Undergraduate Research

Opportunities Center

N e w s l e t t e r | S P R I N G 2 0 2 5

2025 Graduating Class

UROC Researchers

UROC is proud to play a role in the development of education ownership, intellectual vibrancy, and scholarly identity in our CSUMB students. This growth allows students to not only move into the next phase of their academic careers, but also better prepare for the intellectual challenges they will encounter. We congratulate the following UROC students who will embark on a whole new academic journey around the country and globe this coming fall.

Alex Cantrell

UROC Researcher

Master's in Counseling & Guidance

San José State University

Katelyn Huie

UROC Researcher

Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine

Tufts University



Yeritzi Victoria

McNair Scholar

Ph.D. in Educaiton

UC Irvine

Oscar Murillo-Espinoza

McNair Scholar

Ph.D. in Mathematics

Oregon State University

Samantha Ulloa

McNair Scholar

Ph.D. in Communicaiton

UC Santa Barbara

Efrain Ramirez

McNair Scholar

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

University of North Texas

Autumn Day

Koret Scholar

Master’s in Psychology

San Diego State University



Levi Mahler

McNair Scholar

Master of Arts in Global Governance and Policy

Monterey Institute of International Studies

Sarina Regis

McNair Scholar

Master of Science in Forensic Science

Virginia Commonwealth University

Madi Loewen

Koret Scholar

Master’s of Legal and Forensic Psychology

UC Irvine

Moises Reynoso Colin

UROC Researcher

Master's of Public Administration

The American University

Jasmin Juarez-Gonzalez

McNair Scholar

Master's in Environmental Science

CSU Monterey Bay



Samantha Kozlo

UROC Researcher

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology

Montana State University

Angelique Loera

Apple Scholar

Master's in Health Management and Policy

University of Michigan

Tiva Rocco

UROC Researcher

Ph.D. in Computer Science

North Carolina State Univeristy

And a Round of Applause Goes to...

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Goldwater Scholar 2025, Awarded!

Congratulations to Reina Yorba-Rico, Psychology, who is the latest recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship,the most prestigious undergraduate award for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the country. We celebrate along with Reina and her faculty mentors in the Department of Psychology: Dr. Renee Penalver, Dr. Jennifer Dyer-Seymour, Dr. Justin L. Matthews on this fantastic accomplishment.  

Reina’s career goal: “I aim to earn a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology. I am passionate about researching intersecting areas of cognitive psychology and education to address the needs and inclusion of underserved communities.” 

The Trustees of the Goldwater Board awarded 441 Goldwater scholarships, from an estimated pool of over 5,000 college sophomores and juniors, 1,350 science, engineering, and mathematics students from 445 academic institutions.

CSUMB was one of only two CSUs to be awarded this year and this is the second consecutive year a CSUMB psychology major has won this prestigious award. With this year’s awards, CSUMB continues its consecutive streak of students winning this nationally competitive award since 2019.

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Costa Rica Winter Research Expedition 2025

A small but stalwart group of CSU students participated in this year’s Costa Rica Research Expedition, which was once again supported by CSU-LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation). Students joined from across the CSU-LSAMP network, with participants representing Fresno State, Chico State, Stanislaus State, Cal State Channel Islands, and Cal State Monterey Bay. The expedition this year was centered on microbiome research, with a special focus on cacao investigating plant-microbe-insect interactions. Participants gained skills in field sampling and DNA extraction and sequencing. 

Data were collected at Finca La Iguana Chocolate, a family owned organic chocolate farm in a small Costa Rican agrarian village, and analyzed at La Selva Biological Research Station, an internationally recognized field station for tropical field research. Participants also spent time in Santa Maria de Dota, a small town in the coffee highlands in the world-famous Tarrazú region, and even got to spend a day on the coast where they toured Manuel Antonio National Park. 

Find out more about the program & check out the Instagram page to see more!

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CSU Student Research Competition 2025 Results

The California State University Student Research Competition (CSU SRC) was held this past April, hosted by Cal Poly University Humboldt. The CSUMB Delegates presented across 2 days in six different categories alongside 240 students representing all 23 campuses. 

Congratulations to Denisse Emetorio, who won 2nd place for their presentation “Comparing Brain Organoid Profiles from Different Embryonic Stem Cell Lines” in the Biological and Agricultural Sciences category!

• Kaitlyn Alvarez and Ty Takahashi, Marine Science; Sandy Beach Habitat Variability of Pismo Clam (Tivela stultorum) Populations within Monterey Bay; CSUMB Faculty Mentor, Dr. Alison Haupt; Competition Category: Biological and Agricultural Sciences
• Guy Baz, Kinesiology; Assessing Neuromuscular Fatigue After Doubles Pickleball Tournaments; CSUMB Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Martin; Competition Category: Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences
• Skye Cardoza, Marine Science; Demystifying Stress: A Model to Identify and Quantify Stress in Captive Southern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris nereis); CSUMB Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cheryl Logan; Competition Category: Biological and Agricultural Sciences
• Bailee Costa, Kinesiology; Comparison of Subjective Fatigue of Men and Women to Step Counts in a Doubles Pickleball Tournament; CSUMB Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Martin; Competition Category: Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences
• Ryan Merriam, Kinesiology; Predictors of Success in Doubles Pickleball; CSUMB Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Martin; Competition Category: Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences
• Daniel Northouse, Kinesiology; Possible Singles Pickleball Predictors Related to Point Differential; CSUMB Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Martin; Competition Category: Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences
• Tia Papapietro, Kinesiology; Heart Rate Alterations and Game-specific Associations in a Top 10 Internationally Ranked Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Throughout A Double Elimination Invitational Tournament; CSUMB Faculty Mentor: Dr, Steven Machek; Competition Category: Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences
• Luke Rockenbaugh, Kinesiology; Interrater Reliability Aspects of the Pickleball Serve Penetration Test; CSUMB Faculty Mentor: Dr. Eric Martin; Competition Category: Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences

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Summer Research Fun

Every year, students in the UROC Scholars and McNair Scholars program are encouraged and supported to apply to summer research experiences outside of the UROC Summer Researchers Program. Participating in these experiences can help students clarify career interests and post-graduation plans while strengthening written and oral communication, critical thinking, and technical skills. It also provides exposure to other branches within one’s discipline that students may never have even thought about. 

Check out some of the programs in which some of our Scholars are participating:

Melanie Abarca, Psychology, McNair Scholar: This summer, I will be making a return to the Midwest to attend the University of Missouri, Columbia, as a participant in the Scientific Study of Interpersonal Relationships Across the Lifespan NSF REU program. I am excited to expand my knowledge by researching in a different discipline under renowned faculty, such as my primary mentor, Dr. Kale Monk. This is my first time in Missouri, so I am looking forward to trying the food, making good friends, and exploring the area.

Sam Minard, Social and Behavioral Science, UROC Scholar: This summer, I will be participating in the Weather, Climate, and Society (WCS) REU at University of South Florida in Tampa, under the mentorship of Dr. Jennifer Collins and grad students Brooke Page and Cassandra O'Connor. The research I will be joining concerns how people communicate and understand natural disaster risk information regarding hurricanes. In addition to interviewing stakeholders including emergency managers, National Weather Service personnel, and broadcast meteorologists, I will also be analyzing survey data from the general public in Tampa. The insights will be used to improve how scientists communicate weather information to the public and how local officials interpret it to better protect public safety. When I have free time, I'm looking forward to going birding in this exciting new ecosystem, visiting the Clearwater Aquarium, and enjoying the local beaches.

Audrey Longan, Environmental Science, Technology, & Policy, UROC Scholar: I'm going to Northern Arizona University for a summer REU. I will be working on multiple projects including eco toxicology on zebrafish, endangered frogs and other amphibians, and macro invertebrates. I’ll also be presenting my findings at the conclusion of the summer. I'm also excited to spend the summer in Flagstaff and explore areas I have yet to see in Arizona. I am especially excited to return to the Grand Canyon.

Aaron Wickware, Marine Science, McNair Scholar: I am excited to have a research internship exploring applied ocean physics and engineering with SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography. I will be working on novel research, dropping and creating a new instrument called a RIFT. The new instrument will be deployed in Antarctica, to measure the rate of sea ice inland retreat, essentially measuring global sea level rise. I am particularly excited to do research in my hometown of San Diego.

Wren Pinkela, Psychology, UROC Scholar: I’m thrilled to be participating in the University of Iowa’s Summer Research Opportunity Program! I will be researching under the mentorship of Dr. Dan Tranel in the Department of Neuropsychology, working in a hospital with neurological patients. I will also be assisting a graduate student with her research project, entitled “Clock drawing in neurological patients.” I am excited for my research knowledge to grow and for the great opportunity to study in Iowa this summer!

Gema Gomez, Agricultural Plant and Soil Science, McNair Scholar: This upcoming Summer, I will be participating in the e-Sustainability Opportunities for Agricultural Research REEU Summer Program at the University of Minnesota. I will be working with Dr. Julie Grossman's lab in the Soil Science and Nutrient Management program, where I’ll be working with cover crops inside high tunnels for the first time. I'm eager to explore Minnesota and experience all the beautiful natural attractions it has to offer. I’m especially excited to gain hands-on skills and learn alongside an amazing group of researchers and professionals!

Abraham Porras-Vargas, Biology, UROC Scholar: I'm joining the Edwards Lab at Harvard University under the mentorship of Kelsie Lopez, a former McNair Scholar. I’ll be studying scrub jay genomes to identify signs of selection and evidence for sudden or gradual speciation. This will be my first experience with genetic research, and I look forward to jumping in with help from my mentor, and to someday do the same for other aspiring researchers. I am also very excited to visit many of the museums Boston has to offer. I also really hope I can see a horseshoe crab.

Reina Yorba-Rico, Psychology, McNair Scholar: I will be conducting research in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, under Dr. Aireale Rodgers. This research will focus on creating a conceptual model and establishing design principles for advancing equity-minded pedagogical change within Geoscience departments nationwide. In the future, we intend to expand this pedagogical change to become generalizable to other departments. I am so excited to gain experience in education research at the #1 school of education in the US and explore Madison, WI!

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UROC Alumni Update

Checking in on some of our alumni and their most recent accomplishments.

• • •

Celebrating Publishing

Congratulations to the following newly published UROC alumni and their research faculty!

Levi Mahler, McNair Scholar. 2025. The Activists’ Choice: Ballot Initiatives as a Step Towards Pro-Choice Efforts. Culture, Society, and Praxis.

Jenna Slusser, UROC Researcher. 2025. Accessibility, Artistry, and Mathematics: A Visual Proof of Heron’s Result. Convergence.

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CSU Pre-Doctoral Sally Casanova Award:

New Recipients & Summer Research Awardees 

Congratulations to the following CSUMB students, 5 undergraduates and 1 graduate student, who have been named 2025-2026 Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars.  In coordination with their faculty mentor, each scholar will receive an award of $5,000 to support graduate school and professional development endeavors for the upcoming award year.  Honorable Mention awardees will receive access to the Scholar community and designated activities.  

Sally Casanova Pre-Doc Scholars

• Melanie Abarca, Psychology; Dr. Jennifer Lovell.
• Kiley Appleby, Psychology; Dr. Jennifer Lovell. 
• Reina Yorba-Rico, Psychology; Dr. Renee Penalver.
• Heaven Smith, Psychology; Dr. Jennifer Dyer-Seymour.
• Abraham Porras-Vargas, Biology; Dr. James Guilinger.
• Ava Besecker, Marine Science; Dr. Cheryl Logan. 

Sally Casanova Pre-Doc Honorable Mention

• Nancy Espitia, Psychology; Dr. Justin Matthews.
• Skye Cardoza, Marine Science; Dr. Cheryl Logan. 

Notably, this year marks the largest class of Sally Casanova Scholars in CSUMB history. 

The CSU PreDoctoral program is designed to increase the pool of potential faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of California State University students. The program places a special emphasis on increasing the number of CSU students who enter doctoral programs at one of the University of California institutions. 

Interested in learning more about this scholarship? 

Pop into an information session on June 19. Check out MyRaft to sign up. 

The 2026-27 scholarship application cycle will open in December 2025.

And…. 

Congratulations to the 2024-25 cohort of Sally Casanova Scholars, now CSUMB alum,  for earning summer research stipends to conduct research at the following institutions June-August 2025:

• Alyssa Walter, Marine Science, will conduct summer research at Oregon State University.
• Saba Shah, Human Development and Family Science, will conduct summer research at Princeton University. 
• Laura Flores, Psychology, will conduct summer research at UC Davis.
• Samantha Ulloa, Psychology, will conduct summer research at UC Santa Barbara.

• • •

Year End Celebration 2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the UROC Year End Celebration! We celebrated all our graduating UROC Scholars, Koret Scholars, McNair Scholars, UROC Innovation Scholars, and UROC Researchers, who contributed to co-curricular scholarly activity . Enjoy some pictures from a fantastic afternoon!

Philip, Hailie, and Gabe thrilled to receive their UROC stoles.

Nelsy Montes-Romero with her husband (left) and research mentor Dr. Ignacio Navarro (right).

The Watershed Ecology Lab came in full force.

Autumn, Abby, and Amira couldn't be happier to get their UROC stoles

The 2025 UROC Peer Writing Mentors, led by Natasha Oehlman.

Joab Pimentel, poses in front of his end of the year appreciation slide.

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CSMB Commencement 2025

Enjoy some pictures from CSUMB Commencement on May 17th, 2025.

McNair Scholars Samantha Ulloa and Yeritzi Victoria

UROC Researcher Valerie Aring and Innovation Scholar Liam Campbell

LSAMP participant Samantha Morales

UROC Scholars Kiley Appleby and Orion

UROC Scholars Josie Wrinkle, Lilah Wise, and Alyssa Walter

McNair Scholar Derek Flores

UROC Researchers Hailey Christian and Paola Cabezas

Innovation Scholars Tiva Rocco and Rafael L.S Reis

UROC Scholar Annie Hansen, McNair Scholar Sarina Regis, and Innovation Scholar Raquel Rodriguez

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Summer Research Symposium 2025

Mark your calendars! The annual CSUMB Summer Research Symposium will take place on Friday, August 15th, 8:30am - 4pm at the Tanimura and Antle Family Memorial Library. The Symposium will feature a research poster gallery and oral research presentations. Join us!

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Winners of the annual CSUMB Staff and Faculty Softball Game