Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center

Emily Donahue

My name is Emily (she/her/hers) and I am a senior majoring in Environmental Science, Tech & Policy with a minor in Statistics. During my undergraduate degree, I have worked to develop skills in science and outreach. I’ve participated in summer research projects with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a joint program with COAST and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. During these experiences I got the chance to work on unique projects from fish chorusing to abalone restorations while also developing my own outreach events and materials. I plan to use my experience to earn a PhD degree in Population Biology/Ecology and later become a professor. 

I am a UROC Scholar and LSAMP participant. I am also the founder and facilitator of the Processing Opportunities in Writing, Education and Research (POWER) group, where everyone is welcome to come and express their experiences in pursuing high stakes opportunities. I am so excited to work with everyone and be a part of your journey towards achieving your goals!

Ingrid Martinson

Hi everyone! I’m Ingrid (she/they) and I am a fourth year Marine Science major with a minor in Environmental Health Policy. My research experiences have covered a wide range of different topics–from oil spill impacts to plastic pollution– but have all focused on finding marine conservation solutions.

I am a 2022 NOAA EPP/MSI Scholar and a 2023 Goldwater Scholar. Last summer I conducted research with a NOAA non-profit partner, Puget Sound Restoration Fund, to evaluate the success of a bull kelp restoration project. Currently, I am continuing this research for my Honors Capstone. I have presented this research at the Western Society of Naturalists (WSN) Meeting, the 2023 NDiSTEM Conference, and I will be presenting at the 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting in February. 

On campus, I am co-President of the Sustainability Club and a student representative on the President’s Sustainability committee. I am excited to help students write authentic, competitive applications that will help advance their research career! Outside of school I enjoy crocheting, making jewelry, baking, and spending time with friends.

Jessica Naranjo

Hi everyone! I’m Jessica (she/her/ella). I’m a fourth-year Mathematics major with a minor in Data Science. I love hanging out with my friends, reading, and watching movies and TV shows.

Last summer, I conducted research at the Corbett-Detig lab at UCSC as a NHGRI GREAT Scholar, where we set out to determine which specific mutations on the proofreading parts of the SARS-CoV-2 genome cause the virus to mutate faster. I have presented this research at the 2023 NDiSTEM Conference and at research symposiums in UCSC and CSUMB. I will also be presenting this research at the 2024 NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting in April.

Last semester, I became a peer liaison in the CSUMB Mathematics and Statistics department, where I help connect students in lower-division Math/Stat courses to resources that can assist them in their educational journey. In addition to this, I was applying to the GEM fellowship and various Master’s in Statistics programs. I’m very excited to help students as a writing fellow with the knowledge I have gained through my experiences.

Kimberly Smith

Hello all! I’m Kimmy (she/her) and I am in my final semester as a Collaborative Health and Human Services major, Biology minor. I grew up about 4.5 hours south of Monterey in a little town called Ojai. I transferred to CSUMB in Spring 2022 from Ventura College and moved to East Campus with my husband, Paul. We both love getting outside and exploring new places.
As a McNair Scholar and Sally Casanova Scholar, I have actively engaged in research and community-based initiatives aimed at addressing public health challenges and eliminating health disparities. I conducted summer social epidemiology research at the University of Arizona focused on cancer prevention resources for Hispanic women in Arizona and spent the following summer at Emory University where I developed an independent research project focused on poverty and maternal health outcomes. 

On Campus, I am a researcher in Dr. Lovell’s Child Health and Wellness Lab, where my central project has been a Youth Participatory Action Research project to assess the escalation of the youth mental health crisis through a community partnership with the Gonzales Youth Council. I have disseminated ongoing results through presentations at the Western Psychological Association 2023 Conference, the Society of Community Research and Action Conference 2023, and placed 2nd at the CSU Research Competition. I also serve as the maternal mental health representative for Family Friendly Club and am a resident advisor for East Campus housing. 

As a low-income first-generation transfer student, the mentorship and support I have received from my campus community have shaped my desire to provide mentorship for other undergraduate students with similar challenges. I look forward to helping students tell their stories and encouraging them to keep dreaming bigger.

Connor Quiroz

Hey folks, I’m Connor Quiroz (he/him)! I’m in my final semester at CSUMB pursuing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy with a double minor in Data Science and in Statistics. I was born and raised in Sacramento, California, and I have a deep passion for exploring the outdoors as well as a drive to preserve our natural environment. I have explored these passions through research projects sponsored by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

I’ve attended two Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs), both teaching me what I enjoyed and what I didn’t. During my first REU in 2022, I studied the ecology of pitcher plants using genetic techniques including polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing with Central Michigan University (I had no prior microbiology experience). During my second REU, I described historic marine environments by analyzing drill core samples during the late Devonian with Macalester College (I knew very little geology going in). These REUs fostered my passion for studying aquatic habitats from a quantitative angle, and I modeled species distributions for California red-legged frogs, a threatened species, for an honors capstone. I want to extend my knowledge in a Ph.D. program so that I can use my learning to benefit others!

As for writing (applies to any challenge in general), anyone can become a great writer - it’s about putting in effort and patience! I have learned through multiple revisions in internship, fellowship, and graduate school applications that you need to develop deep level thinking for why you do what you do and how your activities connect towards your goal. Make the most of the time you have, and learn learn learn!!

Nikole Babcock

Hello! I am a transfer student, CSU Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar, and former UROC scholar. I recently graduated with a BA in psychology (Fall 2022). During my undergraduate, I conducted research under the mentorship of Dr. Shannon Snapp in her lab, Supporting Young People Project. I collaborated on research projects on topics such as sexuality, inclusive curriculum, and disproportionate discipline, with a focus on sexual and gender minorities. I have published three peer-reviewed articles and presented numerous oral and poster presentations and workshops.

When I am not nerding out over relationship science, you can catch me chasing around my four-year-old or playing a heated game of Villainous. 

I recently applied to 12 PhD programs in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Science, Human Development and Family Sciences, and Social Psychology. Additionally, I applied to the NSF GRFP and Ford Fellowship.

Serena Ross

Hello everyone! I’m Serena (she/her), and I transferred to CSUMB in Fall 2021, but I am currently a fourth-year psychology major, graduating May 2023. For the past year I have been conducting research examining cognitive  functioning with those experiencing dementia within older and marginalized communities in the Applied Basic Cognitive Lab  (ABC) with Dr. Renee Penalver, Assistant Professor in Psychology. Transitioning to a university while becoming a McNair Scholar to gain experience applying to REU’s and graduate school equipped me with skills I hope to share! I love binge watching tv shows, eating, sleeping, relaxing.

Eva Scrivner

Hi everyone! I’m Eva (she/they), I’m a fourth year marine science major and chemistry minor graduating in Spring 2023. For the past three years, I have conducted research modeling ocean systems with satellite imagery in the Biological Oceanography Lab with Dr. Sherry Palacios. I’ve explored these interests through the NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP), the Mystic Aquarium-UConn REU program, and the NASA Center for Applied Atmospheric Research and Education (CAARE) internship. 

I am a 2022 Goldwater Scholar, and I am excited to help students channel their personal storytelling for scholarship and summer research applications. When out of the lab or classroom, I love reading, painting, and watching terrible reality tv (open to recommendations).

Spencer Winter

Hello I’m Spencer (he/him). I’m a senior double major in Molecular Biology and Human Development & Family Science. My research experiences have been eclectic but it all ties together into my long term path, including child development, molecular neuroscience, and my long term research in molecular programming. I’ve also participated in summer experiences, including an experience at UC Davis and a summer research experience at Caltech–California Institute of Technology. I am a 2022 Goldwater Scholar, a 2022 Sally Casanova Pre Doctoral Scholar, and a 2022 CSU Trustees Award recipient. In addition to research I run an arts in STEM publication project at CSUMB called Creative Scientists. I’m really excited about helping students develop their narrative style and bring their authentic self to applications and I can be of particular help with high stakes scholarships like the Goldwater and the Sally Casanova. Outside of school I make special effects prosthetics, play with my pet rats, and participate in live action longsword fighting.

Monica Urias

Hi all! I'm in my final year at CSUMB majoring in Environmental, Science, Technology & Policy, with a concentration in Applied Ecology and a minor in Biology. I am currently a UROC Researcher working with Dr. Liz Alter. In her lab, we are determining the evolutionary history of the African freshwater fish genus Chelaethiops through gene sequence analysis to identify previously unknown cryptic lineages. I have also done prior research monitoring habitat preferences of local amphibians along trails in the Monterey Bay area--I just presented this project as a poster at the 2022 SACNAS NDiSTEM conference in Puerto Rico! 

My research interests lie primarily in ecology and evolutionary biology. In graduate school, I want to integrate these fields of study with wildlife conservation and anthropogenic disturbances to understand how ecological drivers lead to resilience and trait variations in vertebrates.

I have finished applying to Ph.D. programs, and will soon be completing my applications for Masters programs as well!

Gagandeep Choongh

Hello friends! :) I am excited to meet you, I will be graduating in spring 2022 from CSUMB with a degree in psychology and a minor in business. My research is about why certain morals and ideologies stay relevant when you are psychologically distant and exploring how employee and consumer behavior and perception are affected by psychological distance. In 2021, I was a delegate, on behalf of CSUMB, at the CSU Student Research Competition and have a peer-reviewed and forthcoming case study being published by SAGE Publishing in the spring. I published a paper in the local social sciences magazine Culture Society & Praxis called "Sikhism: A Targeted Religion." I like to believe I have the best opinions when it comes to movies and I am an avid hiker. 

Recently, I have finished applying to Ph.D. programs and hope to continue doing research and become a professor in the field of organizational behavior. 

Matthew Dunham

Hello! I am a fifth year UROC scholar graduating in Spring 2022 with a B.S. in Statistics and a minor in Psychology. I’ve participated in both Psychology and Statistics labs across CSUMB, as well as at UC Santa Cruz as part of the BD2K Scholars program and at the Rochester Institute of Technology as part of their Discipline Based Education Research (DBER) REU. In addition, I was awarded third place in the national Undergraduate Research Statistics Project (USRESP) competition, have a manuscript under review in the Statistics Education Research Journal (SERJ) and am in the process of reviewing a journal article for SERJ. My research interests lie primarily in statistics education, with an emphasis on promoting statistical and computational literacy and expanding educational opportunities in STEM to underrepresented students. In addition, I have some interest in Missing Data analysis in the context of educational instruments. Finally, I love playing the guitar and ukulele - I believe a creative outlet is vital to my success in school!

I have applied to PhD and MS programs in Statistics, as well as some PhD programs in STEM Education. I have been accepted to the Statistics PhD program at NC State with plans to commit to the program.

Amelia Parker

Hi! I am a senior Humanities and Communication (HCom) major with concentrations in Ethnic and Gender Studies and Journalism and Mass Media and am also minoring in Environmental Health Policy.  As a sophomore, I was selected as a Dewar Scholar and have since had the opportunity to extensively research crisis communication concerning COVID-19 at CSUMB alongside my research mentors Dr. Sam Robinson, Dr. Shantel Martinez, and Dr. Kelly Medina-Lopez. With our research, we have been invited to speak at many conferences, including the Global Communication Summit, as a CSUMB Delegate for the 35th Annual CSU Student Research Competition hosted by Cal Poly Pomona, and CSUMB’s Graduate & Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activity Showcase, in which we won first place. We have also written for and received two grants from the Arts and Humanities Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CURAH) to continue our research. 

Many of my own research interests in organization and rhetorical communication, misinformed ideals of professionalism, and Foucauldian power modalities are shaped by my experience working with the Otter Cross Cultural Center (OC3). I participated in the OC3’s social justice internship as a freshman, and now hold the role of the Internship Development Student Coordinator in the center. Activism is central to my research and academic interests, and I plan on teaching in higher education and social justice curriculum development. In my own writing and as a UROC Writing Fellow, I highly value storytelling and authenticity. I have applied  to a mix of PhD and Masters programs in Communication, Social Justice, American Studies, and Women and Gender Studies. 

Morgan Raimondo

Hi everyone. I am a UROC Researcher graduating Spring 2022 with a B.S. in Biology (molecular concentration) and a minor in Statistics. I am a member of the Plant Pathology lab on campus where I was awarded the Monterey County Historical Society Albert Jensen Scholarship for working with Dr. Dundore-Arias to characterize the microbiome of agricultural soils. I am currently pursuing graduate school opportunities that will allow me to conduct environmental microbiology research and develop applied statistics materials for undergraduates. Last semester, I placed second at the CSUMB UROC Fall Research Competition for “Characterizing the Composition and Function of Soilborne Streptomyces from the Salinas Valley.” 

I recently completed applications that include the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) fellowship; Ph.D. application materials; and scientific writing such as abstracts and papers. When I can, I enjoy spending time outside on hikes, but usually a coffee or drink on a patio will do.

Melissa Vezard

Hi everyone, I am very excited to be a UROC Writing Fellow for this semester! I’m a fourth year Marine Science major with a minor in Biology. I am a UROC Scholar graduating in Spring 2022. I have been conducting research to determine which species of corals are more resilient to climate change induced bleaching events in the Environmental Physiology lab with Dr. Cheryl Logan here at CSUMB. I had the opportunity to present my work at SACNAS, Reef Conservation UK, and the Fall UROC Research Competition.

Last summer I was accepted into the Maryland Sea Grant REU program where I conducted research to measure the spatial distribution of an endangered sea turtle species and the effect of vessel traffic on this species.Aside from conducting research, I am also a BIO211 Supplemental Instruction Leader at the CLC and a member of the Associated Students Environmental Affairs Committee where I have advocated for more sustainable practice on campus. 

Recently I have submitted applications for Masters programs to continue to pursue my interest in marine conservation and climate change. I am currently working on and looking at Masters programs abroad as well. 

Matthew Dunham

Hello! I am a fourth year UROC scholar on the path to graduating in Spring 2022 with a B.S. in Statistics and a minor in Psychology. I’ve participated in both Psychology and Statistics labs across CSUMB, as well as at UC Santa Cruz as part of the BD2K Scholars program. In addition, I’ve been awarded third place in the national Undergraduate Research Statistics Project (USRESP) competition and am in the process of applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP). My research interests lie primarily in education, with an emphasis on promoting statistical literacy and expanding educational opportunity in STEM to underrepresented students. Finally, I love playing guitar and drawing realism portraits - I believe a creative outlet is vital to my success in school!

I will be applying in fall 21 to multiple PhD programs in Statistics to research ways to improve education and educational equity.

Ally Morris

Hello friends! I will graduate in spring 2021 from CSUMB with a B.S. in Marine Science. My research at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) focused on testing the performance of open ocean algorithms in order to apply them to glider observations in the California Current System for Ocean Acidification research. I am also a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader at the Cooperative Learning Center (CLC) where I facilitate group learning and develop techniques to encourage inclusivity within academia. In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, watching Netflix with my roommate, and creating abstract art.

I aspire to become a professor of oceanography and a principal investigator of a biogeochemical lab.

Hi everyone! I am a UROC Scholar, and I will graduate from CSUMB with a B.S. in Molecular Biology in Spring 2021. I received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, CSU Agricultural Research Institute Data Intensive Fellowship, and a CSU Council on Ocean Affairs grant for my research on pesticide remediating bacteria in Dr. Nathaniel Jue’s lab, CSUMB. During my undergraduate career, I conducted research at the American Museum of Natural History and the University of California, Santa Cruz. In Fall 2021, I aim to matriculate into a biology doctoral program to study human evolution from a genetic perspective. I applied to 5 Ph.D. programs in biology and anthropology as well as for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. In my free time, I like to spend my free time reading, playing musical instruments, and looking at houses I’ll never move into on Zillow!