Passionate and driven growing up, I had a deep-rooted fascination for reptiles and amphibians. Hailing from Miami and nurtured in the vibrant landscape of South Florida, my early encounters with these captivating creatures ignited a lifelong pursuit of understanding their adaptations. Fueling my passion, I embarked on a transformative journey at Oregon State University, where I pursued a Zoology degree. It was there that my curiosity took a turn, leading me to develop an interest in the intricate workings of animal physiology. In 2021, my dedication and perseverance were rewarded as I proudly received my Ph.D. from the University of North Texas, specializing in the field of biology. Throughout my doctoral research, I dedicated my efforts to unraveling the mysteries of reptile physiology. This experience broadened my horizons, deepening my understanding of the diverse adaptations that enable animals to thrive in extreme environments. To further expand my expertise, I was honored to be awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. This recognition propelled me to the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where I studied hibernation and temperature regulation in mammals. Exploring the intricate interplay between these remarkable animals and their environments, I gained invaluable insights into their unique strategies for survival. I recently moved to the Bay Area and will begin working as a scientist at UC Berkeley in the fall. Throughout my STEM career, I have been passionate about science education and giving back to underrepresented groups in science. Hopefully, providing them with the inspiration that this path is not only attainable but fruitful.

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'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.

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.

​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!

Maddie is from the East Bay Area and is currently studying chemistry at UC Berkeley. She loves teaching and has experience coaching youth figure skating classes and tutoring students in chemistry. As a lifelong artist, Maddie is especially excited about exploring the connection between STEM and art, something she explored further as a gallery manager at her high school’s art gallery. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating, drawing, and listening to music.

Studying biology and Spanish, Aya is a second-year student at Santa Clara University. As a trilingual pre-med student, she is committed to clear communication and aspires to become a dermatologist. Outside of the classroom, Aya can be found enjoying a cup of coffee while working on her next artistic project.

Jaden is a Public Health student at the University of San Francisco and an aspiring pediatrician with a passion for helping children learn, grow, and recognize their potential. With experience leading hands-on science experiments, creative art projects, and interactive STEM lessons, he enjoys transforming learning into an exciting adventure. At Young STEAMers, Jaden hopes to strengthen his teaching and leadership skills while inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

My name is Josiah and I'm currently a rising 3rd year at San Francisco State University. I'm majoring in Biology with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology, with aspirations of going into the medical field. Right now, my interest in medicine includes pediatrics and emergency medicine. I'm excited to be working with Young STEAMers to foster a meaningful community created through science.

My name is Aditya and I am currently a senior in High School. I love teaching, and I am always excited to share my passions with others. Some of my interests include: engineering, water polo, basketball, video games, and spending time with friends.

My name is Chantall and I'm a current sophomore at UC Berkeley studying Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR). Originally from Tucson, Arizona, I aim to use systems and analytical problem-solving to help build and support real-world communities. I also love working with kids and have hands-on experience mentoring youth musicians as a violin instructor. In my free time, I enjoy going out to grab some coffee, playing my violin, and exploring new places.