Meet the 2025-2026 UBRP Ambassadors

The UBRP Ambassadors are student representatives for the Undergraduate Biology Research Program. They also act as liaisons of the program to the University of Arizona and Tucson community. The Ambassadors aim to strengthen the UBRP community by providing a number of opportunities for students to interact with each other and with others outside the UBRP community. The UBRP Ambassadors aim to enrich the undergraduate research experience for the program’s students and help them understand the importance of being engaged with the community as scientists.

Each year the Ambassadors elect a group of student officers who agree to take on the responsibilities of leading and organizing events and opportunities for their peers. These students go above and beyond, dedicating a significant amount of their time to connecting with and providing opportunities for other UBRP students to get to know one another, serve their community, and grow professionally. 

To get to know more about each of our amazing officers and their goals as part of Ambassadors, continue reading below!

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Dae-Kyung Kim

 Hi everyone! My name is Dae-Kyung Kim and I’m a junior studying Physiology, MCB, and Philosophy. I’m incredibly honored for the chance to help lead and grow alongside all of you as the President of the UBRP community this year. When I first joined UBRP, I thought research was about finding answers or doing science “the right way”, but after spending months of trial and error with the same experiment and reading hundreds of PubMed papers that might (maybe) be related to my actual focus of my research, I learned that research isn’t just a method—it’s a mindset. It’s the willingness to ask why and what if even when the result isn’t clear. UBRP has shaped me not only as a better scientist, but as a more curious and thoughtful person. Like many students, I used to see research labs as intimidating places…quiet, sterile, and strictly professional. But what I’ve found in UBRP is a community where science meets humanity. Seeing hundreds of students presenting their diverse research at the UBRP conference or exploring the Kartchner Caverns together makes you realize this isn’t just a research job, it’s a family of curious, passionate individuals learning from one another.

To me, UBRP is much more than an academic opportunity, it represents possibility. It’s a home for curiosity in all forms, for knowledge, for others, and for ourselves. So ask yourselves, what are you curious about? Research should be a space where you feel like your questions matter, your curiosity matters, and your growth matters. Because at the end of the day, remember, research isn’t only about discovering something new, it’s about discovering who we can become when we’re given the space to wonder. 

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Dakota Anderson

Hi all! My name is Dakota Anderson, and I’m a senior at UA majoring in Biology with a Biomedical Science emphasis. I’m so grateful to be part of the UBRP community and

 to serve as the Vice President of Community this year! Coming from a family unfamiliar with STEM, I used to feel a little intimidated and out of place in the science world. When I joined UBRP, those fears went away. I found an environment that was not only welcoming but genuinely inspiring. UBRP has given me more than lab experience. It’s given me a community of curious, driven people who truly want to see each other succeed.

Through UBRP, I have the privilege of working in the Madhavan Lab, where we study how the transcription factor NRF2 influences aging and neurogenesis to better understand Parkinson’s disease. One of my favorite parts about research is that every challenge becomes a moment to learn something new and see your persistence pay off.

Something I hope to contribute to the UBRP community and to those interested in joining is creating opportunities that fit everyone. Whether it’s volunteer work, game nights, or research-driven activities, I want people to be able to participate, connect, and grow. With that being said, if you’ve ever been curious about research, give it a try! I wish I had joined sooner. It’s so much more than microscopes and pipettes, it’s a chance to explore questions no one’s answered yet, learn things most people never get to see, and build stories (and skills) that stay with you for life.

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Jocelyn Rodriguez

Hello everyone! My name is Jocelyn Rodriguez, and I am a junior double-majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Microbiology, with a minor in American Sign

 Language. I am so excited to serve as your Vice President of Recruitment for UBRP this year! 

I first became interested in research during my junior year of high school, where I had my first biotechnology class and began to conduct group experiments. I fell in love with the lab environment and community; being surrounded by others who share a similar passion for discovery, trying new experiments (predictable results or not), and the sense of serenity I get from the precision and focus of lab work. My sophomore year at the University of Arizona, I was fortunate enough to join Dr. Rogers' lab, which primarily focuses on the centrosome and the cell cycle. This experience enabled me to apply my classroom knowledge in a real research setting and further solidify my passion for research and hands-on experimentation

When my PI encouraged me to apply to UBRP, I initially joined because they suggested it and it would look helpful on a resume; however, it quickly became one of the most rewarding experiences I have had yet. Through UBRP and NACP, I was able to conduct my own research project, something I had dreamed of doing. Additionally, I found a strong sense of community and friendship, strengthened my technical skills, and had the opportunity to learn about my peers’ research interests.

UBRP has given me a chance to grow not only as a researcher but also as a leader and team member. Outside of my lab, serving as the Vice President has helped hone my organization and collaboration skills. I truly enjoy connecting with others and encouraging curiosity. As I continue my journey in research, I hope to contribute one small part to the scientific world and inspire others to get involved in research. 

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Kylie Ernst

Hello! My name is Kylie Ernst, and I am this year’s UBRP Ambassador’s Historian. I am a junior studying biochemistry with minors in French and pharmaceutical sciences. I

 have been conducting research in Dr. Andrew Paek’s lab for almost two years, during which time I have worked on a few different projects. This past summer was my first with UBRP, and because of this I was able to explore the cellular processes involved in a normal menstrual cycle. My current project explores how the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and intracellular iron affects protein activation and DNA damage in breast cancer cells. With this, we hope to provide a greater understanding of conditions associated with increased oxidative stress, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

I joined UBRP because I love the work I do in my lab, and I wanted the opportunity to do research full-time over summer. I have learned so much, both in and outside of the lab, including the aspects of being a scientist that no one really teaches you (like how to give an elevator pitch or make a research poster). I also gained an incredible community of students interested in scientific research, and I am so grateful to have been a part of this program! As Historian for UBRP Ambassadors this year, I am looking forward to helping plan events to give back to the community and get other students at U of A excited about research.

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Delia Riley

Hello everyone! My name is Delia Riley, and I’m the Vice President of Service and Outreach. I am studying Chemistry and Geosciences, along with a minor in Spanish. 

My majors may not sound super related to biology—but there is a lot to be explored and UBRP was exactly the opportunity to do that. I currently work in the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, under Dr. Bryan Black and Dr. Soumaya Belmecheri. We use tree rings, but also thing like annular rings from clams and fish otoliths to understand the climate. My current focus is getting our new mass spectrometer up and running to be used hand in hand with classic dendrochronology.

Research experience isn’t all I’ve gotten out of UBRP, though. I am incredibly fortunate to have had an awesome summer with socials and professional development opportunities. I am so excited to bring the UBRP magic to the community through service and outreach events. 

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Jean Carlo Marca

Hello, my name is Jean. I am the Vice President Ambassador for UBRP, an international student, and a senior studying Medicine. I am from Peru, a country where research is not widely recognized or easily accessible to students. Growing up, I didn’t really know what research was I only heard others talk about it, and the more I listened, the more curious I became. When I came to the United States, I realized that many research programs were only open to U.S. citizens or residents, which made finding an opportunity even more difficult. That changed when I discovered the Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP), one of the few programs that truly welcomes international students like me.

Thanks to UBRP and my lab, I have been able to explore my passion for science and gain hands-on experience in meaningful ways. My research focuses on sleep and the quality of sleep in mice with migraine pain like effects, where I’ve learned to perform bladder surgeries, analyze brain waves, and stage sleep phases. It’s an incredible experience that has taught me that science is not defined by nationality or background; it's driven by curiosity, perseverance, and a desire to make a difference. UBRP has inspired me to continue pursuing a career in research and to one day bring greater awareness and opportunities for science to my home country, Peru.

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