Current Steering Committee

Jenna DeWit (she/her) President

Hi everyone, I’m your president for this year! I’m a 4th year Neurobiology major with a Cognitive Science minor in Seventh College. I spend a lot of time volunteering and working in lab, where we do research on a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders.

I also enjoy baking and drinking coffee in my free time!

You can contact me at: jedewit@ucsd.edu

Jessica Li (she/her) Vice President of Communications

Hey! I’m honored to serve as your Vice President of Communications this year! I’m a 4th year Human Biology major with a Business minor in Sixth College. I’ve been an IA for Prof. Lovett-Baron and a grader for Prof. Cooke. I’m also an undergraduate research assistant in the Zhong Lab studying Alzheimer’s!

Outside of BioScholars, I’m part of the Chinese Dance Association, and I also love drawing and trying new coffee places (so if you have any recs, please let me know!)

You can contact me at jal099@ucsd.edu

Vaishali Jain (she/her) Vice President of Marketing

I’m excited to serve as your Vice President of Marketing this year. I’m a junior at Muir College, double majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and Global Health, with a minor in Bioethics. I’m an international student from Mumbai, India. I’m also an undergraduate research assistant in the Ghosh Lab and work with Chelsea’s Hope, a nonprofit supporting families affected by Lafora disease.

Outside of that, I enjoy journaling, painting, and exploring new places to eat (even if it’s on a limited budget…)

Feel free to contact me at v2jain@ucsd.edu

Ashmita Beyyala (she/her) Treasurer

Hey guys! I am thrilled to be your Treasurer this upcoming year! I am a second year General Biology major from the Seventh college. I grew up in Orange County, just an hour and half north of San Diego. Outside of BioScholars, I am also involved with SangamSD.

I love baking (especially in the fall), reading, and line dancing when I have free time. I also love a good sweet treat and am always down to find new spots!

Feel free to reach out to abeyyala@ucsd.edu

Shayla Do (she/her) Secretary

Hi everyone! I’ll be your Secretary for this year! I’m a 2nd-year Human Biology major with a minor in Business, and I’m from Oceanside. Outside of BioScholars, I’m a Chemistry workshop facilitator for OASIS!

In my free time, I love playing video games, especially Overwatch and Clash Royale! If I’m not gaming, I’m eating. I enjoy trying new cuisines and places, so feel free to recommend any yummy spots to me!

You can contact me at: s8do@ucsd.edu

Eric Zhang (he/him) External Chair

Hi! This is your External Chair for this year. I’m a senior Molecular and Cell Biology major and an international student from Qingdao, China. I’m also an undergraduate volunteer in the Llorente Lab, where I work on research about gut microbiota and liver diseases.

Besides those, I’m a Manchester United fan and I also played fencing (epee) for 8 years, although I haven’t played it since I got here. I also played a lot of video games (R6Siege, Battlefield, Heart of Iron4, Nioh…).

You can contact me at: yuj047@ucsd.edu

Yolanda Feng (she/her) Internal Chair

Hi! I’m excited to serve as your Internal Chair this year. I’m a fourth-year student from Marshall College majoring in General Biology with a minor in Data Science. Currently, I’m part of the Leutgeb Lab, where I study the mechanisms of memory. I’m from Beijing, China!

Outside of school, I enjoy gaming, trying out different caffeinated drinks, brewing my own coffee and tea, and taking short trips.

Feel free to reach out to me anytime at yuf019@ucsd.edu

Dhwani Kharidia (she/her) Outreach Chair

Hey yall! I’m so excited to serve as your Outreach Chair and coordinate the Team STEM program this year. I’m a third year Human Biology major on the premed track from the Bay Area. Outside of BioScholars, I have been very involved with neurobiology research and am currently researching neurotransmitter switching in mouse models at the Spitzer Lab. I’m also part of another organization that coordinates clinics in Mexico.

I’m my free time, I love to go on hikes, bake, and play badminton! I’m always happy to support you in any way I can, so please feel free to reach out any time.

You can reach me at: dkharidia@ucsd.edu

Ellie Nghiem (she/her) Volunteer Chair

Hi everyone, I’m your Volunteer Chair for this year! I’m a 3rd year General Biology major in Muir College and currently live in Los Angeles (though I’ve also lived in Orange County, the Bay Area, and Princeton, New Jersey for many years!). Outside of school, I volunteer at Scripps Green Hospital and work as an undergraduate research assistant in the immuno-oncology sector of the Gutkind Lab at the Moores Cancer Center.

In my free time, I love to take film pictures, read, run, bake, and spend time with my friends and family.

Feel free to reach out to me at enghiem@ucsd.edu any time!

Tyler Simi (he/him) Activities Chair

Hi everyone, I’m your Activities Chair for this year! I’m a 3rd year Human Biology major in Eleanor Roosevelt College and I am from Woodland. Outside of school, I volunteer with hospice and the food bank.

In my free time, I love to run, read, and spend time with family.

Feel free to reach out to me at tsimi@ucsd.edu any time!

Dr. Kathleen French (she/her), Faculty Advisor

It is my distinct pleasure to be the Faculty Advisor for the BioScholars. I was in an Honors Program as an undergraduate at the University of Washington, and that greatly enhanced my experience of being a student at that very large university. From the beginning, I have hoped that being a BioScholar can do the same thing for our members, e.g. by making faculty members more accessible and introducing excellent Biology students to one another so they can both challenge and support one another. I am a neurophysiologist, which I love, and I hope that the BioScholars will come to love the amazing world of biology the way that I do. The activities of BioScholars will be valuable to you only if you participate, and I hope you will make the most of the opportunities that are available only to BioScholars. If there is something you would like to discuss, please contact me as I would be more than happy to talk with you!