MCB Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program

Hi everyone! My name is Alisha Xiong and I am a senior majoring in MCB and Chemistry, pursuing certificates in Infection Biology and Microbiology. On campus, I’m a research assistant in the Gaj Lab, where we engineer and optimize CRISPR systems to develop potential therapies for various neurodegenerative disorders.  My project aims to evaluate the efficacy of our lead CRISPR-Cas systems in animal models of Huntington’s Disease. In addition to research, I love teaching and mentoring as an MCB 151 TA and prep staff. I’m also a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-… more

Hi! My name is Abby Gonzalez and I’m a senior pursuing medicine. On campus, 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. I know transitioning into college can be scary, but UIUC is an amazing school and I’m here to help you in any way I can. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

Hello! My name is Ritika Jawale, and I am a senior majoring in biochemistry and minoring in chemistry. After graduation, I want to pursue my Doctorate in Pharmacy. I am currently a part of Dr. Shapiro’s lab on campus, and have learned many laboratory techniques as well as life skills. Being part of a lab has helped me find my love for research, and I can see the concepts that I have learned in class be applied to real life situations. In my free time, I like going on walks, baking, and painting. I love spending time outside, especially sitting on the quad. I understand that college… more

Hello! My name is Nini Zhorzholiani and I am a senior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Psychology. After graduation, I plan to attend dental school and become a dentist. I am passionate about guiding individuals the best I can through my experiences and have loved being a mentor in the past. I also am a student leader with the volunteering department at Carle Foundation Hospital, currently for the Digestive Health department. I also work as a CNA at a nursing home back in my hometown, and love getting to work with seniors. For fun, I love to cook, work out, and travel. I plan on… more

Hi guys! My name is Saniya Zaidi and I am a senior majoring in MCB with a minor in Public Health. I'm currently on the Pre-Med track, and have a huge interest in the field of oncology. On campus, I am a research assistant in a Comparative Biosciences lab where we study infertility and germ-cell development. Along with that, I am the President of a non-profit organization called the Illini Thaakat Foundation, a Student Leader at Carle Hospital in the OB Services Department, and a volunteer in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. In my free time, I like to cook, watch movies, or hang out with my… more

Hi! My name is Kendall McFarlin, and my pronouns are she/her. I’m a senior majoring in molecular and cellular biology honors and minoring in music. I’m hoping to become a doctor someday! I love working with kids, so I’m currently leaning towards pediatrics. I’m a CNA, which is a great way to see the medical field from an up-close perspective. I worked in Dr. Mahoney’s comparative bioscience lab for a year and I currently work at the MCB Advising Office and the Sousa Archives. I’ve played trumpet in lots of bands on campus, including both athletic bands and concert ensembles. I'm also… more

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.

Hi, I am Justus Omowumi (he/him) and I’m a junior in LAS, majoring in Neuroscience. I aspire to become a Neurosurgeon as I am very interested in Neuroscience and its related fields. I have worked as a pre-calculus tutor at the SSC for a year and a half. I’m also involved in REACT, a program that offers undergrads the opportunity to present awesome chemistry experiments to elementary, middle, or high schools to get the students there interested in chemistry. I’m on the board of a relatively new pre-med organization on campus called LinguaMed, which aims to educate its members on… more

Hi! My name is Iman Mohajir (she/her) and I'm a junior majoring in MCB and minoring in Spanish and Public Health on the pre-med track. On campus I am the Vice President of the American Medical Women's Association and the VP of Internal Affairs for 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… more

Hello everybody! My name is Cesar Maldonado. I am a senior majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology Honors on the pre-med track. I am also a James Scholar and part of the Campus Honors Program. I am the Vice President for the RSO Global Medical Training and a Screening Coordinator for the Illini Medical Screening Society. I am also engaged in MCB research at the Jie Chen Lab on a project focusing on muscular regeneration, currently working on my senior thesis. In addition, I work an on-campus job as a Pre-Health Ambassador for the Career Center. In my free time, I like to stay active… more

Hi guys! My name is Neha Bashir! I am a senior majoring in the MCB Honors Concentration and double minoring in business and chemistry on the pre-med track. On campus I am the treasurer of the Illini Medical Screening Society, where we work to provide free medical screenings to the underserved and underinsured in the Champaign-Urbana area. I also serve as a volunteer chair of Avicenna Clinic RSO, Fundraising Chair of the Pakistani Student Association, Mentorship Coordinator for the Muslim Student Association, and a writer for Brain Matters. I am McKinley Student Populations Health Program… more

Hello all! My name is Zoe Daniel and I am a senior in MCB. My major campus involvements include undergraduate research in Dr. Wilson's lab, where my project focuses on modifying the activity of bacterial toxins. I also studied abroad in Stockholm during the Spring semester of 2024, and I love talking about my semester abroad so if you have any questions about the program please reach out! I also help prepare for MCB labs, specifically MCB 251. My other hobbies include playing cello and reading. I am also a huge fan of the great outdoors and I have roadtripped to 46 states and 20 national… more

Hello! My name is Gabby, and I am currently a Junior majoring in MCB Honors on the pre-med track. 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… more

Hey everyone! I’m Diya Shah, a Junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Public Health, currently on the Pre-Medical Track. Beyond academics, I’m actively involved as the Media Chair of Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), a pre-health fraternity, and a member of the Illini Medical Screening Society. I am also a volunteer with Avicenna, a free medical health clinic, where I contribute as a part of the outreach team. My interests also extend into research. I am an undergraduate research assistant at the Nutrition and Human Microbiome Laboratory where I explore how diet and… more

Hey everyone! My name is Shivam Patel and I am a Junior studying Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Business. I am currently on the Pre-Med track and involved with many different clubs and organizations here on campus. I am currently an undergraduate research assistant in the Nutrition and Human Microbiome Lab. I also volunteer at the Carle Foundation Hospital in the Pediatrics Department and work as a CAN back at home. In my free time, I love playing basketball or working out at the ARC. I have also been getting more into Pickleball lately and enjoy playing that… more

Hello! My name is Ramiya Shanmugam and I am a senior majoring in MCB with a minor in Public Health and Chemistry. Currently, I am on the pre-med track hoping to apply to medical schools soon. On campus, I am the president of a dance team, Illini Bhangra, and took part in a Professional Fraternity, AED. I also work in the Office of Minority Student Affairs as a tutor as well as volunteer as a tutor for Dr. Axelson in Organic Chemistry. As for research, I am a part of PNC research lab which studies the relationship between aspects of kinesiology and cognitive functions. Lastly… more