Science Ambassadors 2026-2027

Science Ambassador Joyce Armanus

Joyce
Armanus 

4th Year
Biology


Bridging Voices in Healthcare

Healthy Hearts

Garden Project

Phi Delta Epsilon

Riverside Free Clinic

UCR School of Medicine, Health Coach

Dr. Russ Hille Lab, Research Assistant

Kate Ostevik Lab, Student Researcher

Peer Mentor


Fun Facts

I love drawing and doing nail art whenever I have free time. I also love trying out different coffee shops and matcha spots and am always looking for new places to visit. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. 

CNAS Science Ambassador Domi Armendariz

Domi
Armendariz

3rd Year
Biochemistry


Supplemental Instruction Leader

Chemistry Club, Vice-President

Latino Medical Student Association Plus, Co-Marketing Chair

Art Factory, Social Media Chair 1

The Well: Golden ARCHES, Volunteer

Chicano Students Peer Link, Mentor


Fun Facts

I used to do choir for 10 years and I am red/green colorblind!

Citlali Campos

Citlali
Campos

Senior
Physics


Park Lab

Society of Physics Students 

Supporting and Mentoring Aspiring Students in High School (SMASH), Lead


Fun Facts

I play cello and love to watch bad movies!

Science Ambassador Ricardo Cuc Cadena

Ricardo
Cuc Cadena

4th Year
Mathematics for Teachers of Secondary School


La Unión Estudiantil de la Raza (UER), Casa de Hermanos, Minister of Education

First Generation Student Association (FGSA), Co-Communications Chair

REVIVE Thrift Club, Events & Outreach Coordinator

Somethin' Sweet Baking, Event Coordinator

MAES (Latinos In Science And Engineering), Social Affairs Committee

Thompson Lab, Undergraduate Student Researcher

First Year Peer Mentor

AVID Tutor, Riverside Unified School District

Riverside Community Hospital, Volunteer

Coachella Valley Free Clinic, Volunteer

Assistance League of Riverside

Assistance League of Riverside, Operation School Bell Volunteer

Tropical Valley Mountains, Document Manager


Fun Facts

First-generation college student

I love collecting vinyl records

I love Japanese stationery

I enjoy Victorian architecture and historic buildings

I enjoy hiking and late night jogs

I love matcha!

Nayra Elhawary

Nayra
Elhawary

4th Year
Cellular Molecular and Developmental Biology


California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM),  Undergraduate Trainee

Meera Niar Lab, Research

Egyptian Student Association, President

Quranic Studies Club, Vice President


Fun Facts

I used to play water polo in high school.

I used to own 7 cats at one point.

I can whistle both inward and outward. 

Joseph Elyas

Joseph
Elyas

3rd Year
Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology 


National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA), Treasurer

Beating in Sync, Finance Chair/Treasurer

Church Youth Board, Vice President

Coptic Club, General member

Cope Health Scholar at Kaiser Permanente Riverside

Loma Linda Hospital Volunteer


Fun Facts

I love playing basketball, listening to music, and playing video games.

Sarah Fan

Sarah
Fan

4th Year
Biology


 

Jackie Ha

Jackie
Ha

4th Year
Biology


Physician Associates of Tomorrow, Vice President

Citrus Care, Director of Finances

Citrus Free Care Pediatrics Officer

Cope Health Scholar

United Medical Doctors, Intern

Nikkei Student Union, Member


Fun Facts

I love to try new foods 

Fady Hanna

Fady
Hanna

4th Year
Biology


 

Jennifer Huynh

Jennifer
Huynh 

4th Year
Biology


Redlands Community Hospital Volunteer Trainer 

SISTERS Co lead 

YouthHope Foundation 

UCR Hands on Healthcare 


Fun Facts

My family calls me Fo, inspired by the Vietnamese soup: Pho 

Zainab Jalali

Zainab
Jalali

4th Year
Biology


Dynamic Genome Outreach Group, President

Voices of Equity, Co-President

BCOE's Undergraduate Research Club, Social Media Chair

Chaturvedi Lab | CIRM RAMP Fellow


Fun Facts

I used to live in Canada!

Abby Kim

Abigail
Kim

3rd Year
Biology Major
Psychology Minor


ARC Supplemental Instruction Mentor

UCR HCAP Intern

UCR Saltzman Lab 

UCR SOM Probe Scholar

UCR SOM Medical Scholars Program

Supplemental Instruction Leader

R'Course Instructor

WesternU SHPEP Scholar

Project Lux Vice President

Riverside Community Hospital Volunteer

Citrus Free Care Women's Health Committee


Fun Facts

I enjoy taking exercise classes, reading, baking, and organizing!

Kendall Kimbrough

Kendall
Kimbrough

2nd Year
Biochemistry


Kaiser Permanente COPE Health Solutions

Pathways to Health Excellence Research Program

Future Pharmacists (P.I.L.L.S)

Hands-on-Healthcare

Charity: Water Non-profit Organizer

Barnes and Nobles Education Employee


Fun Facts

Kendall has been a part of more than six different honor bands, touring numerous states, and awarded over 15 times throughout her musical career. 

As a Trumpet section leader, Kendall has appeared in the 2024 Rose Parade.

Apart from science, Kendall is heavily devoted to expanding her music taste, experiencing many of her favorite artists live. 

Growing up, Kendall has always enjoyed cooking and baking for her loved ones. 

Minecraft has been Kendall's favorite game for over a decade. 

Swaroop Krishnan

Swaroop
Krishnan

3rd Year
Major: Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology
Minor: Data Science


CNAS Peer Mentor

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Pellecchia Lab, UCR School of Medicine 

LabLink

College Corps Food Insecurity Fellow (2024–2025)

Chinmaya Mission Food & Toy Drive, Volunteer/Organizer

Oxford & Cambridge Global Leadership Program (UCR Education Abroad) 


Fun Facts

I am a twin.

I was the youngest Eagle Scout in my Boy Scout Troop.

Outside of class, I enjoy watching movies and discovering new places to eat with friends.

I enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures.

Vikasini Kuppa

Vikasini
Kuppa

3rd Year
Neuroscience


 

Lynnea Le

Lynnea
Le

4th Year
Biology


 

Thomas Le

Thomas
Le

3rd Year
Biochemistry


Academic Resource Center (ARC) Tutorial Assistance Program (TAP) 

Kou Lab Research

Health Professions Association (HPA), President

Pre-dental Society (PDS), RFC Chair

Church Pianist


Fun Facts

I can't swim!

I can play the piano upside down.

Luca Liciaga

Luca
Liciaga

3rd Year
Biology


Pre-Dental Society (PDS)

Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPI) Fraternity

Scribe

Hispanic Student Association (HISA)

Formula 1 Club

Riverside Free Clinic

School Assistant

Dental Assistant


Fun Facts

I play golf and volleyball.

I have 4 pets (two weiner dogs and two cats).

Huge Formula 1 fan.

I broke my arm when I was 2 years old.

I love playing video games.

Never lost to anyone in go-karting.

Meghana Marada

Meghana
Marada

4th Year
Neuroscience


 

Katelyn Marcellini

Katelyn
Marcellini

3rd Year
Biology


Pre-dental Society RFC, Chair

Future Programs, Chair

Feeding America, Volunteer


Fun Facts

I love playing volleyball, it's my stress reliever always! I also love baking and am planning to attempt baking more breads.

Sofi Melendrez

Sofi
Melendrez

4th Year
Biology


UCR SOM Endocannabinoid Research

Latino Medical Student Association

Inland Empire Street Medicine 

Fontana Expanded Learning Program 

UCR Health Brand Ambassador 


Fun Facts

I love singing, guitar, Disneyland, and my two bunnies Bambi & Thumper.

Wade Mu

Wade
Mu

3rd Year
Biology


Running Club at UC Riverside, Marketing Officer

Center for Healthy Communities, Volunteer

Riverside Free Clinic, Volunteer

Loma Linda University Health Neurology, Volunteer

Undergraduate Student Researcher, Dr. Obenaus' Lab

HIV and Aging Research, Team Member

Resident Advisor, Lothian Residence Hall


Fun Facts

I am a avid runner!

I love to crochet.

I used to competitively swim!

I founded a competitive eating club with my friends in high school.

Gavin Nalbandian

Gavin
Nalbandian

2nd Year
Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology


ARC Early Assist Peer Educator

UCR Proteomics Core Facility, Research Assistant, 

Boys & Girls Club of America, Youth Development Professional

EMT


Fun Facts

I've been playing piano for 15 years and I am obsessed with football and basketball.

Briana Nakano

Briana
Nakano

3rd Year
Biology


 

Constantino Neri

Constantino
Neri

4th Year
Biology


 

Joseph Nguyen

Joseph
Nguyen

4th Year
Biology


Dynamic Genome Outreach Group, Director of Training

Highlander Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), EMT

Medical Emergency Education Program (MEEP), General Member

CNAS First-Year Peer Mentor

Dillman Lab, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Cal-Med Ambulance, EMT

St. Joseph Catholic Church Children’s Faith Formation Catechist 


Fun Facts

I make paper flowers for fun.

Manaka Oyama

Manaka
Oyama

3rd Year
Neuroscience


 

Diana Peguero

Diana
Peguero

2nd Year
Biology


Pre-Dental Society

Best Buddies

Dynamic Genome


Fun Facts

Coraline has been my favorite movie for 12 years.

English is not my first language.

My biggest fear is spelunking.

I taught myself how to sew and crochet at 10.

I collect anything and everything snoopy.

Dina Qaqish

Dina
Qaqish

4th Year
Biology


CNAS Science Ambassador

Dental Shadowing 


Fun Facts

I love spending time with my dog.

I enjoy exploring new places and coffee shops with friends.

I'm a huge fan of music and love singing in the car. 

I love building lego sets.

I enjoy shadowing a general dentist and learning about the field. 

I'm a first-generation college student.

Joseph Rafo

Joseph
Rafo

3rd Year
Biology


Loma Linda University Health, Volunteer

Dr. McCole Biomedical Sciences Research

Health Clinical & Administrative Program (HCAP) - Strategic Planning Department

UCR Honors

Pre-Professional Advising Center


Fun Facts

Drake is my favorite artist.

I have been playing piano for 12 years.

I love Costco chicken bake.

Shivani Ramesh

Shivani
Ramesh

3rd Year
Neuroscience


Cheloufi Lab/RAMP Program, Undergraduate Researcher

Loma Linda Children's Hospital, Volunteer


Fun Facts

I love hiking and exploring new food spots with my friends!

CNAS Science Ambassador Catalina Rodriguez

Catalina
Rodriguez

4th Year
Biochemistry


ARC Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction Leader


Fun Facts

I love intense rollercoasters and ice skating. 

Adithi Sesani

Adithi
Sesani

Senior
Neuroscience


SISTERS, Project Lead

Eagle Glen Hospice, Volunteer

Kaiser Permanente, Volunteer

Pharmacy Technician CPhT

Eye C You Optometry, Intern

UCR AMSA 

Madhuri Kishore School of Kuchipudi, Senior Dancer/Instructor

Undergraduate Researcher, Samuk Lab 


Fun Facts

I was born without functional lungs! 

Yeonju Song

Yeonju
Song

2nd Year
Biology


Future PILLS, Ambassador

Health Clinical & Administrative Program (HCAP), Intern

Dynamic Genome Outreach, Group Member

Dillman Lab, Undergraduate Research Assistant

CVS Pharmacy, Technician


Fun Facts

I have a pet russian tortoise named Yoda Jr.!

Windy Thach

Windy
Thach

2nd Year
Chemistry


Supporting and Mentoring Aspiring Students in High School (SMASH) 

CNAS Science Ambassadors


Fun Facts

I love listening to music, watching horror movies, and trying new fragrances!

I also really want a pet corn snake.

Jordan Wimberly

Jordan
Wimberly 

4th Year
Biology


 

Noah Wong

Noah
Wong

4th Year
Biology


redefineD at UCR, President

Bhagat Puran Singh Health Initiative (BPSHI), Clinic Coordinator

redefineD, Student Medical Director

COPE Health Scholar

Club Baseball Club Operations


Fun Facts

I was on a baby Halloween fashion show on TV when I was a baby.

I have never traveled outside of the country.

I learned how to make sushi.

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