I am an undergraduate student majoring in Atmospheric Science and minoring in Chemistry. I’m passionate about atmospheric chemistry and its role in air quality and climate, and my current research focuses on soil nitrogen oxide emissions in the agricultural Midwest. While I’ve loved pursuing research at Berkeley, the best part has truly been learning from and collaborating with others. I’ve also enjoyed engaging with the Earth and Planetary Science community as a mentor and peer advisor.
Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, cooking, reading, and spending time with loved ones. I’m originally from San Diego and San Luis Obispo, so some say I’ve been making my way up the coast!
I am a third-year PhD student working at the Berkeley Physics Department and the Space Sciences Laboratory. I completed my bachelors degrees at Cornell University in physics and math. I work on antenna and lunar environment modelling for the LuSEE-Night experiment. I also research mechanisms that drive post-sunset pre-reversal enhancement in the equatorial zonal electric fields using data from the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) mission.
As a Ph.D. student in Bioengineering at UC Berkeley, I study aging with a focus on sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Despite advances in understanding muscle atrophy, no effective therapies exist to restore muscle function in aging populations. My research investigates how satellite cells, the stem cells responsible for muscle regeneration, lose their regenerative potential outside their native microenvironment. To address this, I engineer in vitro models that replicate the extracellular matrix and mechanical cues of healthy muscle tissue. By analyzing how these biophysical factors affect satellite cell activation and differentiation, I aim to identify mechanosignaling pathways that can be targeted to enhance muscle repair. This work has broad implications for restoring mobility and independence in the elderly and may also benefit those with muscle-wasting diseases like muscular dystrophy or cachexia.
Hello, My name is Dora Ogbonna and I am a 4th year MD-PhD student studying BioEngineering in the Joint UCSF/UC Berkeley BioEngineering PhD program. I am originally from Enugu Nigeria but moved to Roseville, California. I went to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for my undergraduate studies where I majored in Chemical Engineering. My current research is focused on the use of CRISPR Base Editors to engineer antibody resistance onto regulatory T cells (Tregs) for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. I am passionate about the intersection of use of engineering in immunology to create therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the affordability of the resulting treatments. Outside of the lab, I am interested in running, teaching, reading non-fiction, and watching TV shows.
Desvaun Drummond is a PhD student in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences program at the University of California, Berkeley, with research interests in computer architecture and hardware design. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Howard University in May 2023. While at Howard, he developed a passion for semiconductor hardware technology through research internships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan. Beyond research, Desvaun is passionate about leadership and student advocacy. He currently serves as president of the Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students and as a Diversity and Community Fellow in the Graduate Division’s Office of Graduate Diversity.
I’m currently a PhD candidate at UC Berkeley in the Molecular and Cell Biology program. In the Ingolia lab, I develop new tools for functional genomics using next generation sequencing and CRISPR interference to study mRNA regulation. I am also actively involved with the biotech ecosystem as a Consultant with Biotech Connection Bay Area, and previously as a Venture Capital Fellow with Insight Partners and as a Research Associate with Atoll Financial Group. Outside of work, I enjoy playing board games, trying new restaurants in the Bay Area, and staying active.
I am an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley majoring in Astrophysics and Planetary Science. As a member of the university’s Radio Astronomy Lab, I am very interested in how planets look in radio frequencies, which tells us about the health and behavior of a planet’s magnetosphere and atmosphere. My current work involves developing SVD-based models to streamline analysis on planetary radio emissions, primarily from Jupiter. I aspire to use these planetary radio emissions as an additional avenue for discovering exoplanets. In addition to my work in the Radio Astronomy Lab, I am a member of the University of California Marching Band where I play trumpet. When I am not conducting research or spreading school spirit with Cal Band, I also enjoy climbing, cycling, backpacking, and Christopher Nolan movies.
I am a fifth year PhD candidate in statistics, advised by Fernando Pérez and Jon McAuliffe, and I research statistical methods for extreme weather and climate events. I’ve always been interested in atmospheric phenomena, viewing them as a manifestation of the power of nature and the dynamic system in which we live our lives. I followed this interest during my undergraduate studies, completing a major in physics at the University of Chicago. However, after taking a few statistics courses, I was amazed at the potential for statistical tools to extract insights from such chaotic and seemingly random systems. Motivated by the need to develop tools to accurately assess the changing risks and severity of extreme weather due to climate change, I also completed a major in statistics and decided to pursue a PhD. With colleagues at LBNL’s CASCADE group, NCAR, and the British Antarctic Survey, I work on problems ranging from risk estimation for extreme compound weather events to assessing characteristics and impacts of extreme precipitation events in Antarctica.
I am originally from Laurel, MD, a suburb of both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and have been living in California since I began my PhD in 2021. In my free time, I like to tend to my houseplants and bake desserts.
Hi, I am a graduate student in the Berkeley Mechanical Engineering Department, focusing on Biomechanics. My current research involves collecting ultrasound images of human tendons during dynamic grip exertions, which I then apply to an in-house machine learning algorithm to quantify in vivo deformations. This work has the potential to provide a new
Hi, I am a graduate student in the Berkeley Mechanical Engineering Department, focusing on Biomechanics. My current research involves collecting ultrasound images of human tendons during dynamic grip exertions, which I then apply to an in-house machine learning algorithm to quantify in vivo deformations. This work has the potential to provide a new understanding of the tendons’ mechanical properties in vivo, which could significantly aid in rehabilitation and the prevention of workplace injuries. I am more broadly interested in tissue and full-body mechanics, ergonomics, human health, computational applications to biomechanics, and disease prevention. In terms of outreach, I love to tutor or mentor other students as well as volunteer or work with outreach non-profits in the community to encourage the next generation of engineers. Outside of the department, I like to play the flute and soccer, hike, run, read, and find unique activities in the city!
, which could significantly aid in rehabilitation and the prevention of workplace injuries. I am more broadly interested in tissue and full-body mechanics, ergonomics, human health, computational applications to biomechanics, and disease prevention. In terms of outreach, I love to tutor or mentor other students as well as volunteer or work with outreach non-profits in the community to encourage the next generation of engineers. Outside of the department, I like to play the flute and soccer, hike, run, read, and find unique activities in the city!
My name is Chimkasinma Mbakwe, a rising senior at UC Berkeley studying Bioengineering with an interest in Immunology. As an international student from Nigeria, I am passionate about understanding the immune system and translating scientific discoveries into real-world healthcare solutions. My current research investigates the regulation of human NK-cell desensitization, specifically studying how stimulation with ionomycin and Nkp30 affects NK cell responsiveness through flow cytometry.
Beyond the lab, I serve as a Resident Assistant and am heavily involved in the Biomedical Engineering Society, the Nigerian Student Association, and the Black Engineering and Science Student Association. I love to read (especially African authors) and listen to music in my free time.
