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Student Pictures & Bios

I am a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills and I plan to graduate this spring 2008 obtaining a B.A. in Psychology. I am a newly appointed scholar in the Minority Biomedical Research Support and Research, Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE) Program since summer 2007. My research interest analyzes the patterns of code-switching and their implications for understanding the cognitive processes involved in bilingual language production. I am currently working with my mentor, Dr. L Mark Carrier, Department of Psychology at CSUDH, whom I have worked with since the spring of 2005. We have studied varied topics dealing with language and cognition. After graduating, I plan to further continue my education in a Ph.D. program.



 

Since June 2006 I have been an undergraduate student research assistant in the Retinal Cell Laboratory of Dr. Laura Robles. Dr. Robles’ research involves the identification and the characterization of cytoskeletal and signaling proteins and their roles in the octopus retina. Currently, I live in South Central Los Angeles and I’m the youngest of five male siblings. My parents, who originate from El Salvador, are my greatest inspiration because they didn’t have the same educational opportunities that I have. Looking back at my childhood, I realize that science has always intrigued me.  I was never considered the smart one but I was always the hard worker; and that quality has allowed me to accomplish my academic and career goals. I will receive my B.S. in Biology with minors in Organic/Biochemistry and in Spanish in the spring 2008; after which, I plan start a PhD program in Molecular and Cellular Biology or Physiology.

 

I am currently a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) I have participated in the Minority Biomedical Research Support, Research Initiatives for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE) program for over a year. Currently, I am conducting research in Dr. Laura Robles’ cell retinal laboratory.  Since being in the program, I have encountered various opportunities to attend professional research conferences and meet with many biomedical researchers.  It gives me great pride to be an MBRS RISE student because it has truly opened doors to places never imaginable. 

This past summer 2007, I was invited to participate in a summer research program at King’s College London.  Never in a million years did I think I was going to be spending my summer in a foreign country. My experience in London has proved to me that anything is possible. 

As I continue to complete my last year as an undergraduate, I plan on striving for greater opportunities because I know that I will be setting examples as a role model for my siblings and other minorities struggling with their career choices.  Apart from my busy lifestyle, whatever extra time I find is spent with my family because they give me balance.  I also try to keep active by exercising.  I find that exercising is an excellent stress reliever to ease the pressures of everyday life.  Although I may still be working on my B.S. in Biology, my goal is to continue on with a more advanced education.  I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. program in biomedical research in 2008. 

I am currently a senior at CSUDH, and will be graduating in the spring of 2008. My research interest is in the fungus Rhizopus, specifically Rhizopus oryzae and its virulence. Rhizopus oryzae is an invasive fungal infection that affects patients who have extremely compromised immune system. I have been part of the Minority Biomedical Research Support, Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE) Program since summer 2006 and has worked with Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim at L.A. BioMed facilities. My career goals include pursuing a M.D./PhD, continuing to conduct research and regularly provide medical care in a clinic that provides medical attention to the medically underserved.




 

I am a junior at Cal State Dominguez Hills majoring in Biology.  My research interest is in identifying protein biomarkers among different ethnic groups using proteomics technology.  He has been an active participant of MBRS RISE program since summer 07 and is currently working as a research assistant in Dr. Tilly Wang’s research lab.  After graduation, I plan on obtaining a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacogenomics and pursue a career in industry and teach genetics at the university level.

 

 

 

 

 

I am a junior at California State University, Dominguez Hills pursuing a degree in Chemistry. As a new member to the Minority Biomedical Research Support and Research Initiatives for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE) Program I have chosen to work with Dr. Martinez as a research assistant in his theoretical laboratory.  I am presently building up a background for myself to begin my project by studying the theoretical properties of ion transport through a carbon nanotube and C programming.  Proficiency in those fields is necessary in for me to complete my project.  After I graduate, I plan to enter a Ph.D. program to continue my education in the sciences.

 

 

As the first in my family to attend a university (instead of joining a military branch), I was unsure of what career I would want to pursue. Biology was my favorite subject in high school, so I thought it would be best to declare it as my major. I love learning about the human body, the complex systems wrapped in tiny DNA strands amazes me to this day. I am currently working as a research assistant at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science in Los Angeles, CA. My mentors are Ted Friedman M.D. Ph.D, and Eric Zuckebraun M.D. from the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine. Their work focuses on testosterone replacement for women suffering from Hypopituitarism. Being accepted into the MBRS RISE program at CSUDH has really opened a door of opportunities. Through the various events we have attended I have begun to find a path in the world of graduate studies that I can see myself on. My research interests are Minority Health and Health Disparities. I am looking into graduate programs that will focus my education on culturally appropriate prevention programs for the unique needs of diverse populations in hopes to find a research career for the Department of Health and Human Services. I want to make a real difference in the health and well-being of minorities in the United States.

 

I am a junior at Cal State Dominguez Hills pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry.  I have been a member of Minority Biomedical Research Support, Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE) Program since the summer of 2006.  I have work in Dr. Lihung Pu’s inorganic chemistry lab researching compounds involving multiply bonded heavier group 14 elements to understand the fundamentals of chemical bonding, and their potential applications in semiconductor synthesis.  My main goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Chemistry but I am still not sure what specific field in Chemistry.

 
 

 

 

After receiving my A.A. in Liberal Studies from a local community college, I transferred to Cal State Dominguez Hills with no real direction in what I wanted to become. I chose Biology as my major only because I enjoyed the material and tested well in previous courses without much effort. Once at CSUDH, my plans were simply to attain a degree and find a job, as a technician or teach high school. It was only when one of my professors, Helen Chun, Ph.D., asked me to participate in her research lab, when everything changed. After being accepted into the Minority Biomedical Research Support-Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS-RISE), I immediately began conducting research with Dr. Chun. Our lab is interested in the regulation of the protein kinase ATM. Once having the opportunity of conducting research, I soon discovered an aspect of biology that truly held my interest and enjoyed greatly.

As a student researcher, I presented and won the Biology Session at the CSUDH Student Research Day competition in October of 2006 and later represented CSUDH at the state wide CSU Student Research

Competition in May of 2007. Having the experience of research at CSUDH has led to my participation in conducting research this past summer (2007) at UCLA as a National Science Foundation Scholar. At UCLA, I worked in the laboratory of Benhur Lee, M.D. investigating the intracellular migration of the M matrix protein of the zoonotic paramyxovirus, Nipah. Working at a well known research institution for the summer was a great experience since it brought an opportunity to conduct research in another field of Biology.

As a minority coming from a low-income family, I’ve already had many obstacles laid out in front of me. My parents immigrated to the U.S. and found jobs. With both not having an education, finding a descent paying job to support us was always difficult. Although growing up with financial hardship was difficult, not knowing we were poor made it possible to get through it. It is hard to compare financial status when the neighborhood holds the same status quo. One thing that we always had, and that money can’t buy, was parental support for us to become whatever we wanted to be in life. Fortunately, my parents have always been supportive of my pursuit of an education. As the youngest and first to attend a university, I have already overcome many challenges. I did not have footsteps to follow or someone to guide me in my academic career. Although being the first in my family, coming from a low income home, and a minority studying Biology, I never let these challenges hold me back. I now plan to graduate with a B.S. in Biology, May, 2008. Now, I plan to attend graduate school to receive a Ph.D. in the Biomedical Sciences to one day become a Professor of Biology.

As I begin my final year at CSUDH, I could not have arrived this far without the support of the Biology faculty; as well as my family. The faculty, especially my mentor, has shown that they truly care about their students. The best feature about CSUDH is that students can actually approach their professors which are not typical for other larger universities.
 

I am a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills and will be graduating in spring 2008.  I am a member of the Minority Biomedical Research Support, Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS RISE) Program since June 2006.  Currently, I am working as a research assistant at Charles R. Drew University, Department of Endocrinology.  My mentor is Theodore Friedman M.D., Ph.D.  Dr. Friedman performs clinical research in a variety of areas including adrenal and pituitary disorders, and testosterone treatments for women with hypopituitarism. I am currently working on a study whose primary purpose is to determine the effects of testosterone replacement on subjective and objective measure of quality of life in women with hypopituitarism.  After graduation I plan to pursue a M.D., Ph.D.

 

Hi, I’m Onyeka N. Uzomah, Onyx for short. I have been at California State University, Dominguez Hills since fall of 2004 and have been a member of the MBRS RISE program since 2006. I will receive a Bachelor’s degree in General Biology in the spring of 2008 with a minor in Business Administration. Through the RISE program, I have been working with Dr. Mina Desai at LABioMed, located at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance.

I can’t recall when I actually started loving science, but I know it has always been a close favorite to mathematics and music. Just the thought of how our bodies work, how our lives today are a result of someone’s curiosity in the past, and how everything on the planet interacts in harmony simply amazes me and I love being a minute, but necessary, part of that.

I’ve got a unique history with CSUDH. My dad received his bachelor’s degree in finance here in 1980, and I attended the preschool on campus back in the mid 1980s, when my mom was working towards her degree in accounting, and later her MBA. Now, I’m here working on my degree, and my son attends the preschool.

After I graduate from Dominguez Hills, I plan on attending graduate school to obtain a Ph.D. in Pharmacogenomics. I intend to use my degree to help develop a world in which drug therapies are created for individuals and not for diseases, since each human being is genetically different from another, and our reactions to medications are diverse.

When I’m not in class, or at work, I relax by singing, dancing, rollerblading, reading novels, swimming, and watching movies. I love to travel, and I enjoy learning about the cultures of the world. Here on campus, our diversity makes it pretty easy to do.

I am a sophomore at California State University, Dominguez Hills and I’m in the process of earning a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. I have been a participant in the Minority Biomedical Research Support, Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement since summer 2007. I am currently working at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. My mentor is Dr. Sharon Adler, Chief of the Department of Nephrology. I work with Dr. Adler on a project that is geared at discovering genes that may lead to diabetes and eventually Diabetic Nephropathy. After earning my B.S. in Biochemistry, I wish to go on to graduate school where I will earn a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.