Jenna Mehls (she/her)Jenna is a junior at UMD studying general biology with a minor in Spanish. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attend perfusion school to become a perfusionist. Outside of class, she volunteers at the Latino Student Fund and is a CMNS student ambassador. Jenna enjoys swimming, cooking, and listening to music in her free time. |
Gabriel Whisner (he/him)Gabe is a third year public health science major with a minor in Spanish from Frederick, MD. After graduation, he plans on attending graduate school to attain a Master’s in Public Health. In his free time he enjoys photography, games, and good food. |
Antonia Papadimas (she/her)ntonia is a senior majoring in Public Health Science from Baltimore, MD. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans on pursuing a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology and studying infectious diseases. She is an undergraduate teaching assistant for Public Health Biology and a student ambassador for public health. Outside of school, she conducts research at the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Antonia enjoys going to the beach and eating good food! |
Emily Parent (she/her)Emily is a Senior from Boston, MA. After she graduates from UMD she hopes to pursue a career in dentistry. She has a cat named Shadow, who is the best girl ever. Other than BPO, Emily is involved with Terp Thon, and the UNIV100 TA program. She also is completing an honors thesis with Dr. Haag in the Biology Department. |
Ashlyn Gibson (she/her)Ashlyn is a senior, majoring in psychology with a minor in secondary STEM education, from Bel Air, MD. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attend medical school to become a neonatologist. Outside of class, she works at a preschool where she has taught for the past four years. |
Ellie is a third year Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major and is also minoring in Hear and Speech Sciences. After graduating, Ellie wishes to attend a Clinical Neuroscience Master’s program in the UK. Outside of class, she is a research assistant at a psychology lab at UMD and a bioFIRE peer-mentor. She enjoys reading, finding new music, volunteering, volleyball and painting.
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Colette Lord (she/her)Colette is a junior general biology major from Frederick, MD. After undergrad, she plans on taking a gap year and then applying to a master’s program for genetic counseling. Currently, she works as a lab technician in Dr. Rane’s Plant Diagnostic Lab, a microbiology lab. She also works as a venue coordinator at the Clarice. Outside of school, she is passionate about in marching band (is currently the section leader of the Maryland drumline), classical mythology, and reading. |
Ryan Saunders (he/him)Ryan is a senior Neurophys major who plans to take a gap year and apply to PA or medical schools. He currently works at The Hall and served as our PR chair this past year! His favorite BPO memory is getting pied at Pie Beta Psi in front of McKeldin. |
Christina Barrett (she/her)Christina is a Cell Bio. & Genetics and Psychology double major currently on the pre-med track. She's involved on campus as part of the Club Swim team and Gemstone program. She also volunteers at the Greenbelt Animal Shelter and at Tacoma Emergency Care Physicians. When she's not studying with BPO members at McKeldin, she's hiking/camping and watching Youtube! |
Connor Vaught (he/him)Connor is a Physics and Astronomy double major who works on campus as a research assistant and an astrology TA. He's also involved as a volunteer in STEM outreach programs and Maryland day. In his free time, Connor enjoys playing the drums and watching Star Wars. His favorite BPO memory was big/little reveal! |
Adi Sastry (he/him)Adi is a fourth year conservation biology & biodiversity major with a minor in GIS. After graduating, Adi hopes to pursue work in the realm of spatial ecology with an emphasis on using remote sensing & GIS to answer global environmental problems. Eventually he will go to pursue a graduate degree after he spends a couple of years gaining experience in the field. Adi loves to workout, go hiking, snowboarding, and petting any dog he sees. |
Harris Malik (he/him)Harris is a senior biology major from Germantown, MD. He will be attending dental school in the fall after graduating this spring. On campus, he works as an undergraduate teaching assistant for BSCI 170 and is also involved in the Maryland Science Café, a book club catered towards STEM majors. In his free time, he enjoys brewing coffee, watching anime, reading, and learning new things! |
Alex Ramos (he/him)Alex is a fourth-year Bioengineering major from Gaithersburg, MD. After graduating, Alex plans on working for a biomedical engineering company named Medtronic and hopes to work as a Clinical Specialist to combine his passion for engineering with the ability to work with patients. On campus, Alex is a part of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and is a TA for BIOE457. Outside of class, Alex likes to run, listen to music, and exploring fun places in D.C. |
Kristina Kalafsky (she/her)Kristina is a fourth-year Cell Biology and Genetics Major from Kinnelon, New Jersey. After graduating, Kristina plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in Cell Biology. Outside of class, she is a research assistant in a Plant Sciences lab at UMD, and a Dancer Relations Caption for Terp Thon. She enjoys listening to music, soccer, and traveling. |
Kaitlyn McGuire (she/her)Kaitlyn is a senior General Biology major who is on the pre-med track, as she hopes to one day become a pediatrician. She is passionate about working with children and giving back to the community. On campus, she is the Creative Director of Unbound Dance Team and she spends most of her free time either dancing or watching Supernatural. |
Casey Guidry (he/him)Casey is a junior at Maryland who is studying biology and environmental science. Casey is from Murrysville, Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh. After finishing Undergrad Casey would like to go to some of graduate school to study Genetic Counseling. On campus Casey is a TA for BSCI222 and works in a lab in the plant sciences building. Casey enjoys drawing, nature, hiking, and camping. |
Delma Mbulaiteye (she/her)Delma is a senior Biology and English double major from Rockville, MD. She is a TA for ARHU, and in her free time she volunteers with Lakeland STARS. In the future she wants to go to medical school. Her favorite Beta Psi Omega memory is hiking on Sugarloaf Mountain. |
Chris Bollinger (he/him)Chris is a senior Microbiology major from Bel Air, MD. In his free time he sings in the Gamer Symphony Orchestra. In the future he wants to be a research professor to find a good balance between teaching and research. |
Greeshma Anand (she/her)Greeshma is a senior, neurobiology and physiology major and spanish minor at UMD. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to go to medical school to become an ER physician. Outside of class, she is a part of USAS, MaryPIRG, and Terps Against Hunger. Greeshma enjoys photography, biking, and playing board games. |
Victoria Pham (she/her)Victoria is a third year microbiology student who loves researching infectious disease and reading philosophy. She’s currently in Dr. Scull’s lab where she studies respiratory viruses using lung models. After college she plans to pursue a PhD in virology or microbiology. Her extracurriculars include science tutoring and serving as the fundraising chair for Gaysians at UMD. In her free time, she can be found doing yoga, geeking over microbes, eating, and reading. |
Jonathan Botello (he/him)Jonathan is a senior environmental science major with a minor in GIS from Clarksburg, MD. After graduating from UMD, he plans to pursue a career in wildlife ecology. Outside of school he likes to run, bike, and watch movies. |
Sophia Rives (she/her)Sophie is a sophomore biology student from Baltimore County Maryland. After graduating she plans to get a masters in order to become a forensic scientist with the FBI. Outside of classes, Sophie dances with Ballet Company M as their ballet mistress. She also reading, listening to music, and organizing. |
Patrick Marcos (he/him)Patrick is a senior general biology and spanish minor from PG County Maryland. After completing his undergraduate degree, he hopes to attend medical school and become a primary care physician. Outside of class, he is a CMNS Peer Mentor, and also volunteers at Anne Arundel Medical Center and the College Park Community Food Bank. Patrick enjoys finding new music, gardening, and playing with his dog. |
Nikki Zimmerman (she/her)Nikki is a third year Environmental Science and Technology major and is minoring in Soil Science. After graduating she is planning living in a van and collecting views of different mountain scapes. She is also planning on going into research on carbon sequestration through soil. She is an intern at the TerpHub and is a member of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club at UMD. |
Carlos Koudouovoh (he/him)Carlos is a third year neuroscience major, Originally from Montgomery county Maryland but currently residing in Lawrenceville Georgia. Carlos plans on going to Medical school after undergrad, where he hopes to obtain an MD-Phd in neurosurgery and research in either cancer or schizophrenia. Carlos is currently a medical scribe as well as researching the rise of antibiotic resistance and finding ways to target cells using their own genome. |
Lakin Mathis (she/her)Lakin is a senior studying Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. Lakin currently works at the Adventure Program and is also involved in Psi Chi, Nu Rho Psi, and Tau Sigma. After graduating Lakin hopes to work in the mental health field before attending graduate school for her PhD. In her free time Lakin enjoys outdoor activities, listening to music, and spending time with friends! |
Divya Katti (she/her)Divya is a senior on the pre-med track and is interested in the social determinants of health . Outside of school, she is a research assistant at a neuroscience lab, a BSCI440 TA, involved with UMD AMSA and Lakeland STARs, and completing a research thesis on maternal healthcare. She enjoys finding new music, reading, and traveling! |
Olivia Holland (she/her)Olivia is a senior microbiology major and French minor at UMD. After completing her undergraduate degree she plans to take a gap year to work and then return to graduate school to study virology. Outside of school she works with individuals battling addiction at Recovery Centers of America. Olivia enjoys hiking, reading, music, and exploring DC in her free time. |
Sarah Saeed (she/her)Sarah is a second year, microbiology student from Potomac, Maryland. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Currently, she is working under Dr. Song in her immunology lab and spends most of her free time assisting her with research. Outside of school, Sarah also works at an equestrian facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she’s been training eventing horses for almost three years. |
Alexa is a third year kinesiology major (and adores it). After graduating she’s planning on going to graduate school in California to pursue a masters to doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy.
On campus, Alexa is a member of Crocheting for a Cause, Yogi Terps, and KSO [Kinesiology Student Organization]. Outside of school, she works at both a pediatrics PT/OT/ST clinic called MOCO-Movement and Panda Express. Alexa enjoys arts & crafts, scenic strolls, binging sitcom delights, and crab rangoons. |
Hannah Hoang (she/her)Hannah is a junior physiology and neurobiology student from Salisbury, MD. After graduating, Hannah hopes to pursue a career in the medical field. Outside of class, Hannah is involved in the American Medical Student Association, Alpha Chi Omega, and Club Tennis. She enjoys going to the beach, taking naps, and watching movies (big Marvel fan)! |
Clarissa Halpern (she/her)Clarissa is a junior cell biology and genetics major from Potomac, Maryland. After graduating, she hopes to get a masters degree and pursue research in the genetics field. Currently, Clarissa is completing research in Dr. Song’s immunology lab. She is the Fundraising Chair for Terp Thon and is a dog sitter for Terps Raising Pups. She loves paint by numbers and loves playing with dogs! |
Elizabeth Williams (she/her)Elizabeth is a fourth year Neurobiology and Physiology major from Carroll County, Maryland. She will be applying to veterinary school in the fall! Outside of class, Elizabeth loves spending time with her friends and working with animals. She has also been working at an organ transplant lab at the University of Maryland medical school in Baltimore! |
Natasha Strozeski (she/her)Tasha is a junior neuroscience major from Telford, Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia. After undergrad Tasha plans on taking a gap year and then applying to physician assistant programs. Tasha works as a CNA in an assisted living community and is starting to volunteer at various locations on campus this semester. She was also part of the BioFIRE community on campus.. Outside of school Tasha enjoys anything to do with the outdoors like hiking and camping. |
Katelin Le (she/her)Katelin is a senior public health student from Takoma Park, MD. After graduating, she plans on pursuing a masters in Kinesiology and to attend medical school to become a dermatologist. Outside of class, she is involved in the Charles R. Drew pre-health society and the American Medical Students Association and she is currently working at the integrated cellular and molecular diagnostics lab. One of her favorite things to do is trying new cuisines. |
Timothy Maher (he/him)Tim is a second-year Microbiology student from Towson, Maryland. After graduating, Tim plans on gaining some experience in the medical field and entering Med School to study pediatric medicine. However, he is not completely sure about what specialty he hopes to pursue. Aside from BPO, Tim is a member of the University Honors program and plays trombone in the UMD Lab Band. He also enjoys exploring the outdoors, reading interesting scientific articles, skiing, acting like an idiot, and laughing with his friends. |
Paola Sorto Quijano (she/her)Paola is a third-year cell bio and genetics major from Laurel, MD. She transferred to UMD in fall 2021 after graduating from Howard Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Life Science. After graduating from UMD, she hopes to obtain an MPH in Health Equity followed by a PhD in Immunology. Aside from being a science nerd, Paola LOVES going to concerts (she basically lives at The Anthem), traveling, and trying new (veggie-friendly) restaurants! She also dabbles in graphic design and photography! |
Jared DeGuzman (he/him)Jared is a junior at Maryland who is studying microbiology and Japanese, although he doesn’t have a minor in it. Jared is from Cordova, on the Eastern shore of Maryland. After finishing Undergrad Jared would like to go to Japan for his gap year before attending medical school. Jared is a volunteer Firefighter/EMT/Rescue tech with Cordova in Talbot County Maryland. He also enjoys many other hobbies and jobs, like cooking, SCUBA diving and lifeguarding. |
Rachel Brunn (she/her)Rachel is a junior majoring Physiology Neurobiology with a minor in Human Development. She is from New Jersey. Rachel is also a volunteer EMT. She also works as a Teaching Assistant for Ecology and Evolution. After she graduates she hopes to attend medical school and become a doctor. Rachel is also involved with the BioFIRE program on campus. |
Alexandra Thieman (she/her)Alexandra, mostly known as Lexi is a third year student here at UMD on the pre-med track from Urbana, MD. After graduating, she plans on taking a gap year before attending medical school. Outside of class she enjoys drinking coffee, painting, and dogs, specifically bulldogs. |
Ray Chiao (he/him)Ray is a third year general biology student from Rockville, Maryland. After completing his undergraduate degree, he hopes to pursue a graduate degree in a specialization yet to be determined. He enjoys research and has worked with the FIRE HPI lab on campus, and is currently a BioFIRE peer mentor. Outside of school, he loves to longboard, workout, explore, and take long naps. |