Each year, undergraduate students in the College of Biological Sciences with exceptional academic performance are invited to join the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society Gamma Delta Chapter. For the 2017-2018 academic year, the Delta Gamma Chapter is hosting multiple events for the society’s members.
Neurobiology, physiology and behavior undergrad Alec Avey’s passion for sports was kindled at an early age. An outside linebacker on his high school’s football team, he took hits on the pitch and suffered his share of injuries. Now, as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Keith Baar’s Functional Molecular Biology Lab, Avey examines and modifies ligaments in Petri dishes in hopes of finding new therapeutics to aid ligament recovery.
Michael Sramek, a genetics and genomics junior in the College of Biological Sciences, received the 2017-2018 Excellence in STEM Award, which honors a UC Davis transfer student with high academic performance.
To encourage students to gain hands-on experience, Assistant Professor Rebecca M. Calisi Rodríguez, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior in the College of Biological Sciences, launched the Calisi Lab Undergraduate Research Program. Relying heavily on philanthropic support, the program employs students as researchers in animal science, neuroendocrinology and reproductive behavior. Calisi Rodríguez’s goal is to make sure students don’t sacrifice research opportunities to make ends meet.
Baladi is responsible for bringing new therapies for rare genetic disorders to patients as quickly as possible. She works with health authorities to develop strategies to facilitate accelerated and standard clinical development procedures.
Lopez worked in Oakland at health and technology non-profit Youth + Tech + Health. She served as a creative digital strategist where she handles communications, marketing and visual design projects. This non-profit focuses on developing technology for the health of youth.
Even as a valedictorian from a high school just 40 miles away, Srujan Kopparapu felt a little intimidated to start his studies among more than 35,000 students at the University of California, Davis. But the Folsom resident found his place on the highly ranked campus.
The 20-year-old, who will receive a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, will be presented with the University Medal at the College of Biological Sciences commencement on Friday, June 16.
Each year, the College of Biological Sciences honors its top undergraduate students for their research contributions. The following students will be recognized during the commencement ceremony on June 16.
Undergraduate Jennifer Diamond, an ecology, evolution and biodiversity major with the College of Biological Sciences, has received the Excellence in STEM Award for her academic performance. This award is given to current UC Davis transfer students—one in each of the four university colleges.
