Graduate Spotlight

When asked what research means to her, Class of 2020 4th year Molecular and Cell Biology undergraduate Katya Souchitski said "Research means dedication. Being able to be patient and conduct several trials in an experiment is key to reaching a research goal." Congratulations to Katya and the Class of 2020!

Moath Alnajjar, a UC Merced School of Natural Sciences Class of 2020 senior studying biology if given the chance would tell his freshman self to "focus on grades! GPA is everything! But also go out and learn about opportunities!" Congratulations to Moath and the Class of 2020!

Class of 2020 soon-to-be grad and ESS major Zachary Malone's favorite course at UCM was ESS170: Fundamentals of Soil Science because it was not a realm he had considered interesting before and now he will be completing a PhD at UCM on it. Congrats Zackary!

Kellie Goodnight, a fourth year biolgy student and future UC Merced School of Natural Sciences alumnus when asked what research means to her said "Research is the key is life’s mysteries. Research is one of the most important things to learn about and is the reason I’ve decided to attend graduate school." Congrats Kellie!

Quintin Lizarraga, future UC Merced School of Natural Sciences Class of 2020 grad said his favorite course during his time as an undergrad at UC Merced was BIO 127: General Virology because it gifted him knowledge that he was able to apply widely to other courses. Congratulations to Quintin and the Class of 2020!

When asked what advice 4th year soon-to-be Human Biology graduate Nou Chi Her would lend to her freshman self she said, “Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If you want to do research, join a club, or even start up a club, do it now. Don't be afraid and don't keep telling yourself that now is not the time because time flies by, just like that. If not now, when?" Congratulations Nou Chi and the Class of 2020!

Class of 2020 Molecular and Cell Biology grad Mina Ghaninejad said, “Research, to me, is the pursuit of exploring and discovering information about a topic that is foreign. Its an exploration where the destination isnt the goal, but rather the journey and all its mechanisms.” Congrats Mina!

Natalie Dunkel, a fourth year Human biology student and soon-to-be Class of 2020 alumnus, would tell her freshman self, "Don’t ever let the opinions of others influence the decisions you make in college. This is your time!" Congratulations to Natalie and the Class of 2020!

When asked what research means to him, Class of 2020 soon-to-be grad and Human Biology major Jose Ibarra-Gracida said, "Research means learning about the future, researching what is unknown so that results can educate myself and others in the future. Research means taking a step to create a better world" Congrats Jose and the Class of 2020!

When asked about his favorite course at UC Merced, Clemente Flores, a 4th year Human Biology soon-to-be grad answered, “The Cell, it gave the essentials and was the building block that structured my career.” Congrats Clemente and the Class of 2020!

Lori Lewis, an Applied Math Master's student and future @natural_sciences_ucmerced alumnus when asked what her favorite course was at UC Merced said "Asymptotics - It allowed me to consider a new path for research." Congrats to Lori and the Class of 2020!

Future @natural_sciences_ucmerced Class of 2020 developmental biology graduate, Miguel Rojas-Flores's advice for his freshman self would be, "Don't be afraid to ask other for help! The sooner you get out of your comfort zone, the sooner you'll realize that both staff and faculty, as well as fellow students are happy to help you!" Congratulations to Miguel and the Class of 2020!

Future @natural_sciences_ucmerced Class of 2020 Human Biology graduate, Cassandra Maldonado favorite course at UC Merced was Microbiology and knowing what she knows know she would tell her freshman self, "Take care of your physical and mental well being. You are going to make so, so many mistakes in college!" Congratulations to Cassandra and the Class of 2020!

Alyssa Reyes, a 4th year Human Biology soon-to-be grad's favorite course at UC Merced was Neurobiology with Dr. Ramen Saha. She said, "Learning about the biology behind the human brain allowed me to understand myself and the people around me on a deeper level. Neurobiology constantly challenges me and inspires me to research to answer the hundreds of unanswered questions in the field." Congratulations to Alyssa and the Class of 2020!

Ludmila Nicov, a fourth year chemistry student and soon-to-be Class of 2020 alumnus, if given the chance would tell her freshman self to "really enjoy each class while it lasts and to give myself a break once in a while." Ludmila's favorite course while at UC Merced was Organic Chemistry! Congratulations to Ludmila and the Class of 2020! 

Class of 2020 soon-to-be grad and Eco-Evo major Brenna Bolanos when asked what research means to her said, "Research is the greatest aspect of my life, without it wouldn't fulfill my college experience and my curiosity to enrich my mind. There are so much things to learn out of life even if they can't be seen out of the naked eye." Congrats Brenna!

Anna Kucherova, a fourth year Computational and Data Science student and soon-to-be Class of 2020 alumnus, when asked what research means to her said, "Exploring meaningful questions for the purpose of progression or exploration itself." Congratulations to Anna and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci 

When asked about her favorite course, future Class of 2020 Applied Math grad Sarah Downs answered, "Optimization (Math 140). It has been a really challenging class but I have been able to learn a lot. Additionally I thought I wanted to do research in grad school in optimization and this class has helped to confirm that." Congratulations Sarah and the Class of 2020! 

When asked about her favorite course at UC Merced, future @natural_sciences_ucmerced Class of 2020 biology graduate, Nikolet Gorgiz said, "Bio 120 because professor Garcia Ojeda was an amazing professor." Congratulations to Nikolet and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci

Molecular and Cell Biology student and future @UCMerced_NatSci alumnus, Rashad James's favorite course at UC Merced was BIO 180 and when asked what research means to him said, "An opportunity to expand our knowledge." Congrats Rashad and the Class of 2020! #UCM2020 #2020grad

Future @natural_sciences_ucmerced Class of 2020 Human Biology graduate, Wa Meng Lee’s advice for his freshman self would be to, " venture out and pursue as many possible internships and community service projects as possible because this leads to further opportunities as well as connection." Congratulations Wa Meng and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci

Class of 2020 soon-to-be grad and Molecular and Cell Biology major Luis Garcia said his favorite course at UCM was, "Micro Evolution because the professor was awesome, the material learned was extremely fascinating and everything that we learned can be directly applied to the real world." Congrats Luis! #UCM2020 #2020grad

When asked what does research mean to her, Class of 2020 4th year Microbiology and Immunology student Kimberly Gonzalez stated "Research is the pathway to ensure that our field keeps progressing and innovating the technology and knowledge we have." Congratulations Kimberly and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci

When asked what advice 4th year soon-to-be Human Biology graduate Julia Hayward would lend to her freshman self she said, "Office hours are important, making friends is important, and don’t stress over the little things!" Congratulations Julia and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci

When asked what does research means to you, Class of 2020 fourth year Human Biology student Daniella Yousif stated "Research is the foundation of new findings in science/medicine." Congratulations Daniella and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci

Andrea Diaz Cruz, a fourth year Earth Systems Science major and soon-to-be Class of 2020 alumnus, if given the chance would tell her freshman self to not give up! Andrea's favorite course while at UC Merced was ESS 148: Fundamentals of Ecology! Congratulations Andrea and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci

When asked what advice 4th year soon-to-be Microbiology and Immunology graduate Joaquin Taylor would lend to his freshman self he said, "Be involved and have as much fun as possible while still getting your work done!" Congrats Joaquin and the Class of 2020! #2020grad #ucmnatsci