2025 CBC Graduating Students Photos

Josi Hewitt - Chemistry BS. "After graduation, I plan to work in industry before applying for graduate school. Throughout my undergraduate career I had the opportunity to participate in research in the Wälti Lab during my senior year. I also worked as a chemistry content tutor for THINK TANK on campus for three years."

Makaela Valencia - Biochemistry BS. "I worked here at the UofA in the Carini lab for three years. I plan on working at a biomedical company that focuses on cancer research or infectious diseases."

Madison Grams - Biochemistry BS. "I am a senior majoring in Biochemistry and double minoring in Spanish and Marketing. Being a CBC peer mentor and ambassador has been such a fun and rewarding experience. I've made great connections—not just with my mentee, but also with fellow peer mentors who’ve become wonderful friends. It’s been meaningful to share my college experiences and help welcome the next generation of chemistry and biochemistry students. After graduation I am planning on doing stem cell research for liver reproduction in industry. I have learned a lot through CBC, not just as an academic student but also in life that I can put to whatever the future holds. I am excited to see what is next!"

Sebastian Pimental - Biochemistry BS. "I am currently in the GEMM Core research lab where I work with CRISPR-Cas9 technology on mouse models. After graduation I will be part of the FRONTERA Summer internship where I will be involved in health sciences research and medicine in underserved communities. I will be taking a gap year to get ready for my medical school application, and I will be volunteering as a biology tutor in San Miguel High School, will be working in the emergency department, and getting prepared for my MCAT. I will also continue to serve my community by volunteering in free medical care institutions in Tucson and border towns. As a U of A CBC student I had a wonderful time, I really enjoyed my major and the many opportunities it gave me. My instructors were amazing (shoutout to Dr. S!!!) and I felt extremely ready when going into my research lab. I was terrified when I became a biochemistry major because I was unsure if it was going to be for me, it only took one day in class for me to realize I was in the right path!"

Moorea Gailloux - Biochemistry BS, Minor in Public Health (W.A. Franke Honors College). "I am thrilled to share that I will be attending Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a physician! In my time spent at the UA as a CBC student, I have grown tremendously as a learner and got the opportunity to be a class preceptor under the mentorship of Dr. Sacoman—a wonderful experience spent welcoming the incoming freshman class. Meeting my biochemistry best friends early on in my courses made the challenging classes much more enjoyable and I love the conversations we shared, fostering so much growth! I joined the Food and Resources Expanded to Support Health and Type 2 Diabetes (FRESH-T2D) research lab two years ago under the invaluable mentorship of Dr. Melanie Hingle, Ph.D., striving for clinical exposure and lab experience which would challenge me to expand my interdisciplinary lens. I conducted my honors thesis on “Clinical Impacts of Food is Medicine (FIM) on Hemoglobin A1c for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes”. Today, I am honored to be a contributing member to research aimed at increasing the collaboration between patients and their healthcare system through a study addressing health disparities."

Samantha Thomas - Biochemistry BS. "After graduation I am taking a gap year and continuing my work in the Chignalia lab studying Protein Expression of Sepsis Induced Lung Edema in Syndecan-1 Knockout Mice. During this year I also plan to study for the LSAT in preparation for law school. I would like to pursue a career in patent law for pharmaceuticals or biotechnology. The CBC department was the backbone to my college experience. With the multitude of opportunities to get involved with the department and the kindness I felt from the staff and students, I credit this department with truly shaping my college experience."

Felicia Escalante - Biochemistry BS. "I worked in the Matzkin lab for about 2 years. After graduation I am taking a gap year before applying to dental school."

Haley Vanhof - Biochemistry BS, Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. "During my time here at The University of Arizona in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, I have met so many great peers and mentors and who I am extremely grateful for! My biochemistry friends made along the way helped keep me sane and will always be cherished as one of the best parts of this experience. My time in the Walti Lab also helped establish my wet lab skills, scientific writing, and presentation skills with the help of my amazing mentors there. In the coming fall, I will be attending Arizona State University to pursue my Masters in Biochemistry (Bear Down forever)."

Christian Viramontes - Biochemistry BA. "I plan on finding a job as a scientist someday after graduation. I've had a great time being a CBC undergraduate student. I wouldn't want it any other way."

Jacob Fredman - Biochemistry BS. "I greatly enjoyed my time here at UA and I found that being a Biochemistry major opened up many opportunities for me. After graduation I will be moving to New Hampshire to attend Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine."

Daisy Kirshbaum - Chemistry BS. "I am looking forward to taking some time off this summer and having some fun traveling with family and friends! I hope to continue my education and research experience in chemistry in the near future, wherever and whatever it is I am beyond excited for what is to come!"

Ashley Wellik - Chemistry BS. "I am so thankful for my experiences at UofA and the incredible people I have met. I have especially enjoyed my time conducting undergraduate research in the Njardarson Group, being a preceptor for Dr. Graham and being an ambassador for CBC! Next year, I will be pursuing my PhD in Organic Chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington. Thank you mom and dad!"

Megan Hahn - Chemistry and Biochemistry BS. Megan Hahn has been an ambassador since her sophomore year and has participated in numerous events and met with many visiting students in her time. She will be graduating with Bachelor of Science in chemistry and biochemistry, which gave her insight into both sides of the department and helped in her ambassador role. After graduation, she will continue working in her research lab and plans on attending graduate school for a PhD in polymer/materials chemistry. 

Sean Chen - Biochemistry BS. As a graduating senior, Sean has spent almost three years in the lab of Professor Michael Brown working on rhodopsin, and the biophysical mechanisms of its activation. Specifically, the effects of water, lipids, and soft matter in general regarding the stabilization of certain forms of the protein. Before this, he spent brief periods of time in the labs of Professor Steven Schwartz and Professor Sadhana Ravishankar, working on computational chemistry and microbiology respectively. He hopes to combine these interests at Caltech where he will be pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical engineering under the mentorship of Professor Sujit Datta, working on the effects of soft matter on bacterial proliferation and motility. When he’s not in the lab, you can find him lifting weights, trying new restaurants, or theory crafting in his recent most favorite game.

Samuel Ellis - Biochemistry BS. "The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has provided a sense of home for me on campus over the past three years. I joined the department at the end of my freshman year, switching into the biochemistry program. After meeting students, faculty, and staff in the department, I knew this was a community I wanted to be part of. I reached out and got involved through the CBC Ambassadors and Peer Mentor Program. Through CBC Ambassadors, I’ve been able to show prospective students the ins and outs of our department and what it looks like to be a Wildcat studying biochemistry or chemistry. Through the Peer Mentor Program, I’ve made invaluable connections supporting first-year students as they adjust to college—but my mentees have also supported me when I’ve struggled. That mutual support speaks to the heart of this department, which thrives on students lifting each other up. CBC has created collaborative environments inside and outside the classroom, bringing the whole community together: faculty, staff, undergraduate students, and graduate students. At CBC ice cream socials, I’ve enjoyed an ice cream sandwich while chatting with PhD candidates nearing the end of their programs. These conversations with more experienced students have significantly informed my decisions about what I want to do after graduation. This community has given me so much during my time here, and I’m grateful I’ve been able to give even a fraction of that back."

Melvin Misraim Lopez - Biochemistry BS. "I’m a first-generation student at the University of Arizona, and being part of this academic community has opened the door for opportunities I never imagined. As I approach the end of my undergraduate path, I reflect on the people around me who made all the difference, and I can't thank them enough. One of the goals I had in mind when coming to the University was to challenge myself to pursue a career in medicine. I found that picking a degree in Biochemistry was the correct decision, as it was challenging; however, it created my desire for knowledge and a passion to continue using the valuable scientific skills I’ve gained. The Chemistry and Biochemistry department is an incredible community because everyone around you is always willing to listen and help you pursue your goals. I’m grateful to my professors, advisors, and peers who helped me along this academic journey. I would especially like to thank Dr. Cordes, my professor and research mentor, whose patience and guidance introduced me to the world of research. The community that supported me throughout this academic journey has provided me with knowledge, values, and relationships that I will carry with me into my professional career and all areas of life." 

Tyler Martinez - Chemistry BS. Tyler Martinez is set to graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry through the College of Science and the W.A. Franke Honors College this Spring. He has developed a passion for analytical chemistry through his undergraduate research and coursework. With the Marty Lab, he conducts mass spectrometry research to study membrane protein-lipid interactions. His senior thesis further answers his passion for analytical chemistry, as he is reviewing xanthophyll quantification methods to propose a way to monitor pigmentation in egg-laying hens. As a former Arizona Future Farmers of America State Treasurer and national poultry science awardee, Tyler now leads the UA Poultry Evaluation event for high-school students. He is a MARC Scholar, lead Organic Chemistry preceptor, and former THINK TANK tutor. Tyler says, “I’ve found mentors, lifelong friends, and the confidence to pursue big ideas at U of A.” This fall, he will begin his Chemistry PhD at UCLA, aiming to advance research using mass spectrometry. His ultimate goal is to foster supportive learning environments and conduct analytical chemistry research as a university professor."

Ika Lin - Biochemistry BS. Ika Lin is graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and minors in Spanish and Chemistry. On campus, Lin volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician and Field Training Officer for University of Arizona Emergency Medical Services. She serves on the Five Star Faculty Award Committee and as Director of Medical Outreach for Flying Samaritans - a student club that organizes monthly medical and dental clinics in Agua Prieta, Mexico. Lin is committed to expanding access to STEM education and has worked as a general chemistry preceptor, CBC ambassador, peer mentor, and THINKTANK tutor. Driven by her interests in public health and biomedical research, Lin interned at the Public Health Research Institute of India in Mysore, Karnataka investigating miRNA expression in cervical cancer. Since 2023, Lin has worked in the lab of Dr. John Jewett to develop synthetic routes for fluorogenic aryl diazonium ion probes. Her contributions have led to several award-winning posters, oral presentations, and an Honors thesis. Seeking to apply her basic science training to address health disparities, Lin spent last summer at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health exploring Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology in Nepali migrant workers. Lin has received the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation CPR Save Recognition, National Merit Scholarship, Galileo Circle Scholarship, Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative Fellowship, Maximizing Access to Research Careers Training Award, and Highest Academic Distinction. After graduation, Lin will pursue a Master of Public Health and envisions a career advancing health equity.

Jake Shaw - Biochemistry BS. "Over the summer, I will continue my research in the laboratory of Dr. Elisa Tomat. In the fall, I will be off to Boston to start a Ph.D. program in Biochemistry and Biophysics at Brandeis University."

Jaden Todd-Nelson - Biochemistry and MCB BS. "Hi everyone! My name is Jaden Todd-Nelson and I am graduating with majors in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology. During my time at the UofA, I have had the privilege of working in the lab of Dr. Anita Koshy through the Department of Immunobiology. Our lab studies the unique relationship between the common parasite Toxoplasma gondii and the mammalian central nervous system. That is, we're interested in the tools used by this parasite to chronically infect the brains of up to one in three people worldwide! I am deeply grateful for the guidance and mentorship I received during my time in the Koshy Lab, particularly from Dr. Anita Koshy and Dr. Arun Sambamurthy. After graduation, I am looking forward to returning to my home of Northern California to attend medical school. Bear Down!"

Camille Tinerella - Chemistry and Environmental Science BS. "My four years at the University of Arizona have been transformative. Graduating with a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.S. in Environmental Science, I am excited to continue my journey of learning and growth. During my time at the UofA, I have had the opportunity to be involved in plant ecological research in the VIP group titled "Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill - The Future of Life in the Desert", as well as interning with the UArizona NASA Space Grant Internship Program studying dioxin and other carcinogenic chemical compounds in soils around Arizona. After graduation, I will attend the University of Massachusetts Boston pursuing a PhD in Green Chemistry, where I will study sustainable energy sciences and electrochemistry."