Announcements

Kendra (Paquette) Wyant, Class of 2020, was in the Blandon Gitlin Lab in the Department of Psychology. She entered the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in fall 2020.

Vanessa Bruno, Class of 2021, was in the Lukaszewski lab in the Department of Psychology. Vanessa plans on working with Dr. Lukaszewski in the coming year and apply to the Master's program in Psychology in 2022.

Kellen Henning, C lass of 2021, was in the Sacco Lab. Kelly was accepted into the Microbiology and Immunology PhD program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Her career objective is to be a researcher for an agency like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Shereen Lam, C lass of 2021, was in Forsgren Lab. Shereen was accepted into the PhD program in Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona. She would like to pursue a research career in reproductive biology.

Kimberly Lopez-Zepeda, Class of 2021 was in Robson Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Kim was accepted into the Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Her career objective is to become a faculty member at an R1 institution.

Shaina Nguyen, Class of 2021, was in the Salzameda Lab in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.  Shaina will take a gap year and apply to MD/PhD programs in the spring of 2022.

Trevor Zimmerman-Thompson, Class of 2021, was in the Roberts Lab in the Department of Psychology. Trevor was accepted into the PhD program in Neuroscience at the University of California, Riverside.  He would like to pursue a career researching neurological processes.         

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH PROGRAM (SCERP)

The Southern California Ecosystems Research Program (SCERP) offers undergraduate biology students opportunities to perform independentresearch and prepare for careers in ecology and environmental biology. SCERP provides up to two years of support for students to pursue their own research in conjunction with a faculty mentor, travel to scientific conferences to present their research, and develop a plan to reach theircareer goals.   (For more information on the program and scholars, please visit www.fullerton.edu/scerp/)

Presented by: Dr. William Hoese                                                                      

Shannon Chou, Class of 2020, worked in Burnaford Lab and Walter Lab to investigate the differences between derived species richness and diversity levels in tide poos as interpreted from visual surveys versus environmental DNA analysis.

Brittany Cook, Class of 2020, worked in Der Lab identifying genetic differences between Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples.  Brittany is pursuing a Ph.D. in Horticulture at Cornell University.

Sydnee Dunn, Class of 2020, worked in Hoese lab and as an intern for USGS.  She is working for Leatherman Bioconsulting Inc. as a brown-headed cowbird trap monitor.

Jennifer Ibarra, Class of 2020, worked in Hoese Lab and is currently working as a field technician studying Mojave Desert Tortoises in Nevada.

Jacob Javier, Class of 2020, worked in Paig-Tran Lab modeling the morphology and filtration efficiency of whale shark filter pads.

Taylor Naquin, Class of 2020, worked in Forsgren Lab, in Burnaford Lab with the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network grant, and as a research technician at the Carrizo Plain National Monument.  Taylor plans to attend graduate school in the fall of 2021.

Holly Suther, Class o 2020, worked in Forsgren Lab and is currently a research technician for the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe) with Dr. Jennifer Burnaford.

Kevin Whittemore, Class of 2020, worked in Abraham Lab and currently works in a lab, conducting PCR COVID-19 tests.

Madison Panzino, Class of 2021, works in Hoese Lab and Zacherl Lab.   Maddy is interested in attending graduate school and pursuing a career in conservation and wildlife management.   After graduation, Maddy will start a year-long internship with USGS focused on climate change.

Mayra Silva, Class of 2021, worked in Burnaford Lab and conducted her SCERP research in Zacherl Lab.   Mayra won an Outstanding Research Presentation in Marine Sciences at the 2019 SACNAS conference in Hawaii.

Jada Smith, Class of 2021, is conducting her SCERP research in Burnaford Lab and continues to have strong interest in a number of different ecosystems and organisms and is currently exploring fields of science communication and environmental justice.

Julia Teeple, Class of 2021, is working in Paig-Tran Lab. Julia went abroad for BIOL482 with Dr. Sandquist where she investigated effectiveness of soil retention dams and sea turtle conservation in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Recognition of Scholarship Recipients

COPPEL GRADUATE SCIENCE AWARD

Established in the fall of 1995 by retired CSUF science reference librarian Lynn Coppel and her husband, Claude. The CoppelGraduate Science Award is given annually to an outstanding biology graduate student.

Rachel Altman is a M.S. student in the laboratory of Dr. Nikolas Nikolaidis where she is investigating the translocation pathway of the heat-shock protein, HspA1A, across the plasma membrane. She has distinguished herself both in the laboratory and as a graduateteaching associate for the department. Her goal is to pursue a career in biotechnology.

Chelsea Bowers is pursuing her M.S. degree in the laboratory of Dr. Paig-Tran. Chelsea’s research addresses the critical issue of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems and contamination of fish humans consume. She hopes to share her passion for science and the environment with others through teaching and participation in policy making for oceanic, coastal, and freshwatermanagement systems.

Daniel (Ty) Frantz is a M.S. student in Dr. Danielle Zacherl’s laboratory. Ty is investigating how native and non-native marine communities are impacted by the timing of deployment of artificial reefs; a conservation project associated with the U.S. Navy. Ty’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom to his work as an education interpreter at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

DAVID L. WALKINGTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded annually by the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum to a biology student who will be pursuing a career in botany. Named inmemory of Dr. David L. Walkington, Professor of Biology, renowned science educator, and director of the Fullerton Arboretum from 1985-1993. Award will be presented at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum.

Nicholas Torres is a Plant Biology concentration and SCERP scholar working with Dr. Abraham investigating the effects of soil nitrogen on fennel herbivory. Nicholas is the national liaison for the CSUF chapter of SACNAS. He has prior experience monitoring wildlife in Puente Hills and measuring climate change in the rocky intertidal. Nicholas plans to become a high school scienceteacher.

JEROME WILSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Established in memory of former Biological Science faculty member, Dr. Jerry Wilson. It is awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate biology student with an interest in genetics.

Emilio Hernandez is a biology major conducting research at Dr. Parvin Shahrestani’s lab where he is working in a collaborative project to explore Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to study bacterial infections. Emilio enjoys photography, soccer and other sports. He is a member of LMSA, plans to pursue a career in medicine and hopes to become a child psychiatrist.

JEWEL PLUMMER COBB SCHOLARSHIP

Established in the name of former CSUF President Jewel Plummer Cobb, a cell biologist, to support and encourage students whohave demonstrated outstanding scholarship in biological science.

Alejandro Moran is an undergraduate in the Biological Science major, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology concentration. He performs research in Dr. Parvin Shahrestani’s laboratory, using fruit flies to model the evolution of longevity. Alejandro has been a Supplemental Instruction leader in the Biological Science department for two years. His long-term career goal is to become amedical doctor.

Deanna Tuong is an undergraduate in the Biological Science major with a minor in Creative Writing. She works in Dr. Parvin Shahrestani’s laboratory, using Drosophila to model immunity. Deanna is a certified EMT, a Master Water Safety Instructor, and a volunteer for many organizations, including Team Kid Power OC. Her career goals include becoming a pediatric surgeon and published author.

KENNETH GOODHUE-MCWILLIAMS METAMORPHOSIS AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE

Emeritus Biological Science faculty member, Kenneth Goodhue-McWilliams, passionately supported active learning, curricular innovation, and high-quality teaching. He established this award to recognize a graduate teaching associate (TA) who demonstrates a continuing focus on student learning as evidenced by their efforts to implement effective teaching methods, innovations, or assessments in their courses. Recipients are nominated by faculty and have served as role models for their peers as they seek toimprove their ability to positively influence student learning in biology.