INSTRUCTORS
Nicole Yen, M.S., M.A.T.
Program Coordinator/ Lead Instructor
Nicole (she/her/hers) developed the Research Scholars, Marine Science Program in 2021. She is formally trained as a marine biologist studying deep sea connectivity and biodiversity using molecular tools and graduated from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 2017. She also specializes in curriculum development and received a masters in teaching from USC in 2019. In her free time she loves hanging out with her two English bulldogs, Mr. Jones and Bruno, boxing, and drawing.
Email: nyen@ucsd.edu
Interests: 🥊🥼🔬🐕🪸🎨
Sonya Timko, M.S.
Lead Instructor
Sonya Timko (she/her/hers) is a current Ph.D. Candidate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the Jennifer Taylor Lab. Her research focuses on the thermal ecology of crustaceans and their microhabitats. Sonya currently teaches courses that use technology such as FLIR Cameras to examine how organisms exchange heat with their environment. Sonya has taught for Pre-College programs since 2017 and now is a lead instructor for RSMS.
Programs: RSMS San Diego and Hawai’i
Email: setimko@ucsd.edu
Interests: 🥽🔬🥼🏳️🌈🦀🎮
Alberto Rivera, M.S.
Instructor
Alberto (he/him/his) is a current Ph.D Student in Octavio Aburto’s Lab and previously studyied larval thermal tolerance and oxygen respiration at the University of San Diego. After studying at Tufts University, Alberto worked as a lead educator in Los Angeles and New York City helping students from underserved communities get into great high schools. Now, he helps manage Aburto Lab projects and tasks. Alberto lives by a mantra to always have purpose beyond oneself.
Program: RSMS Hawai’i
Email: alr052@ucsd.edu
Interests: 🤿🐟🥼⚽
Ariel Rabines, Ph.D.
Instructor
Ariel Rabines (he/him/his) is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Integrative Oceanography Division at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Ariel currently also teaches Microbiology with Lab for UCSD Extended Studies. His research focuses on investigating the ecological, evolution, and biogeochemistry of phytoplankton and other microbes. Ariel has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and leads our courses involving eDNA biomonitoring using nanopore technology in Southern California.
Program: RSMS San Diego (2025, 2026)
Interests: 🧫🔬🥼🐕
Fernando M. Vazquez, Ph.D.
Instructor
Fernando Melendez Vazquez is a marine biologist specializing in fish evolutionary biology, who earned his PhD from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego in 2025, where he studied the evolution of unique traits across the fish tree of life under the advisement of Dahiana Arcila. He is now based in the New York City Metropolitan Area as Manager of the Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History, and is a recipient of the 2024 UC San Diego Grad SLAM second-place award and the University of Oklahoma’s Provost’s Award for Outstanding Engaged Teaching.
Programs: RS Puerto Rico (2026)
Kiirah Green, M.S.
Instructor
Kiirah Green (she/her/hers) is a PhD student in the Marine Biology program at Brice Semmens Lab. Her research focuses on environmental DNA (eDNA) and computational analysis to develop tools for assessing high-priority species and ecosystems within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Kiirah is also a passionate explorer of the deep sea and is working on utilizing eDNA to support marine conservation efforts and restoration projects.
Program: RSMS San Diego (2025)
Interests: 🤿🧬🪱🐟🔬
Marc Piercy, Ph.D.
Instructor
Marc (he/him/his) is a lecturer and researcher at UCSD. His background is in the study of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), chromatin remodeling, and protein quality control and is passionate about understanding the fundamental mechanisms that govern biological processes. He leads our bioluminescenc/fluorescence and the environment research projects.
Program: RSMS San Diego (2025)
Interests: 🚴🏽♀️🧪👶🏼🎮
RESIDENTIAL ADVISERS
Karar Aljadeed
He/Him
Karar Aljadeed is a recent graduate of UC San Diego, where he earned his degree in Human Biology and Clinical Psychology. He is passionate about exploring the intersection of the body and mind, particularly in relation to health and well-being. With three years of experience as a Resident Assistant, Karar has developed strong skills in student support, leadership, and community building. He is dedicated to creating inclusive environments that foster personal growth and meaningful connections.
Program: RSMS Hawai’i
Erica Sanchez
She/Her/Ella
Erica Sanchez is a recent graduate of UC San Diego, where she earned her degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in General Biology. A first-generation Mexican-American, she served as president of UCSD’s Ballet Folklorico La Joya de Mexico and spent three years as a Resident Assistant for Revelle College, where she focused on fostering student community and support. Erica was also involved with Flying Samaritans, a pre-medical organization dedicated to providing free medical and dental care to underserved communities in Ensenada, Baja California.
Program: RSMS Hawai’i
STAFF
Diana Hernandez, M.S.
Program Manager
Diana (she/her/hers) received a B.A. in Sociology from UC Merced in 2016 and a Master’s in Postsecondary Educational Leadership from SDSU in May 2019. Prior to joining UC San Diego Extended Studies, she served as a member of the Center for Student Involvement within Student Life at UC San Diego, where she was a program coordinator in Communication and Leadership, helping to oversee programs such as the Triton Community Leadership Institute. She has worked to support career development, personal growth, address social justice issues, and is passionate about initiatives that create a sense of belonging for underrepresented students.
Email: precollege@ucsd.edu
Interests:
Maysoon Lehmeidi, Ed.D
Director
Maysoon (she/her/hers) is the Discover and Lower Division Credit for the Education and Community Outreach Department at DES, managing the Division’s K-12 programs that include Research Scholars, Sally Ride Science, Academic Connections, and Discover UC San Diego. Prior to working with DES, she was the Assistant Director of the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) program at the Jacobs School of Engineering. She also worked in the School of Biological Sciences as a Program Coordinator, developing and maintaining continuing education programs for professionals in the field of biotechnology. Maysoon received her Ed.D. in Education at UC San Diego.
Email: m9dong@ucsd.edu
Interests: ☕🐕💪🏼🥼🌻
STUDENT INTERNS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP ALUMNI
Nabiha Ahmed
Research Intern 2024
Spencer Foss
Research Intern 2024
Spencer (he/him/his) is currently a high school student in San Diego and is well versed in marine science topics from invertebrate systematics and phylogenetics to using thermal cameras to investigate the heat flux in shorecrabs found at the rocky intertidal.
Interests: 📝🦀🦑📖
Liam Kelly
Research Intern 2024
Melora Tomechak
Research Intern 2024
Mel (she/her/hers) is currently a high school student. Her favorite marine animal at the moment is the nurse shark and hopes to pursue a career in marine biology studying the deep sea or sharks. Her passion for natural sciences often manifests in the form of long winded explanations of natural ocean phenomena. She loves connecting with like minded people and listening to their passions and hobbies. Mel also served as a Teaching Assistant for our Summer 2023 Program.
Interests: 🎨🎮🗣️
Noa Gottlieb
Teaching Assistant - SU23
Noa (she/her/hers) is currently a high school student in Farmington, Connecticut and has always been enamoured with the ocean. She is the founder of the non-profit Ocean Connect that helps students pursue careers in marine sciences.
Interests: 🎾🩰
Looking For Mentors
Interested in fostering the next generation of STEAM leaders? We are looking for mentors to support students in their academic journey and future career endeavors! If you are interested please reach out to Nicole, nyen@ucsd.edu.