Our Staff
Cori Isbell
Instructor Manager
Cori graduated with her degree in Molecular Biology from Pomona College, and she plans to continue her education with a PhD/MD-PhD. She’s originally from small-town Kansas and now lives in San Francisco. Her strong interest in research has led her to become a staff research associate for UCSF, where she contributes to HIV cure research. Cori also has an extensive background in other research topics spanning from plant transcriptomics to double-stranded DNA break repair mechanisms in yeast. Cori has a passion for teaching and making STEAM fun for everyone. She believes that everyone should have access to a great education with instructors who love teaching. She hopes to enable all kids to explore their curiosities and find their love for something. Outside of academia, Cori loves to do anything outdoors, actively faces her fears by being a rock climber, loves finding new food spots and is an avid supporter of boba.
Marcos Villasenor
Career Compass program Manager
Marcos is a dedicated professional in the medical device manufacturing field. Currently working at Align Technology, he is developing new products, streamlining processes, and learning new skills whenever the opportunity approaches. Marcos also spends time with Young STEAMers managing their Career Compass program that brings industry professionals to speak with teens and young adults about potential careers in their fields
Casandra Newkirk
Social Media
Casandra is a North Carolina native with a degree in marine science. She has a passion for arts, primarily circus arts, and science which is why she is excited to be lending her time to the Young STEAMers initiative. Casandra loves the ocean and would be there all the time if she could. She spends her spare time reading and cuddling with her chocolate lab Zeus
Hailey Rosales
Executive Assistant
Hailey is from Modesto, California and recently graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Human Biology. She has a passion for being a mentor and instructor by empowering young learners to show off their creativity and making learning accessible to all. Hailey is continuing her education by attending optometry school where she hopes to provide culturally competent eye care and make it more accessible to underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, spending time with friends and family, and volunteering to provide free eye care to veterans.
Annette Tovar
Development Assistant
Annette is a Modesto native who graduated with her degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University. She is currently pursuing an M.S. in Psychological Research at the same university focusing on bilingual language development. She has a passion for highlighting bilingualism as an advantage. She is excited to support young learners in embracing their STEAM skills.
Fernanda Vizcarra Munoz
Marketing and Fundraising
Fernanda brings a strong background in digital marketing, with experience in content creation, SEO, organic growth strategy, and paid media campaigns. She is excited to support Young STEAMers’ mission of making STEAM education accessible, engaging, and inspiring for all kids and families. Originally from Mexico City and now based in San Francisco, Fernanda loves exploring the Bay Area, staying active with workouts, and spending time with her cat and her boyfriend.
Some of Our Passionate STEAM Instructors:
Sebastian Gonzalez
Sebastian is from Chula Vista, California, and recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Astrophysics and Physics. Passionate about science outreach, he founded a sidewalk astronomy program through the Undergraduate Astronomy Society, inviting passersby to explore the night sky. He also taught astronomy as an undergraduate instructor and hosted star parties to spark curiosity about the universe. Sebastian later worked at the Lawrence Hall of Science as an education facilitator, guiding visitors through interactive exhibits and planetarium shows. His research in astrophysics focuses on massive stars and supernovae, and he plans to pursue graduate studies to continue this work. In his free time Sebastian does amateur astronomy and astrophotography as well as studies other subjects such as history, paleontology, and zoology (he used to do trivia competition back in high school). He also enjoys doing origami, hiking, weightlifting, and watching football. (GO NINERS!)
Taylor Balish
Taylor's journey with teaching started when she was a freshman in high school, and started volunteering at a daycare. Taylor volunteered for two years before started working there. While at the daycare, she began tutoring, and I fell in love with it. It was this passion that led her to Young STEAMers, and continue to teach kids about the wonders of science.
Skye Baoung
Skye has a diverse background in teaching, creativity, and STEM. She first worked with students as a volunteer dance instructor at a Korean school and later taught swim lessons to students of all ages. In high school, she discovered CAD design, which sparked her interest in engineering and led her to study Civil Engineering before transitioning to Design. Skye enjoys blending creativity with problem-solving and hopes to encourage students to use both as they learn and explore new ideas.
Charu Garapaty
​Charu Garapaty is a Bay Area native and a graduate of UC Santa Barbara with her BS in Geophysics and a Professional Writing Minor in Science Communication. She is passionate about Earth Science, Environmental Science, and teaching. In college and in her early career, Charu has worked to teach local communities about the environmental issues affecting them and how community members can help mitigate these issues. Charu spends her free time gardening, hiking, baking, or crocheting something colorful!
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Carina Leveroni
Carina is a graduate student at Stanford University, where she is pursuing her M.S. in Genetic Counseling. Beginning this fall, she will study the role genetics plays in health and disease while developing the psychosocial counseling skills needed to support patients and families through complex medical decisions. She earned her B.A. in Biology from the University of San Diego, with minors in Chemistry and Biomedical Ethics. Her interdisciplinary background reflects her passion for combining science, empathy, and communication to improve patient care.
Madeleine Chiang
Aya Khin Minn
TBA
Tobi Ajetunmobi
TBA
Andrea Villegas Ayala
TBA
Ashley Mendoza
Ashley is a Bay Area native with a love for logic and reasoning, currently pursuing a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Bilingual Education. Ashley’s background as a first-generation Latinx American ignited her long-standing passion for expanding educational opportunities in underserved communities. Before beginning her undergraduate studies, she served as a literacy tutor for English as a Second Language students. She has since supported and strengthened after-school enrichment programs across several elementary schools in the East Bay. Ashley currently works as an integrated classroom aide, collaborating with teachers and students in a variety of high school math, biology, and chemistry classes. Dedicated to bridging the gap between marginalized communities and access to education, Ashley deeply believes in Young STEAMers’ mission. She is excited to help inspire young students to explore STEAM through active, creative, and engaging projects. In her free time, Ashley enjoys long walks in nature, roller skating, solving jigsaw puzzles, playing Sudoku, and collecting figurines.
Karandeep Takhtani
TBD
Theodore Leung
TBD