Name: Rachel Bangasan
Major: Biology 
Class Level: 4th Year

Hello, my name is Rachel Bangasan and I am a 4th year Biology major! I have participated in undergraduate research, working with Dr. Reznick. As a CUREL ambassador, I inform students about the multitude of undergraduate research opportunities on campus and take great joy in being able to connect these students to their next future research lab! Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and lab work are some of my favorite subjects/things to do, and I hope in the future to be able to work as a physician pathologist to incorporate my love for these subjects into my career. Outside of being a CUREL Ambassador and my academics, I am a member of Health Professions Association, a UCR Health Ambassador, STEM Tutor at the ARC, and also work with the UCR School of Medicine Medical Scholars Program as a mentor (feel free to say hi if you ever see me!) For hobbies I enjoy going bodyboarding at the beach, reading manga/webtoons (my favorite is anything by Junji Ito), hiking, singing, and traveling :)

Name: Peishan Cai
Major: Chemistry
Class Level: Junior
Email: pcai019@ucr.edu

Hi! I’m Peishan Cai, a junior majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Data Science. Through the CUREL program, I’ve explored analytical and biological chemistry research and received a UCR Research Minigrant to pursue an independent project on mass spectrometry-based peptide analysis. As a CUREL Ambassador, I love helping students navigate their first steps into research and sharing what I’ve learned along the way. Outside the lab, I’m involved with Highlander Data Consulting and work as an SI Leader. I also enjoy playing piano, singing, exploring creative projects, and spending time with friends whenever I can. Feel free to reach out :)

Name: Eva Yihao Chen
Major: Chemistry
Class Level: Senior
Email: echen250@ucr.edu

Hi! My name is Eva Chen, and I’m a second-year chemistry major at UC Riverside. I participated in the Chancellor’s Research Fellowship (CRF), where I conducted research on organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, focusing on complex molecule design. As a CUREL Ambassador, I’m excited to share my experience in undergraduate research and help other students explore their scientific interests. Academically, I’m passionate about organic and bioorganic chemistry and plan to pursue a PhD in chemistry. Outside the lab, I love listening to music, collecting trinkets, and spending time with friends to recharge and stay creative.

Name: Rishitha Kona
Major: Psychology and Business
Class: Senior/4th year
Email: rkona00!@ucr.edu

Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Rishitha, I am a 4th year Psychology and Business student with a concentration in Marketing under University Honors at UCR. Throughout my 4 years here I have participated in several CUREL programs from their writing workshops to undergraduate research and mini-grants! Now as an ambassador I hope to create an easy and accessible space to connect the student community to research. You might see me tabling or at a classroom presentation, if so, don’t feel afraid to ask me any questions you may have! If you don’t catch me around campus, you are always welcome to send me an email with any inquiries you might have. As a double major I am super interested in combining business with psychology, think topics like I/O, human-interaction, UX design as well as industry trends, consumer behavior, and market trends. I especially love cognitive psychology and applying that to marketing and real-life issues. Outside of the classroom, I am involved with student orgs R’Brains and Behavior (psych club) and Abhainaya (dance team). I also love to make new foods, go on little adventures, binge anything superhero related, and fashion. If any of this sounds like you, feel free to connect with me anytime! :)
 

Name: Sawyer Kumar
Major: Economics and Political Science/International Affairs
Class Level: Junior
Email: skuma125@ucr.edu

Hi! I’m Sawyer Kumar, a junior double majoring in Economics and Political Science/International Affairs. This is my second year as a CUREL ambassador and I have loved being able to expose students to new programs on campus and help them navigate all the pathways we offer! Outside CUREL, I am also a Chancellor’s Research Fellow, working on a paper about Neutrality Theory and its implications for long-term peace resolution. I am a member of Legal Minds Society and Model United Nations which allows me to branch out and practice my writing, teaching, and diplomacy skills. In my free time, I enjoy running, cooking, playing guitar and piano, and trying new things with friends whenever I can. Feel free to reach out!

Name: Itzel Mar
Major: History
Class Level: Senior
Email:imar001@ucr.edu

Hello, I am a history student here at UCR and have had many opportunities to pursue my studies in Mexican and Mexican-American History. I am the recipient of the Thomas and Evelyn Gahn Award for Historical Research and have been featured in an interview on KUCR Radio for it. As a Digital Archivist specializing in Mexican culture, particularly Cultura Sonidera, I work to highlight the intersection of history, identity, and community.  

I also completed a UCDC internship at the U.S. Capitol, gaining firsthand experience in the nation’s political and cultural center. As a transfer student and history major, I understand the ups and downs of adapting to a new environment, especially one as dynamic as Washington, D.C. I welcome any questions about the application process, internship opportunities, or navigating life in the capital, and I am always happy to share insights and support fellow UCR students.

Name: Harshitha Nandula
Major: Biology
Class: 2nd Year
Email: hnand005@ucr.edu

Hi! I’m Harshitha, a second-year Biology major. I’m involved in CUREL programs like R’Courses and the UCR Undergraduate Research Journal, and I also serve as a CUREL Ambassador, which I love because I get to connect with students and help them explore research opportunities. Outside of CUREL, I’m passionate about pharmacokinetics—basically, how drugs move through the body—and I explore this in my research lab by building models that predict how medicines behave. When I’m not in the lab or class, you can usually find me at the SRC playing badminton or table tennis, or just singing for fun. I’m always happy to chat, so please reach out!

Name: Keyanna-Milenia (Keys) Pinzon
Year: Third Year 
Major: Bioengineering Honors

Hello, my name is Keyanna and I am a third year bioengineering major researching tardigrade-derived proteins and their protection on mitochondria from oxidative stress. I plan on pursuing a PhD with an interest in CAR-T cells and organelles. Within CUREL I am a student ambassador and a Chancellor’s Research Fellow where I mentor other undergraduate students in finding resources and opportunities on campus to ensure success and development during their time at UCR. Outside of academia I enjoy illustrating, birding, and photography! My favorite birds are the American kestrel and the mandarin duck. 

Name: Sreenidhi Surineni
Year: Fourth Year 
Major: Neuroscience

Hi, I’m Sreenidhi “Sree” Surineni, a senior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Philosophy. Through CUREL, I’m a Chancellor’s Research Fellow and a CUREL Ambassador who helps peers find mentors, apply for funding, and share their work. My academic focus is RNA splicing in neurodegeneration, how mis-spliced transcripts disrupt neuronal function. Outside the lab, I lead Enlight Education, a nonprofit bringing hands-on STEM to local schools, and I recharge by training for triathlons and taking photos with Flicks UCR. I’m happy to chat about research ideas, posters, or getting started, so please say hi. Ask me about CUREL opportunities.

Name: Allison Vu
Year: Fourth Year 
Major: English 
Email: avu077@ucr.edu

Allison Vu is a fourth-year English major and pre-law student. She is a recipient of the CHASS Student Assistance and Opportunity Fund and is actively involved in several student organizations. Currently, she serves as Treasurer of the Legal Minds Society and Vice President of Hooks 4 Hope. After completing the LSAT this fall, she is applying to law schools during the current admissions cycle.
A proud UCDC alum, Allison worked as an Undergraduate Policy Intern for Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE), a nonprofit education law firm. During her internship, she conducted client intakes, managed legal databases, and shadowed attorneys. The UCDC experience helped her build confidence and solidify her ambitions, giving her a clearer vision for her post-graduation goals.
As a UCDC Ambassador, Allison aims to empower students to pursue Capitol internships and to help recruit future UCDC interns for AJE.
 

Name: Grace Wang 
Major: Chemistry 
Class: Senior 
Email: gwang104@ucr.edu

Hi! My name is Grace Wang and I am a fourth year chemistry major originally from San Diego. As a part of CUREL, I am a Chancellor’s Research Fellow and a CUREL Ambassador and I love connecting with students and helping them find ways to connect with faculty, get involved in research, and apply for high-impact programs at UCR! In terms of my academic focus, I do research for Dr. Timothy Su in the chemistry department on materials research. Specifically my research is on switchable rhodamines for molecular electronics and I am hoping to pursue a PhD in materials chemistry after undergrad! Outside of the lab I am highly involved with Christians on Campus and Chemistry Club, and enjoy exercising, listening to music, and reading. I’m always happy to connect with students whether it’s about campus involvement or shared interests so please feel free to reach out to me with any questions :)