph. D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and become a professor researching genetic applications for conservation efforts.
Scott spent summer of 2023 participating in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
Carly Nichols
Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Christopher Harrison
Carly was appointed to the MARC program in September 2023. She is majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Cultural Proficiency.
As an undergraduate researcher for the Harrison lab, she has worked on capillary coating modifications as well as analysis of creatinine.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either analytical chemistry or forensic chemistry. Her career goal is to work in a state crime lab doing forensic work.
Julio Nuñez Garcia*
Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Cristal Zuñiga
Julio was appointed to the MARC program in September 2023. He is majoring in Computer Science.
As an undergraduate researcher for the CZ Lab, he has contributed to the development of a custom version of the Escher software and has also created unique programs to aid microorganism research.
After graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either Computational Science or Bioinformatics. His ultimate career goal is to be a full-time scientific researcher, continuously developing software to innovate and further scientific research.
*not funded
Liana Parrish
Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Miguel Villodas
Liana was appointed to the MARC program in September 2023. Her major is Psychology with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Liana currently conducts research in the Healthy Child and Family Development Lab with Dr. Miguel Villodas.
Liana has an interest in clinical psychology specifically researching the connection between trauma and depression, anxiety, and other disorders. Liana aims to destigmatize mental health disorders as well as learn more about coping strategies and methods.
After acquiring a bachelor’s degree she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and service individuals through a private practice.
Poly Popova*
Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Natalie Mladenov
Poly was appointed to the MARC program in September of 2022. Her major is Environmental Engineering with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Poly will be conducting research in
the Water Innovation and Reuse Lab under Dr. Mladenov.
After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental analytical chemistry. Poly’s career goals revolve
around researching and combating water quality issues surrounding emerging agricultural and industrial contaminants.
*not funded
Nicole Sierra
Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Christal Sohl
Nicole was appointed to the MARC program in September 2022. Her major is Biochemistry.
She is currently conducting research in Dr.Sohl’s lab, where she is studying how changes in enzymes occur in health and disease, by using kinetics and IDH1 mutations that occur in gliomas. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Nicole plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.
Shalayah-Naomi Webb
Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Satchi Venkataraman
Naomi was appointed to the MARC program in September of 2023. Her major is Aerospace Engineering and is pursuing a minor in Mathematics. Naomi will be conducting research in the Aerospace Structures lab under Dr. Satchi Venkataraman.
After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. Her career goals include working for NASA after graduate school and getting involved in the space industry.
Lizeth Sanchez Zamudio
Astronomy
Faculty Mentor: Kate Rubin
Lizeth was appointed to the MARC program in September of 2023.
Her major is Astronomy and is pursuing a minor in Mathematics and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Lizeth will be conducting galaxy research with Dr. Kate Rubin.
After completing her bachelor’s degree, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Astronomy. Lizeth hopes to become an astronomer and has also considered becoming an astronomy professor.
