Email uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com with an individual peer advisor’s name in the subject to contact them!
YARA AL-RAYYAN
Year in school: Junior
Hello! I’m Yara AL-Rayyan and I am a junior majoring in Biochemistry with a certificate in Global Health. I am a classroom mentor for BIOCORE 382 and I work as a research assistant in Dr. Grob’s Qualitative and Health Experiences Research Laboratory (Q-HER Lab). I am also on the Board of the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve where I aspire to help people connect to and care for the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. In my (lack of) free time, I enjoy embroidery, crocheting, and ice skating in the Bakke. Please reach out uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
ALESSIA FUCENTESE
Year in school: Senior
My name is Alessia, and I am a senior at UW- Madison in the College of Letters and Science. I am majoring in Environmental studies and Biology. I am originally from Needham, Massachusetts, and enjoy exploring the beaches, mountains and forests of New England. In my free time, I enjoy, hiking, spending time with friends, and weightlifting. Outside of class and Biocore, I work as a research assistant at the Freedman Lab, do plant specimen imaging at the Wisconsin State Herbarium, and pick up shifts at Wheelhouse Studios at Memorial Union (y’all should check it out). Feel free to reach out at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
EMMA GORDER
Year in school: Junior
Hello! My name is Emma and I am a junior pursuing degrees in Nutritional Sciences and Science Communication, with a certificate in Biocore! In addition to serving as a Peer Advisor, I am the social and outreach chair for Badger Diabetes Advocates, a member of the Hoofers organization, and an undergraduate research assistant in the Engin Lab. My research examines the role of organelle dysfunction and cellular stress in the incidence of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Outside the lab and classroom, I enjoy running, scuba diving, cooking, and spending time with my family. Please feel free to reach out with any questions through uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
CADE HOTTMAN
Year in school: Senior
My name is Cade and I am a senior at UW-Madison! I am studying Neurobiology as well as Molecular and Cell Biology with certificates in Global Health and Biocore Core Curriculum. Within Biocore, I am a new peer advisor for 2023 and am also a member of the Biocore Outreach Ambassadors. I also research in the Sousa Lab of the Department of Neuroscience where I focus on the evolution of the human neocortex and the cellular mechanisms that govern the development of neuropsychiatric disorder. Outside of school, I work as a medical scribe in emergency departments across southwest Wisconsin with Madison Emergency Physicians and coach club baseball at GRB Academy. I also enjoy keeping up with the Milwaukee Bucks, learning obscure knowledge through random Sporcle quizzes, and keeping up an active lifestyle including marathon training, biking, and kayaking. Please reach out uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
MADISON LEIN
Year in School: Junior
Hello! My name is Madison and I am a junior at UW-Madison! I am majoring in Biology with certificates in Health and the Humanities and Biocore Honors Curriculum. I am an undergraduate research assistant in Gamm Lab in the department of Ophthalmology, which focuses on human retinal degenerative diseases. Outside of school I work as an EMT, volunteer at a daycare center as a Badger Volunteers team leader, and am a member of the Wisconsin Track Club. I enjoy lifting, watching football, learning new songs on the piano, and playing video games. Please feel free to reach out at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com! *I will be studying abroad during Spring of 2024*
BRAD LI
Year in School: Senior
Hello! My name is Brad. I am a senior double majoring in Biochemistry and Spanish along with a certificate in Biocore! Within Biocore, I am involved with Peer Mentoring and Biocore Outreach Ambassadors. Other student organizations I am part of are the Chinese American Student Association (CHASA), Best Buddies, and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity (ΠΚΦ). I work at University Health Services as a Student Medical Assistant in primary care.
Additionally, I am a research assistant in the Ge Lab, where I utilize analytical and biochemical techniques to study proteins associated with cardiomyopathy. I focus heavily on studying membrane proteins from the G-protein coupled (GPCR) receptor family. I have received the Biochemistry Summer Research Scholarship, the Biochemistry Mary Shine Peterson Award, and the Hilldale Fellowship for research. Furthermore, I enjoy staying active, playing soccer, watching Wisconsin sports, and cooking healthy meals in my free time. Please feel free to reach out with any questions through uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
ANA MARTINEZ
Year in School: Junior
Hello! My name is Ana and I am a junior at UW-Madison studying Biomedical Engineering with certificates in Biology Core Curriculum and Biology in Engineering. I am a Biocore Peer Mentor and the volunteer coordinator for UW-Madison’s St. Vincent de Paul conference. I am also an undergraduate research assistant in the Kreeger Lab, where we work with various integrin-coated hydrogels and other biomimetic systems to better understand diverse ovarian cancer tumor microenvironments. When I am home for breaks I also work as a nursing assistant and volunteer for the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at my local hospital. In my free time, I love to watch movies, spend time outdoors, and spend time with my friends, my family, and my dog. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out through: uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
KATHRYN McKINNEY
Year in School: Senior
Hey! My name is Kathryn, I am majoring in Biology with a certificate in Biocore and possibly in athletic healthcare. Currently I work in the Biocore lab as a lab assistant but I also work as a phlebotomist at Mendota Mental Health. After graduating from UW-Madison my plan is to go to medical school to become a plastic surgeon with an end goal of doing Doctors Without Borders. In my free time I enjoy going to the gym, playing/watching sports, and during the summers I like to help out at my local hospital and volunteer in 4-H. If you have any questions about how Biocore fits into your major or want to know more about the Biocore experience, feel free to contact me through uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
MAXWELL McLEAN
Year in School: Junior
My name is Max, I’m a chemistry major and Chinese minor here at UW-Madison and currently enrolled in the Biocore program. I plan to go on to pursue a PhD in either biochemistry or chemical biology. In my free time, I enjoy reading, going out with friends, and taking care of my two cats. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me through uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
DANIEL MEYERS
Year in school: Junior
My name is Daniel and I’m a junior at UW-Madison! I’m studying Neurobiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Biochemistry with Mathematics and Biology Core Curriculum certificates. I’m a new Biocore peer advisor as well as a classroom mentor for Biocore 181 and a co-chair elect for the Biocore Outreach Ambassadors. I am also an undergraduate research assistant for the 4C Computational Psychiatry Lab which uses computational tools to analyze and model origins, symptoms, and potential interventions for mental disorders. When I can, I love to go on long bike trips, swim, play the violin, cook, and travel. Feel free to reach out at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
NADIYA MUZYKA
Year in School: Senior
Hey all! My name is Nadiya, and I am currently a senior at UW-Madison majoring in Biology with a certificate in Global Health and Biocore. I was born in Ukraine and lived in Ternopil for 10 years before I moved to Wisconsin. I am planning on applying to medical school in the future because I want to apply my scientific knowledge to help people live healthier and better lives. In addition to school, I volunteer at hospitals and I recently started working in the Skop lab where we study the midbody. I enjoy traveling, painting, working out, and spending time with friends and family in my free time. If you have any questions about how Biocore fits into your major or want to chat about my personal Biocore experience, feel free to contact me through uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
TRISHA NANDAKUMAR
Year in School: Junior
Hey! My name is Trisha and I am double majoring in Biology and Latin, as well as pursuing a certificate in Biocore. I am a peer mentor with Biocore, and outside of Biocore I am a part of AED, the UW classics society, and the All University String Orchestra. I also currently work as an EMT with Midwest Medical Transport, as well as with Audhya lab where we study mechanisms by which mutations in TFG lead to neurodegenerative disease. In my free time I like to travel, listen to music, swim, spend time with friends and family, and play NYT mini games. Feel free to reach out with any questions at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
SOPHIA OLIAI
Year in School: Junior
Hey! I’m Sophia! I’m a junior majoring in Neurobiology with a certificate in Hmoob American Studies and am currently pursuing a certificate in Biocore. I am an undergraduate research assistant at the Ulland Lab, with my research centered around the innate immune system and its role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of class, I love coaching youth sports, volunteering at UW Health Clinics, and am a member of the Persian Student Society. In my free time, I love running, reading, and writing. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and email uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
KRISTA PARAS
Year in School: Senior
Hi, I’m Krista! I am majoring in Genetics and Genomics with certificates in Biocore and Global Health. After graduation, I am planning on going to grad school to become a genetic counselor. In addition to being a Biocore peer mentor, I am involved in various clubs – for instance I manage the scholarship fund for Pre-Genetic Counseling Organization and I am the secretary for Cheese Club. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
MOLLY PARAS
Year in School: Senior
Hi, I’m Molly! I am a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering, with certificates in Biocore and Biology in Engineering. I am unsure of my future career path, but I am hoping to continue my education after undergrad. Outside of class, I am involved in the Wisconsin Track Club, Cheese Club, and BMES. Additionally, I work as a student assistant for INTER-EGR 170, am part of the custodial staff at the Wisconsin Union, and am a lead timer for In Focus Timing. I enjoy watching movies with my roommates, staying active, and spending time outdoors. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me through uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
ELLA PETERSON
Year in School: Senior
Hello! My name is Ella and I am currently a senior studying Neurobiology with certificates in Global Health, Biocore, and Environmental Studies. Within Biocore, I am a Classroom Mentor for Biocore 181 and graduated from the program last Spring. I am a Co-President of the Wisconsin Pre-Medical Society here on campus and a member of Badger Volunteers. Additionally, I am an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Neuroscience Department at the Moore Lab where we study regeneration of the adult central nervous system, and I am also a Line Therapist for Achieving Collaborative Treatment where I support children with autism therapy in a school and home setting. Outside of school and work, I enjoy hiking, canoeing, and all other outdoor activities! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com
MEGAN STEWART
Year in school: Junior
Hello I’m Megan! I am a Junior studying Neurobiology and Genetics along with a certificate in Biocore. I work as an undergraduate researcher in the Lipinski lab studying embryonic brain development and birth defects in mice through the lens of environmental toxicology, and as a CNA in my hometown during the summer and breaks. I love to organize volunteer and fundraising events as president of my St. Vincent de Paul chapter. During my free time I enjoy reading, eating, playing tennis, nature photography, and spending time with my family, my dog, and my friends. If you need any convincing that Biocore is one of the best opportunities at UW, or you really like one of the things I like, please reach out and we can talk about it, uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
JUDITH TAFUR
Year in school: Senior
Hello! My name is Judith and I am a senior majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology as well as French with a certificate in Biocore. I work as a lab assistant in Osorio lab in the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Riday lab in the US Dairy Forage Research Center. I am looking forward to starting a research project next semester in one of my labs involving vaccine development and zoonotic diseases. In the future I would like to go to graduate school, although I have not decided on an exact path yet. In my free time I love to cook, exercise, explore new places and spend time with family and friends. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about my majors, my Biocore experience or anything else at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
ELIZABETH (ELLIE) THOMSON
Year in school: Senior
Hello! My name is Elizabeth Thomson (She/Her), and I am a senior studying pharmacology and toxicology with a certificate in Biocore. After graduation I plan to attend pharmacy school to obtain my doctor of pharmacy and become an oncology pharmacist. I am currently a pharmacy technician at Walgreens and I also work in the Zahasky lab in the geology department characterizing PFAS contaminants in the subsurface. Reach out at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
LIV VALENTINE
Year in School: Senior
Hey! I’m Liv Valentine! I study Nutritional Sciences and I am pursuing certificates in Athletic Healthcare and Biocore. I am a Biocore Peer Mentor, the treasurer of Community Health Volunteers, and I play Club Tennis! I also work as a Medical Assistant at a family medicine clinic and am a research assistant in the Hull Lab, where we study the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus Neoformans. In my free time, I love to cook, volunteer at the River Food Pantry, and spend time with my friends! Feel free to reach out uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!
BRIAN ZHENG
Year in School: Senior
Hi guys! My name is Brian and I am double majoring in Neurobiology and Asian Languages and Cultures. In the Biocore Program, I am a Peer Mentor and now a Peer Advisor. Outside of Biocore, I am a part of CHASA and the Mercile J Lee Scholars Program. In this program, I am a co-chair and aim to provide volunteering opportunities for scholars to give back and better the lives of underrepresented groups in the Madison area. In my free time, I volunteer at Our Lady of Hope Clinic in Middleton, WI to support those who do not have access to affordable healthcare. When I am not studying or volunteering, I love running and spending time with my friends and family. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at uwbiocore.peeradvisors@gmail.com!