By: Niki Borghei
Empowering the next generation of scientists begins with supporting students. The Bakar Ignite Scholars Program aims to do just that. Every semester, undergraduate STEM+ students at UC Berkeley are encouraged to apply for a chance to work directly with Bakar Faculty and Innovation Fellows in their labs. The goal is to provide them with the experience and training the need to land their next opportunity, all while providing financial support and mentorship.
Thanks to the experience they’ve gained and the community we’ve built, these Ignite Scholars are on their way to becoming leaders in the biotech field.
We are thrilled to announce the addition of five new Ignite Scholars. Keep scrolling to learn more about them!
Christopher Zavala
Christopher is a junior at UC Berkeley, double majoring in Bioengineering and Computer Science. After graduating, he plans to attend graduate school and continue performing research in the biotech realm. He is particularly excited to see how RNA-based therapeutics will transform the biomedical industry, and hopes to be a scientific and entrepreneurial leader in the age of genome editing.
Christopher will continue his work in the Lareau Lab where he is aiding in the development of a CRISPR-editing strategy that takes advantage of deep learning models of RNA splicing to silence the most difficult-to-target disease genes.
One of his passions includes increasing diversity in STEM, and he is part of a number of initiatives that aim to do so, particularly the Bioengineering Scholars Program which helps BioE students from underrepresented minority and low-income backgrounds gain research experience.
Outside of school and lab, he is a member of the Cal Band where he plays ‘Net’ (clarinet) at events across campus. His love for music is matched by his love for science.
Amanda Kang
Amanda is a junior majoring in Bioengineering with a concentration in medical devices and minoring in Mechanical Engineering. She has a strong interest in the intersection of these two fields and how they can be applied to improve quality of life. She is especially passionate about creating widely accessible medical devices for everyday purposes and wants to explore mechanical design as it applies to these devices.
Amanda joined Professor Javey’s lab this past summer, where her work focused on designing a housing for a wearable sweat sensor to make it easy to wear in and outside the lab setting. For the past few semesters, she has enjoyed her work as a peer tutor at the student learning center, getting to meet many other students along the way. Outside of academics, Amanda enjoys listening to music, watching soccer, going on walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Wonjae Lee
Wonjae Lee is a fourth-year student studying Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Cell Biology, Development, and Physiology. Growing up in a family where his parents instilled strong moral values and a commitment to helping others, he was naturally drawn to healthcare and education with a desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. As he discovered his passion for biological research, his long-term goal evolved into becoming a medical professional and scientist, integrating innovative research with patient care to improve human health.
He is also dedicated to addressing educational disparities and supporting students from diverse backgrounds in pursuing their aspirations. Currently, he is involved in a project in the Hurley Lab that focuses on the structural role of tau protein and its link to neurodegenerative diseases. This research has been a significant source of inspiration for him, especially through the guidance of his lab mentor.
Outside the lab, he enjoys volunteering, teaching, and building meaningful connections. He loves playing tennis, exploring the Bay Area with friends, and spending quality time with his family.
Jaden Cordova
Jaden Cordova is a junior at UC Berkeley majoring in Bioengineering. His passions lie in bioinformatics, but it generally interested in designing algorithms for biological applications. In the future, he hopes to be the first in his family to pursue a PhD and work in the biotech industry.
Jaden enjoys playing iMessage games, window shopping, and recreating restaurant meals at home. He is also active in the engineering community at Berkeley, being officers for both the Bioengineering Honors Society and Tau Beta Pi.
Rushil Ganguli
Rushil Ganguli is currently a senior in Mechanical Engineering. As a mechanical engineering student, he enjoys engaging in analytical design projects that challenge the limits of innovation. He is excited to be working with Dr. Peisheng He on the manufacturing of hydrogel-based stretchable batteries with self-healing properties. Outside of his academic pursuits, Rushil enjoys physical activities, especially those near the ocean, such as beach volleyball and spikeball, and he is currently learning to surf.
