SEPAL Alumni – Resource Center Assistants
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Jennifer Louie, 2023-2024Current Position, Title, & Institution I am a third-year undergraduate student majoring in microbiology at San Francisco State University What are you up to now professionally? I am currently an undergraduate student in the Swei Lab conducting research. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I continue to use my communication and organization skills I developed at SEPAL! |
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Laura Galvan, 2022-2024Current Position, Title, & Institution Graduate Student Researcher at San Francisco State University What are you up to now professionally? I am currently doing my graduate research in Dr. Blake Riggs’ lab, where my experiments contribute to our investigation to understand more about cell fate determination. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I will forever be thankful to SEPAL for strengthening my skills of collaboration, inclusivity, advocacy, and professional communication as I continue to use these all daily both in my academic and professional career. |
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Darlene Silva, 2022Current Position, Title, & Institution Paraeducator at Jose Ortega Elementary School What are you up to now professionally? Working as a paraeducator as my day job and going back to school to pursue my Associate’s Degree in Electronic Music. I also have one EP out on streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, etc) and will be releasing an upcoming EP near the end of the year. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? What I continue to use most from my time at SEPAL are organization skills. |
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Carolina Quintero, 2021Current Position, Title, & Institution Community Engagement Specialist – Food Security Team at The Unity Council What are you up to now professionally? I help combat the issue of food insecurity in Fruitvale, Oakland. My favorite part is our weekly food distribution where we are able to provide free fresh foods to 100+ individuals. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? Being apart of SEPAL has taught me to always promote equity and inclusivity. |
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Karen Tabayoyong, 2020Current Position, Title, & Institution Practice Coordinator, UCSF Orthopaedic Institute What are you up to now professionally? I am currently an assistant to a foot/ankle chief surgeon at UCSF, so I schedule all of her surgeries, manage her schedule, and help patients when needed. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I continue to use most of the administrative/organization skills that I used while being with SEPAL. Working in SEPAL definitely prepared me to be more organized and self sufficient while working in an office! |
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Marsha Bridgette, 2019-2020Current Position, Title, & Institution Manufacturing Scientist – Illumina, INC What are you up to now professionally? My current job is associated with manufacturing instruments for genetic testing, these instruments have been vital during the COVID-19 pandemic surge. In addition to that I am a day trader, using the FOREX platform to gain financial stability. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? During my time in SEPAL I learned the value of collaboration. Being a part of the scientific field, collaboration is a value that holds great importance in our day to day life. My peers and I ensure that everyone at work is heard, no idea is big or small. We make group decisions on daily operations. |
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Lorenzo Mena, 2018-2019Current Position, Title, & Institution Ph.D. student at the University of Utah What are you up to now professionally? I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in molecular biology to hopefully have a career in academia. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I continue to use the 5E model, and 21 inclusive teaching strategies in lab to cultivate equity and inclusivity. |
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Hydea Marshall, 2018-2020Current Position, Title, & Institution I am currently working in ABA therapy at Therapeutic Learning Consultants What are you up to now professionally? I work with children diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and have been in this field for the last two years. Currently working on continuing with high education to be eligible for becoming a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I loved working under Kimberly Tanner and learning how to best organize data collection as well as observe how individuals learn different types of information. |
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Ashleigh Barton, 2017-18Current Position, Title, & Institution Sales Operations Assistant for the Sacramento Kings. What are you up to now professionally? I work closely with the Sales and Events team to create lasting memories through the NBA. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? During my time at SEPAL I learned to never be afraid to ask questions and always think out of the box! |
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Kristen Chhom, 2016-17kristen.chhom@samuelmerritt.edu Current Position, Title, & Institution Student, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Samuel Merritt University What are you up to now professionally? I’ve been working with my peers and SMU faculty as a class representative to communicate student feedback and coordinate meetings and events for my cohort. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? Soft skills such as collaboration, inclusivity, advocacy, and professional communication are highly valued skills that I have acquired while working at SEPAL, and continue to use daily throughout my academic and professional career! |
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Janna Bashar, 2016Current Position, Title, & Institution Graduate Research Assistant at University of Wisconsin-Madison What are you up to now professionally? I am currently a PhD Dissertator investigating antigenic determinants that contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? My time at SEPAL has helped me improve my science communication skills! |
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Brenda Cisneros, 2015-16Current Position, Title, & Institution Ph.D. Candidate/Graduate Student Researcher, Elias Lab, University of Michigan What are you up to now professionally? I am currently writing up part of my dissertation project and finishing up other experiments. Additionally, I am an Early Career Policy Ambassador with Society for Neuroscience and I am using this experience and training to prepare myself for a career in science policy. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? SEPAL cemented the fundamentals for inclusive and equitable teaching in STEM and since then, I have shared and continue to apply this knowledge in educational spaces I have been a part of. |
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Kirsten Liaz, 2014-15Current Position, Title, & Institution Field EMT, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), NorCal Ambulance What are you up to now professionally? Currently I am a certified and practicing EMT for an ambulance company with aspirations of attending PA school. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I strive to provide an inclusive and equitable environment for patients and colleagues because of my experience with SEPAL. |
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Alexandria Cardenas, 2014Current Position, Title, & Institution Wedding Photographer, Alexandria Monette Photography; Bridal Shop Owner, Love Era Wedding Boutique What are you up to now professionally? I’m a multi-passionate business owner and wedding photographer who is adding to the community of Temecula with a people & size-inclusive, fashion-forward Bridal Shop. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? The importance of creating equitable environments and being a welcoming human are values that have stuck with me throughout the years, far surpassing any science education I might still retain. While I may not work in the science field, I will always treasure my time learning through SEPAL & courses with Dr. Tanner. |
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Sunny Pak, 2014-16Current Position, Title, & Institution Supervisor at UCSF Medical Center in the Cancer Center Infusion Services Authorization Unit. What are you up to now professionally? Building my department as we are planning to acquire all departments related to Infusion Services. Also getting my Certified Professional Coder (CPC) License. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I still use the best practices learned from teaching students and incorporate that into training my staff and new hires as everyone learns concepts differently. |
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Matilde Miranda, 2013-14Current Position, Title, & Institution Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Tokyo What are you up to now professionally? I am wrapping up my postdoc work in Tokyo and will be looking towards opportunities to pursue biotech and cosmetic product development. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? Promoting and practicing equity are always important for my scientific communication! |
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Ceazar Nave, 2011Current Position, Title, & Institution Postdoctoral Scholar/IRACDA Fellow at University of California, Los Angeles What are you up to now professionally? I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Neurobiology at UCLA studying the evolution of sleep and circadian rhythms using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? As a current adjunct professor at CSU Los Angeles, I’ve been utilizing effective teaching practices that I learned as a SEPAL affiliate (e.g. active learning exercises, community building, assessment of student learning). |
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Carlos Damas, 2011-2012Current Position, Title, & Institution Resident Physician, PGY-2, UCSF Pediatrics What are you up to now professionally? I am currently completing 2nd year of pediatric residency with a focus in Critical Care at UCSF and was recently awarded a grant to conduct qualitative research to further understand the experience of neonatal death in Spanish speaking families. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? Always ask questions! But often, I bring up the hydrogen bonds in the water molecule how cool/important it is at parties. |
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Jainee Lewis, 2007-2008Current Position, Title, & Institution Senior Scientist at Roche What are you up to now professionally? I am currently working on next generation sequencing (NGS) diagnostic solutions for cancer patients. What do you continue to use most from your time at SEPAL? I continue to use the 5E model when explaining concepts to my colleagues. |
