Home: San Francisco, CA

PhD Program: Developmental and Stem Cell Biology

Research interests: Stem cells, regenerative medicine, development, tissue morphogenesis.

Interests outside the lab: Hiking, cooking, biking, swimming.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Being able to independently drive an interesting scientific question and see a story to its completion. Also, all of the new science I will learn in the process.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? I like a mentor who is available when I need them. Ideally once or twice a week. This gives me the space to work through problems on my own and have the support when I reach out for feedback.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? I would like to know about the career development resources that I should be aware of and when I should be thinking about utilizing them.

Home: Puerto Rico

PhD Program: Oral and Craniofacial Sciences

Research interests: Bone biology: stem cells, cell signaling, and endocrinology.

Interests outside the lab: Public speaking (Toastmasters), urban adventures, and reading.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Completing the process of becoming an independent scientist.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? Mentors with open communication that also evaluate challenges in a holistic manner.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Staff that helps with orientations and milestone decisions (choosing rotations, thesis lab, establishing deadlines for qualification exams, etc.).

Home: Houston, TX

PhD Program: Tetrad

Research interests: Epigenetics and RNA biology.

Interests outside the lab: Music such as singing in choir, and going to the beach.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Acquiring an invaluable set of skills and knowledge that will equip me to become a better scientist, leader, and mentor.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? I want a mentor that provides me with guidance and support in a way that enables me to grow in my independence as a scientist. My most memorable mentor has provided me with all the resources I have needed to be successful, while also guiding me and helping me in different stages throughout my project. He also values and respects my opinion and knowledge.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Career center and writing center.

Home: San Jose, CA

PhD Program: Oral and Craniofacial Sciences

Research interests: Developmental/genetics.

Interests outside the lab: Outdoor activities (climbing, surfing, skateboarding, hiking, camping), reading a nice book and playing guitar.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? The new possibilities that open up.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? A mentor that can relate to my experiences but also a mentor that can present graduate school as not just work but an enjoyable experience.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Library resources and outreach programs.

Home: Bayamón, Puerto Rico

PhD Program: Biological and Medical Informatics

Research interests: Genomics, epigenomics, genetics, personalized medicine, machine learning.

Interests outside the lab: Cinema, music, kitesurfing, and coffee.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? I'm most excited about the training I will receive as a scientist and how all that I will learn during my PhD (both science-related as well as other skills like communication and leadership) will impact my long-term career aspirations. I'm also excited about doing awesome work that will possibly improve people's lives!

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? My last mentor was an incredibly good fit for my working style. He was as hands-on as I would need, especially at times where I was unsure of how to approach a problem or how to follow-up some scientific question. But he would also allow me sufficient intellectual freedom so that I could develop as an independent scientist. In the end, we explored many inquiries that I brought up on my own, while my mentor helped me to polish the ideas and to find a good justification for the inquiries.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? I want to learn more about the community resources that UCSF offers. Specifically, I want to learn more about how UCSF can make me feel comfortable and at home with other students like myself (Latinx, first-generation student). I believe these are essential for fostering a sense of community and belonging, which then leads to a positive impact on the work we do as scientists.

Home: Ventnor City, NJ

PhD Program: Neuroscience

Research interests: Role of glia in synapse/circuit development and degeneration.

Interests outside the lab: Superhero movies and comics, sci-fi video games, American football, Latino cuisine.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Contributing new knowledge to a broadening scientific field and leading independent scientific projects.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? Hands-on at first with experimental training, gradual waning towards independent investigation with topics of specific interests to me. Still involved with help on writing and overall science as well as technical help, always supportive and communicative of goals and aims with others. Runs a pretty smooth operation without managing day-to-day aspects of work so much.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Resources for first-gen students as well as those for career development in multiple fields including academia as well as industry.

Home: Los Angeles, CA

PhD Program: Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics

Research interests: Structure based drug design and signal transduction.

Interests outside the lab: Running, reading, and reptiles.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Working with scientists from diverse backgrounds.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? My undergraduate mentor was very hands off but was always available to give me direction and support. This kind of hands off mentorship has worked the best for me.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Financial resources.

Home: San Diego, CA

PhD Program: Biological and Medical Informatics

Research interests: Utilization of electronic health records for predictive and precision medicine, clinical practice, inclusion of devices for health management. Machine learning for the improvement of medical imaging and its accessibility.

Interests outside the lab: Hiking, yoga, pilates, cooking, and baking.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? The kind of people I will get to meet and work with during the process, as well as the kinds of questions I will encounter along the way.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? My most memorable mentor always made sure to check-in with me to make sure everything was going smoothly. There was enough space given to me to grow/evolve independently. At the same time, I was constantly challenged, which kept things excited. Whenever things were more complex, we would both make time to sit down and think through the problem, like a think-tank. That was my favorite part.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Student health services.

Home: San Francisco, CA

PhD Program: Biological and Medical Informatics

Research interests: Machine learning/deep learning.

Interests outside the lab: Mountain biking, surfing, hiking, exploring new pop-up restaurants.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? The possibility of discovering new science methodologies that can contribute to the betterment of society in the realm of infectious diseases.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? I prefer a mentor who is accessible and can provide guidance but allows for me to self supervise my work, one who doesn’t micromanage me, but also checks in with me so I don’t self destruct.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? First gen, community outreach, LGBTQ, Latinx.

Home: Los Angeles, CA

PhD Program: Bioengineering

Research interests: Neural systems engineering.

Interests outside the lab: Traveling, dancing, and eating food with friends.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? I am excited about becoming a leader in my field and building the future that I want to see.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? The 8 Habits leadership style resonates with me. I have thrived when the culture has an abundance, win-win mentality, when parties seek to understand before being understood, when long-term vision and deliverable schedules are crystal clear, when people are both proactive and organized so that there is trust that everyone follows through on commitments, when members have a growth mindset, and when all members are treated as whole people: with consideration to their mind, body, heart, and spirit.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? I am excited to learn more about the people! I look forward to building teams and solving problems!

Home: Livermore, CA

PhD Program: Tetrad

Research interests: Cellular organization, cell movement, protein structure/function, host/pathogen interactions, and much more!

Interests outside the lab: Sports (especially soccer), great views, the outdoors, tv shows, and much more!

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Being a better researcher and contributing to our knowledge of the world.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? One that lets me try to figure things out on my own first, but is available when I ask for help/advice.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Resources around life organization (exercise, time management, work-life balance, etc.).

Home: New Jersey

PhD Program: Neuroscience

Research interests: Neural mechanisms underlying motivated behaviors.

Interests outside the lab: Softball, hiking, photography, running.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? To learn new ways of thinking critically and problem solving.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? My ideal mentor is someone who is 1) invested in my education and growth as a person and as a scientist, 2) going to challenge me to think unconventionally, 3) culturally responsive, and 4) accessible.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? OCPD, Student Financial Services, UCSF Connect, GPSA.

Home: Anaheim, CA

PhD Program: Biomedical Sciences

Research interests: Developmental neuroscience and neuropsychiatric disease.

Interests outside the lab: Horror movies, weightlifting, and knitting.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Becoming an independent scientist.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? I do best with a mentor that is more hands on and available. My current mentor, Dr. Mercedes Paredes, has really helped me grow as a scientist by allowing me the freedom to make mistakes while guiding me in a way that doesn't just provide all the answers.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Coding classes/bioinformatics training.

Home: Hayward, CA

PhD Program: Bioengineering

Research interests: Neurology and translational medicine.

Interests outside the lab: My interests outside of lab include painting, hiking, animals, and swimming.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? The thing that excites me the most about receiving my PhD is the fact that I will be an expert in whatever field I choose to pursue and use that knowledge to be able to help people and give back to my community.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? When remembering my most memorable mentor I think of my undergraduate PI. She was constantly there offering help and guidance but didn't make me feel judged or useless when I was stuck or struggling. She constantly showed us areas where she was stuck and made sure to ask everyone to brainstorm ideas together to try and fix one another's code. I think what really helped me in that lab was the sense of community and being comfortable enough with the people around me to not be scared to ask for help.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Anything and everything. I am a first generation latinx women who is also apart of the LGBTQ community. I think any and all communities that can help me move forward in graduate school would be helpful because I am determined to succeed.

Home: Lodi, CA

PhD Program: Tetrad

Research interests: Microbiology, evolution, mycology, zoology, and genetics.

Interests outside the lab: Video gaming, music (musicals, K-pop, Hip-pop, etc.), anime, physical fitness, art, thrifting/fashion, and zoology.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? The most exciting part about earning my PhD is the example this will set for my younger siblings who are also interested in reaching higher education.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? Coaching has got to be the mentoring style that resonates with me. I don't like being given the answer directly but instead I prefer when others provide me with small pushes that lead me the correct direction. My most memorable mentor is definitely my most recent graduate mentor who I had been working with for about two years. He constantly pushed me to believe in myself and it's because of this coaching that I have been able to even pursue a PhD.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? What types of outreach clubs are available.

Home: St. Louis, MO / Shanghai, China

PhD Program: Biomedical Sciences

Research interests: Immunology.

Interests outside the lab: Singing, movies, and hiking.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? The graduate student lifestyle.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? A mentor who is hands off but will check in and care.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Writing support.

Home: Sonoma, CA

PhD Program: Biological and Medical Informatics

Research interests: I am interested in researching disease associations of complex genetic diseases across diverse populations, particularly diseases involving immunity.

Interests outside the lab: Outside the lab I'm a bit of a homebody so I like to read, crochet, and watch something from my list of anime suggestions. But when I'm not at home I like to take dance classes, go wine tasting, and look for decent New York bagels.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? I am really excited to learn new skills that I can apply to my own scientific questions, and pass those skills along to other young scientists as a mentor one day.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? My most memorable mentor was one I had for my Master's thesis project. He was memorable to me because throughout the project he taught me many new skills but still gave me the freedom to try new things on my own. I enjoyed the hands-on/hands-off approach as well as his patience and advice (thesis-related and career-related).

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? I would like to learn more about mental health resources and professional development resources.

Home: Charlotte, NC

PhD Program: Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics

Research interests: Clinical and translational, but still exploring.

Interests outside the lab: Music, spontaneous activity, movies, dancing. Honestly, I love it all.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Being able to address science and medicine from a different perspective. Also, being an expert on something because that feels pretty good too.

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? A friend who is going to give it to me straight.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Any and every! I'm here to learn!

Home: Manila, Philippines

PhD Program: Biomedical Sciences

Research interests: Metabolism, cancer cell biology, tumorigenesis, immunology, and cell signaling.

Interests outside the lab: Traveling, reading, and team/water sports.

What most excites you about earning your PhD? Gaining the skills to rigorously approach the biomedical questions that would help patients and answer my deepest curiosities!

What kind of mentorship style resonates with you? Do you have a memorable mentor? My most memorable mentors had genuine belief in me and my capabilities, pushed me towards further growth and independence, and inspired me through leading by example.

What UCSF resources would you like to learn more about? Community outreach programs and Office of Career and Professional Development.