Calvin

Emphasis: Immunology, Track 1

Activities:  Acts2Fellowship, Youth Support Program

Post graduate plans: Medical school or Nursing school

Fall 2009: MCB 104, IB 131/131L, IAS 115

Classes completed: all lower division requirements, MCB C100A, MCB C103, MCB 150

Hello everyone! I'm a fourth year pre-med student and I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you! Making decisions about classes, majors, emphases, and especially career path can be very stressful. But that's why we're here! Over the past three years, I have received so much good advice and guidance from older students and advisers. I hope I can do the same for all of you. So don't be shy and come over to the office to talk with myself or one of the other wonderful advisors! By the way, I am more than happy to talk to you about anything: from extracurricular activities I'm a part of, to how to get research positions, and even how much I love soccer but am horrible at playing it!

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Sunil

Emphasis: Cell & Developmental Biology

Research: Frechet Lab (Chemistry)

Activities: Student Learning Center (SLC) organic chemistry tutor, Premedical Honor Society

Post graduate plans:  Graduate school in chemistry

Fall 2009: Physics 8A, MCB 102, IB 131, Afro 28AC, Chem H194 honors research

Classes completed: all lower division requirements except physics 8A and 8B, IB 140

Hi, my name is Sunil and I am currently a third year pursuing the CDB emphasis. I have thus far enjoyed my time at Cal by making the most of my opportunities. Through my time at Cal, I have realized that gaining knowledge to ensure my success is important, but giving back to my home, school, and community can be even more rewarding. This thought compels me to be a peer advisor so that I can assist you in making choices that hopefully enhance your time at Cal. Please feel free to drop by the MCB office to chat with me regarding anything you need advise on from classes, professors, MCATs, GREs to extra-curricular activities.

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Vuong

Emphasis: Cell and Developmental Biology, Physiology track

Research:  DeWeese Lab

Activities:   Sigma Mu Delta Premedical Fraternity, Health and Medical Apprenticeship Program (HMAP) field study internship teaching assistant, Cal Sports Medicine intern

Post graduate plans: Medical school

Fall 2009: MCB 102, MCB 104, ESPM 50AC, Astro C10, IB 117

Classes completed:  all lower division requirements, IB 131, IB 140, NS 106, MCB 136

Hey guys my name is Vuong and I’m a 4th year pre-med. If there’s anything I want you guys to learn from taking the time to read this bio, it is to use me and the office as your greatest resource. I would love for you to come by the office and use us. Really it would be enjoyable for the both of us. If you guys have any questions, we probably have the answers. If it’s a question about why MCB majors are so awesome, or why being a pre-med is the only thing you could think of doing out of high school, we’re here to help. Not only am I willing to talk to you about course planning, but I want to talk to you about life planning. That’s right, and maybe we can even become Facebook friends after too. But please, don’t follow me on Twitter.

In all seriousness, I consider myself an oldie here at Cal now, so my bundles of experience could be very useful to you. If you’re curious about medical school, the MCAT, clinical experience, or choosing MCB, don’t be shy to visit the office and say hello, and I’ll try my best to make it worthwhile for you. We’re friendly people (for the most part). See you all in the fall!

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Melody

Emphasis: Immunology, Infectious Disease (Track 2)

Research: Yaswen Lab (LBNL)

Activities: Harvest Berkeley Church college fellowship, labor coaching with Asian Health Services, intramural volleyball

Post graduate plans: Medical school

Summer abroad experience: Internship at Evergreen in Shanxi, China (2009), Public Health in China Program with Northwestern and Tsinghua University in Beijing, China (2008), Medical Mission to Costa Rica and Nicaragua with International Service Learning (2007)

Fall 2009: Stats 2, MCB 132, MCB H196B honors research

Classes completed: all lower division requirements, MCB 102, MCB C103, MCB C142, MCB 150

Hello! I became a peer advisor to share my love for MCB and shed whatever light I can on how to get the most out of your academic and professional preparation at Cal. I began researching at the Yaswen Lab in April of my freshman year and have never left. I was an officer for the Cal Undergraduate Public Health Coalition my sophomore year and loved Public Health so much I considered doubling with MCB up until my second semester sophomore year. I value international health and my commitment to it has led me to study, volunteer, and intern abroad during my three summers. Most of my exposure to the local community is through labor coaching, where I use my bilingual skills to translate for pregnant women in the labor and delivery room. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, spinning at the RSF, running, swimming, and being with my Christian fellowship. As a pre-med applying to go straight into medical school, I have dealt with not only the pre-reqs, but also planning when to study for the MCAT's (I took them in January 2009), asking for letters, and becoming familiar with the application system. If you have questions about anything I just mentioned or about other things like where to find the best bakery in Berkeley (yum!), please come visit me and ask!

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Saima

Emphasis: Immunology, Infectious Disease (Track 2)

Research: Rollins Lab

Activities: mcbUSA, HMAP TA

Post graduate plans: Medical school

Fall 2009: MCB 136, IB 131, PH 142

Classes completed: all lower division prerequisites, MCB 102, MCB C103, MCB C142

Hi, my name is Saima and I am a fourth year undergraduate majoring in MCB.  My emphasis is in Immunology, Infectious Disease, and I can answer any questions you have about this emphasis or any of the other MCB emphases. I have been involved with mcbUSA since my freshman year and have learned a lot about the major as well as resources that will benefit you here at Cal. I am currently involved with research and can advise you about choosing the right lab position for yourself. I have also been an HMAP intern which was an invaluable experience. I know that pursuing a degree in MCB can be overwhelming at times, but please utilize our services since we are here to help you make decisions so that you enjoy your time here at Berkeley as much as we have.

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Dippy

Emphasis: Genetics, track 1

Activities: Martial Arts, Suitcase Clinic volunteer

Research:  Harland lab

Post graduate plans: Graduate school

Fall 2009: MCB 140, Psych 140, Music 27, MCB H196A (honors research)

Classes completed: all lower division requirements, MCB C100A, MCB 110, MCB 141

Hi, feel free to call me Dippy. I am a fourth year genetics and development major. Drop by sometime and talk to me about classes, research, volunteering, your post graduate plans or your experiences at Cal. I was pre-med when I first came to Cal, not sure whether it was the right thing for me. I have been doing research at the Harland lab since my second semester freshman year and it has opened my eyes to a whole new world beyond just med school. I would love to share my experiences with you and we can talk together to figure out anything you might be wondering about.

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Gloria

Emphasis: Biochemistry, Track 1

Research: Bustamante lab

Activities: The Triple Helix, Berkeley Engineering and Mentors, MCBcDNA

Post graduate plans: Medical research

Fall 2009: MCB 110, MCB C160, Physics 8B, BioE 143, Art 13, Chem H194

Classes completed: all lower division requirements, MCB C100A

Hi everyone, I am Gloria and I am a 3rd year MCB major. Please feel free to come by and talk about any question you have regarding the major, yourschedule, research, or any other MCB related topic. I started working in the Bustamante Lab since fall semester during my freshmen year, and I have also done multiple research internships at NIH and HHMI Janelia Farm Research Campus. If you have questions about looking for research opportunities or summer internship, definitely drop by! I also have some experiences in scientific writing for scholarships or grants and would be really happy to help you on those. I have done research in biochemistry, biophysics, andneuroscience so far and if you have questions about these fields, or just anything about Berkeley & MCB in general, I would be very happy to share my experiences with you.

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Tracy

Emphasis: Cell and Developmental Biology

Minor:  Music

Research: Zilberman Lab (Plant and Microbial Biology)

Activities: Koinonia, Chiropractic intern

Post graduate plans: Chiropractic school

Fall 2009: MCB 132, MCB 104, IB 131L

Classes completed: all lower division prerequisites, MCB 102, IB 131, IB 132, ESPM 144

Hello everyone! My name is Tracy and I'm currently a 4th year doing CDB and pursing a Music minor as well. Trust me, I was really confused and stressed out about figuring classes and learning to balance it with other activities and etc and of course, figuring out what I wanted to do after college when I first arrived at Cal. But there are so many people and so many resources that have helped me to feel comfortable with the choices I've made every step of the way, and I really hope to be a valuable resource for all of you as well! We're here to help you to make the most of your undergrad
experience here at cal and help push you forward into your future. If you ever have any questions about CDB, pursing a minor along with MCB, different activities available, research or even questions about alternative healthcare or Chiropractics, please come by and visit me! I'll be happy to provide help and pass down information that others have helped me with over my years at Cal. Really looking forward to meeting you in the fall!

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Arman

Emphasis: Cell & Developmental Biology
Double major: Economics

Research: Cooper Lab (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab)

Activities:  Resident Assistant, Security Coordinator, Berkeley Free Clinic, Highland Hospital Emergency Department Volunteer, Pre-medical Honors Society Officer, SAT Instructor/Tutor, Statistics Grader, Issues Medical Journal

Post graduate plans: Medical school

"Hi everyone! My name is Arman and I am a fourth year MCB & Economics double major. I am originally from Irvine but Berkeley really has become a second home to me. I am really excited to be a peer advisor for MCB this semester and I really encourage all of you to take advantage of this wonderful resource. Feel free to come and ask me questions about MCB courses, professors, double majoring, medical school, MCAT, research, clubs, activities or just about life at Cal in general. For all of you who have not declared MCB or want to switch to MCB from a different major, I can help you with that because I switched from Bioengineering and declared MCB as my major during my sophomore year. Whether you are a freshmen or a continuing student, a declared MCB major or just considering MCB as major, please feel to drop by the MCB Undergraduate Affairs Office in 2083 VLSB during office hours and someone should be able to help you. I hope to get to meet a lot of you this coming semester!"

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Katie

Emphasis: Neurobiology

Activities: MCBcDNA, Alpha Chi Sigma (chemistry fraternity)

Post graduate plans: Medical school

Fall 2009: MCB 104, ISF 100D, IB 117, Neuro C 129

Classes completed: All lower division requirements, MCB 102, MCB 163, MCB 136, MCB 165, MCB 160

Hi, I am Katie and I am a Neuro emphasis in my fourth year but last semester here at Cal. I currently work at the USDA doing genetics research and I have already completed the MCB Honors program through my work with the Winer Lab. I’ve already taken my MCAT but plan to take a year off before medical school. If you have any questions regarding pre-med stuff, what classes to take, study tips, research, writing a thesis, or campus life in general then please stop by and I will do my best to answer them.

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Harrison 

Emphasis:  Neurobiology

Research:  Mark Tanouye Lab   

Activities:  Sigma Mu Delta Premedical Fraternity, Health and Medical Apprenticeship Program (HMAP) coordinator

Post graduate plans: Medical School

Fall 2009: MCB 163, Astro C10, IB 117, Psych 133, Psych 140

Classes completed:  all lower division requirements (for MCB and Psychology), IB 131/131L, IB 140, MCB 102, MCB 136, MCB 160, Psych 101, Psych 156, Psych 160

Hey everyone! My name is Harrison and I am a 4th year premed student. When I entered Cal as a freshman, I just wanted to do everything I could in these four years. I tried being MCB as well as business administration, wanting to apply to Haas in the process. But after talking to a lot of people and thinking about my life goals, I knew it wasn't the path for me. I ended up sticking to premed and double majoring in MCB and psychology only after a lot of help and advice. I'm sure that many of you have also or are currently asking yourselves the same kinds of questions, so I want to help you out.
I think some of the best resources this school has to offer students is the variety of advising services. What I want you guys to know about me is that I'm always ready to help you out and answer your questions. We peer advisors have been in your shoes and know the frustration of figuring out what classes to take, what major to pursue, and what we want to do with our lives. Just come by the office any time and we'll extend a helping hand. Believe it or not, I enjoy helping you guys out, whether the questions are about being a premed and taking the MCATs or just discussing the meaning of life. We are here for you with the goal of making your time here at Cal easier and less confusing. And if you want to come in just to talk about your day and why you think MCB majors are so cool, that's fine with me too. Just think of me as that friend who always knows what classes are interesting and when would be the best time to take them. All of us in the office are pretty cool people and like it when you guys come in to say hi. So I hope that along your journey here at Cal you manage to find our door so we can do our best to help you on your way. I really look forward to meeting all of you.

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