2024-2025 Board
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Dr. Anna La Torre
Faculty Advisor Position: Associate Professor Department: Cell Biology and Human Anatomy Hometown: Campdevanol, Spain About me: I was raised around parents' bakery in Campdevanol, a very small town in the Catalan Pyrenees (Spain). I attended the University of Barcelona and was introduced to the extraordinary world of Developmental Neurobiology by a fantastic mentor... and I never looked back. After my PhD, I moved to Seattle where I investigated several aspects of retinal development, implemented protocols to differentiate pluripotent stem cells, and learned how to smile at the rain. In 2014, I was recruited to UC Davis where I joined the Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy. Since then, my laboratory has worked to develop platforms to understand basic principles of retinal development and disease. As an immigrant and woman in STEM, I am passionate about making science accessible to everyone. I love photography, both microscopic and macroscopic. In my free time, I also enjoy reading, the mountains, and traveling around the globe. About my research: I am interested in understanding some of the mechanisms that regulate retinal development to devise novel treatments to restore vision |
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Alice Pierce
President & High School Outreach Chair Position: Fourth year Ph.D. Student Department: Plant Sciences Faculty Advisor: Dr. Grey Monroe Hometown: Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico About me: I grew up in the vibrant, coastal city of Mazatlan, Mexico. I moved to the US to get my Bachelor’s of Science at UC Davis in Biotechnology with an emphasis in plants and a minor in Computational Biology. I discovered my love for plant molecular biology during an undergrad internship opportunity. Thanks to my encouraging undergrad mentor, I decided to pursue a PhD in Plant Biology where I study the effect of introns on chromatin biology. When I am not stuck at my computer doing research, I like to make art, read fiction books, play Nintendo video games, and play with my cat Mr. Pickles. About my research: I study how introns, which are non-coding DNA sequences found within genes, affect the epigenome. This includes DNA and histone modifications that influence whether genes are turned on or off, as well as where and when genes are expressed. |
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Jasmine Esparza
Co-Founder, Vice-President & Finance Chair Position: Fifth year Ph.D. Student Department: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Faculty Advisor: Dr. Satoshi Namekawa Hometown: Lynwood, CA About me: I am originally from Los Angeles, CA. My family is originally from Mexico and Peru. I am the first in my family to pursue a career in science and first to pursue a PhD. For undergrad, I attended UCLA, where I first got involved with SACNAS. With the help of amazing mentors, I decided to attend graduate school. I completely submerged myself in everything research and grew exponentially as a scientist and a person. I will always be grateful for everyone who helped me reach the point where I am today. Outside of the lab, I love watching movies and spending time with my cat, Pumpkin. I am excited to play an active role in increasing representation in STEM! About my research: My thesis project focuses on understanding how folate (vitamin B9) plays a role in shaping the epigenetic state during sperm development and how its inheritance affects offspring development. |
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Tess Leathers
K-8 Outreach Chair Position: Fifth year Ph.D. Student Department: Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Crystal Rogers Hometown: Williamsburg, VA About me: I moved across the country for graduate school but I feel right at home in Davis where my love for biking has really started to go uphill. I also enjoy baking, volunteering with my church, and cross stitching in my free time. About my research: I work in the Rogers lab investigating how NSAIDs like ibuprofen cause birth defects. |
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Laura Kojima
K-8 Outreach Chair Position: Second year Ph.D. Student Department: Ecology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Andrew Rypel Hometown: San Diego, CA About me: I am a proud Mexican American and the first in my family to pursue a PhD. I am a UC Davis alumni having graduated with my bachelor’s in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology. My undergrad experience at UCD was foundational in developing my love for the sciences and research. After a year of working post bachelors, I pursued my Master's at the University of Georgia where my research was focused on American alligators. This experience was a dream come true as I love reptiles, but I knew I wanted to come back to California for my PhD and UCD has a great Ecology program- I am so happy to be back here! Outside of my work, I love spending time with my family and am currently learning to hunt with my dog Dutton. He is an incredible bird dog so getting to get outdoors with him and learn new skills has been a treat. I am excited to further expand my experiences as a member of SACNAS About my research:My work focuses on how survival of giant gartersnakes and western pond turtles in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys is influenced by application of agrochemicals |
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Sage Madden
K-8 Outreach Chair Position: Fourth year PhD student Department: Evolution and Ecology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gail Patricelli Hometown: Longmont, Colorado About me: I grew up in Longmont, Colorado and completed my Bachelor’s of Art at University of Colorado Boulder with a double major in Ecology and Anthropology. With the support of my wonderful mentors, I discovered my love for birds and urban ecology, and I decided to pursue a PhD at UC Davis. My experiences as a queer, disabled student researcher have motivated and informed my involvement in efforts to make STEM welcoming and accessible for everyone. Outside of grad school, I love going for hikes in the mountains with my dog, Poppy, reading, crocheting, cooking, and playing board and video games. About my research: My research focuses on how a local songbird, the Black Phoebe, responds to urbanization and climate change. I want to understand whether Phoebes in cities differ in their behavior or physiology from those in more natural habitats, and whether these differences affect how they respond to extreme temperatures. |
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Deana Villagomes
High School Outreach Chair Position: Fourth year Ph.D. Student Department: Molecular & Cellular Biology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frederic Chedin Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA About me: I am a first-generation college student and proud Mexican American from Sonoma County. Some of my hobbies include at-home manicures, cooking traditional Mexican dishes, and watching gaming YouTube videos. I love trying new foods and restaurants with family and friends. My number one nap buddy is my adorably spoiled chihuahua named Nina. About my research: In the Chedin lab, I research the mechanism of DNA damage suppression by RNase H1 in human cells depleted for RNA export proteins. |
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Clarisa Martinez
Community College Outreach Chair Position: Fourth year Ph.D. Student Department: Environmental Toxicology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Allison Ehrlich Hometown: Oceanside, CA About me: I am a first-generation college student. I grew up in San Diego county and in my free time I enjoy being outdoors. I love hiking, admiring wildlife, and catching sunsets. I also love animals! I hope to one day own a dachshund. About my research: I am studying a ligand activated transcription factor and its role in immune cell differentiation. |
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Nayeli Echeverria
Community College Outreach Chair Position: Third year Ph.D. Student Department: Surgical and Radiological Sciences Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sara M. Thomasy Hometown: Sonoma, CA About me: I love the aspect of science that allows you to feel like you are in another world! Imaging cells with a microscope feels like I am looking at a little community. I guess in some ways it kind of is like that since communities like the post office or a grocery store all serve a different purpose. Similarly, each cell in the body works hard to do their job, much like the cells I am currently investigating that work hard to maintain the front of the eye clear. When they are diseased, it seems they must work even harder. When I am not at the lab or volunteering for SACNAS, I like to run, play sports, read, or spend time with my loved ones. About my research: I am a PhD student in the Comparative Ophthalmology Vision Sciences Laboratory. To date, there is a lack of an animal model in the human vision-impairing disease called Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD). Therefore, I am researching mouse models with and without the mutated gene found in predominantly early-onset FECD patients to be able to understand and potentially treat using therapeutics that may help delay or prevent the progression of the vision-impairing disease. |
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Karen Gallardo Cruz
Community College Outreach Chair Position: Second year PhD Student Department: Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Daniel Karp Hometown: Vacaville, CA About me: I was born in Jalisco, Mexico but grew up in Vacaville, CA. I am a first-generation immigrant and college student, and the first in my huge Mexican family to pursue a PhD. Growing up undocumented (now with DACA), I never thought I’d have so many amazing academic opportunities. I began at Solano Community College, where I met amazing friends and mentors, transferred to UC Berkeley, where I majored in Integrative Biology and had life-changing research experiences, and received my master’s in Tropical Conservation Biology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where I fell in love with island life. After graduating with my master’s, I taught at Diablo Valley College, then worked as a biologist at Travis Air Force Base before starting my PhD. I am super excited to be a co-chair for Community College Outreach. I loved my community college experience and want to keep giving back to the community that gave me so much. In my free time, I love to go hiking and salsa dancing, trying new places to eat, and hanging out with family and friends. About my research: I’m interested in the effects of human disturbances like light and noise on animal behavior and resulting ecological interactions. My master’s work looked at the effects of helicopter noise on bird song, and my current research is looking at whether road noise affects the movement, insect hunting behavior, and number of nest visits of western bluebirds in Napa vineyards. |
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Elias Bunting
Undergraduate Outreach Chair Position: Third Year Ph.D. Student Department: Plant Pathology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Neil McRoberts Hometown: Kansas City, MO About me: Hi, I'm Elias and I am a doctoral student at Davis in the Department of Plant Pathology. In addition to my involvement with SACNAS, I am the Graduate Student Assistant Coordinator for the Undergraduate Research Center, a Chancellor's Graduate and Professional Student Advisory Board member, and a Diversity Ambassador for Graduate Studies. I enjoy taking an active role in the UCD community and am here to help advance diversity and equity measures on campus at both the Graduate and Undergraduate levels. About my research: My research centers around state policy and its impact on the overall health and sustainability of agriculture in California. |
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Darrielle M. Williams
Undergraduate Outreach Chair Position: Third Year Ph.D. Student Department: Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Karen Shapiro Hometown: New Orleans, LA About me: I began my educational journey at Tuskegee University, where I received my bachelor's degree in Animal, Poultry, and Veterinary Sciences. After making my way to UC Davis, I hope to further develop methods to wield science to effect positive change in communities and in global health. My aspiration is to be a polymath and pursue a lifetime of learning through science. Additionally, I hope to explore new hobbies and skills—most recently learning Japanese and sewing—and become an excellent, well-rounded "rich aunt." About my research: The Shapiro Laboratory at UC Davis aims to elucidate the effects of microplastic contamination in marine ecosystems on disease ecology. My research project explores the interaction between zoonotic pathogens and microplastic pollutants. I am broadly interested in disease ecology and wildlife health, with the goal of reducing the burden of infectious diseases on global health. |
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Jace Kuske
Graduate Student Representative Personal Website: jacekuske.github.io Position: Fifth year Ph.D. Student Department: Psychology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Karen Bales Hometown: Oceanside, CA About me: I'm a queer Latinx first generation college student that spends a concerning amount of time listening to true crime podcasts and playing with my cat. When not researching or doing outreach, I like to bake, write, go hiking, and game/watch anime. I'm either listening to 90s/00s pop punk/emo music or Megan thee Stallion, so I'm always in my feelings but it never stops the grind! About my research: I study the intersection between hormones, the brain, and female animal behavior. Right now, I want to know what in the brain is responsible for female territorial aggression. |
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Erika Bueno
Postdoctoral Scholar Representative Position: Post-doc Department: Entomology and Nematology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ian Grettenberger Hometown: San Pablo, CA About me: I was born in Peru and moved to the United States at a young age. I grew up in the Bay Area, (Richmond/San Pablo), and attended San Francisco State University for both my undergraduate and Master's degrees in Ecology and Evolution. For my PhD, I attended the University of Vermont, where I co-founded the very first UVM SACNAS Chapter with support from my colleagues. My Ph.D research focused on the impact of environmental stress on gene expression and epigenetic changes in the Colorado potato beetle. In my spare time, I enjoy dancing and performing as part of a salsa team, cooking, gardening, and spending time with my loving husband, Eddie, and our dog, Rooby. About my research: I study sustainable methods for managing agricultural insect pests, including techniques such as biocontrol, host plant resistance, mating disruption, and other biological and chemical alternatives. |
2023-2024 Board
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Jasmine Esparza
Co-Founder & President |
Tess Leathers
Vice President & K-8 Outreach Chair |
Alice Pierce
Secretary & HS Outreach |
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Nayeli Echeverria
Chair of K-8 Outreach |
Laura Kojima
K-8 Outreach Chair |
Angelica Carranza
High School Outreach Chair |
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Deana Villagomes
High School Outreach Chair |
Maribel Anguiano
Community College Outreach Chair |
Clarisa Martinez
Community College Outreach Chair |
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Elias Bunting
Community College Outreach Chair |
Jace Kuske
Grad Student Representative |
Paula Vij
External Affairs Chair |
2022-2023 Board
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Jasmine Esparza
Co-Founder & President |
Shannon Clayton
Vice President & Co-Graduate Student Representative |
Tess Gibson
Secretary & Co-Chair of Kinder-8th Outreach |
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Nayeli Echeverria
Co-Chair of Kinder-8th Outreach |
Angelica Carranza
Co-Chair of High School Outreach |
Deana Villagomes
Co-Chair of High School Outreach |
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Elizabeth Reyes Gallegos
Co-Chair of Community College Outreach |
Maribel Anguiano
Co-Chair of Community College Outreach |
Jace Kuske
Co-Graduate Student Representative |
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Dr. Edwin Solares
Postdoctoral Scholar Representative |
Dr. Dera Alim
Postdoctoral Scholar Representative |
Paula Vij
External Affairs Chair |
2021-2022 Board
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Brigette Monroy, Ph.D.
Co-Founder |
Jasmine Esparza
Co-Founder & President |
Shannon Clayton
Vice President |
Tess Gibson
Secretary & Co-Chair of K-8 Outreach |
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Oscar Manuel Muñoz Herrera
Finance Chair |
Jace Kuske
Co-Graduate Student Representative |
Angelly Tovar
Co-Graduate Student Representative |
Inglis Tucker
Chair of CC Outreach |
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Dr. Edwin Solares
Postdoctoral Scholar Representative |
Michael Huh
Lead Outreach Coordinator & Chair of 9-12 Outreach |
Angelica Carranza
Co-Chair of K-8 Outreach |
