Cohort 2026
My name is Sheng, and I am an Applied Math PhD student. I graduated from CSU Sacramento with BA in Mathematics and BS in Computer Science. My current research interests include combinatorial graph theory, inverse problems, and optimization. In my free time, I enjoy doing math on my chalkboard, playing games, and hiking.
My name is Julia Erdman, and I am an incoming Applied Mathematics PhD student. I graduated with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Data Science from the University of the Pacific. While still exploring specific research focuses, I am drawn to applications of partial differential equations and inverse problems, potentially in the context of medical imaging. Outside of math, I enjoy playing musical instruments, going to concerts, writing, dancing, and traveling with friends.
I love understanding fundamental mechanisms of biological systems, which guided me towards becoming a first-year Physics PhD student after graduation from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Physics. Under the Dasbiswas and Gopinathan groups, I currently model polymer dynamics in order to better understand the conformations of semiflexible active systems such as microtubules and slender bacteria. In the future, I hope to further connect the tools and understanding of biophysics to health and disease mechanisms. I also ferment my own kefir, with the eventual goal of colonizing all graduate students' microbiomes and subsequently becoming the Big Hero 6 villain except with Lactobacillus.
Hello! My name is Victor Hernandez and I am a Physics PhD student. I graduated from Sacramento State (stingers up!) with a B.S. in Applied Physics and certifications in Scientific Instrument Development and Scientific Computing. My current research focuses on characterizing the photothermal properties of CsSnI3 nanocrystals and their application in the biomedical field, such as targeted cell therapy. In my free time I enjoy live music, going on drives, and capturing moments on film.
My name is Ashley Liao and I am a Quantitative and Systems Biology PhD student. I received my bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from UC Merced and am broadly interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying aging and age-related diseases. In my free time, I enjoy playing music, reading, and sewing.
My name is Hannah Miller and I'm a Chemistry and Biochemistry PhD student. I earned my B.S in Biological Sciences at Sacramento State University and I'm very interested in the synthesis and applications of molecules for targeted drug delivery, biosensing and environmental remediation. I have completed previous research studying metal-organic frameworks for catalysis in environmental systems. I am passionate about nature, equitable access to education, and soccer!
My name is David Sherer, and I am a Chemistry and Biochemistry PhD student at the University of California, Merced. I served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman from 2014 to 2019 before attending Santa Rosa Junior College and transferring to UC Berkeley, where I earned my B.S. in Chemistry. My research interests are in biochemistry and molecular biophysics, with a particular interest in understanding cellular death. Outside of school, I enjoy reading and going to the gym
My name is Michael Torres, a first-year PhD student here at UC Merced. I completed my bachelor's at UC Merced as well, where I will be continuing my work in Dr.Geekiyanage's lab in Bioengineering researching extracellular microRNAs. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, eating, and playing with my cat.
Hello! I’m Ally and I’m an incoming Quantitative and Systems Biology PhD student. I received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biological Sciences at California State University, Stanislaus. My research interests include host-microbe interactions, microbial communities, and genomics. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, going to concerts, and hanging out with my dog, Luke.
My name is Oceanus Zhang and I am a Quantitative and Systems Biology (QSB) PhD student at UC Merced, in the Computational and Theoretical Biology track. I received my Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine and my Master of Public Health in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics from Emory University. My research interests lie at the intersection of artificial intelligence and genomics, with a focus on leveraging computational approaches to uncover patterns in biological data. Outside of research and work, I love detective novels and scuba diving.
Cohort 2025
My name is Eric Brooks and I am a Bioengineering graduate student. I completed my bachelor's here at UC Merced in Bioengineering in May of 2025. I am part of the Spencer lab for advanced microscopy and McCloskey lab, and my research interests are in developing an in vitro model of thymus blood vasculature to examine thymus progenitor homing dynamics. In my free time I enjoy reading, board games, and getting boba tea with friends!
My name is Rosalinda Garcia Jimenez and I am a Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate student at the University of California, Merced. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where I investigated how agricultural waste biofertilizers influence interactions between plant health and the soil microbiome. My research interests consist of gaining a better understanding of structural biology and its connection with human health. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, running, and watching horror movies.
My name is Nikhil Hematillake. I graduated from Fresno State with a B.S. in Biomedical Physics and I am currently a Physics P.h.D. student at UC Merced. My research is in experimental single molecule biophysics, and I have interest in learning coarse grained molecular dynamic simulations as well. Outside of lab I lift weights, play chess, ride my bicycle, hike/backpack, play video games, and enjoy learning languages.
I'm Efrain Hernandez Alvarez, and I am an incoming Quantitative and Systems Biology (QSB) student. I started my academic journey at my local community college, El Camino College, and eventually transferred to UC Santa Cruz and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Neuroscience. After graduating from UCSC, I worked in Euiseok Kim's lab studying the development of neural circuits and their connectivity. I am very interested in neuroscience and specifically the biochemistry and molecular biology of neurons. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing either my alto or soprano saxophone and composing music.
My name is Jasmin Jean-Louis and I am a first year Applied Math PhD student. I graduated from Spelman College with my Bachelors in Mathematics. My research interests lie in using mathematical modeling to personalize cancer treatment plans. In my free time, I enjoy skating, journaling, and traveling.
My name is Aaliyah Ruiz-Corral, and I am a Quantitative and Systems Biology PhD student. I received my Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from UC Merced. My research interest is in developmental biology, specifically in exploring how regulation of gene expression during early development can contribute to complex cellular processes such as left-right asymmetry specification.
Cohort 2024
My name is Lawrence Bowens, and I am an incoming Bioengineering PhD student. I received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at California State University, San Bernardino. I also received a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at USC where I worked with the Department of Defense on a thermoresponsive hydrogel for treating ocular trauma. My research interests are in neural engineering, biomaterials, and imaging applications. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, the gym, and drawing.
Hi! I’m Julian and I am a biophysics graduate student who graduated from Cal State East Bay with a Physics B.S. I am very excited about recent advances in genomics that are revolutionizing therapies, including the biophysical studies of sickle cell disease progression and drug therapy that recently led to a cure (this is amazing!). Creatively applying the powerful tools of physics to study life at every level can help pave the way for future discoveries. Biophysics is a fertile field for research, and my goal is to participate in exploration that combines both experimentation and theoretical research that advances interdisciplinary technologies, genomics, and new medical therapies.
My name is Aminah Dawood and I am an incoming Chemistry & Biochemistry PhD student. I graduated from San Jose State with a Bachelors in Chemistry, concentration in Biochemistry and a Masters in Biotechnology. My current research interests lie in gaining a better understanding of protein interactions, structure, function, and the molecular mechanisms involved in human disease. Outside of the lab I enjoy reading, baking, trying new foods, and going to local fairs with friends.
My name is Katrina Estrella and I am an incoming Quantitative and Systems Biology PhD student. I graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor’s in Molecular and Medical Microbiology and a minor in Public Health Sciences. Afterwards, I worked in a leukemia research group at City of Hope where I studied leukemic disease progression and investigated different potential therapies. I look forward to exploring my newfound interests in immunology, including immune cell development and response, as well as stem cell differentiation and cell fate decisions. In my free time, I like to try new restaurants and foods, read, draw and paint, and play video and board games.
My name is Joanne Hu, a upcoming PhD student in the Applied Math Department. I earned my BS and MS in Mathematics from National Central University. Before joining Merced, I worked as a research assistant at the National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Mathematics Division, in Taiwan. My research interests lie in applying mathematics to data-driven research, particularly Geometric Deep Learning and its applications.
My name is Sixin Zhai. I received my bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering and my master's degree in Polymers and Coatings Science from Cal Poly, SLO. As a PhD student in Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering at UC Merced, my current research focuses on exploring the interfacial and surface properties of biomaterials to develop innovative devices that will address biotechnological concerns in the field. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time outdoors and connecting with nature.
Cohort 2023
My name is Jesica Calderon and I am a Quantitative and Systems Biology graduate student at the University of California, Merced. I received my Bachelor's of Science in Global Disease Biology from the University of California, Davis. My research interests include understanding microbial communities and host-pathogen interactions as it relates to human health. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, going to concerts, and paddle boarding.
My name is Nolan Brown. I graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in physics. I will be working with the Gopinathan computational biophysics group on intracellular transport and cytoskeletal structure.
My name is Pablo Curiel, and I am an incoming Applied Mathematics PhD student. I graduated from California State University, Chico with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. My research interests are currently broad, but I gravitate towards topics in mathematical biology and applied graph theory. In my free time, I enjoy running, playing or watching sports, and reading.
My name is Alex Hernandez, and I am a Biochemistry PhD student. I received my B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, Bakersfield. As an undergraduate, I researched methods of bioremediating contaminated water produced from oil & gas operations in the San Joaquin Valley using the microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum. My current research interests include elucidating protein structure and function for medical applications.
My name is Joaquin Lucero, and I am an incoming QSB student at UC Merced. I am originally from Las Vegas, New Mexico where I received my M.S. in Biology at New Mexico Highlands University. I am interested in studying interspecies interactions within the vibrio-squid model.
My name is Katherina Martinez and I am an incoming Chemistry and Biochemistry Ph.D student at UC Merced. I recently graduated from CSU Monterey Bay with a B.S. in Biology, concentrating in Molecular Biology. My research interest lies in the field of structural biochemistry and proteomics.
My name is Ching Ting Roy Ng, and I graduated from the University of California, Merced with a B.S. in bioengineering. I am currently an incoming Ph.D. student, with focus to develop miRNA biosensors. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, drinking tea, and working with computers.
Cohort 2022
My name is Kara Hunter and I am from Dallas, Texas, with a BSA in Biochemistry and BA in English from the University of Texas at Austin. In Austin, I researched the homology and replaceability of yeast and human histones utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system. My current research interests include gene expression and protein folding. In my free time, I enjoy whitewater kayaking, backpacking, and writing.
My name is Brandon Imstepf and I'm an incoming Applied Math PhD student. I did my undergrad in Computational Mathematics at UC Santa Cruz, and my research interests are in neurodegenerative diseases, with a broad interest in data-driven research. In my spare time, I enjoy various creative hobbies, hiking and biking.
My name is Eira Jardines and I will be an incoming Quantitative and System Biology student at UC Merced. I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology at UC Merced. My current research interest is neurodegeneration induced by metabolic syndrome. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, painting, and bullet journaling.
My name is Jesselynn LaBelle. I earned my BS in mathematics from California State University, Stanislaus. I've also completed a Biotechnology certificate program at City College of San Francisco, which led to an internship at UC San Francisco. For the past three years I've been working as a lab tech here at UC Merced in the lab of Dr. Stephanie Woo. In the Woo lab we study developmental molecular biology. I'm interested in applying my math background to questions in biology.
My name is Miranda Luque. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at Cal State University, Northridge and earned a Master’s degree in Physiology from Penn State University. I look forward to exploring my research interests based on molecular mechanisms that impact Developmental Biology at UC Merced.
My name is Metzli Montero and I am a recent graduate of UC Davis, having received my B.S. in Applied Physics and minor in Professional Writing. My research interests are fairly broad, and in the past I’ve conducted research on crystal synthesis and cyanobacteria classification. However, considering my enjoyment in understanding material properties and synthesis, I hope to conduct research on stem cell systems and characteristics within the UCM MBSE graduate program.
My name is Jack, and I graduated from UC San Diego with a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in English Literature. I will be starting the PhD program in Applied Mathematics at UC Merced, and I have broad interests in mathematical biology and numerical analysis. Outside of math, I enjoy hiking, running, and reading.
My name is Jesse Rodriguez-Reyes, and I am an incoming Bioengineering PhD student. I graduated with a B.S. in bioengineering from the University of California, Merced, where I studied the kinetics of protein-based fluorescent biosensors at the single molecule level. My research interests focus primarily on applying protein engineering and design strategies to develop novel genetically encodable fluorescent biosensors optimized for use in cellular environments.
Cohort 2021
My name is Justin Couvrette and I earned a degree in Materials Science and Engineering with a specialization in Biomaterials from the University of California Irvine. My research interests include polymer engineering and biomimicry.
My name is Arianna Daniel and I am from Elk Grove, CA and pursued my Bachelor’s in Biology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR. I have broad interest in immunology and am looking forward to studying human diseases/pathogens, host-microbe interaction, host immune responses, and immune cells.
My name is Alexander Deary, and I am a Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) graduate student at UC Merced. I received my Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in philosophy from UC San Diego, where I worked in a computational and theoretical chemistry research group studying ion hydration. I have also previously conducted research on G-protein Coupled Receptors, studying the effect of sodium and other cations on their signaling ability. My current research interests are in the areas of structural biochemistry and drug design.
My name is Oscar and am a QSB graduate student. I was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA and did my undergraduate at UC Merced where I majored in Human Biology, along with a minor in Cognitive Science. My passion is neuroscience and I hope to focus my research on neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of science, my hobbies include listening to music, watching movies with my wife, and trying different types of coffee.
My name is Joseph “Joey” McTiernan and I graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a B.S. in Physics and a Minor in Applied Mathematics. As a member of the Gopinathan Group, and in collaboration with the UC Coronavirus Assembly Research Consortium, Joey currently utilizes a continuum model and molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the assembly stage of coronavirus. Previously, in the Cox Group at UC Davis, he researched the impact mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein had on its binding affinity with the human ACE2 receptor using molecular dynamics simulations.
My name is Josh Quintong and I am a Filipino-American bioengineering PhD student. My hometown is Union City, CA. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. I also have an M.S. in Chemistry from California State University, East Bay where I did work on apolipoprotein A-I and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL). My research interests include enzymology, protein design/engineering, and protein modeling. In my free time I love to play the piano, go to the gym, and shop at Target.
