CBC Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program

"Hi! My name is Reese Bermeo, and I'm a Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology major with a Spanish minor at the University of Arizona. I am passionate about research, healthcare, and serving my community, with plans to pursue an MD/PhD in the future. Coming into the University of Arizona, I was excited but also overwhelmed by the many programs, communities, and organizations available on campus. As someone who wanted to explore all that the University and the College of Science have to offer, I would have loved having a peer mentor to help guide me academically, personally, and through campus involvement opportunities. I look forward to fulfilling that role for students transitioning to college life and helping them feel supported as they navigate classes, campus involvement, and their college experience."

"Hi, my name is Sara Brown, and I am a rising Junior double majoring in Chemistry and Bioinformatics with a minor in Mathematics. Coming to UofA from the Chicago suburbs was an intimidating adjustment. As a Peer Mentor, I hope to be an academic resource to make these transitions more comfortable."

"Hi, my name is Olivia Dobra and I am a junior majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Psych and this coming year is my second year as a Peer Mentor!! I love cooking, skiing, traveling, and volleyball. After graduation I plan on starting my journey to med school and continuing my education. Currently I am in a research lab that focuses on proteins in the mitochondria and different disease investigations. The Peer Mentor program not only provided me with connections to incoming students but also to those that are in higher education that helped guide me. I have become more involved in the CBC program due to this, and it has helped me tremendously!!"

"Hi! My name is Jennifer, and I am now in the third year of my studies. I became a peer mentor in hopes of helping new students find opportunities and make discoveries of their own. I have been part of an environmental chemistry research lab since my freshman year, and these upcoming semesters will include brainstorming ideas for my senior thesis. After graduation, I hope to go to medical school and pursue anesthesiology. By taking the time to help my peers, I anticipate improving my communication skills and potentially learning new things from those around me."

"I’m excited to be a CBC Peer Mentor and help incoming freshman, as I was in their shoes not too long ago!"

"I can't wait to be a peer mentor this year!! I am an incoming junior Chemistry major with interest in the pharmaceutical field. I will be starting research in Dr. Michael Taylor's lab this year and I am ecstatic! Aside from school, I am from Colorado and I love to hike, go to concerts, and hang out in the sun. I also enjoy being involved in philanthropy through my sorority."  

"Hello! My name is Samuelson Harmouche; I'm an international junior currently majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Biochemistry. I'm Lebanese and Filipino, and I grew up in the Middle East. I’m joining the CBC peer mentor program to give back to the community I found my place in. When I was a freshman, the advice I got from my mentors was great in helping me feel at home away from home! So, I want to return the advice I greatly appreciate to new CBC students. For my future, I plan to pursue a graduate career or work in industry, I'll see what the future holds. In my spare time, I play a bit of chess and some guitar, and I'm a big sports fan, YNWA! A quote I really like is from a great coach of my favorite soccer team, Liverpool FC, when we faced a match that we won against all odds. 'Just try. If we can do it, wonderful. If not, then fail in the most beautiful way.' - Jürgen Klopp."

"I am a junior majoring in Biochemistry. I used to study Biomedical engineering before I moved to America, but I got admitted in my current major that I found much more interesting. I have been a research assistant in DR. Loy’s lab for a year now and we are working on synthesized polymers with water retention properties and field testing them on crops to boost their growth.  

"I'm excited to be a CBC peer mentor as it reminds me how far I've come myself and how much we can all grow by lifting each other up!" 

"I am pursuing a B.S. In Biochemistry as a pre-medicine student and am so excited to be a CBC peer mentor! For the first two years of my undergraduate, I worked in the lab of Dr. Michael Marty and studied how integral membrane proteins interact with the lipid bilayer of cells using native mass spectrometry. I am also a volunteer at Banner University Medical Center and involved in Greek life on campus! I can't wait to help guide students through their CBC journey!" 

"My name is Ryan Miller-Hubatsek, and I am excited to support new students and contribute to the amazing CBC community as a peer mentor! I am a chemistry major with an astronomy minor hoping to pursue a career in astrochemistry. Some of my hobbies include dancing, watching movies, and reading comics!"

"I’m a Chemistry major with a minor in Spanish as well as a member of the Franke Honors College. After graduation I plan on pursuing grad school. Outside of the academic sphere I love to read, especially in the sun to make up for the lack of sunshine I got growing up in the Seattle area. I also love watching movies and tv shows. I’m so excited to be a CBC peer mentor this year and help incoming freshmen adjust to this exciting new part of their lives!"

"Hello, I'm Dharma! I am a Chemistry major within the Franke Honors College. I am currently a member within the Yan Lab here on campus and plan to pursue a PhD in the future. In my spare time I enjoy reading and going to concerts no matter what genre! I am excited to help fellow CBC students on their journey!" 

"I am Hoang Minh Phan, in my free time, I enjoy listening to rock/metal, dismantling electronics, and playing video games. After graduation, I want to get a PhD and become a capable scientist. I am currently a member of the Thaker Lab. It is a Structural Biology lab interested in examining the structural and dynamic properties of atypical kinases, especially the COQ8A and COQ8B (another name being ADCK3 and ADCK4), two crucial components in the biosynthesis of CoQ10 in humans."

"Hi, my name is Kristine, and I am pursuing a Biochemistry and a Chemistry degree with the CBC department! I really enjoy my studies, as well as my hobbies, like reading and playing tennis. I am planning to do a Master's in Chemistry after I graduate and continue doing research before applying to Medical School. I am currently in the Tomasiak Lab studying drug resistance. 

"Meet Haarika Raavi, a CBC Peer Mentor. My name is Haarika, and I am a Biochemistry major (B.S.) here at the University of Arizona. I am super excited to become a peer mentor and assist students through their CBC journey! I have always found that having a welcoming place to ask questions is extremely helpful when you’re starting a new phase of your life. So feel free to ask any questions, whether they are about exploring Tucson, finding your favorite study spot on campus, or UA’s CBC community!"

"Hi, my name is Ryan Riha! I am a Junior double-majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB). This is my first year as a peer mentor, and I look forward to meeting and helping any and all mentees! I plan to attend medical school after graduating to continue my education. I am currently in the Wälti Lab, a Biochemistry research lab that focuses on chaperone-assisted protein folding in the context of human diseases. I love journaling, cafe hopping, as well as video games and weightlifting! I have traveled all over the world and love learning about cultural dishes. I hope to help and welcome incoming students to the CBC department!"

"Hi, my name is Aditya Rohilla, and I’m an incoming Senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Biochemistry and Physiology. After graduating, I will be attending the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine in Tucson, working towards my MD. Some of my hobbies include hiking, playing tennis, and reading. I have worked with multiple labs during my undergraduate career, including topics in polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, and cardiology. I’m excited to be a peer mentor and help others navigate through their undergraduate studies in Biochemistry!"

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we fear less" -Marie Curie 

"An inspirational quote I've loved since I was a young girl is "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss it you'll land among the stars."

"We meet no ordinary people in our lives" - C.S. Lewis

"After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and continue pursuing my goal of becoming a physician. Outside of academics, I enjoy working on motorcycles, which has taught me patience, problem-solving, and attention to detail. I also volunteer at Banner Hospital, where I’ve gained meaningful exposure to healthcare and strengthened my passion for serving others. In my free time, I enjoy hands-on projects and finding ways to stay involved in my community."

“Hi! My name is Klarissa and I’m a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology. I love to read, craft, and bake and am planning on pursuing either a PhD or an MD/PhD after graduation. I’m excited to help incoming freshman navigate the opportunities that CBC has to offer!” 

"Hi! My name is Evan Thomas and I'm a senior pursuing my chemistry degree. I'm involved in the Pemberton research group studying the chemical and physical properties of biosurfactants. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy hiking around Tucson and staying active by participating in intramural sports. Finally, my dream after graduation is to continue my current research through a graduate program at UA!"

"As a senior majoring in Biochemistry and East Asian Studies, I chose to become a peer mentor and program ambassador to give back to the community within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry that has supported me throughout my undergraduate experience. I believe that supporting those around us is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen our communities, and in turn, forward the field of science. I'm also an undergraduate researcher in the Frost Integrative and Applied Chemical Ecology lab, where we work on all sorts of projects pertaining to plants, sustainability, and the environment. I plan to continue my research at the graduate level, where I hope to apply traditional biochemical techniques to address challenges in agricultural biotechnology and sustainability. Outside of my classes, I am an officer on the powerlifting team and enjoy backpacking and riding my road bike around Tucson."

"Hi, I’m Tvisha, a Biochemistry major with a Sociology minor, and Peer Mentor for the CBC department. Outside of academics, I enjoy dancing, shopping, and finding the best restaurants in Tucson. As a pre-med student, my goal after graduation is to attend medical school and pursue a career in emergency medicine, where I hope to make a meaningful impact on patient care.