Passionate about animals from a young age, Justin grew up in South Florida fascinated by reptiles and amphibians. This curiosity led him to pursue a Zoology degree at Oregon State University, where he developed an interest in animal physiology. In 2021, Justin earned his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of North Texas, focusing on reptile physiology and their adaptations to extreme environments. As an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Justin  expanded his research to hibernation and temperature regulation in mammals. Now based in the Bay Area, Justin is beginning a scientist role at UC Berkeley. Alongside his research,he is deeply committed to science education and inspiring underrepresented groups to see STEM careers as both attainable and rewarding.

Dr. Ti'ara Griffen is a scientist and native of Memphis, Tennessee. She acquired her Bachelor's of Science in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University. She later pursued a PhD in Biomedical Sciences in Morehouse School of Medicine focused in Cancer Biology and Bioinformatics so she could help cure cancer from analyzing genetic information. Her hobbies include learning and teaching the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu martial arts to children and playing video games.

Marcos is currently studying at San Jose State University pursuing a degree in Engineering Technology and a minor in Business. He is looking to lead the manufacturing field into a more sustainable future. He has gained some experience in the medical devices manufacturing field through an internship he had just finished. Marcos has a passion for teaching and mentoring. He has been a part of a mentorship program for his old high school in the Central Valley and spent time tutoring as well. He hopes to teach later on in his life after he works in the engineering field. Marcos is very excited to be a part of Young STEAMers as he believes in its mission and values to help give everyone equal opportunities at education.

​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!

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!)

Leland is studying for his Kinesiology degree and always found science intriguing. He aspire to become a student athlete in the near future with hopes to play professionally. "Teaching at  Young STEAMer hardly feels like a job. Teaching science to these kids brings light to my week, and I absolutely love seeing these kids learn and retain previous lessons". ​

Maryam graduated with her Bachelors in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution at CSU East Bay. She is originally from Tracy, CA but has found that the Bay Area has her heart. Maryam is passionate in conserving the biosphere we call home through research and education. She has field experience in aquatic ecology and is eager to expand her knowledge as a researcher in the future. In addition to her passion in ecology, Maryam also enjoys working in education to inspire students to turn dreams into realities. She previously worked at CSU East Bay as a Student Advisor for the Renaissance Scholars Program and Peer Academic Coach to help students break barriers standing in the way of their academic goals.      As a STEAM Instructor, she is honored to work alongside youth to help shape the next generation of future innovators and changemakers. Coming from an underserved background herself, she understands challenges that students may encounter, and is committed to helping  every student plant the seeds for their future. Maryam believes after school organizations such as Young STEAMers, are crucial for allowing students to figure out the big picture of who they eventually want to become.   In her downtime, Maryam enjoys being one with nature, traveling, and rescuing/taking care of animals in need.

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.

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.

Estefany is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from UC Merced with a minor in Management and Business Economics. As a first-generation student from Guatemala, she is passionate about making STEM education fun and accessible for kids. Estefany enjoy helping young students explore engineering through creativity, hands-on learning, and curiosity-driven projects.

TBA

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.