About SEPAL Staff

SEPAL Program Coordinator

Lucy Luong

About Me

I was born in Vietnam and raised in San Diego. I became the first in my family to go to college, receiving my B.A. at Dartmouth and Ph.D. at UC Davis in chemistry! Although I am a chemist by training, I am devoted to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the sciences. At UC Davis, in addition to doing research, I founded and managed the Chemistry Peer Mentoring Program, which helps students who are first-generation college attending and historically marginalized groups in science transition into the college/chemistry community academically and socially. After graduating, I worked in a research lab at UCSF but realized my true passions lie in working to make science more accessible and welcoming to students from all different backgrounds. Now at SEPAL, I found a community that shares these values and allows me to develop professionally in my major career transition as well! During my free time, I like to experiment with cooking new food and go on walks with my dog.

SEPAL Resource Center Assistants

Sam M Sandoval

About Me

Hi! I’m Sam, a second-year Master’s student at SFSU. I’m in the biology program with a concentration in Physiology and Behavior. I majored in biology with a concentration in Zoology for my Bachelor’s (also at SFSU). My love of animals drives me to exceed in every part of my college career. I’ve worked with many animals from armadillos to hummingbirds! I like having a variety of experiences with organisms which makes me adaptable in and out of the lab space.  Currently, my graduate research focuses on hummingbird migration physiology with the Anna’s Hummingbird, Calypte anna. I plan on transitioning to a PhD program afterwords to continue my animal research experience. In the future, I hope to assist in museum or conservation work. I’d like my efforts to directly impact the community through exhibits or education.  Outside of school, I go on hikes to search for salamanders or bird watch. My family and I explore the city often, despite our many years of fun there. There’s always something new to find in San Francisco! I also love reading and will be content with a good book and cuddling with my dogs.

Laura Galvan

About Me

My name is Laura Galvan. I am currently a 2nd year master’s student at San Francisco State University, studying Cell and Molecular Biology. I am currently doing research in Dr. Blake Riggs’ lab studying microRNA in Drosophila embryos. I aim to continue my education through a Ph.D. followed by pursing work in the Biotechnology industry. Outside of school, I like to spend my time exploring the great outdoors: backpacking, hiking, fishing, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and swimming. I want to utilize my background in science and research to engage with transfer students, non-traditional students, and students of color in the STEM field. I hope that I may be able to help guide them in a way that I wish I had growing up navigating the STEM environment. Being a part of the SEPAL Resource Center means so much to me because I am a part of a team whose mission is to aid in resourcefulness in teaching and learning in STEM education.