Meet the 2019-2020 Board!
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Larry Morand, PhD | Faculty Advisor
Lecturer & Academic Advisor in MCB
Lecturer & Academic Advisor in MCB
Executive Board
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Mina Dang | President
3rd Year Majors: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Economics Hometown: San Francisco, CA Hobbies: Singing, swimming, sleeping, making schedules, and shamelessly binging TV shows (currently into Scrubs!) in my free time (which I don't have due to my double major). Fun Fact: I'm planning to graduate a year early with my double major! I am currently in the process of applying to graduate school. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I loved learning chemistry and biology in high school, so studying biochemistry gives me the chance to get the best of both fields. The specific field of study that I would like to pursue is monopolies in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically the metabolic effects of substitute ingredients in generic drugs. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Radical Red because of my personality. |
Connect with Mina!
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Christina Trinh | Internal Vice President
4th Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: San Jose, CA Hobbies: Drawing, Netflix (I love binge-watching in my free time), listening to music and learning songs on the piano, and hanging out with friends! Fun Fact: I learned how to sign the entire alphabet in second grade and I still remember how to sign every letter to this day, but I don't know how to sign any words. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: This is a very cliche answer, but honestly I just really enjoyed chemistry and biology in high school, so I wanted to pursue a major that would combine both subjects. I've loved biology and chemistry since I was a kid, from learning about different animals in elementary school to learning about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that enable us to function and survive! Biochemistry is also very applicable to medicine and health, which is what I want to go into after I graduate! If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Baby Blue because I'm chill :D |
Connect with Christina!
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Kinsey Tarplee | External Vice President
4th Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Minor: Psychology Hometown: Aliso Viejo, CA Hobbies: Climbing, Surfing, and Starcraft Fun Fact: I used to teach sailing and watercraft every summer and was very close to going to Cal Maritime Academy before deciding on a more traditional academic path. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I hated chemistry in high school with a passion and while I liked biology, I was more interested in the macroscopic levels of it: evolution, zoology, ecology, etc. After taking some intro level biology and chemistry classes in community college I realized that that table had kind of turned and the smaller stuff, chemical and molecules, were more interesting to me now. I took more and more classes to the point that eventually I decided I should probably major in this since it was where my interests really lie. The microscopic processes that enable life and its propagation will always be a source of endless fascination to me. |
Connect with Kinsey!
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Aditya Rao | Director of Operations
3rd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA Hobbies: Hiking, cooking, and playing D&D Fun Fact: I've never broken a bone. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I'm interested in medicine, but I understand the world through the most basic principles. Since biochem is the basis of all life I chose to study Biochem as a way to understand life. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Electric Blue |
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Roxanna Pignolet | Treasurer
4th Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Minor: Professional Writing Hometown: Livermore, CA Hobbies: Making cookies, reading, playing card/board games with friends, and singing Fun Fact: I'm one of those rare science people who also likes writing. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I chose biochemistry because I love the foundational perspective it provides on how the organisms around us function. I'm always curious about how life works and what's going on under the surface, and this major provides me with the tools to find out those answers. I also appreciate that it is an interdisciplinary field that can be applicable to such a wide variety of studies and research questions. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Lavender |
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Ashley Christensen | Communications Director
2nd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Fresno, CA Hobbies: Painting, watching garbage Netflix movies (highly recommend Tall Girl), and petting my dogs (the goodest bois) Fun Fact: I like to listen to Broadway and musicals when I study. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: It’s interesting to me because if you boil it down, biology and chemistry make up the basis of everything. However comma, organic chemistry definitely ain't it. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Razzmataz purely because it has a fun name |
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Elisa Lo | Secretary
3rd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Chino, CA Hobbies: Dancing, traveling, and sleeping! Fun Fact: I started ice skating when I was 3 years old! Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I chose biochemistry because it answers a lot of the "how" and "why" of the world. Not only that biochem can also improve the world in many ways possible. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Cornflower |
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Auxiliary Board
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Caleb Bower | Head of Public Relations
3rd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Brentwood, CA Hobbies: Fishing, Basketball, Baseball, Football, NBA 2k, Super Smash Bros, Swimming, Working out, Ping Pong Fun Fact: I am in love with anything related to vanilla. I enjoy vanilla ice cream, vanilla boba drinks, vanilla lotion, vanilla perfume/cologne, and I especially enjoy smelling the vanilla extract when baking cookies. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I want to go into Forensic Science, and my AP Bio teacher recommended BMB since her friend (a forensic scientist for the FBI) majored in BMB. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Battery Charge Blue |
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Gabrielle Esteva | Public Relations Officer
2nd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Antioch, CA Hobbies: Painting, stargazing, hanging out with my friends, and adventuring Fun Fact: I love travelling - from paddle-boarding on the shores of Guam to seeing ancient ruins in Italy. I keep a list of places I want to visit after college! Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: My love for biology has been present throughout all of my time spent attending school. I enjoy learning about life and questioning why things exist, even down to the molecular level |
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Evan Sim | Public Relations Coordinator
1st Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Castro Valley, CA Hobbies: Playing guitar, singing, and eating Fun Fact: I am colorblind! Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: Since I was in elementary school, science has been the only subject which I have ever truly been passionate for; the reason I selected biochemistry as my major is because I am interested in pursuing a career in drug development or cancer research in the future. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Blue Green |
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Kim Kwan | Chair of Events Logistics
3rd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: San Francisco, CA Hobbies: Playing tennis, watching videos, and sleeping Fun Fact: I did karate for 10 years. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I came into UC Davis as an engineering major due to my past experience involving architecture. However, I did not enjoy taking physics during my senior year in high school so I switched to biochemistry since I really wanted to stay in the biology and chemistry area. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Parakeet Blue |
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Madison Hall | Executive Assistant
2nd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Issaquah, WA Hobbies: Taekwondo, drawing, and reading Fun Fact: I have worked at a Girl Scout camp the last couple years. This summer I taught archery, climbing wall, and challenge course. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I think the way that molecular processes can add up to create life is really interesting. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Robin’s Egg Blue |
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KyungJoon Brian Kim | Business Manager
2nd Year Major: Clinical Nutrition (changing to Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) Hometown: Seoul City, Korea Hobbies: Reading books, listening to music, and exercising Fun Facts: I have rowing experience, love sleeping, and have an interest in organic chemistry. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: It is one of the main parts of the complexity of life and I can study about living organisms in many specific areas via its researches. If you were a crayon, what color would you be: Orange |
Connect with KyungJoon!
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