Lakshmi Chilukuri

Welcome to the Biology Academy. I am an Associate Teaching Professor and Coordinator of the Microbiology teaching labs. We are going to use the five weeks of Summer Academy to do some active preparation for your future careers. Let’s get started building a foundation for a successful life as a student and a professional.

Jenny Herndon

Welcome to the UCSD Biology Academy! I am a Biochemistry/Cell Biology lecturer with a background in mitochondrial biology and will be teaching Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102). My goal is to make this academy experience both productive and enjoyable, and I look forward to working with each of you this summer.

Haim Weizman

Welcome to the UCSD family. I am a chemistry faculty that teaches organic chemistry courses and labs. I hope to share with you the beauty of chemistry and its relevance to biology. Enjoy your learning journey at the academy.

Vanesa de Boer

Welcome to the Summer Academy and congratulations on your admission to UC San Diego! The Division of Biological Sciences undergraduate staff advisors are looking forward to meeting you in-person at the Biology Information Session on August 20thand working with you on your Biology major requirements. If you have questions about your major before this time, please contact a Biology advisor through the New Student Site. Again, congratulations on your admission!

Laura Majoch

Welcome to the Biology Summer Academy. I am excited you have chosen UC San Diego to explore your passion for biological sciences. I am one of the academic advisors in the Division of Biological Sciences who can address any questions you have regarding biology or major coursework. Our goals for you include a smooth transition to UCSD and academic success. Please visit our academic advising office in Pacific Hall 1128 or contact us through the New Student Site if you have major related questions. We look forward to assisting you in the near future.

Jeremy Aung

Hello everyone, and welcome to the UCSD Biology Academy! My name is Jeremy, and I am a UCSD graduate who majored in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. I myself was a transfer student, and so I hope I can provide all of you with some personal insight as to how amazing UCSD can be. I have also served as an instructional apprentice for Metabolic Biochemistry many times, and I hope I can assist all of you as I have with many other students in the past. I wish you the best of luck, and congratulations on joining UCSD!

Cintya Beltran

Hello everyone, welcome to the Biology Academy! I have completed one year at UCSD as a transfer student, and I am very excited to assist you all. Welcome to UCSD!

Chase Clemesha

Welcome to genetics! I look forward to helping make this experience a fun and enriching one.

Shounak Ghosh

Welcome to the Biology Academy program! My name is Shounak, and I'm a Master's Student in Biology. I completed my undergraduate years at UCSD as a Physiology and Neuroscience major, Computer Science minor. I've been a TA for Genetics several times already, and I look forward to helping you all begin your journey at UCSD!

Alexei Kopelevich

Welcome to the Biology Academy! My name is Alex and I just completed my undergraduate in Neuroscience and Physiology at UCSD. I also entered the University as a transfer student so I look forward to helping with your transition to UCSD and preparing you for your upcoming coursework in Biology.

Elian Lee

Welcome to the Biology Academy! My name is Elian, previously a transfer from the Bay Area! I just graduated with a BS in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and proceeding to pursue a Masters in UCSD. I am looking forward to meeting and interacting with you all!

Jennifer Lin

Welcome to the Biology Academy! My name is Jennifer and I am continuing my fourth year as a Neuroscience & Physiology major. I look forward to working with you all and sharing my experience as a UCSD undergraduate!

Abdull Massri

Hello, welcome to the UCSD Biology Academy. My name is Abdull Massri and I want to congratulate you on your success being apart of UCSD and the academy. I am a senior majoring in Biochemistry and Cell Biology with a minor in Psychology. I currently work in Dr. Haddad’s lab in the School of Medicine modeling Atherogenetic effects linked to inflammatory pathways. I am also a transfer student and I would like to prepare you for your transition here, and with coursework in genetics. I’m looking forward to meeting you all, and once again congratulations and welcome to UC San Diego.

Paula Pham

Welcome to BIBC 102. My name is Paula Pham, and I will be a fourth year, but a second year transfer student. I can assist you with coursework, and also provide advice on being a transfer student. I look forward to becoming your mentor for the Biology Summer Academy Program! I hope you will all have an enriching and fun experience at UCSD.

Ember Tota

Welcome to UCSD! I am a San Diego native transfer student and I graduated from UCSD this year with a BS in Molecular Synthesis. I love Chemistry and am so excited to be your TA for Ochem this summer! I look forward to getting to know you and helping you navigate this new world you are entering!

Michael Wu

Welcome to the Biology Academy! My name is Michael, and I am a 2nd year MS Student in Biology. I got my BS in Human Biology from UC San Diego and am currently a 2nd year Masters Student in the Division of Biological Sciences. Starting college is one of the most exciting experiences in life and I am so glad that I get to be a part of your matriculation-congrats on joining UCSD!

Justin Hammons

Stanley Lo

Welcome! I am an Assistant Teaching Professor in Cell and Developmental Biology, and my research focuses on how faculty teach and how students learn biological sciences. I look forward to working with you in BICD 100 and on your transition to UC San Diego.

Dana Brehm

Welcome to the UCSD Summer Academy and the Division of Biological Sciences. Those of us in Undergraduate Student & Instructional Services (USIS) look forward to working with you and helping with the transition to UCSD.

Christine Liou

Welcome to the UC San Diego Summer Academy and congratulations on starting your new journey here at UC San Diego! As one of the Division of Biological Sciences undergraduate advisors, I am looking forward to assisting you with any questions you may have pertaining to your Biology major. We are here to serve YOU so please do not hesitate to send us questions via the New Student Site or come talk to us in person during walk-in advising hours. We look forward to working with you!

Julie Vitale

Welcome to the UC San Diego Summer Academy and the Division of Biological Sciences! While we know the transition to UC San Diego can be challenging, Biology advisors are here to help make the process as smooth as possible for you. We look forward to working with each of you on your major requirements and fall course recommendations for your major at the August 20th Biology New Transfer Student Information Session. If you have questions prior to the Information Session, please feel free to contact a Biology advisor through the New Student Site. Again, congratulations on your admission, we look forward to assisting you with your major and any of the programs offered through the Division of Biological Sciences.

Kelsey Baron

Welcome incoming students, to UCSD & the Biology Academy! I am currently finishing my fourth & final year as a Physiology & Neuroscience major, with a minor in Psychology. I am currently a research assistant in the Yuan Lab at the UCSD School of Medicine where we use IPSCs (Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells) to study the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. I am also a research assistant at the Center for Brain and Cognition, under the direction of Dr. V.S. Ramachandran. Throughout my career at UCSD, organic chemistry has been my utmost favorite series I have taken, and I cannot wait to share my passion for chemistry, neuroscience, and learning with you!

Joanna Bustamante

Welcome to the Biology Academy and congrats on starting your journey at UCSD! My name is Joanna and I'm a recent Class of 2015 graduate in General Biology/Human Development. I'm really looking forward to working with you all in BICD 100!

Olga (Olia) Gaideranko

Dear incoming students: welcome, and congratulations on beginning your journey at UCSD! I will be your Instructional Assistant for Metabolic Biochemistry. I got my BS in Molecular Biology from UCSD and am currently a 6th year PhD student in the Department of Biological Sciences. I truly enjoy being here and look forward to meeting all of you, and helping create a great experience this summer!

JD Gregerson

Welcome to the Biology Academy program! My name is JD and I just finished my undergraduate studies. In the Fall I will be starting my PhD in biology. I have learned more than I ever imagined I would in my four years here, and look forward to passing on the knowledge to all of you. Congratulations on your decision to join us at UCSD and I hope you all have a great time here!

Bryan Le

Welcome to the UCSD Biology Academy! My name is Bryan Le and I am an incoming fourth year pursuing a BS in Biochemistry & Cell Biology, with a minor in Psychology. I look forward to sharing my experiences at UCSD with you and assisting you in your transition into this next chapter of your undergraduate career. Congratulations on your decision to join us here at UCSD and I look forward to working with you all!

Justine Liang

Welcome to the Biology Academy! I recently graduated from UCSD with a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology, and I am starting this Fall as a Master's student in Biology. I look forward to working with you all in BICD 100!

John Lopp

Hi and welcome to the Biology Academy! I am a returning third year majoring in chemistry. I'm excited and privileged to be your mentor for this summer session. I wish you all continued success both in this course and your future here at UCSD!

Julianna Mustafa

Hello and welcome to UCSD and the Biology Academy! I am finishing my fourth year as a Physiology and Neurosciences major. I look forward to working with you, and making your experience a fun one.

Tanzim Saadi

Hello wonderful humans, I welcome you to UCSD. Let's have some fun, Shall we?

Roxana Wiswell

Hi everyone and welcome to UCSD! I recently graduated with a degree in Microbiology and a minor in Global Health, and I will be continuing here next year as a Master's student. I can't wait to share my love of this school with you!

Howard Yang

Hi, my name is Howard and I am a recent graduate of UCSD, where I majored in General Biology. I find genetics to be a rewarding and applicable subject, and I hope you all manage to find enjoyment in it as well!