CNAS Transfer Connections Peer Mentor Program
The CNAS STEM Connections Peer Mentors are high achieving successful CNAS students. Many of our Peer Mentors are transfer students who understand the unique obstacles it takes to be successful when transferring to UCR. They are an invaluable resource when trying to get connected and adjusted to life on campus. As an incoming 1st Year Transfer Student in CNAS, we highly recommend and encourage you to Register for a STEM Connections Peer Mentor. Your mentor will help you get connected to :
ü STEM Career Advising ü Scholarship Search & Summer Program Assistance
ü Connection to Campus Resources & Student Orgs ü CNAS Faculty Networking Opportunities
ü Student Success Seminars & Workshops ü Industry and Motivational Guest Speakers
ü Paid Research Opportunities** ü Paid Leadership Opportunities: Peer Mentor/Leader
o (Must meet eligibility criteria)

Alexis Acosta
Biochemistry, Neuroscience Minor
San Bernardino Valley College
Hello everyone! My name is Alexis and I am a 4th year transfer student. I spent several years at community college discovering my academic interests and earned an Associates of Arts in Accounting and an Associates of Science in Chemistry. I was also a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader for Chemistry and an independent tutor for students ranging from ages 8 - 55+. After taking nearly every STEM course my CC had to offer, I transferred to UCR to pursue my interests in biochemistry, neuroscience, and biomedical research. At UCR, I have been a Summer Bridge to Research Scholar in Dr. Wang’s mathematical biology lab (Summer 2021) and a Research in Science and Engineering Peer Lead for CAMP’s summer research scholars (Summer 2022). During the quarter, I am also a CNAS STEM Connections Peer Mentor and a CAMP club member. In my free time, I love to hike, explore new places, and learn about anything novel or interesting that has recently caught my attention

John Perna
Environmental Science
Riverside City College
Hello! My name is John and I am a third year Environmental Science transfer from Riverside City College. After spending eight years working for Riverside County’s Department of Environmental Health I realized I wanted to get my degree and help my community directly in mitigating and remediating pollution. I then spent eight years going to RCC at night while working and was lucky enough to be accepted to UCR for Environmental Sciences. I aim to get accepted to the Environmental Toxicology graduate program and one day work for the betterment of my community and State. I am part of the Environmental Sciences Club, The Gray Watershed Hydrology and Geomorphology Lab, and Tau Sigma Honor Society for transfer students.

Jordan Guillory
Mathematics
San Diego Mesa College
I am a 4th year transfer student from San Diego Mesa College. I recently completed the California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) Summer Scholars Program, where I assisted in studying Neural Networks under Dr. Javier Gonzalez. Currently, I am participating in the Digital Agricultural Fellowship (DAF), working in the US Salinity Lab under Dr. Ray Anderson. My accomplishments up to this point would not have been possible without my mentors who have supported me through my academic career and opened my eyes to many opportunities. As a mentor, I hope to give the same support I received to others.

Karina Quevedo
Biochemistry, Minor in Data Science
Santa Monica College
Hello! I am a 4th year Biochemistry major with a minor in Data Science. I transferred from Santa Monica College. At SMC, I had incredible mentors who helped me through my transfer journey and into research. My research interests are human genetics and using computational methods to interpret and answer questions about genomic datasets. UCR has long provided students with opportunities and resources to explore their interests and foster personal growth. My goal is to help students navigate these opportunities and foster the strong sense of community that UCR is known for! Currently, I am the Outreach Coordinator for CAMP and a mentor in the Chicano Link program. Serving as a mentor, embracing diverse perspectives, and being a life-long learner are important to me. I also love the beach, walking outdoors, and trying new foods. I am really looking forward to supporting my fellow CNAS peers on their journey at UCR!
Mahnur Bharucha
Biology
Fullerton College
Hi everyone! My name is Mahnur and I am a fourth-year Biology major and pre-med student at UCR. Currently, I am a Health Coach with UCR School of Medicine, the Editor-in-Chief of the Undergraduate Research Journal, and the Vice President of Flying Samaritans. I have also been a Supplemental Instructor for Biology and Chemistry for the past four years. As a Chancellor’s Research Fellow and University Honors student, I research the effect of climate-induced drought on the quality and quantity of pollen. A fun fact about me is that I LOVE animals! I have two free-roam rabbits named CoCo & Pebbles, who I am sure you will come across on Zoom. My dream is to have my own animal sanctuary one day. In fact, one of my senior superlatives in high school was “most likely to adopt 50 rabbits”. When I’m not studying or spending time with my pets, I enjoy horseback riding, snorkeling, and baking.

Maricela Toops
Microbiology
Riverside City College
Hi, everybody! My name's Maricela but I also go by Marcie. I'm a fourth-year transfer student aspiring for a career as a life science professor. I transferred from RCC, where I had the privilege of being a peer instructor (tutor and SI) and was awarded the title of Student of Distinction in Biology for 2021. My first introduction to research was through UCR's Summer 2021 RISE program as part of Bridges to Baccalaureate (B2B). After transferring, I became a Recruitment Coordinator for the MARC U STAR program and am also honored to have been hired as a peer mentor for STEM Connections! Lastly, for some fun facts about me: I love video games, comics, and skateboarding, have a calico cat, and have been a member of the UCR Judo Club since January 2019.

Nicole Yuen
Biology
Sage Creek High School
Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Yuen and I am a pre-health fourth year Biology major. Before attending UCR, I attended Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, California. At UCR, I am a CNAS STEM Peer Mentor, a member of the Literacy Initiative, part of University Honors, a private tutor, and a COPE Health Scholar. I am also the Director of Special Events and an active member of Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity. Currently, I am apart of Dr. Ysbael Giraldo’s lab where we study Drosophila melanogaster and the connection between their neurons and navigational behaviors. In the future, I aspire to work in the healthcare field in hopes of pursuing a career in pediatrics. Outside of school, I am an avid beach fanatic, I love singing, and I enjoy playing piano, guitar and ukulele. I look forward to working with you all and don't be afraid to say hi if you see me around!

Sarah Almuthhach
Biology
Glendale Community College
Hi everyone! My name is Sarah and I'm a pre-med fourth year biology major. I transferred from Glendale Community College, CA in Fall 2021. When I transfered, classes were online due to the pandemic and some changed to in-person but it was a challenging transition with all that was going on! It took time to figure out everything I needed on campus. Therefore, I'd like to help others who are new to UCR find the resources they need to succeed and excel in their journey here! I'm part of Hallyu At UCR Club and a member of the American Medical Student Association and Tau Sigma National Honor Society. In my free time I like spending time with family, and taking walks while listening to music

Camille Korbut
Applied Mathematics/Biology
Fullerton College
I transferred from Fullerton College. I will graduate this Fall quarter (2022) with a B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Biology with Math honors. As a mentor, I plan on guiding transfer students to resources that will help them meet their academic and career goals. I plan to attend graduate school in the Fall of 2023 and carry the skills in this position with me to serve others in various walks of life. At UCR, I was afforded opportunities to enhance my research skills, expand my network, and travel. At Fullerton College, I engaged with multiple perspectives completing volunteer work with children displaced from their home countries, teaching children on the autism spectrum essential day-to-day skills, and engaging with patients and hospital personnel at St. Jude Medical Center. More about my accomplishments are on my LinkedIn. Feel free to connect! linkedin.com/in/camillekorbut/ Currently, I am serving as the RISE student coordinator and am transitioning into the RISE Assistant Coordinator position. In the fall, I will be attending graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics.

Jacqueline Alba
Neuroscience
Citrus Community college
Hello there! I'm Jacqueline, but you can call me Jackie. I'm a fourth-year transfer student from Citrus College. Transferring to UCR presented some challenges, but now I believe my role as a STEM peer mentor allows me to help traditional and transfer students take advantage of UCR's resources and opportunities. This past summer (2022), I was a CAMP scholar where I did research under Aaron Seitz's computational neuroscience lab, focusing on young adults' cognitive and behavioral performance and currently now a research assistant. In the future, I intent to get my Ph.D within the sector of clinical research. As of now, I’m the vice president of CAMP, and I work at SRC's outdoor excursion department as a customer specialist and a trip leader. In my spare time, I like to go rock climbing and hiking. Feel free to say hello if you'd like to discuss conservation! : )