Researcher in technical laboratory setting

Maximizing Access to Research Careers

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2024 MARC Students
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Vannah Algador is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major working in Philipp Zerbe’s lab. She is investigating terpenoid metabolic pathway gene discovery in switchgrass, a major biofuel crop with agronomic importance. A first-generation immigrant from the Philippines, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Biology.
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Emily Avetisyan is majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, with a minor in Psychology. In Danielle Stolzenberg’s lab, she studies the protective effects of pregnancy and caregiving on alcohol preference in mice. An AMGEN Stanford Summer Research Program scholar, Emily plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D., contributing to neuroscience research and advancing understanding of brain health.
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Komal Cheema is a Biotechnology major in Renée Tsolis’s lab, studying bacterial infections' impact on reproductive outcomes. She has presented at ABRCMS and the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference. Komal is involved in leadership roles on campus and plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in Immunology, focusing on translational research and clinical applications.
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Bryan Correa Gonzalez is a Systems and Synthetic Biology major and undergraduate researcher in Alan Lombard’s lab. He studies prostate cancer therapeutic responses, focusing on AR pathway inhibitors and Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase inhibitors. Bryan has presented his research at various conferences, including ABRCMS and the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference. He aims to continue his research career by obtaining a Ph.D. in Cellular Biology.
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Christian Davalos Gutierrez has worked in the Heffern Lab investigating iron dyshomeostasis in Type II Diabetes. He explores iron modulators as potential treatments and has presented at conferences like URC at UC Davis and ABRCMS 2023. Christian aims to complete a Ph.D. in Immunology to research a cure for HIV, applying his findings to significant medical challenges.
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Malik Hassan is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major in the Letts Lab, studying respiration in Paracoccus denitrificans. He has presented his work at UC Davis research conferences and ABRCMS. Malik hopes to continue his research career by pursuing a Ph.D. in Structural Biology, focusing on elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying cellular respiration.
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Mikaila Hishaw is a Marine and Coastal Science major researching aquatic animal welfare in the UC Davis Aquaculture Cooperative Extension Lab. She assesses electrical stunning's effectiveness in zebrafish. Mikaila plans to earn a DVM and Ph.D., becoming a professor of veterinary medicine and contributing to aquatic animal health research.
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Gordon Lao is a Cell Biology major in Su-Ju Lin’s lab, using genetic screenings to identify novel genes associated with NAD+ metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he hopes to pursue a Ph.D. and conduct research on cancer immunotherapy, applying his findings to innovative cancer treatments.
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Dideoluwa Ogunwale is a Genetics and Genomics major in the McAllister Lab, investigating immune dysregulation's effects on brain development and function. Her research focuses on the role of MHC I genes and cytokines in synapse elimination. After graduating, she plans to apply for M.D./Ph.D. programs in Neuroscience, contributing to advancements in brain health and immune interactions.
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Angelina Ong is a Molecular and Medical Microbiology major in the McAllister Lab, focusing on developing novel molecular tools for visualizing endogenous MHCI gene expression in neurons. She aspires to earn an M.D./Ph.D. dual degree to study pediatric neuroimmunology, combining her research and clinical interests to advance understanding and treatment of neuroimmune disorders in children.
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Simoun Raga is a Molecular and Medical Microbiology major in Jon Sack’s lab, investigating ways to increase potassium ion channel conductance in pain. Supported by various scholarships, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Microbiology, aiming to advance research and teaching in his field.
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Lourdes Sanchez is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major in the Lein lab, studying the lung-brain axis’s role in Alzheimer’s disease progression using a transgenic rat model. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in infectious disease pathology and immune system responses, contributing to understanding disease mechanisms and potential treatments.
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Zucy Virgen is a Biological Sciences major researching in the Juliano Lab. Her work characterizes the regeneration gene regulatory network in Hydra vulgaris to improve human injury outcomes. A student in the SURP and MARC research programs, she aspires to enter a Ph.D. program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, focusing on innovative approaches to regenerative medicine.
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Tian Vuong is a Molecular and Medical Microbiology major from El Monte, CA, working in Christina Kim’s lab. He investigates the relationship between reward-seeking and social hierarchy in mice, reflecting behaviors seen in substance abuse. Tian plans to pursue a Ph.D. focused on Immunology or Addiction, contributing to understanding and treating these conditions.

The overall goal of the University of California at Davis Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) is to increase the number of talented underrepresented, disadvantaged and disabled students who become leaders in areas relevant to biomedical and behavioral research. The program provides students with intensive research experiences as well as with activities that enhance their critical thinking and communication skills and prepares them for entry into high quality PhD (and MD/PhD) programs.

MARC is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Maximizing Access to Research Career (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research Award (U-STAR).

Curriculum

MARC is a one to three-year program for upper division students.

Junior Year
  • Summer includes full-time faculty mentored research; and participation in weekly meetings covering topics such as research ethics, effective presentation design, poster presentation, journal club
  • Academic year includes part-time faculty mentored research; journal club; quarterly professional development seminar (BIS 198); presentation of research at a national conference and at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference; science outreach
Senior Year
  • Summer includes full-time research at UC Davis or another institution
  • Academic year includes part-time faculty mentored research; journal club; quarterly professional development seminar (BIS 198); presentation of research at a national conference and at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference; science outreach
Optional Super-Senior Year
  • Summer includes full-time research at UC Davis or another institution (if not pursued the previous summer)
  • Academic year includes part-time faculty mentored research; journal club; quarterly professional development seminar (BIS 198); presentation of research at a national conference and at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference; science outreach
  • NOTE: Super-Senior MARC students are expected to apply to PhD or MD/PhD programs during their third year of MARC support

Support

MARC:
  • pays for a portion of tuition and fees
  • provides monthly stipend
  • additional funding for students who engage in summer research experience at different institution
  • provides funding for conference attendance and participation
  • provides professional development opportunities and advising

MARC Scholar Obligations

  • commit 9-36 months to the program
  • engage in research 10 hours per week during the academic year
  • engage in research 40 hours per week during the summer
  • attend all regularly scheduled meetings, program workshops and functions
  • meet regularly with a MARC adviser
  • register for and attend the BIS 198 seminar quarterly
  • maintain competitive GPA
  • advise MARC staff if your educational goals change, and you are no longer interested in pursuing the PhD or MD/PhD
  • actively engage in their research lab, attend lab meetings etc.