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
BioCORE Scholars Research Week
Research students
Members of the 2021 BioCORE Scholars cohort spent winter and/or spring quarters working with SPU Biology faculty in their labs, and presented their research at the annual BioCORE Scholars Research Symposium on June 10, 2022. The scholars and their projects were:
- Anthony Hernandez, Meridiana Mendez and Ayrieanne Terrell. Outdoor or Indoor? Treadmill or Track? How does running location impact your health? Mentored by Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler, Professor of Biology
- Angie Moten and Gum Nau. Quantitative Analysis of Salicylic Acid in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Willow (Salix sp.). Mentored by Dr. Ryan Ferrer, Professor of Biology
- Itzel Aparicio, Bella Camarillo and Lay Paw. Glucose and fructose differentially regulate microglia-neuronal interactions. Mentored by Dr. John Douglass, Assistant Professor of Biology
- Milan Brkic and Yaira Ponce. Exploring the Relationship Between Anosmia and Parental Recognition in Peromyscus californicus. Mentored by Dr. Janet Bester-Meredith, 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: BioCORE Scholars attend the quarterly Speakers' Meeting, with special guests, Ashley Dotson and Ngan Dang. Ashley and Ngan are both 2nd-year medical students at the University of Washington, and Ngan was a member of the 2nd BioCORE Scholars cohort. Ashley and Ngan provided valuable perspective on their paths to medical school, life as medical students, and answered myriad questions from the Scholars.
(clockwise from the upper corner): Ngan Dang, Angelique Djekoundade, Mhicca Dalere, Elizabeth Delgado, Yenni Gaspar (hidden), Elisa Puga, Gursagar Singh, Elena Brezynski, Alexis Nield, Lainey Mendoza, Sonetta Ty, Esmeralda Vazquez-Sagrero and Ashley Dotson.