Momina "Muina" Zaman (she/her) is a Computer Science and Data Science major from Hayward, California, with a passion for medical research and healthcare innovation. Her experience as a medical assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic, paired with early coding courses, sparked her interest in medical software development. Zaman’s long-term goals include pursuing Stanford’s Medicine/Law program and earning a PhD in bioinformatics to advance personalized medicine and healthcare equity.
Aljona Reyno (she/they) is a freshman Psychology major with a concentration in Neuroscience, preparing to transfer to a four-year university. Their academic interests lie in the relationship between neuroscience and mental health, particularly its applications in promoting social change. Reyno aspires to open her own mental health clinic. She is an active member of Foothill College’s Psychology Club and Asian American Association. Their hobbies include writing poetry, playing guitar, and gaming.
Research Mentor: Cherrysse Ulsa
Jillian Quach (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in Biology with a strong interest in neuroscience and neurological disorders. Her academic motivation stems from a desire to make meaningful societal contributions and grow as a person. When not studying, Jillian enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and biking or relaxing at home with her two cats.
Research Mentor: Tao Tang
Faculty Advisor: Frank Longo
Manuel Moya is a first-generation college student studying Computer Science at De Anza College. Drawn to the real-world applications of computing, he aims to leverage technology to improve healthcare and advance neuroscience and medical research. Manuel’s long-term goal is to develop impactful solutions at the intersection of computer science and medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys snowboarding, working out, and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Research Mentor: Sabrina Liu
Kelly Mac (she/her) is a freshman at Mission College from the Bay Area, with plans to transfer to a four-year university to study Biochemistry. She aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. Outside the classroom, Mac enjoys playing Minecraft and spending quality time with friends and family while exploring new places.
Research Mentor: Vanessa Kan
Faculty Advisor: Irene Llorente
Sumaya Journati (she/her) is a Neuroscience major at Mission College, driven by an interest in the intersection of mental health and brain function. She plans to transfer to a research-focused university to continue her path toward becoming a neuroscientist. Journati is passionate about lifelong learning and aspires to contribute to healthcare and research, especially in the areas of Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases. She enjoys road trips, visiting Santa Cruz beaches, and collecting perfumes.
Research Mentors: G Kumar and Faria Zafar
Natalia Jaramillo Becerra (she/her/ella) is a Neuroscience and Human Biology major originally from Colombia. Since moving to the U.S. four years ago, she has developed a strong interest in neurosurgery, patient care, and advocacy. Jaramillo Becerra supports first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented STEM students through her involvement with MESA and UndocuSTEM, where she focuses on outreach, mentorship, and connecting students with resources.
Stefanie Garza (she/her) is a first-generation college student at De Anza College majoring in Microbiology. Deeply curious about science, Garza is especially interested in neuroscience, evolutionary biology, genetics, and toxicology. She aspires to become a scientist dedicated to expanding scientific knowledge and developing solutions to help people and the environment. At De Anza, she serves as a tutor and MESA ambassador and holds leadership roles in the Zero Waste and Climate Awareness Club.
Emely Cisneros (she/her) is a 2025 NeURO-CC fellow and a Biology major at Foothill College with plans to transfer to a four-year university in Fall 2027. She is passionate about helping others and hopes to pursue a career in medicine that combines research with patient care. Cisneros is particularly interested in using scientific research to improve health outcomes while maintaining direct interaction with patients. Her favorite pastimes include visiting the beach, trying new dessert spots with friends, and going to the gym.
Ladan Abdi (she/her) is a 2025 NeURO-CC fellow and a Computer Engineering major at Mission College. Abdi plans to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree and pursue a PhD in engineering. She is excited to explore the intersection of engineering and neuroscience through her work with the Shah Lab. In her spare time, Abdi enjoys reading Wikipedia articles, spending time with friends, and immersing herself in stories across mediums—novels, musicals, and video games alike.
Research Mentor: Lele Cui