The Bakar Fellows Program is pleased to announce the newest cohort of undergraduate Ignite Scholars who have a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience alongside Bakar Faculty and Innovation Fellows. The program not only helps students develop essential hands-on research skills, but it also ensures they gain the mentorship and financial support needed to launch their careers in STEM fields.
Every semester, the Bakar Ignite Scholars Program opens its doors to second-, third-, and fourth-year undergraduate students at UC Berkeley, inviting them to apply for an opportunity to join a lab where they will learn the art of translational research. The program is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in a career in medicine, academia, or biotech.
With every new cohort, the program continues to build a tight-knit community of scholars who are not only prepared to advance in their studies but also poised to lead the way in future scientific innovations.
Keep reading to meet the newest Ignite Scholars, and discover how they’re contributing to the cutting-edge work happening at UC Berkeley!
Yunzhi Lin
Yunzhi is a second-year bioengineering student minoring in materials science. She is particularly interested in biomaterials, nanotechnology, and medical devices. In Professor Grace Gu’s lab, she works on developing synthetic ligaments through 3D bioprinting, mechanical testing, and FEBio simulations to evaluate bioink material properties. Beyond research, she is dedicated to accessibility and STEM education, serving as the president of EnableTech, where she leads efforts to build user-centered assistive technology for people with disabilities. She is also a Science Outreach Committee Member for the Society of Women Engineers, bringing hands-on STEM learning experiences to students in grades 4-8. In her free time, she enjoys staying active through outdoor adventures, badminton, and aquatic sports.
Carolyn Nguyen
Carolyn Nguyen is a junior majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and Business Administration. Her research interests include epigenome editing, immunotherapy, and stem cell biology. She conducts research in the lab of Dr. James Nuñez, applying CRISPR technology to silence gene expression with the goal of advancing targeted epigenetic editing tools. She hopes to work at the intersection of biomedical research and therapeutic development in the future. Beyond the lab, Carolyn is the president of The Berkeley Forum and a director for the Undergraduate Marketing Association. She also serves as an analyst for the Atlas Strategy Group, contributing to market launch strategies for therapeutics companies. Outside of academics, Carolyn enjoys going on runs and exploring new cafes with friends.
Andrew Barker
Andrew is a senior majoring in Environmental Economics & Policy. His research interests lie primarily in environmental policy and its economic and equity implications. He works in Professor Shapiro’s lab, building a machine learning algorithm to predict jurisdictional determinations of the Clean Water Act using QGIS and data from approved jurisdictional determinations made by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Andrew aspires to have a career in the environmental policy space. Outside of his studies/research, he enjoys hiking, playing pool and trivia nights.
Anahita Banerjee
Anahita is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Civil Engineering and Global Poverty & Practice. Through her work in water and sanitation, she hopes to bridge the gap between innovation and the communities who most need it. She works in Prof. Ashok Gadgil’s lab on low-cost electrochemical treatment technologies for removing arsenic from groundwater, and is currently focused on implementation in rural California. Anahita plans to continue on to graduate school and pursue a career which blends engineering and policy. On campus, she is a former Vice President and current project lead of student-run non-profit Project RISHI, as well as a performing member of Ballet Company at Berkeley. Outside of school, Anahita enjoys writing, teaching dance, and Agatha Christie novels.
Karla Tapia
Karla Tapia is a third-year student majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with a focus on Molecular Therapeutics. Her research interests lie in discovering different therapeutic modalities, specifically learning how diseases impact biochemical mechanisms and how understanding these mechanisms can lead to potential therapeutic discoveries. Karla works in the James Hurley Lab, where she is investigating the interactions of proteins and how structural changes in these proteins influence biological systems, ultimately leading to potential drug discovery. She is currently leaning towards a career in industry, aiming to apply her research to real-world therapeutic solutions. Outside of her academic pursuits, Karla serves as a peer mentor in the SEED Scholars Program and enjoys reading in her free time.
Shriprithi Vel Murugan
Shriprithi is a junior majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Cell Biology, Development, and Physiology and minoring in Education. She currently works in the Hurley Lab where she is involved in a project that focuses on the aggregation of the tau protein and its role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In the future, she hopes to pursue endeavors where she can bridge her passions for research, education, and patient care. Outside of the lab, Shriprithi enjoys volunteering, reading, and playing tennis.
Rovic Inocencio
Rovic Inocencio is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering. His research interests include green chemistry and materials science. He works in Professor Al Balushi’s lab, designing a rare-earth metal electrocatalyst and analyzing its optimal thermodynamic conditions for nitrogen reduction, with the goal of advancing a sustainable alternative to the industrial Haber-Bosch process. Outside of school, Rovic enjoys running and rock climbing with his friends, as well as playing the daily NYT games.
Selina Wu
Selina Wu is a fourth-year student majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology, Data Science, and Economics. Her research interests focus on structural biology and the identification of potential therapeutic targets to drive drug discovery. She works in Professor James Hurley’s lab, investigating how the nutrient sensors Castor1 and Sestrin2 regulate mTORC1 by interacting with GATOR2, a key regulator of cellular growth and metabolism. Her project explores their binding mechanisms and potential structural changes upon interaction. Passionate about biotechnology, Selina aspires to develop affordable molecular therapeutics to address unmet clinical needs. She serves as the Public Relations and Resource Development Coordinator at the U.S.-China Life Science Venture Club, where she bridges the gap between science and business by fostering collaborations between biotech investors and researchers. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with friends, watching anime, and snowboarding.
Hannah Menth
Hannah Menth is a senior transfer student majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy with a minor in Conservation and Resource Studies. Her interests include environmental and climate policy, the management of public natural resources, and sustainable waste streams. She is working with Professor Joseph Shapiro in developing and improving a machine learning algorithm that predicts the probability of a water body being jurisdictional under various Supreme Court cases of the Clean Water Act, and in understanding the jurisdictional determinations for agricultural areas. Hannah hopes to pursue a career in the environmental sector pertaining to public policy or NGOs.
