May 2022 & August 2022 Grads

Mohammad Naser Abutaki

BS Chemistry, 2022 I would like to thank everyone in the CBC department—especially the advising team. My plan has been to go back home to Saudi Arabia to start applying for jobs in the chemistry industry, preferably analytical chemistry. For now, working is my priority, and after a few years I might think of getting a master’s degree. I find myself more drawn to analytical and organic chemistry. Finding a job that allows me to employ my knowledge in these two areas would allow me to give the best of my abilities.

Kawthar AlElg

BS Chemistry, 2022 (Thomas Gianetti research group) Since I was a sponsored student by Saudi Aramco, a leading oil company based in Saudi Arabia, I am required to work in the oil industry for 5 years. I am going to be working at the Exploration and Petroleum Engineering Center - Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC). However, I am very passionate about skincare and the ingredients that make our products work for us. Therefore, I found an online program for a Master of Science in Cosmetic Science. I plan to finish up the program while working for Aramco. I see myself applying for job opportunities globally, and I think France for a couple of years of experience is a good idea. I plan to eventually launch my own brand of both skincare and color cosmetics which would be putting my minor in business administration to use!

BS Biochemistry, 2022 (Greggory Thatcher research group) My name is Rosa Araujo, and I graduated from the University of Arizona in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a minor in French. My undergraduate time with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was an incredible experience especially because of amazing mentors, such as Ms. Olivia Mendoza. Since graduating, I have accepted a position at Banner University Medical Center - Phoenix, more specifically, I work in the neurosurgery department within the Neuroscience Institute. With this opportunity, I can learn invaluable lessons while being mentored by esteemed neurosurgeons. I am grateful for my experience at the University of Arizona as I know it has helped prepare me for all future endeavors.

Max Bloomenstein

BA Biochemistry, 2022 After Graduation, I was lucky enough to step away from the computer screen for a few weeks and for the first time in a long time, go on a vacation with my family to Italy. We spent two weeks traveling through the cities of Cinque Terre, Florence, Venice, and Rome, getting in our steps, embracing the culture and eating gelato for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.

Now back in the States, I have been studying for the optometry school admissions test while working full time as an optometry technician at an office in Scottsdale, while I take the year off to apply to optometry school. As a tech, I pretest the patients as they come in, and among other things, I mainly check visual acuity, peripheral vision, perform OCT scans and prepare everything for the optometrist. I feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by doctors and staff who are more than willing to educate me on techniques and practices that I will hopefully one day be performing myself. The whole process has reinvigorated my passion for eye health and has reassured me that I am on the right path for myself, no matter where the journey takes me.

Ciera Carrillo

BS Biochemistry, BS MCB, 2022 (Jessica Barnes research group) Since graduating, my plan has been to start working and pursue a master’s degree in the next couple of years.

Sophia Duffett

BA Chemistry, BA French, 2022 When I graduated, I obtained an EMT certification as well as my degree. I plan on working as an EMT for two gap years as well as traveling as much as possible in hopes of putting my French minor to use! I will attend medical school in the fall of 2024.

Ciara Eades

BS Biochemistry, 2022 (Jeong-Yeol Yoon research group) My plan is to travel for a bit of time and then go into grad school to get a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.

Kelsey Haley

BA Biochemistry, 2022 The University of Arizona provided many opportunities, such as free tutor sessions, that helped me surpass my goals in class. I used those tutor sessions when I was struggling in classes, such as calculus. Additionally, individuals at the U of A are welcoming, which offered opportunities to make friends and study groups. I had a

Avani Kumar

BS Biochemistry, 2022 (Pascale Charest research group) I hope to go to medical school. Right now, I am taking a gap year.

Genesis Taylor Martinez

BS Biochemistry, 2022 (Chad Park research group) I plan to pursue medical school. I still need to take the MCAT, so I will be taking a gap year. But essentially, I plan on pursuing a career as a medical geneticist in the end.

Kelsey Mason

BS Chemistry, 2022 My name is Kelsey Mason. Graduating in May of 2022 was so bittersweet. I am thankful for the time, experience and opportunities provided to me through the University of Arizona, and while I am sad to have left, I am excited to start a new chapter of my life.

I hope to either work in a research facility, give back by teaching high school chemistry, or begin a career in my dream field as a cosmetic chemist. Being a cosmetic chemist has always been the end goal, and what motivated me through all the lectures and labs.

When I wasn’t studying for my next P-Chem exam or writing a 412 lab report, I enjoyed trying new local restaurants and hanging out with my sorority sisters. During my time at the U of A, I had the opportunity to join a sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, and serve on the executive board and as the chapter president. This was a once in a lifetime experience, and something I will never forget. The U of A has given me so much, and I am so excited to be a proud alumni! Bear Down!

Vivian Mendoza-Leon

BS Biochemistry, 2022 (Jacob Schwartz research group) I would like to thank my advisors, mentors, and family for supporting my pursuit of higher education as a first-generation student. I will continue to gain clinical experience through scribing at a cardiology clinic, study for the MCAT, and apply for medical school.

Alicia D Power

BS Chemistry, 2022 (Douglas Loy research group) I graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Honors Chemistry. Currently, I work for the USDA Carl Hayden Bee Research center as a biological science technician where I perform lipid and fat body analysis on bee colonies to determine their longevity in cold storage. I also work on the pheromonal removal of Varroa mites, which are one of the primary causes of honeybee decline. Throughout my undergraduate career, I also worked alongside Dr. Loy, where I completed my honors thesis on synthesizing hydrogels for the removal of toxic metals in polluted waterways. With this research and work through the USDA, I developed a passion for public service and hope to translate this into a future career in forensic chemistry. The U of A has given me so many amazing opportunities, and I’m excited to finally be a proud alumni! Bear Down!

BS Chemistry, BA Spanish, 2022 I will be working at BASF, and I will be starting my master’s degree in January of 2023.

Lindsey Kaye Reed

BS Chemistry, 2022 I began work as a lab tech for a local company specializing in nutrition and dietary supplements.

Rorie Robinson

BS Biochemistry, 2022 Rorie was involved in numerous sectors of The University of Arizona as an undergraduate. She worked in the Vanderah Lab, was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, and the president of the women’s club water polo team. Rorie will be attending The University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson this coming fall semester.

Kiah Sleiman

(2022 Outstanding Senior) BS Biochemistry, 2022 (Joyce Wu research group) My parents met during their time at the University of Arizona, and so I was raised a Wildcat. In deciding where I wanted to go after high school, I was conflicted about where to go, with choices between an adventure in another state, or continuing the family tradition of being a Wildcat. My senior year of high school, I was able to join a lab at the University of Arizona and venture into the world of research, and once I started, choosing to stay was easy. I took the first semester to declare my majors, French and biochemistry, and was astonished by the support I had from the advising offices despite having started as an undecided honors student.

I have grown so much as a person because of the experiences I had at UArizona, from preceptoring and peer mentoring to working full time in the lab over the summer with the Undergraduate Biology Research Program. The advising team in both the French and CBC departments are incredible, but being an ambassador for the CBC department truly helped me to grow in confidence and gave me a prime opportunity to engage with the CBC community. I have made best friends during my time, and I am so happy that I decided to stay in Tucson for college while majoring in biochemistry. I learned so much about the subject and pursued questions I never would have considered before, and I can apply my degree in so many different ways. I have friends going to medical school, veterinary school and law school. Some of them are going directly into industry or academic labs. I came in looking at a path in forensic science and am now continuing my education at Baylor University to get a PhD in Biology. My experience at the University of Arizona in the CBC department was truly one of support and encouragement to pursue the many opportunities made available to us, and one of a community that cared about each other and did their best to get through the toughest times in one piece and together.

Martin Soto

BS Biochemistry, BS Biomedical Engineering, 2022 I moved to Boston to continue working as a bioinformatics analyst for Variantyx Inc., and then work towards a MS in Genetics after a year.

BS Biochemistry, BS MCB, 2022 I stayed at the U of A for graduate school. I am the guinea pig for a new hybrid program in which I will receive a Master’s Degree in Perfusion Sciences and a PhD in Medical Pharmacology by the end of (finger’s crossed) five years!

Trevor Tankersley

BS Biochemistry, BS Physiology & Medical Sciences, 2022 Trevor has been awarded the 2022 Wildcat Excellence Award and the Dean’s Distinction Award. After graduation, Trevor began working as a research technician in the Nikolich-Žugich lab, further honing his skills as a researcher. He then hopes to apply to graduate school, eventually obtaining a Doctorate in Immunobiology.

Sophia J. Volpe

BS Biochemistry, 2022 (Eugene Chang research group) I am taking a gap year to continue my research work in the Chang lab and gain valuable experience before applying to medical school in the fall. Thanks for all your support, CBC!

Ciara Zak

(2022 Excellence in Research, Senior Award) BA Biochemistry, BS MCB, 2022 (Michael Marty research group) I started attending the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson in July of 2022.