BMES @ UCSD

Year: 4
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: I have participated in the PRIME, an NSF funded program that sends undergraduates abroad to perform scientific research internships. I went abroad to Melbourne, Australia and worked under the supervision of Dr. Roy Kerckhoffs of UCSD’s Cardiac Mechanics Research Group and Dr. David Abramson, a Professor in the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University in Melbourne. I have also worked previously with Dr. Jeff Omens, and am currently working in Dr. Karen Christman’s lab for my Senior Design Project.
Future plans: I plan to apply to graduate school, pursuing a Master’s degree in Bioengineering or Mechanical Engineering
A little about me: I enjoy being in the outdoors; hiking, camping, surfing, snowboarding are hobbies of mine. I also like listening to music, I play guitar, and often go to concerts. I am currently serving as the VP Internal for BMES, but I am also President of Engineering World Health and the Bioengineering Representative for Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: I don’t have any research experience but I am interested in Biomaterials, Stem Cell Research or Genetics.
Future plans: I want to do Ph.D and start my own company.
A little about me: I love watching tv, movies, listening to music, and hanging out with my friends. I’m a huge sports fan, especially basketball and football! I love going to the gym and running. I love to read but only when I have a lot of free time. I also lived in Ohio and Michigan before I moved to Southern California ten years ago.

Year: 2
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience:Currently I am interning with the Shiley Center for Orthopedic Research and Education (SCORE) where I get to work with the athletes from the San Diego Padres. I have come up with a new and convenient way to measure kinematics of the body using the Nintendo Wii. Additionally, I work in Dr. Gough’s Biosensors lab where I initially did a project with a graduate student in Cancer Therapeutics, but now I have an independent project on tissue growth and analysis. Also, I work in Dr. Palsson’s Genetic Circuits/Systems Biology lab where I computationally model relationships between yeast and E.coli and the effect of different metabolites and drugs on their growth rate.
Future Plans:I had thought of going into Med School but BM research is definitely more exciting for me. I plan to get a Masters (maybe B.S./M.S. from UCSD?) and then getting a Post Doc degree after that. So far, academia seems very enticing
A little about me:I am one of the Co-Chairs for BE Day, along with Kellie, this year, for which I am really excited.I absolutely love playing sports. Soccer, football, ultimate frisbee and racquetball are my favorite ones, but I am down to literally play any random sport. I love listening to good music and having a good time, which are mostly synonymous with each other. I love to go to hiking or camping. I am definitely down to have fun. I like to tutor and make good money :) Oh and dance parties at my apartment are lots of fun too, while they can last :)

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Crux Biomedical (medical device startup): 2007 (vascular devices)
Dr. Palsson’s Lab: 2008 (systems biology)
Dr. Gough and Dr. Chen’s Lab: 2009 (oxygen signal analysis and cancer drug delivery)
Dr. Guccione’s Lab: 2009-present and beyond (biomechanics of heart surgery)

For my senior design project, I am interested in electromechanical stimulation of stem cells, sponsored by Dr. Engler’s lab. But the jack of all trades is a master of none. My main focus is cardiac mechanics, for which I audit graduate courses to do my project amazingly.
Future Plans: Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, with focus on engineering more robust heart surgeries. Selling everything I own to perpetually travel out of a messenger, and see everything the world has to offer is also really awesome. Wherever and whenever I have internet and FEM software licenses for my laptop, I might just do both.
A little about me: I’m vegan. If you sign up for me, I’ll do consulting for:

Finding what you love, hacking academics and productivity, hacking and excelling at research, personal and professional development, developing irresistibility for any internship position, and becoming exceptional and living life awesome. Generally, Tim-Ferriss-ing bioengineering at UCSD. My former mentor was Espoir Kyubwa, former NSBE president and current MS student in CTE.

Don’t pick me if the above does not interest you.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Volunteered in the Hospital.
Make medical mannequins for doctors to practice on.
Program instrumentation to record and analyze data.
Future Plans: Medical school or medical engineering program
A little about me: I love playing tennis, ultimate frisbee and watching a ton of tv like how I met your mother and 30 Rock. I like playing poker and other card games.

Year: 5
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Research Interest: Orthopedic Biomechanics Research
Research Associate and Clinical Research
Various Volunteer Activities ranging from tutoring to working in hospitals
Volunteer at Pulmonary Special Procedures Unit
Research Associate in the ER
Currently: internship at a Orthopedic Biomechanics Research Center
Future Plans: Currently I am doing both Bioengineering ABET and Premed. My plans are to work for one year as a bioengineer in industry and then start medical school.
A little about me: If there is someone from another track that is considering premed and needs help in balancing two tracts at same time I would be glad to offer some advice.
Also, as a former transfer student I have been through the transitioning experience and would love to share my experience with future transfer students.
Fun: volleyball, I would like to pick up painting and drawing again, spending time with friends.
Interesting about me: I have lived in 3 countries and speak 3 languages.

Year: 4
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Research Interest: Cardiac Mechanics Research Group (2007), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in the Exploratory Biology Department (Summer 2008), Biosite in the Research and Development Engineering Department (Fall 2008 - Spring 2009), Genentech in the Process Research and Development Department (Summer 2009), Biosite in the Process Engineering Department (Current), American Financial and Investments Limited Liability Corporation (Spring 2009 - Present)
Future Plans: Having just finished the GMAT, I plan to apply to graduate school for a Masters of Finance and a Masters of Business Administration.
A little about me: I enjoy sports including basketball, football, swimming and running. I have lived in three different countries and five different cities. I have a strong career interest in finance and risk management.

Year: 2
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Research Intern at The Scripps Research Institute in Immunology for over a year. Outreach chair for BMES and affiliated with HSP, EWH, and TESC.
Future plans: Enter a Ph.D. program in Immunology or Biotechnology, with research interests pertaining to the field of Immunology, and have the time of my life getting there.
A little about me: When I’m not busy studying, going to meetings, or in the lab, I love to go out to enjoy the San Diego lifestyle and restaurant scene. I’m also an avid musician, but enjoy even more so teaching, mentorship, and simple hanging out with good conversation and food. On a sidenote, I also like long walks on the beach.

Year: 4
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Over the past summer, I volunteered in a lab for one of Dr. Shu Chien’s graduate students. I also had an internship at a local biotechnology company, Biolegend. This year, my senior design project is dealing with microfluidic devices, under Dr. Jeff Hasty’s lab.
Future plans: The goal is to continue following the BTEC flowchart and graduate in June. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find a job in industry and return to graduate school later to pursue an M.S.
A little about me: I’m one of the co-chairs for Bioengineering Day 2010. I’m also a Revelle student. I enjoy hanging out with friends, especially over food. I definitely can never have enough of Punjabi Tandoor or California burritos from Super Sergio’s. I’m from San Jose and LOVE the San Francisco Giants. One of my favorite shows on TV now is The Office and I currently work at the Gap.

Year: 4
Research Interests: I participated in embryonic stem cell research as a freshman and sophomore but recently have not been involved in research because I found bench research to be less what I was interested in. Rather, I have focused my time more on improving the engineering student body by running the Disciplines of Engineering Career Fair (DECaF) and helping plan Bioengineering Day my junior year. I am currently taking it a bit easy my senior year, but I still remain involved in engineering orgs. Currently I am Vice President of Engineering World Health (EWH) and am actively involved in BMES. My senior design project involves designing a lactate biosensor that will assist with marine and equine exercise research. I have previously interned at Methodist Hospital, Illumina, and Genentech.
Future plans: I will be attending medical school next year and I hope to use my engineering and medical degrees to work in the health care industry either with governmental affairs or public health and policy-related research or work. I am currently interested in looking into health economics and health outcomes research in the areas of medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
A little about me: I love rock music and going to concerts at various music venues around San Diego. This past weekend I went to see Rodrigo y Gabriela (latin-influenced classical guitarists) and Jason Mraz (yes, of the “I’m Yours” fame =P). I love snorkeling, hope to learn how to surf, and recently found an interest in rock climbing so hopefully I’ll get to do all those multiple times before I graduate! I’m also a big science fiction geek and love Battlestar Galactica, Fringe, Lost, Bones, The Office, and How I Met Your Mother.

Zombieland was hilarious. If you haven’t seen it, you should.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Research wise: genetics; currently working with the Ideker lab which does stuff on systems-level genetic interactions. BMES: Co-chair of the BEQ, BTEC liason.
Future Plans: Grad school or med school
A little about me: I have really geeky interests but don’t talk about them so I don’t talk very much. I like to eat good food, and scour soCal for it. I feel bad that everyone else wrote nice paragraphs while I just bulleted :(

Year: 4
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Currently working in Dr. Zhang’s Stem Cell Genomics lab - for approximately 1.5 years. I also volunteer with another student org, giving free diabetes screenings to underpriveledged people at a free clinic in another part of San Diego.
Future plans: Currently applied to M.D./Ph.D. programs. Have yet to hear back from the majority of schools, but my goal is to be 75:25 clinical practitioner:researcher.
A little about me: I’m the PMED liaison for the BMES and I am also an officer in a pre-health org AED. I like to surf and play soccer, and I’m always open to meeting new people. I grew up in LA for the better part of 15 years and I am originally from Northern California.

Year: 4
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: Currently I am working for Dr. Zheng on a project relating to axonal regeneration in the CNS. Also I am working for Dr. Haga who is under Dr. Chien on a seperate project involving virtual screenings for protein inhibitors.
Future plans: Currently I am doing the M.S./B.S. program here at UCSD. My future goal is to first finish my master’s and possible continue to get my PhD or become a doctor.
A little about me: I love playing basketball and basically anything outdoor-y. I don’t play too many video games, although I do enjoy it once in awhile. Also, I love airplanes and I have a private pilot license. I grew up in Norcal, but I have lived 10 years in Hong Kong prior.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: I have had a research internship at Loma Linda University over the past couple of summers. I have volunteered at the Loma Linda Hospital for the past three to four years. I volunteered as a tutor at the Preuss school (on UCSD campus) last year. During high school, I was the coach for a middle school mathcounts team.

Future plans: I will apply for Medical School when the admissions process starts next year.
A little about me: I have lived in Southern California for practically my whole life. I enjoy playing video games, reading books, playing tennis, and interacting with other people. I like to watch the television series Lost.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: I volunteer at the balboa naval medical center.
Future plans: Medical school
A little about me: I’m from San Diego. I love the beach and I like surfing. I like to do outdoor activities and go for runs. Also, I love to watch Friends and eat Reeses:P

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience:
Future Plans:
A little about me:

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: I have volunteered at UCSD Thornton Hospital for the past year, working with bone marrow transplant patients on a weekly basis. I plan to become involved with research later this year.
Future Plans: I plan to graduate in another year and apply to medical schools next Fall. From there, I would like to become an Orthopedic Surgeon.
A little about me: I was born and have lived my entire life in Orange County and I fully enjoy the weather in La Jolla. In my spare time, I love watching sports, listening to jazz music, cycling, and playing racquetball. Biomedical devices and YouTube surgeries have always, and still continue to fascinate me. Each summer, I visit a national park, where I spend time hiking and camping, and hope to one day have visited them all - at least the ones in the United States.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: VP Finance of BMES at UCSD, Research Volunteer in Geoff Wahl’s Gene Expression Lab at Salk Institute, Clinical Career Extender at Palomar Medical Center, Teaching Assistant for Biology Department
Future Plans: Apply to medical schools in Spring 2010
A little about me: I love helping out underclassmen so feel free to shoot me an email! In my free time, I like to practice martial arts, go shopping, and hang out with friends.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: I am very interested in plant genomics and computational algorithms I have been working with Professor Ideker’s lab in Skaggs Pharmaceutical Research for almost an entire year now and have done extensive research on yeast and the yeast genomic library.
A little about me: I plan to go to graduate school, preferably for plant microbiology and use the computer science parts of my BioInformatics undergrad as a foundation for plant genomics.

Year: 3
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience: I am the Outreach Vice chair for BMES, so with that goes many Outreach activites—San Diego Science Festival, Sally Ride, Middle school/high school specific outreach, Oobleck demos, etc. My volunteering began back in middle school/high school with AVID (for 6 years), and has thus followed me to college. I am also the ‘Electronic Distribution’ chair, so that means anything electronic—webpage, docs, face book, ect, all end up having my hands in them. As for research, I plan on starting up something soon, and I hope to go on this upcoming PRIME program.
Future Plans: I plan on graduating and getting an MS in some field of Bioinformatics, Genetics, or some mixture of the two, but I wont be graduating in 4 years since I am minoring in Japanese Studies, a (Proud) Revelle student, and I recently switched from BENG to BINF, pushing one of my classes back.
A little about me: I feel like Im a little of everything. I love to hang out with my friends, listen to music, read a book, play piano, draw a cool picture, watch shows in other languages, speak Japanese, decorate rooms, go atving, hike in the Red Woods, go into caves (best cool air ever), and anything else that can get me relaxed. My favorite movie is Demolition Man. My favorite subject is genetics/protein networks/signaling. I was born in Louisiana but lived in a city by Sacramento for 18 years. And my favorite food is those little pancake things from 99 ranch that are filled with cream and are amazingly delicious. I don’t know what they’re called, but they’re still amazing.

Year: 2
Research Interests/Volunteer Experience:
Future Plans: My future goals include pursuing a Master’s Degree in Biomechanical Engineering. From there, I don’t know whether I would like to continue my schooling (maybe Med School) or perhaps pursue a career in the Biotech industry.
A little about me: I’m a second-year Marshall student here at UCSD from Fullerton, CA (Orange County). My major is Bioengineering: Bioinformatics right now and I am currently thinking* about maybe pursuing a double major in Economics. On campus, I’m involved in the Leadership Council for Cultural Celebration Club and just recently made it onto the Indian dance team Raas Ruckus at UCSD.

I have broad interests ranging from politics, reading, television, and graphic design (photoshop, flash, and even drawing, etc.) to playing sports (baseball, cycling, running, tennis, and everything else) and cooking and eating. One interesting thing about me is that I can juggle. (Also, I hiked a hilly 5-mile trail–both ways–at Mammoth last summer in my flip-flops.)