Meet the 2024-25 BioBooster Student Club Officers

Four young adults stand side by side outdoors with their arms around each other, smiling warmly at the camera. The group consists of two men and two women, all casually dressed and appearing relaxed and friendly. Sunlight filters through trees in the background, casting a gentle glow on the group, who are standing on a paved path with greenery and a building partially visible behind them.
This year’s BioBooster Club leaders. From left: Ivan Lujan, Mohini Sharma, Brielle Machado and Heidi Anzaldo Ovando. (Sasha Bakhter / UC Davis)

Meet the 2024-25 BioBooster Student Club Officers

Socials, professional development, networking for students—funded by swag!

  • by Evan White

If you’ve ever walked by tables of College of Biological Sciences apparel, including soft hoodies, baseball caps, t-shirts, and quarter-zips, chances are you’ve just passed by BioBoosters. The longstanding and popular student club responsible for pop-up swag sales of CBS apparel is back for the 2024-25 year with a slate of student activities, including, of course, more swag sales. 

A young woman with curly hair and a sweater decorated with white flowers sits at a table, exchanging money with a customer while another young woman assists. UC Davis College of Biological Sciences clothing items are displayed on the table, and people in the background are engaged with the setup in a hallway.
BioBoosters holds pop-up CBS swag and apparel sales throughout the academic year. Their first event of the 2024-25 academic year will be on Wednesday, November 20 from 11:00am-2:00pm in Esau Hall. (Jenevieve Bohmann / UC Davis)

For CBS majors, BioBoosters is a way for life sciences students to connect, explore the biology community at UC Davis, and help one another grow and develop into future leaders. All of the club’s activities are supported by proceeds from their swag sales, as well as by the CBS Dean’s Office.

“Our students are go-getters,” said Helen Frasier, the college’s assistant dean of student success initiatives. “BioBoosters is just one outlet for CBS majors to come together to learn and grow, and this year’s officers have great plans. Plus, it’s the only club that has such comfy hoodies.” 

The club, which will host swag sales at various locations around campus over the 2024-25 academic year, including in the lobby outside the Biology Academic Success Center, the college’s central advising office, providing students, staff and faculty, as well as members of the campus community the chance to snag exclusive swag. 

Meet this year’s BioBoosters officers

A young woman with curly hair and a friendly expression stands outdoors, smiling broadly at the camera. She is wearing a white and gray T-shirt with 'Los Angeles California Athletic Dept.' printed on it, with sunlight filtering through trees in the background.
Brielle Machado

Year: Second-Year
Major: Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Role: President

Brielle is driven by a deep curiosity about research and the mysteries of the mind. Fascinated by neuroscience, she enrolled at UC Davis with the goal of conducting research to understand the mechanisms behind personality and behavior. Since arriving on campus, Brielle has sought out ways to engage with the CBS community, and, as the president of BioBoosters, she plans to support the club’s growth and development. She aims to make BioBoosters an exciting, resourceful space that helps students expand their knowledge and explore biology through events like conference trips and discussions with visiting scientists. Brielle is excited to help create a welcoming environment that fosters learning and discovery for all club members.

A young man with short dark hair, glasses, and a neatly trimmed beard smiles warmly at the camera, standing outdoors with his arms crossed. He is wearing a gray T-shirt, with blurred trees and sunlight in the background.
Ivan Lujan

Year: Fourth-Year
Major: Medical and Molecular Microbiology 
Role: Vice President

Ivan Lujan is focused on entering the biotech industry with a focus on immunology and epidemiology. He is an undergraduate researcher in the Siobhan Brady lab, investigating water-related traits in the dryland moss Syntrichia caninervis through bacterial transformations, RNA extractions, and hormonal modifications. As an NSF LSAMP scholar at UC Davis, Ivan is dedicated to fostering diversity in STEM by supporting professional development for underrepresented students. In his role as vice president of BioBoosters, Ivan aims to mentor emerging researchers and create a supportive network that helps students build skills and explore opportunities in research, graduate studies, and the biotech field.

A young woman with long, straight dark hair and a gentle smile poses with her arms crossed, looking at the camera. She is wearing a white long-sleeve shirt with a small pattern, and the background shows blurred trees and a sunny outdoor setting.
Mohini Sharma

Year: Second-Year 
Major: Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior 
Role: Treasurer

Mohini joined BioBoosters with the goal of connecting with others within the College of Biological Sciences and working alongside a dedicated team of officers to help the club grow and maximize opportunities available to CBS students. She is highly interested in research and attending graduate school and aims to bring that passion to BioBoosters, fostering both exploration and excellence in the field of biology. Mohini hopes to contribute to the allocation of funding for innovative projects, events, and potential research initiatives. She believes BioBoosters offers a valuable opportunity for members to build strong relationships within the UC Davis community. Ultimately, she aspires to empower members to pursue their passions in biosciences through a well-supported program. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis.

A young woman with long dark hair smiles confidently at the camera, standing outdoors with arms crossed. She is wearing a green T-shirt, and the background is softly blurred, with trees and sunlight visible.
Heidi Anzaldo Ovando

Year: Third-Year
Major: Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Role: Social Media Coordinator

Heidi Anzaldo Ovando is pursuing a career in medicine and is currently involved with Imani Clinic, a student-run clinic on campus providing healthcare to Sacramento's African American communities. She has also been a member of Davis Christian Fellowship since her freshman year, where she’s built a strong community and developed a deep appreciation for UC Davis. Driven to connect with more CBS students who share her professional goals, Heidi joined BioBoosters, where she now serves as Social Media Coordinator. In this role, she hopes to help other students find community in their field and discover on-campus opportunities. Heidi is excited to support BioBoosters this year and looks forward to connecting with members at upcoming meetings!

A chance to grab swag

BioBoosters will be in Esau Hall on Wednesday, November 20 from 11:00am-2:00pm for their first swag sale of the year. Sales are on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit card and Venmo payments are available. To stay informed about this and other upcoming swag sales and BioBooster events, follow the club on Instagram.

Three smiling young women stand behind a table displaying UC Davis College of Biological Sciences merchandise, holding up sweatshirts and T-shirts with the college logo. They are indoors, and the table in front of them is covered with neatly folded apparel.

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