Hi everyone! I’m Amanda, I am a Biochemistry major with a chemistry emphasis. I transferred to UCR from Riverside City College and San Bernardino Valley College. After UCR I plan to go to graduate school to study coffee science. My involvements on campus include CNAS Science Ambassadors, microbiology research in Dr. Huinan Hannah Liu’s Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Lab, and STEM Connections club President. When I have time for hobbies I enjoy specialty coffee, Arduino/Raspberry Pi projects, and concerts.

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Hello! I’m a fourth-year transfer student majoring in Plant Biology with a concentration in Ecology. As a Peer Mentor, my goal is to support you by sharing my experiences and connecting you with the many resources available on campus. Welcome to UCR! Be sure to stop by the STEM room—we’d love to meet you. I look forward to connecting with you!

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Good morning, my name is Cynthia De Leon and I am a fifth year Biochem major with a concentration in chem. I transferred from RCC Fall of 2023. I am involved with Science Ambassadors as well as University Honors and Peer Mentorship. I mentored the RISE program in the summer of ‘24. I am also in the Redak/Walling/Atkinson Entomology lab where we focus on gene editing Homalodisca vitripennis, a vector of Xylella fastidiosa, to prevent the spread of diseases such as Pierce’s disease and Citrus variegated chlorosis to crops like grapes, citrus, almond, etc. I spent the spring quarter studying at Seoul National University where I met amazing people, solidified my post grad plans, and was given the opportunity to grow more than I could have imagined. When I am not on campus, you can often find me gaming, doing puzzles, or binging a show/movie.

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Hi! My name is Donna Amaya, and I’m a fifth-year transfer student from Rio Hondo College pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry with a concentration in Chemistry and a minor in Global and Community Healthcare. I am a first-generation student; both of my parents are from Guatemala and I was raised there. At UCR, I am involved in CNAS Transfer Connections, participate in research on health equity and science, and volunteer with the Coachella Valley Free Clinic. I was also a member of College Corps for two years, which strengthened my commitment to service and supporting underrepresented communities. In the future, I hope to continue working in labs and research while supporting underrepresented communities. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, traveling, sleeping, and trying new foods.

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Hi! I’m a fourth-year transfer Biology major and a proud first-generation Brazilian-Mexican college student. I’m currently involved in research on campus, and my career goal is to become a Physician Assistant. As a peer mentor, I’m excited to support fellow Highlanders in chasing their dreams and connecting them with the guidance and opportunities they need to succeed.
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Hello! I’m a fourth-year transfer student majoring in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (CMDB). As a Peer Mentor with CNAS Transfer Connections, I hope to share helpful academic insights from my own journey and guide you to the many resources UCR has to offer. I look forward to welcoming you into our space on campus and introducing you to the rest of our team! 

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Hi! I’m Nico, and I’m a 4th year neuroscience major on a path toward pursuing a biomedical PhD. I've always been fascinated by learning how we function, whether through biology, philosophy, or even films! I currently work in Dr. Huinan Liu’s Biomaterials & Nanomedicine Lab studying cell-material interactions, and I’m passionate about connecting people to research opportunities. Growing up in the Inland Empire as a first-generation Mexican-American, addressing the needs of underserved populations is one of my core missions. In my free time, I like playing guitar, tennis, surfing, cooking, and watching movies!

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Hello, my name is Numair Syed, and I’m a transfer student obtaining a B.S. in Biology. I became a peer mentor to share my transfer experience and to help students build the courage to strive towards their personalized academic endeavours on this glorious campus. I am very excited to give back to the transfer community by guiding students to resources and to help our community thrive academically. My goal is to make our transfer student population feel supported, empowered, and confident in their journey at UCR. 

Fun Fact: I did competitive water polo as well as swimming and still like to keep up with the sport.

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Hi, my name is Rosendo Silva, and I’m a transfer student pursuing a B.S. in Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology. I bring experience as a medical assistant in patient care and clinical procedures, as well as research training through a program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. My long-term goal is to attend medical school, and I am passionate about connecting with and supporting fellow transfer students in their aspirations. I look forward to meeting and working with you!

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Hi there! I am a 4th year non-traditional Biochemistry major with a medical sciences emphasis. I became a peer mentor to foster academic growth and provide accessibility to all the valuable resources UCR has to offer for the next generation of thriving transfer students. I'm passionate about sharing my insight and experiences to help students navigate their academic journey successfully. Looking forward to meeting everyone joining this amazing community here at UCR! 

Fun fact: I am a pro at fridge foraging and creating new dishes for dinner on the fly!

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