Two students from the College of Biological Sciences have been awarded the UC President's Pre-Professoriate Fellowship. The highly competitive fellowship supports professional development in exceptional Ph.D. candidates who are alumni of California-based Hispanic Serving Institutions as part of the UC-Hispanic Serving Institutions Doctoral Diversity Initiative. 

Taking Science Beyond the Lab Bench

Destiny Gomez, a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate in the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group, studies how obesity impacts asthma severity. Specifically, she’s investigating whether glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists—which are primarily used to manage diabetes and weight-loss—could also benefit lung health by reducing inflammation. 

“Destiny has always impressed me with her willingness to take on new research challenges and pursue opportunities,” said Nicholas Kenyon, professor of medicine and Gomez’s thesis advisor. “She not only tackles big questions, but learns new techniques and assays that expand our lab’s capacities. She is really terrific in this regard.”

Gomez’s research is inspired by her own experience of growing up with asthma, as well as the high prevalence of childhood asthma in her hometown of Bakersfield, California, which has notoriously bad air quality.

“I don't intend for my contribution to stop at the bench,” said Gomez. “My goal is to carry this scientific foundation into public service, working in air or water quality for the state of California, at an agency like the Air Resources Board or CalEPA, so that the science I've spent years building translates into policy that changes outcomes for kids growing up the way I did.”

Studying Developmental Biology While Supporting Developing Scientists

Camilo Echeverria, a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Group, studies how stem cells migrate during early embryonic development, which is critical for the formation of bones, cartilage, and neurons. His research provides insight into the origins of congenital disorders, including cleft palate and spina bifida.

“Camilo is one of the hardest working people I know,” said Crystal Rogers, associate professor of anatomy, physiology and cell biology and Echeverria’s thesis advisor. “He is an amazing and patient teacher and mentor, and his willingness to take scientific risks has helped to usher our lab into an entirely new research paradigm, laying the foundation for new scientific directions for several other students.”  

Echeverria is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of scientists. After he graduates, he plans to pursue a career in biotechnology, where he will continue to combine scientific research with mentorship and outreach.

“Pursuing a career as a science educator will allow me to continue to help students learn about the world around us and use that knowledge to develop cures and prevent diseases,” said Echeverria. “I hope to guide students with the same patience and passion my professors showed me.”