Learn more about the BioCORE Scholars Program
(Many thanks to David Rither in Educational Technology & Media for creating this video.)
The BioCORE Scholars Program was also featured in The Falcon, SPU's student newspaper, The article, "BioCORE encourages community" was written by Lu Aleman and appeared on Oct. 24, 2018.
SPU congratulates the BioCORE Scholars Class of 2022
During a special ceremony in June, the BioCORE Scholars Program honored our eight graduating Scholars. Each Scholar was formally presented and pinned by a faculty member or alum of their choosing. Our graduates are:
- Egypt Adams, BS Physiology
- Zoie Bailey, BS Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Abdullah Bashmail, BS Biochemistry
- Jessica Bekele, BS Physiology
- Victoria Bowman, BS Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Malanda Clamoungou, BA Life Science
- Giovany Gonzalez, BS Biochemistry
- Yoska Habtom, BS Physiology
We also congratulate Jessie Cannon (BA Political Science), Evelin Laris (BS Physiology), Sydney Olea Suarez (BS Applied Human Biology) and Anahi Tapia (BA Life Science) who were original members of the BioCORE Scholars 2018-2019 cohort, and who are also graduating in 2022.
Congratulations to all of our graduates - we are very proud of you!!
Learn more about the first three graduating classes of BioCORE Scholars.
BioCORE Scholars and Mentors
Photos of previous cohorts
Meet our 2020 BioCORE Scholars, Peer Mentors and Learning Assistant. (Front row, from left) Ale Gonzalez (Peer Mentor), Damarisse Valladares, Malanda Clamoungou, Angie Vazquez (Peer Mentor), Kalkidan Yekuno (Peer Mentor), Beth Gebre (Peer Mentor)
(Middle row) Aani Gomez, Ayysta Htoo, Ngan Dang (Learning Assistant), Jessica Martinez, Esmeralda Vazquez-Sagrero, Geana Nicolas, Rachael Turner
(Back row) Israel Zamudio (Peer Mentor), Menna Haileariam (Peer Mentor), Juan Vargas, Natalie Orona, Jashley Terrado, Insiya Nehal, Mirelle Gutierrez Palma, Roxana Cruz-Ramirez
(Not pictured) BioCORE Scholars Martina Hernandez, Niyah Thurman and Joanna Guo
At the "Welcome" reception, Scholars were greeted by Dr. Bruce Congdon (Interim Provost), Dr. Sandy Mayo (Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and Dr. Derek Wood (Interim Co-Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences Division). Scholars introduced themselves, then photos were taken of the new and current BioCORE Scholars. New Scholars then met with their Peer Mentors (Beth Gebre, Ale Gonzales, Menna Hailemariam, Angie Vazquez, Kalkidan Yekuno and Israel Zamudio).
BioCORE Scholars Research Week
Research students
After a hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020 BioCORE Scholars cohort finally had the opportunity to participate in Research Week. During the week of June 14-18, 2021, eight Scholars participated in independent research with faculty in the Biology department. The scholars and their projects were:
- Ayysta Htoo, Geana Nicolas, Niyah Thurman-Henry and Esmeralda Vazquez-Sagrero. Biology or Sociology? What determines human walking speed? Mentored by Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler, Professor of Biology
- Malanda Clamoungou, Insiya Nehal, Ivy Ta and Jashley Terrado. A genetic analysis of homologous sex determination genes in the tardigrade, Hypsibius exemplaris. Mentored by Dr. Jenny Tenlen, Associate Professor of Biology
Please also see previous Research Week students and mentors.
BioCORE Scholars Activities
BioCORE Scholars Activities and Events
BioCORE Scholars regularly participate in community-building and networking activities, including social outings, meetings with researchers and health care professionals, and other events.
Above: Members of the 2022 cohort of BioCORE Scholars, along with Learning Assistant Betty Berhanu and second-year Scholar Milan Brkic, welcomed Laarni Aguila (SPU Class of 2019) and Menna Hailemariam (SPU Class of 2020) back to SPU for the BioCORE Scholars' quartery meeting. Laarni (who will begin the PhD in Microbiology program at the University of Washington in the fall) and Menna (who is applying to medical school) shared their experiences as BioCORE Scholars and researchers, providing valuable advice to current scholars .
(from left) Alexis Nield, Mhicca Dalere, Laarni Aguila, Menna Hailemariam, Angelique Djekoundade, Lainey Mendoza, Milan Brkic, Betty Berhanu, Elisa Puga, Sonetta Ty, Elizabeth Delgado, Yenni Gaspar and Gursagar Singh