Pronouns: he/they 

Graduation year: 2019 

Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA 

Currently living in: San Francisco, CA 

Current occupation: High School Biology and Chemistry Teacher 

What was your experience at CC like as a MB major?

As a MB major, I explored the living world at the molecular, genetic, and cellular level. Not only could I take fascinating classes like epigenetics, genomics, and immunology, but I gained hands-on laboratory skills through independent research. The professors in the department are excellent mentors who supported me in authoring a senior honors thesis. The department is small and close-knit. Going to a liberal arts college like CC also allowed me to dive deep into other subjects like sociology and Spanish, all while enjoying the beauty of the Rocky Mountains!

Why were you interested in focusing on MB as your major?

I’m broadly interested in human health, from the science of disease to the social impacts of health disparities. When I started college, I wanted to develop a foundational understanding of how our bodies work at a mechanistic level. Investigating these fundamental units of life unlocks a world of problems and potential solutions to some of the most vexing questions in science and medicine: how can we provide targeted treatments for cancer patients? What happens at the cellular level when we age? What are the genetic contributions to heart disease? Studying molecular biology at CC gave me the tools to engage with cutting edge research into all these topics and more.

How are you using your major in your post-CC life?

After graduating, I spent 4 years working in clinical research, first in a lab at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute where I studied immunotherapies for leukemias and lymphomas. I then managed several community health studies in UCSF’s cardiology department, where I investigated the genetic, molecular, and social contributions to sudden cardiac death in San Francisco. I expanded upon the many skills I learned at CC, including using flow cytometry to study the molecular characteristics of cells, interpreting genetic sequencing data, applying ethical frameworks to research studies, and writing primary scientific papers. My favorite aspects of my work have always been learning and mentorship, which ultimately led me to my current position as a high school biology and chemistry teacher! I love the creativity required for curriculum development and have a lot of fun engaging with students as they learn about the natural world.