MCB Leaders

Name: Saniya Zaidi - President
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB
Minor: Public Health
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I'm the president of a nonprofit organization called the Illini Thaakat Foundation, and a student leader at Carle Foundation Hospital. Along with that, I volunteer at the post-anesthesia care unit at Carle and conduct research in Dr. Reddi's spermatogenesis lab. In my free time, I like to draw, play the piano, and spend time with my friends.
Favorite Place to Study: Campus Instructional Facility and Grainger Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: My favorite restaurants on campus would be Bangkok Thai or Oozu Ramen. Off-campus, I'd have to go with Dos Reales.
Why you chose the U of I: When initially applying to college, I always saw myself attending a smaller school, as the idea of a big school seemed daunting. However, with having an older sibling attending UIUC, I was able to see the variety of social and academic opportunities that this school was able to offer. Going to UIUC would allow to me step out of my comfort zone and meet all kinds of new people, which is exactly what I wanted out of my college experience.
Favorite things about MCB: Something that I really appreciate about the MCB major is how it gives you the liberty to learn about topics you're personally interested in. Once you reach the upper-level courses, there's a lot of independence in terms of classes, and they allow you to get a deeper understanding in specific concepts. I also love how this major is able to tie chemistry, biology, and physics all together, and use them to explain numerous biological processes.

Name: Neha Bashir - Vice President
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB Honors Concentration
Minors: Business & Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: Reading, Crocheting, Baking, Playing tennis, Listening to Music
Favorite Place to Study: Caffe Paradiso
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Bangkok Thai
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of all the diverse opportunities for research, extracurriculars, and overall experiences unmatched any other school. I felt that I could find a sense of community and home while also furthering my academic goals. UIUC offers incredible academic programs and vibrant campus life, with state-of-the-art facilities.
Favorite things about MCB: Being an MCB major allows me to dissect the intricate world of cellular processes and molecular mechanisms. I love being able to participate in cutting-edge research in interdisciplinary fields, as well as working towards gaining insight in the advancement of healthcare and biomedical technology. Being an MCB major allows me to explore a multifaceted major in an effort to gain experience for my goals of working in healthcare.

Name: Zoe Daniel - Secretary
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB
Certificate: Infection Biology
Hobbies/Activities: Reading, taking walks around campus, and trying new restaurants in Champaign-Urbana
Favorite Place to Study: ETC coffee house!
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Oozu Ramen
Why you chose the U of I: I chose Illinois because of the amount of opportunities offered on this campus. I really love how this campus is large enough that you can make your college experience a choose your own adventure story and have any path be the best path for you. I also feel like the community on this campus is unmatched, and even though the campus is large I love the feeling of making it feel like a small community and how easy it is to do so.
Favorite things about MCB: I love being able to tailor my classes to my personal interests in the MCB field, my interests are mainly in microbial pathogenesis and as I got further into the major I was able to take more and more classes that fall into that category. I also love being involved in undergraduate research.

Name: Justus Omowumi - Treasurer
Preferred Pronouns: He, him, his
Year in School: Junior
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: I enjoy playing soccer, reading books, hanging out with friends, and playing video games.
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Neil St. Blues
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because it had one of the top pre-med programs in the state. I enjoyed the energy of the Illini band and I LOVED the campus when I visited. I had a feeling that I would be challenged at UIUC and I wasn't wrong. Also, it was the perfect distance from home.
Favorite things about MCB: Being a neuroscience major has allowed me to take classes that address subjects I'm interested in. I like the fact that my major is competitive and I haven't had a chance to slack off because of that. I love being a neuroscience major because I get to dabble into the world of chemistry, physics, and biology with great increase in knowledge and appreciation for science.

Name: Alisha Xiong - Membership
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Majors: MCB & Chemistry
Certificates: Microbiology & Infection Biology
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I’m a research assistant in the Gaj lab, where we engineer CRISPR systems to develop therapies for various neurodegenerative disorders. I am also an MCB 151 TA and prep staff, which allows me to teach and mentor many talented students every semester. Apart from that, I am a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-professional pre-health fraternity, and a rower on the Illini Rowing team. In my free time, I enjoy exploring buildings around campus, solving puzzles, and spending time with friends.
Favorite Place to Study: If I need a place to hunker down and study, then Funk ACES library. Otherwise, the MCB Learning Center!
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Fiesta Cafe
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC due to the wide variety of academic and social opportunities on campus. Coming from a large high school, I loved the idea of going to a big school for college, where I could meet and collaborate with lots of new people. I was particularly drawn towards the cutting-edge research that occurs on campus and the prospect of learning from professors/graduate students about their projects.
Favorite things about MCB: As scary as it might sound, I love how much of biology is still unknown. MCB is a dynamic puzzle with so many of its pieces missing, and all research contributes to uncovering and placing another piece in the right place. In addition, I love the flexibility and specificity of MCB courses and research, which allows you to explore the topics you’re most interested in.

In addition, what really makes the UIUC MCB program special is the extensive collaboration that occurs between students and faculty, resulting in a supporting community. Any question or idea can create a platform for another groundbreaking discovery.

Name: Erin Davy
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am actively involved in various capacities. As a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, a professional chemistry fraternity, and part of the LAS Global Leaders Program, I thrive in both academic and leadership roles. At the Sweedler lab, I contribute as an undergraduate research assistant, specializing in mass spectrometry experiments for protein analysis. Outside the lab, I stay active through intramural soccer and volleyball, and I enjoy exploring the Champaign area.
Favorite Place to Study: I work well in busy areas, so I love to study in the Union. Espresso Royale is also one of my favorite places to go since I always drink coffee while I work.
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: On campus my favorite is Mia Za’s but in downtown Champaign Big Grove Tavern is also a great pick.
Why you chose the U of I: My decision to attend Illinois was solidified during my campus tour. The vibrant atmosphere of the quad, with students engaged in activities like hammocking and games, resonated with me. On the tour I was also captivated by the opportunities for undergraduate research, which aligned perfectly with my aspirations. The school spirit and sense of community sealed the deal, and I knew I wanted to be a part of this exceptional university!
Favorite things about MCB: I appreciate the diversity of career goals within the School of MCB. It’s inspiring to learn alongside peers who share my passion for science but have unique aspirations. The dedication and enthusiasm of the professors enhance my learning experiences and expand my fascination with human biology and the way it creates how we live today. It is clear to me that all the MCB professors love what they do and enjoy teaching it as well.

Name: Abby Gonzalez
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB
Hobbies/Activities:  I am a part of Phi Delta Epsilon, Mentors in Medicine and Caring Companions Initiative. Off-campus, I volunteer at A.D.O.P.T Pet Shelter, the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, and with hospice. In my free time, I like to work out, dance, hang out with friends, and binge-watch TV shows.
Favorite Place to Study: Quiet floor of Grainger
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Texas Roadhouse!!
Why you chose the U of I: UIUC is close to home, so I get to see my family whenever I'd like
Favorite things about MCB: The advisors and professors are great, there are tons of resources and the classes are really interesting! 

Name: Ritika Jawale
Preferred Pronouns: Any
Year in School: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: drawing, baking, reading
Favorite Place to Study: Dailybyte
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Oozu Ramen
Why you chose the U of I: I chose to attend the U of I because of its large and diverse campus. I wanted to meet new people while also not being too far from home. I was excited to meet new people and explore the many opportunities that this school provides. Plus, the U of I has a great biochemistry program that makes it very easy for students to get involved with undergraduate research.
Favorite things about MCB: Some of my favorite things about being an MCB major is that anything we learn in class has a real world application. Even small cell processes can have a major effect on our lives. Another reason I love biology is that no biological problem has a simple answer, instead, each discovery leads to many more complex questions. Part of what makes the subject so fascinating is that there is an unlimited amount of information waiting to be uncovered.

Name: Akshita Kendai
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Senior
Majors: MCB & Psychology 
Minor: Informatics
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am involved in various different activities. I’m the president a Bollywood fusion dance team called Zindaa UIUC. I am also on the Social Committee for James Scholar Student Advisory Board and a member of Beta Psi Omega, a professional Biology Fraternity. In my free time, I like to bake, dance, binge-watch TV shows/movies and hangout with my friends.
Favorite Place to Study: Campus Instructional Facility, Brew Lab, and Main Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: My favorite restaurants on campus would be Sakanaya and Oozu Ramen.
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the strong academic STEM programs. The university also has extensive opportunities in research that aligns with your academic interest and has great resources for students. There is a flexibility to pursue multiple interests, such as combining biology with data science and more which allows one to enhance their skillset and open up diverse career paths. With strong connections to industry and research, UIUC has great opportunities that helps students gain hands-on experience to prepare them for future careers.
Favorite things about MCB: All the topics we learn in MCB have so much connection to real-world application, and it’s fascinating to understand the intricate details of how your body works and the processes that goes behind it. I also love the major because it gives you the freedom to choose different advanced topics from neuroscience to immunology and more. 

Name: Cesar Maldonado
Preferred Pronouns: He, him, his
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB Honors Concentration
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am the Vice President for the RSO Global Medical Training. I am also a Screening Coordinator of the Illini Medical Screening Society. I am also engaged in MCB research through the Jie Chen Lab working on muscular regeneration. I also have an on-campus job as a Pre-Health Ambassador for the Career Center. In my free time, I like to stay physically active, primarily by lifting weights.
Favorite Place to Study: Funk ACES Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Huaraches Moroleon
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the vast amount of opportunities it provides. There are many academic courses and programs at each student’s disposal. Also, there are many other extracurricular opportunities, ranging from registered student organizations to different professional and networking events (such as career fairs). Finally, I admired the university’s accomplishments with their research endeavors and wanted to help make scientific contributions.
Favorite things about MCB: I chose MCB because of my goal to become a physician, an aspiration born from my curiosity in human biological systems that grew in a variety of classes. The major also helped me develop professionally by providing events about opportunities on campus or preparing for med school. Finally, being an MCB student allowed me to find a research lab that heavily aligned with my biggest interests and allowed me to gain valuable experience and knowledge.

Name: Kendall McFarlin
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB Honors Concentration
Minor: Music
Hobbies/Activities: I love music and I play the trumpet and bass in a few bands. My favorite is the Marching Illini! I also love listening to music, especially Taylor Swift. In my free time, I read lots of fantasy novels and play Dungeons and Dragons. I also enjoy crocheting, playing karaoke with my friends, and feeding my Starbucks addiction.
Favorite Place to Study: My favorite place for writing papers and reports is the ACES Funk Library, but I also love the whiteboards at the Siebel Center for Design for memorizing lots of information.
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Mia Za's
Why you chose the U of I: I grew up near the campus and fell in love with the electricity on campus fueled by connectedness and diversity. My hometown is relatively small, so I wanted to go somewhere with a completely different atmosphere where I could experience more perspectives, ideas, and backgrounds. I’ve been able to pursue so many things that have made me well-rounded and a better person as well as a better student.
Favorite things about MCB: My brain has always liked understanding how something works, whether this is opening up a piano or putting together a PC. MCB allows me to explore and understand in this way. It feels like a puzzle that you get to put further together with each class you take. It allows you to dig deeper into processes that happen around us everyday.

Name: Iman Mohajir
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB 
Minors: Spanish & Public Health
Hobbies/Activities: On campus I am a part of the American Medical Women's Association and Positive Premeds. I am also a volunteer for Avicenna and am involved in undergraduate research in Dr. Supriya Prasanth's lab where I study the role of the Orc6 protein in DNA replication and the DNA damage response. Off campus, I am a Healthcare Tech at OSF. During my free time, I like to spend time with friends, bake, crochet, and read!
Favorite Place to Study: Main Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Poke Lab or Bangkok Thai
Why you chose the U of I: I loved how many opportunities there were for students to get involved in research, RSOs, and so much more. Being at such a large school, you meet so many different people. There's an amazing community here of people who are here to support you and help you however you need.
Favorite things about MCB: I love how applicable and interesting the classes are! There are so many different course offerings that allow you to really personalize your studies and apply it to your future career goals. There are also so many opportunities to get valuable research experience.

Name: Gabby Nathan
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB Honors Concentration
Hobbies/Activities: Outside of classes, I work as an undergraduate researcher in a biological engineering lab (Perez Lab), where we are working on using gene editing technology to treat and cure a number of genetic conditions. I also recently got my EMT license and will be working with IEMS this semester as an EMT at various school sponsored events. In terms of RSOs, I recently joined the fundraising committee for Global Medical Training, a club dedicated to teaching and preparing students to provide underserved communities with healthcare abroad. I am also a member of the Illini Medical Screening Society where we provide students with the skills to provide our community with free health screenings. I recently had an internship in a Pathology lab where I worked under Dr. Marsha Apushkin and aided in the processing of specimens. In my free time, I spend my time playing music with my band and making art with my friends! Freshman year of college can be daunting in so many aspects, so if you have questions or need some advice, reach out!

Name: Shivam Patel
Preferred Pronouns: He, him, his
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am currently a research assistant in the Nutrition and Human Microbiome Laboratory. I am also a LAS James Scholar Peer mentor and volunteer at Carle Foundation Hospital in the Pediatrics Department. In my free time, I love to play basketball or go workout at the ARC. I also enjoy spending time with friends and visiting different places on campus.
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Sooie Bros
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the extensive amount of opportunities that it had to offer when it came to academics and professional experiences. On top of this, UIUC has a great social scene with students attending from all over the world. It truly is a very welcoming environment.
Favorite things about MCB: One of my favorite things about MCB is how any class that you end up taking can be applied to your real life. Whether the class is teaching you about cells or informing you more on cancer, you can always apply the knowledge you learn to your real life. I think that this makes MCB very beneficial as it teaches you about many important health-related events that occur in our on-going lives.

Name: Diya Shah
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Minor: Public health
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I'm the media chair of a pre-health fraternity Alpha Epsilon Delta, a member of the Illini Medical Screening Society, and a volunteer with Avicenna. I also am a research assistant at the Nutrition and Human Microbiome Lab. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and reading. 
Favorite Place to Study: CIF 3^rd Floor
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: On campus, Shawarma Joint,  but off campus, Himalayan Chimney.
Why you chose the U of I: I chose U of I because it's a large school that offers countless opportunities for involvement in RSOs, research, and professional development. Even with its size, I knew I'd be able to find my community- and I certainly have. I always say you can make a big school small by finding your community, but you can't make a small school big. That's certainly true for U of I.
Favorite things about MCB: What I love most about Molecular and Cellular Biology is how it explains the "whys" of daily human life. Everything we learn in our classes has real-world applications, making it both fascinating and relevant. I also really appreciate how collaborative the MCB program is—everyone is so passionate about helping and teaching each other, which creates a supportive and motivating environment.

Name: Ramiya Shanmugam
Preferred Pronouns: She, her, hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB
Minor: Public Health
Hobbies/Activities: I love to dance, play the violin, volunteer, watch some of my favorite TV shows, and hang out with my friends in my free time.
Favorite Place to Study: Campus Instructional Facility
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Chipotle
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC for many reasons. I knew it offered many opportunities to help me prepare for my career, I heard it had an amazing social life, and I heard MCB was challenging and rewarding due to the complexity of the classes.
Favorite things about MCB: I love how the major studies the detail of the fundamental unit of life. We learn each of those details and somehow piece it together to learn about an organism as a whole in terms of properties and function.

Name: Nini Zhorzholiani
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: Neuroscience 
Minor: Psychology 
Hobbies/Activities: I love going on long walks with my friends, trying new recipes, listening to podcasts, and people-watching. I am also involved with the volunteering department at Carle Foundation Hospital and am currently the Student Leader for the Digestive Health Institute. 
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Bangkok Thai
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the various opportunities and resources that are available to students, and even alumni. As a first-generation student, I was excited to get the full “college experience” that my parents had dreamed of. UIUC provided the perfect combination of academics and social involvement opportunities, while still being relatively close to home. 
Favorite things about MCB: I especially love the Neuroscience major, and have learned so much through my classes during my undergraduate years so far. I feel that neuroscience is a perfect combination of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and even psychology that keeps me engaged and wanting to know more. As someone on a pre-health track, I also appreciate how helpful and knowledgeable the advising team is, and how many resources are available for MCB students to be successful.