Beckman Scholars

Cecilia is majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a speciality in computing. She is passionate about integrating advancements in chemistry to design and study unique biological systems, as she does with the Spokoyny group in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department of UCLA. Under the guidance of PhD candidate Yueying Wang, she is studying how anatomically precise boron clusters can be used as broadband carriers to deliver non-cell permeable payloads to human cells. Her work focuses on how halogenated boron cages may interact with cell membranes via the super chaotropic effect to deliver metal based fluorescent dyes. After completing her undergraduate degree at UCLA, she plans to pursue a PhD to further hone the scientific skills she hopes to develop during the course of the Beckman Scholars program. In her free time she enjoys running, yoga, and exploring the best of LA’s food scene.

Amanda is an undergraduate studying Chemistry-Materials Science with an interest in sustainable materials development. She currently conducts research in Professor Ben Schwartz’s group, where her project focuses on studying the counterion-polymer interactions in doped conjugated polymers through the control of both dopant size and polymer crystallinity. She hopes that greater understanding of the interplay between crystallinity, dopant size, and carrier mobility in organic semiconductors will enable the development of inexpensive, Earth-abundant materials for use in renewable energy harnessing. Amanda enjoys investigating materials problems from a chemistry perspective and plans on continuing this by pursuing graduate research. Outside of lab, she also conducts chemistry outreach with Alpha Chi Sigma and performs with UCLA drumming group Kyodo Taiko.

Nicholas is majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Biomedical Research. He enjoys studying the complex relationship and the artistic interchange between the many components of developmental pathways. At UCLA, he conducts research in developmental biology at the Lyons Lab, where he studies the progression of osteoarthritis, including both the molecular and behavioral components of the disease. Nicholas is focusing on exploring the relationship between the transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), and bone morphogenic protein (BMP) pathway as it relates to the phenotypes associated with osteoarthritis. After his undergraduate studies at UCLA, he plans to pursue an MD degree and continue research, as it is the foundation for developing treatments in medicine. He is a youth competitive swim coach for the UCLA Bruin Swim Club, and in his free time, swims with UCLA Masters Swim. His additional interests include art, in particular drawing and sewing.

Keya is a Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics major and Classical Civilizations minor at UCLA. Keya has been interested in biology from a young age and developed an interest in research and problem-solving throughout high school. She is now exploring microbiology research at the Hill Lab at UCLA, where she studies the deadly parasite Trypanosoma brucei. For her Beckman Scholars project, Keya will be studying the motility and function of this parasite. She will focus on identifying the interdependencies between proteins within the microtubules of the T. brucei flagellum, as well as characterizing these proteins. Keya hopes to gain a lifelong scientific community through Beckman Scholars to help her build a career in research. She plans to continue on to a PhD in Microbiology or Genetics after her time at UCLA. In her free time, Keya enjoys knitting, reading Greek mythology, and swimming.