Peer Advisor Bios:

Bella
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Languages Spoken: Chinese (Mandarin)
Majors & Minors: IB (EEOB), MCB (IMM1)
Research: I am working in the Evolutionary Genetics Lab of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, and studying the species limit of White-breasted Nuthatch in the subspecies contact zone in Northern California using a genomics approach.
Activities: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, California Ecology and Conservation, Lavender Alliance at Berkeley
Post Graduate Plans: graduate school/research
Major Classes Taken: IB 104LF, IB 114, IB 118, IB 134L, MCB C100A, MCB c103, MCB 140, MCB 150, MCB 150L, UCNRS California Ecology and Conservation

Hi everyone! My name is Bella, and I am a fourth-year student majoring IB and MCB. I am originally from Suzhou, China. Since childhood, I enjoyed learning science especially biology, and Berkeley makes me love biology even more. My experience as a specimen maker and curator in Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (applied through URAP) got me crazy about birds and nature history. Meanwhile, through the coursework, I find the application of molecular biology on a larger scale in nature really intriguing, thus I am doing a double major and conducting research in genomics and evolutionary bio.
Usually, you can find me exploring foods and boba places around the campus, taking a walk at the Berkeley Marina, UC Botanical Garden and other natural places for bird watching, or watching comedy shows at dorm.

Karena
Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers
Languages Spoken: Russian
Majors & Minors: IB (IHB)
Research: D'espesito Lab: Using inhibitory TMS to improve decision-making by reducing competition between learning systems, Richards Lab: the role of sleep in emotional information processing, study the biology of PTSD nightmares and nightmare enactment, and examine the effectiveness of medication treatments for sleep disturbance in people with a history of psychological trauma and/or PTSD.
Activities: Cal KGD, D'esposito Lab, Basic Needs Center, Berkeley Hillel
Post Graduate Plans: Medical School
Major Classes Taken: IB 131/L, IB 140, IB 159, MCB 102, PH 142, IB 164, IB 142L

Hi! My name is Karena and I'm a fourth year majoring in IB. I'm from Los Angeles. My interests include biology, playing tennis, art, and music. I chose IB because it gave me the chance to explore many fields of biology, and for all of the great class options! Please feel free to come talk to me about being pre-med, research, choosing classes, and anything in between! Excited to meet you!

Shayla
Preferred Pronouns: She/her
Majors & Minors: IB (IHB)
Research: Fenyong Liu, Public Health. Investigation Of A Human Complement Component 3 (C3) Virally Encoded Ligand In Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV)
Activities: Suitcase Clinic,  Liu Lab with Haas Scholars, CalTV News, Field Study Internship Program (HMAP),  Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity
Post Graduate Plans: Medical School
Major Classes Taken:  IB 131, IB 131L, IB 132, IB 132L, IB C143A, MCB 102

Hi everyone! My name is Shayla and I’m a fourth year majoring in IB. I’m from Carlsbad, CA and I enjoy working out, going on day-trips, thrifting, and cooking (at least trying to). I chose IB because I love learning about science from a broader perspective and how it all ties into the human body! I also really love the classes offered by IB and the people.

If you have any questions about being pre-med, research/how to get it, extracurricular on campus, four-year plans, prepping for grad school, resources or anything else, please feel free to talk to me! I’m happy to listen and help :)

Sydney
Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Majors & Minors: IB (EEOB)
Research: Currently completing my honors thesis with Paul Aigner (UC Davis) and Onja Razafindratsima (UC Berkeley - IB). I am looking at the impacts of restoration efforts in serpentine grasslands on the flammability of the landscape.
Activities: SEEDS: Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity, and Sustainability, CEC: California Ecology and Conservation, Fung Fellowship, Logging Sports Team
Post Graduate Plans: Graduate School
Major Classes Taken: IB 134L, IB 150, IB C156, IB 178, UCNRS California Ecology and Conservation

Hi! My name is Sydney Binns and I am a fourth year majoring in IB with an Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology emphasis. My major academic interests lie within conservation and ecology but I have explored a wide variety of fields during my time at Cal. I chose to major in IB because I am most interested in big picture biology and love the exploring how different fields of biology interact with each other. Outside of academics I enjoy being in the ocean (surf/scuba), hiking/camping, hanging out with my cat, and reading/watching Harry Potter. I'm always happy to talk about undergraduate research, choosing classes, graduate school, applying for internships/fellowships, nerves about school, and anything in between!