Dr. Anna La Torre
Faculty Advisor Email: [email protected] 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 |
Jasmine Esparza
Co-Founder & President Email: [email protected] Position: Fourth-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. |
Tess Leathers
Vice President & K-8 Outreach Chair Email: [email protected] Position: Fourth-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. |
Nayeli Echeverria
K-8 Outreach Chair Email: [email protected] Position: Second-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. |
Laura Kojima
K-8 Outreach Co-Chair Email: [email protected] Position: First-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 |
Alice Pierce
Secretary Email: [email protected] Position: Third 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. |
Angelica Carranza
High School Outreach Chair Email: [email protected] Position: Fifth-year Ph.D. Student Department: Department of Human Ecology (Human Development Graduate Group) Faculty Advisor: Dr. Johnna Swartz Hometown: Simi Valley, CA About me: In my research I study adolescent brain development and mental health but the trajectory to get to where I am today was not linear. I graduated high school and after high school decided to pursue a trade and was able establish a stable career with that trade. Although, I wasn't satisfied intellectually and I decided to enroll in classes at my local community college, while working full time, and eventually transferred to UC Davis where I decided to ultimately stay to pursue my PhD. And since I'm an advocate for taking care of your mental health and self-care, in my free time (and when I'm not researching the brain) you can catch me running with my local community, baking delicious treats on the weekend, or getting outdoors for live music or to just enjoy the world around me. I also love sports and am avid Lakers and Dodgers fan at heart and truthfully, I couldn't be anything else since I'm originally from the Los Angeles area. Some of my current favorites on rotation are [TV shows] Insecure, Great British Baking Show, [Podcast] Crime Junkie, and [Music] Kaskade as they are sometimes what get me through the tough moments. About my research: I research how cultural mechanisms and social-contextual factors are associated with adolescent brain development and mental health. |
Deana Villagomes
High School Outreach Chair Email: [email protected] Position: Third-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. |
Clarisa Martinez
Community College Outreach Chair Email: [email protected] Position: Third-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. |
Maribel Anguiano
Community College Outreach Chair Email: [email protected] Position: Third-year Ph.D. Student Department: Neuroscience Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tina Kim Hometown: Lompoc, CA About me: I am a first-gen college graduate who started my higher education journey at my local community college. Organizations like MESA and SACNAS provided support and motivated me at each challenging step. When it's nice out, I'm usually outside. I love camping, hiking, and mountain biking. When it's not so nice out, I love to spend my time watching tv or reading. Whatever the weather, I'm always with my dog Nova. About my research: The Kim lab develops tools to study the functional and molecular organization of neurons in the brain. I use these tools to study the underlying mechanisms of neurosphychiatric disorders. |
Elias Bunting
Community College Outreach Chair Email: [email protected] Position: 2nd 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. |
Jace Kuske
Graduate Student Representative Email: [email protected] Position: Fourth-year Ph.D. Student Department: Psychology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Brian Trainor 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. |
Paula Vij
External Affair Chair Email: [email protected] Position: Third-year Ph.D. Student Department: Neuroscience Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kyle Fink Hometown: Bogota, Colombia About me: I came to the U.S.A in 2013 to pursue a career in STEM. I finished my Bachelor’s degree at California State University, East Bay in Biology with an emphasis in Physiology. At this school, I worked as a science tutor, which I really enjoyed as it gave me the opportunity to meet students of a diverse range of backgrounds and help them not only with science classes, but also with their path in college. I enjoy helping and guiding other students with the knowledge I have gained from my experience as a Latina pursuing a career in STEM. Besides school and work, I enjoy solving puzzles, playing board games, and watching documentaries during my free time. About my research: I am interested in advancing the understanding of neurological disorders through disease modeling and molecular characterization, as well as therapeutic development. |
Jasmine Esparza
Co-Founder & President |
Shannon Clayton
Vice President & Co-Graduate Student Representative |
Tess Gibson
Secretary & Co-Chair of Kinder-8th Outreach |
Nayeli Echeverria
Co-Chair of Kinder-8th Outreach |
Angelica Carranza
Co-Chair of High School Outreach |
Deana Villagomes
Co-Chair of High School Outreach |
Elizabeth Reyes Gallegos
Co-Chair of Community College Outreach |
Maribel Anguiano
Co-Chair of Community College Outreach |
Jace Kuske
Co-Graduate Student Representative |
Dr. Edwin Solares
Postdoctoral Scholar Representative |
Dr. Dera Alim
Postdoctoral Scholar Representative |
Paula Vij
External Affairs Chair |
Brigette Monroy, Ph.D.
Co-Founder |
Jasmine Esparza
Co-Founder & President |
Shannon Clayton
Vice President |
Tess Gibson
Secretary & Co-Chair of K-8 Outreach |
Oscar Manuel Muñoz Herrera
Finance Chair |
Jace Kuske
Co-Graduate Student Representative |
Angelly Tovar
Co-Graduate Student Representative |
Inglis Tucker
Chair of CC Outreach |
Dr. Edwin Solares
Postdoctoral Scholar Representative |
Michael Huh
Lead Outreach Coordinator & Chair of 9-12 Outreach |
Angelica Carranza
Co-Chair of K-8 Outreach |