MCB Leaders

Name: Vraj Patel - President
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Year in School: Senior
Major: Neuroscience
Minors: Chemistry & Psychology 
Hobbies/Activities: I am an undergraduate researcher in the Sweeney Lab, studying the brain as it relates to feeding circuitry and behavior. I am also a Course Assistant for STAT 200 and CHEM 332, President of the RSO Brain Matters, a volunteer with Avicenna Community Health Center, and an LAS Honors peer mentor. In my free time, I like to watch movies and TV, hang out with my friends, and explore new places on campus!
Favorite Place to Study: Funk ACES Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: On-campus, Shawarma Joint. Off-campus, Thara Thai
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the variety of opportunities here. On top of the excellent courses, we have the chance to be involved in so many other aspects of college, such as research, student organizations, and social groups. I also love the large but walkable campus and the constant opportunities to meet new people. Another bonus is that I’m still in my hometown!
Favorite things about SMCB: As a neuroscience major, I love the opportunity we have to explore whatever it is that interests us about this vast field. The major combines multiple disciplines, and the courses we take explore the topics of neuroscience from these various angles, making the material more engaging. With the School of MCB, I enjoy the community we have of students in similar but distinct majors, getting to learn about each other’s fields and interests.

Name: Emily Vo - Vice President
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB Honors Concentration
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I'm the Treasurer for the pre-health fraternity Alpha Epsilon Delta and a volunteer with Crisis Nursery and REACT. I also conduct research on extracellular vesicles in Dr. Bagchi's lab. In my free time, I like to go on walks, read, or play board games with friends.
Favorite Place to Study: Chemistry Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: So Gong Dong
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I wanted to be part of a school that values student engagement. The university's research opportunities, diverse campus community, and variety of student resources made it feel like the perfect place to grow academically and personally. On top of that, I loved the idea of a large campus with a strong sense of community, and being close to home sealed the deal!
Favorite things about SMCB: One of my favorite things about being an MCB major is the close-knit community I've found through the honors concentration. It's made such a large campus feel more connected. I also enjoy the flexibility to choose classes that align with my interests and their applications in the real-world.

Name: Isabella Igbo - Secretary
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: Neuroscience 
Minor: Psychology
Hobbies/Activities: Roller skating, ice skating, crocheting, video games
Favorite Place to Study: Siebel CS
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: bbq.chicken
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC for its familiar environment, allowing me to stay close to home, attend the same school as many of my friends and family, and explore several opportunities that develop my academic/professional career.
Favorite things about SMCB: I loved the versatility of the classes I could take. The general biology courses really do cultivate your interests in more specific upper-level classes; I appreciated how the professors suggested these courses if we showed interest in certain topics we learned. It's nice to learn that they're also teaching those courses.

Name: Rob Kemp - Treasurer
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: I've been an avid fisher ever since I was little, I enjoy reading and journaling, and I (sometimes) enjoy watching the Bears play football.
Favorite Place to Study: ACES (Funk) Library.
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: The Blind Pig in downtown Champaign.
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I wanted to receive a competitive education from one of the top schools in the state of Illinois. Staying close to home kept me connected to my support network, which has been vital to my well-being. I also wanted to attend a larger school because I love the lively campus atmosphere and the abundant opportunities to join student organizations & connect with different people.
Favorite things about SMCB: My favorite thing about being an SMCB major has been seeing how the stuff we learn in the classroom is reflected in the real world. Professors often teach about the interesting experiments which have led to our current understanding of molecular and cellular biology.

Name: Alexia Roeva - Membership
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Majors: MCB & Psychology
Minors: Chemistry & Adult Development
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am the president of my Pre-Health Fraternity Phi Chi. I am also an undergraduate research assistant in the Grosman Lab and a Chemistry 105 TA. I am really passionate about diversity and inclusion. I serve as the director of inclusion of my Panhellenic sorority and a DEI committee head of Society of Women in Public Affairs, a professional women’s organization. In my free time I enjoy running, listening to music, and going to coffee shops.
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger Library and CIF
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Bangkok Thai
Why you chose the U of I: Going into college, I was looking for a big school with a vibrant campus town. When I visited UIUC, I fell in love with how welcoming and diverse the campus was. I loved the broad range of opportunities available and the community of people that made up campus. There are so many ways to get involved, meet new people, and grow as a person.
Favorite things about SMCB: I love the diverse range of classes that are offered! They give you the opportunity to both find and explore your interests. I also really enjoy the specificity of the classes. It is very interesting to learn about how systems and processes so small can have such a big impact on life. I have always been curious about how things work and being a part of the SMCB allows me to explore this in a way that applies to my future.

Name: Mesoma Akpuokwe
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB + DS
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I’m involved in the Health Analytics Society, volunteer at Carle, and serve as a course assistant for STAT 207. I am also an undergraduate researcher in the Llano Lab, where I help analyze the transcriptional profiles of cells involved in auditory processing. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, reading, and drawing!
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger Engineering Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Northern Cuisine
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of its vibrant community! When I first toured campus, it was amazing to see everyone out and about and getting involved. There are also so many opportunities for pre-health students, and I was able to meet tons of people who are on similar journeys. You meet so many different people every day, and it has been so nice getting to know everyone and becoming involved in the community.
Favorite things about SMCB: My favorite thing about being an SMCB major is definitely the diversity of classes I get to take. There are so many interesting elective courses to choose from, allowing you to explore different aspects of biology, from microbiology to computational biology. I also love how supportive the professors and staff are. They have been incredibly helpful in supporting my learning and helping me thrive in my studies.

Name: Paloma Alvarez
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Minors: Chemistry & Spanish
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am the High School Outreach Chair for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. I am also a Chem 104 TA and a member of Delta Delta Sigma. In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, building LEGOs, and side questing!
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger 3rd Floor or Sidney Lu
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Caffe Paradiso and Zhangliang Malatang
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the diverse community it provides. As a Big 10 school, I knew UIUC would have a strong sense of school spirit and a good social presence. It has a huge student population and a classic college town. In addition to this, UIUC provides excellent academics, especially for STEM majors. Because of these aspects, I knew UIUC was a place for all students no matter the difference in interests and focuses.
Favorite things about SMCB: As an MCB major, one of my favorite things is being able to physically demonstrate in lab the concepts we learn about in lecture. For me, it helps me retain the information long term and keep my enjoyment in my classes. I also love the community within the MCB major. Each semester, I have classes with a lot of the same people. Because of this, I have been able to make meaningful connections and have a community of support from my peers.

Name: Gabriel Arnold
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Hobbies/Activities: I play instruments, I am a member of the Marching Illini, love to read classic literature, watch any kinds of movies/tv shows, and have been dabbling in baking.
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Shwarma Joint
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because it was close to home and had the avenues I was looking for to propel my education and professional development forward. I also spent a lot of time here with my family growing up and was familiar with campus. In a way it just felt like the right decision.
Favorite things about SMCB: My favorite part of being an SMCB major is studying a field of science that makes major breakthroughs every day. It is constantly evolving and shows how much we still don't know and are only just beginning to figure out. To me, that is just really fascinating.

Name: Grady Calder
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Year in School: Senior
Majors: Neuroscience & Psychology (Clinical)
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: I enjoy watching and playing both hockey and football, and spending time with friends in my social fraternity. I am also with the Alcohol Research Lab on campus, and I volunteer as a peer grief counselor.
Favorite Place to Study: The second floor of the Natural History Building.
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
Why you chose the U of I: I was initially only a psychology major, and I was really impressed with both the program's depth and the research opportunities. When reviewing the schools I got accepted to I realized that I kept hoping for reasons to prefer Illinois, so it felt like the right choice.
Favorite things about SMCB: Since adding a neuroscience major I have really come to appreciate how many different classes the university provides. Because the university is so large there is more room for niche subjects which has allowed me to find entire courses dedicated to my specific interests. For example, this semester I am taking a class on neurophysiological analysis where we are learning how to use python to process neurological data.

Name: Emma DeBaene
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Majors: MCB & Nutrition and Health
Minor: Business
Hobbies/Activities: I am in two undergraduate research labs here on campus, under Dr. Ivanov and Dr. Naireet. As well as a sorority, Pi Beta Phi, and a professional fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Delta. In my free time I love endurance sports and making watercolor prints for my friends and family!
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger 2nd Floor
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Sakanaya
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I felt like this school would offer me an academically enriching experience while also allowing me to grow as myself and as a young professional. I absolutely love all the clubs and activities I was able to get involved with and could not be more appreciative of their contribution to my career.
Favorite things about SMCB: I love our community. Our department as a whole is quite vast, but I still see a lot of the same faces as I have gone through all of my classes!

Name: Hannah Fors
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Minors: Chemistry & Psychology
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I'm a part of Beta Psi Omega, a professional biology fraternity, as well as Phi Sigma Sigma, a social sorority. I also work at the University of Illinois Foundation as a Student Engagement Specialist. In my free time I love being outside, staying active by going on walks and running, and exploring campus.
Favorite Place to Study: Espresso Royale
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Forage Kitchen
Why you chose the U of I: I felt like UIUC offered everything I was looking for in a college, including rigorous academics, passionate school spirit, a beautiful campus, and endless opportunities. 
Favorite things about SMCB: I love the community within SMCB. Every TA, professor, and advisor I've spoken to has offered so much advice, support, and gudiance. I've also gotten to become close friends with a lot of my classmates, who I've learned a lot from and are great to rely on.

Name: Kaylee Holmes
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Minors: Chemistry & Psychology
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I’m involved in Phi Chi, a pre-health fraternity, Phi Sigma Rho, a sorority for STEM majors, and GEMS (Global Empowerment for Medical Support), where I’m on the board. I also volunteer at Carle and CCCHC near campus. In my free time, I love running, reading, playing guitar, and drawing!
Favorite Place to Study: CIF or Brewlab
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Fiesta Cafe
Why you chose the U of I: I didn’t originally choose UIUC, but I kept wondering what if I had. After briefly attending another school, I couldn't get UIUC out of my mind and decided to transfer! Being closer to my family and home was important to me, but I also loved the MCB program. I was drawn to the focus on molecular biology instead of just biology like most schools. UIUC is also the perfect size: big enough for opportunities, yet still a place where you can find a close-knit community.
Favorite things about SMCB: I love chemistry and biology, so being an MCB major allows me to combine two of my favorite subjects. I also feel that MCB prepares me extremely well for my pre-med goals through its strong core foundation classes and the wide variety of upper-level courses. I love that you can choose classes that go more in-depth into medical topics or explore areas of biology that interest you, allowing you to really tailor your education to your interests.

Name: Jesnitzy Jimenez Velazquez
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Majors: MCB Honors Concentration & Spanish
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I volunteer as a Spanish translator at Avicenna and tutor with The Education Project. I also participated in a health volunteer trip to Panama, where I worked as a medical and dental assistant. I am involved in two research projects, one in the Women’s Health and Metabolism Lab with Dr. Madak-Erdogan and another focused on health communications with graduate student Sara Babu. I’m also involved in Healthy Smiles, Delta Delta Sigma, and Global Medical Training. Back home, I work as a dental assistant, and at UIUC, I work in the MCB Prep Lab and tutor Organic Chemistry I. Outside of school, I enjoy weightlifting and anything related to cosmetics.
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger 4th floor
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Kung Fu Tea
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of its vast student resources and opportunities at a large state university. I was especially interested in participating in research, and UIUC offered countless opportunities to explore my interests. The university’s strong cancer research community was particularly appealing to me, and I have really enjoyed learning from and contributing to research through the cancer center. These experiences have helped me grow as a student while deepening my appreciation for the impact of healthcare research.
Favorite things about SMCB: One of my favorite aspects of being an SCMB major is the faculty. I have consistently found them to be supportive and genuinely invested in their students’ success. Each professor I have encountered is passionate about their field and dedicated to helping students develop a strong understanding of complex concepts.

Name: Emily Klemens
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Majors: Neuroscience & Psychology
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am involved in a behavioral neuroscience research lab studying the effects of social isolation on cognitive function. I am also the Co-President of the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Alliance and a student leader with Carle. I also serve as a lab TA for CHEM 105. In my free time, I enjoy reading, crocheting, going to the gym, and hanging out with friends!
Favorite Place to Study: The Campus Instructional Facility or the Psychology building
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Dim Sum House
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the many opportunities it provides for students academically, professionally, and socially. UIUC provides an excellent education and preparation for obtaining jobs and internships or pursuing higher education. I've also met some amazing individuals here that have allowed me to expand my horizons and learn more about different cultures.
Favorite things about SMCB: I love how supportive the SMCB community is. It's a great feeling to walk into a classroom and immediately recognize familiar faces in the seats. Everyone is helpful and wants to meet new people, and you form such close friendships and connections with your classmates!

Name: Miranda Moulis
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am involved in a social sorority, the Pre-PA Club, and the GH Foundation, where I serve as Fundraising Chair. I also work as a Personal Assistant at Beckwith Residential Support Services and volunteer at the Hope Center Food Pantry. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, going on walks, and hanging out with my friends.
Favorite Place to Study: ACES Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: The Bread Company
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I wanted a school that would challenge me academically while also giving me the opportunity to have a fun and social college experience. I have loved being part of a big university because there are so many different organizations, clubs, and opportunities to get involved in that I never expected to find.
Favorite things about SMCB: One of my favorite things about being an SMCB major is definitely the people. I have never been in a class where I felt like I couldn’t ask another student for help, and I really appreciate how willing the professors are to help as well. I also really enjoy how interesting and applicable the material is. This makes even the more challenging classes exciting to learn.

Name: Natalie Nusgart
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am a member of Beta Psi Omega and CHARM, and I also volunteer with Avicenna. I work as a research assistant in the Ranoa Lab, where we study CAR T-cell therapies for solid tumors. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and spending time with friends.
Favorite Place to Study: Main Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Northern Cuisine
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I wanted to attend a school with strong academics while also having plenty of opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom through RSOs, research, and volunteering. I was especially drawn to the undergraduate research opportunities and the wide variety of organizations on campus. I also really liked the sense of community at UIUC and felt that it would be a place where I could explore my interests while preparing for my future goals.
Favorite things about SMCB: One of my favorite things about being an SMCB major is the sense of community. I’ve gotten to know so many people through my classes and experiences within SMCB, and some of them have become my closest friends! I also love how many opportunities there are to get involved in research and explore different areas of biology.

Name: Sindhu Rao
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry 
Hobbies/Activities: I love reading books and crocheting! I also love learning new instruments; I play the flute and am learning the ukulele and piano. On campus, I volunteer at Carle Hospital and I am starting a new organization called the Reproductive and Fertility Initiative. I am also part of 2 research labs where I do bioinformatics and am researching Type 1 diabetes.
Favorite Place to Study: Main Library or the Union
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: I love Oozu and Naya!
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I wanted a school that would challenge me academically, had really good research opportunities, and had a diverse student body. I got all 3 of these at UIUC and the campus is so pretty as well!
Favorite things about SMCB: I love being a biochemistry major because I truly enjoy everything about the field. I always get excited to go to my classes because I am interested in what we're learning about and I also love the research and practical applications that the field of biochemistry offers. On top of that, there is such a welcoming community at UIUC where you can always find help and resources through SMCB.

Name: Leah Rupp
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: On campus I am a Chemistry 104 TA and an undergraduate research assistant. I am also the treasurer of both Sudden Cardiac-Death Awareness Research Foundation (SCARF) and Brain Matters. In addition, I serve as a Wellness Peer at McKinley, MCB BEST Scholar peer mentor, and volunteer for the Food Assistance and Wellbeing Program. In my free time I like to read, hang out with friends, and watch basketball.
Favorite Place to Study: Main Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: The Bread Company
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because of the extensive amount of opportunities and resources offered to students. UIUC creates a sense of community that I believe will best allow me to grow academically and professionally. Being on such a large campus, it is very easy to get involved and meet new people. The many opportunities UIUC has to offer will form a foundation that will allow me to pursue a successful career.
Favorite things about SMCB: As an MCB major, I have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of advanced upper-level courses. Many of the courses have real world applications, which allows students to make genuine connections to the material. I am also very grateful for all of the amazing resources and workshops available for students. MCB helps make a big campus small, allowing students to build meaningful connections and develop a strong sense of community.

Name: Sebrina Sebastian
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Junior
Major: MCB
Minor: Chemistry & Spanish
Hobbies/Activities: On campus, I am an active member of Phi Chi Pre-Health Fraternity and the outreach chair for Heart of Kindness and Medicine4Youth. I am also an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Rhodes' exercise lab, which studies physical contractions in the brain. Along with that, I volunteer in multiple departments at the Carle Foundation Hospital. Outside of the STEM world, I play the flute in the Campus band, and I love trying new restaurants with my friends!
Favorite Place to Study: Main Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Shawarma Joint
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I wanted to be part of a large school community that had a strong research emphasis. Coming to campus, I loved seeing how many RSOs, organizations, and resources were available to students. It's so incredible to have numerous opportunities to try new things while also working on my own academic and professional goals.
Favorite things about SMCB: I love how diverse the MCB classes are. When you take the introductory SMCB classes, you're often talking about topics at a surface level. However, professors usually tell the students which upper-level classes would dive deeper on certain lecture ideas. I'm so excited to take more classes that align with my personal interests and see how they apply to the real world!

Name: Sara Severin
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year in School: Senior
Major: MCB
Hobbies/Activities: In addition to MCB Leaders, I am also a part of Letters of Love which is an RSO that makes cards for children in the hospital. We have themed meetings ranging from holiday cards to character cards! Last semester, I had the most wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Pavia, Italy through the School of MCB!! In my free time, I enjoy going on walks, watching tv/movies, listening to music, and reading!
Favorite Place to Study: Main Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Mia Za's
Why you chose the U of I: I chose UIUC because I truly feel that there is something for everyone to get involved in on campus. There are a wide variety of RSOs that cater to interests in sports, language, volunteering, mental health, and much more. With UIUC, you have the ability to make the campus as big or as small as you want to. This school is also prestigious in itself and has outstanding academics along with school pride. Everyone here is proud to wear the colors orange and blue!
Favorite things about SMCB: There are many things that I enjoy about the SMCB major. For one, I feel that the content I am learning in class is very interesting and seeing it relate to the bigger picture of the human body is fascinating. Also, as classes become more specified, the community becomes tighter-knit. You start to see familiar, friendly faces in classes and the SMCB building. I love the MCB learning center because it is a great place to study as well, and the SMCB advisors are so kind and helpful.

Name: Surajh Yogeswaran
Preferred Pronouns: He/him/his
Year in School: Junior
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Chemistry
Hobbies/Activities: Singing, reading, listening to music, watching movies/TV shows
Favorite Place to Study: Grainger Library
Favorite Restaurant in Champaign/Urbana: Shawarma Joint
Why you chose the U of I: There are a few reasons why I chose UIUC: first, it was close to home, giving me the chance to be around friends and family I already know. Secondly, I get to experience living in a vibrant campus town full of people and places to explore. And most importantly, the outstanding academics and opportunities available here, from world-class research facilities to a thriving network of student organizations, offer everything I need to grow both professionally and personally.
Favorite things about SMCB: One of my favorite things about being an MCB major is how the coursework constantly connects to real-world applications. I also love the community; the students and faculty are genuinely passionate about science. And honestly, the challenge itself is rewarding; MCB pushes you to think critically, and getting through that together with your peers builds real camaraderie.