Meet the 2019-2020 Board!
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Larry Morand, PhD | Faculty Advisor
Lecturer & Academic Coordinator in MCB
Lecturer & Academic Coordinator 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 in my free time (I’m into The Good Wife right now!) Fun Fact: I'm planning to graduate early with my double major! 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 that I would like to pursue is monopolies in the healthcare sector, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. |
Connect with Mina!
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Christina Trinh | Internal Vice President
4th Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: San Jose, CA Hobbies: Drawing (especially portraits), listening to music & karaoking, Netflix (The Office & Stranger Things!), eating good food with good company Fun Fact: I learned the entire American sign language alphabet in elementary school, so I can spell out any word you want in sign language! Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: Chemistry and biology were my absolute favorite subjects in high school, so I decided to pursue a major that would combine both subjects. I also think it’s fascinating to learn about the molecular and chemical processes that make up life! |
Connect with Christina!
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Kinsey Tarplee | External Vice President
4rd 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: Reading, hiking, camping, backpacking, casual gaming, and just hanging out with friends Fun Fact: I have spent 13 days backpacking in the backcountry of New Mexico. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: To understand the basic building blocks of life, and because someone said I couldn't, so I had to prove them wrong. |
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Roxanna Pignolet | Treasurer
4th Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Minor: Professional Writing Hometown: Livermore, CA Hobbies: making cookies, reading, practicing choir repertoire, eating food and playing card/board games with friends Fun Fact: My parents started me in choir when I was five and I never stopped. I’m currently in the Chamber Choir on campus. Why I Decided to Pursue Biochemistry: I started as a biology major but after some amazing professors in both organic chemistry and biology I focused in on my fascination of the molecular and chemical mechanisms of life. Biochemistry provides the “how” behind what we observe in nature. |
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Ashley Christensen | Communications Director
2nd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Fresno, CA Hobbies: painting, petting my dog (the goodest girl), Mario Kart, playing card games and drinking boba Fun Fact: I once thought that in order to get rid of bangs, you had to cut them off instead of letting them grow out... 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. Wondering why a fire burns? Chemistry has the answer. Why do trees have leaves? Biology has the answer. This field gives me the opportunity to expand my knowledge of both of these subjects and that’s just absolutely fascinating to me. |
Connect with Ashley!
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Auxiliary Board
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Caleb Bower
3rd Year Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Hometown: Brentwood, CA Hobbies: Playing baseball, playing basketball, drinking boba, fishing, watching Youtube, watching superhero movies 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: Ever since I was a little kid, I have always wanted to help people in life. I always thought the best way to help people was to go into law enforcement. Unfortunately, my mom made me promise to never become a police officer because it is a very dangerous profession; therefore, I needed to find a career that helps law enforcement. Forensic Science was the first thing that came to mind due to my interest in “Forensic Files” and science. My AP Biology teacher told me that her friend worked as a Forensic Scientist for the FBI, and she had an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry; therefore, I decided to pursue Biochemistry. |
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Gabrielle Esteva
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 |
Connect with Gabrielle!
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