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Cecilia McCormick 2023-2024 Major: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alexander Spokoyny Faculty Mentor Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry Project: Organometallic Boron Clusters as broadband intracellular carrier systems 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. |
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Amanda Nguyen 2023-2024 Major: Chemistry - Material Science Faculty Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Schwartz Faculty Mentor Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry Project: Isolating the Dopant Counterion Size Effect on the Carrier Mobility of P3HT Films 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. |
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Nicholas Gladkov 2022-2023 Major: Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Faculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Lyons Faculty Mentor Department: Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Project: Novel BMP Receptor Ligand Traps and BMP-Kinase Inhibitor as a Therapy for Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis 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. |
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Keya Jonnalagadda 2022-2023 Major: Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kent Hill Faculty Mentor Department: Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics Project: Interdependencies of Microtubule Inner Protein Assembly at the Inner Junction of the T. brucei Doublet Microtubule 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. |
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Justin Quan 2021-2022 Major: Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peter Bradley Faculty Mentor Department: Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics Project: Identification and functional characterization of novel Golgi proteins in T. gondii |
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Samantha Vi-Tang 2021-2022 Major: Chemistry Faculty Mentor: Dr. Richard Kaner Faculty Mentor Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry Project: Investigating Carbon Nanodot Systems to Develop More Effective Energy Storage Devices |
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Sasha Gill-Ljunghammer 2020-2021 Major: Chemistry Faculty Mentor: Sarah Tolbert, PhD Faculty Mentor Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry Project: Tuning Nanocrystal Size for an On-off Ferromagnet Sasha is a transfer student from Schoolcraft Community College. While at Schoolcraft, she gained experience researching metal-organic frameworks at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. Here she immediately fell in love with the challenging, yet rewarding, work that research demands. Now working in the Tolbert Lab at UCLA, Sasha’s research focuses on tuning superparamagnetic nanocrystals for use in multiferroic composite materials where magnetism can be fully switched on and off using an applied electric bias. Sasha has always had a deep appreciation for the sciences and strives to share this passion by pursuing a career in academia. She hopes to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and lead research that will contribute to the fight against climate change. |
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Hieu Nguyen 2020-2021 Major: Molecular, Cell, & Developmental Biology Faculty Mentor: Jorge Torres, PhD Faculty Mentor Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry Project: Identifying Novel Compounds to Revert DNA-Damage Induced Senescence Hieu Nguyen is a Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology student with a minor in Biomedical Research. Hieu is working in Dr. Torres’ lab, where his research focuses on identifying novel compounds that will guide senescent cells away from their current state in order to prevent the formation of tumorigenic environments. Outside of his laboratory work, Hieu also competes for UCLA’s archery team, works as a CPR instructor, and volunteers both for UCLA’s Mattel Childrens’ Hospital and at a student shelter. He intends to pursue a career in pediatric oncology which is rooted both in research and clinical practice. |
Jasmine Esparza 2019-2020 Major: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Faculty Mentor: William Lowry, Ph.D Faculty Mentor Department: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Project: The Effects of Circadian Rhythm on Topically Manipulated GPCR/CREB Signaling in Hair Follicles Jasmine Esparza is a fourth-year Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology student with a minor in Biomedical Research. Jasmine is working in Dr. William Lowry’s lab, where she studies the role of G-protein coupled receptor/cAMP response element-binding protein (GPCR/CREB) cellular signaling in hair follicle stem cell homeostasis and the hair cycle. Besides research, Jasmine is the Internal Affairs Chair for the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) chapter at UCLA, the Adult Education Director for Project Literacy and Logistics Committee Co-Chair for the Mobile Clinic Project. Jasmine is planning to go to graduate school to get a Ph.D. |
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Emi Nakahara 2019-2020 Major: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Mentor: Kent Hill, Ph.D Faculty Mentor Department: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Project: Exploring Roles of Flagellar Proteins in Signaling of Trypanosoma brucei Emi Nakahara is a fourth year Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics student at UCLA. Emi is in the Kent Hill Lab, where she studies the eukaryotic protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and how it utilizes its flagellum to engage in sensing and signaling of its environment. Besides research, she is also a science and health reporter in the student newspaper Daily Bruin, as well as a writing tutor at UCLA’s undergraduate writing center. |
Sara D’Souza 2017-2018 Major: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Mentor: Jeffrey H. Miller, PhD Faculty Mentor Department: Project: A Study of the Combination of Clinically Relevant Mutagens |
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Josephine Hai 2017-2018 Major: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Faculty Mentor: Karen Lyons, PhD Faculty Mentor Department: Project: Roles of Ccn1 in Tendon Development and Maintenance |