Introducing the newest SLC members. Read their bios below:
I want to bring my 15+ years of leadership and industry experience, combined with cutting edge research, to help develop, gain recognition, and expand on PATHS-
UP’s capabilities. I’m interested in an aggressive push for PATHS-UP which will yield greater member collaboration, community, and pride. During my time in PATHS-UP, between two research labs, I have witnessed many weaknesses and strengths of the program. I would like to dedicate my time to bringing the strengths to front stage and find solutions to eradicate weaknesses.
-Justin Pete McMurray, President
As a 3rd year graduate student and PATHS-UP Fellow, I have witnessed the growth of the ERC during our meetings, workshops, and site visits. I am happy to run as candidate for this position as I have enjoyed the planning and execution of inviting guest speakers to host webinars. As a returning SLC VP of Innovation Ecosystem, I will continue to meet with the SLC and EPIC teams to bridge industry and academia together. I hope to better prepare the students (myself included) to take advantage of the many tools and opportunities which PATHS-UP offers us to innovate and make a noteworthy impact in healthcare.
– Andres Rodriguez, VP of Innovation Ecosystem
I have worked with the SLC for the past two years as a representative of the Workforce Development Pilar. I believe that I have had a great opportunity to observe and learn the inner workings of PATHS-UP to see the ins and the outs of what it means to be in such a large and collaborative ERC. I believe that this will be a great learning opportunity and allow me to serve my fellow students within PATHS-UP to benefit the most from their involvement with a diverse community.
-Mel Tananant Boonya-ananta, VP of Workforce Development
I am passionate about making science and engineering fields more inclusive. I was involved with the Texas A&M Chapter of the American Association of University Women for 3 years (serving on their exec team for 2.5 years as Director of Outreach and Vice President). Through this organization I was able to organize the TAMU International Women’s Day Conference for three consecutive years which gave me the necessary experience on how to provide opportunities to amplify voices that are often ignored. Most recently, I planned a campus-wide virtual screening of the documentary “Picture a Scientist” and a follow-up panel through the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Women’s Resource Center. The film focuses on issues impacting women in science fields of academia both in the past and currently. The panel recording can be found on the Texas A&M Women’s Resource Center Facebook page.
-Lydia Colvin, VP of Culture of Inclusion
During my two and half years with PATHS-UP, starting out as an undergraduate and now becoming a graduate student, I have noticed the flaws within the institution when it comes to informing its students what PATHS-UP is. I want to work towards creating a more cohesive understanding for both undergraduate and graduate students alike while also looking to harbor a sense of gratification and fulfillment within the students for being apart of this esteemed program. There is a disconnect between the students of PATHS-UP, the SLC, and the administrators and I want to bridge it.
– Kimberly Branan, Liaison
I know it would be a good opportunity for me to learn leadership and also to get to know people from other universities and labs. I am interested to be more involved with PATHS-UP and during my year of experience with SLC team I’m eager to continue working with this wonderful team.
– Mahsan Abbasi, University Representative
I have already participated in REU student recruitment at UCLA and followed up with other PATHS-UP officers at REU and VIP student planning meeting to keep them updated.
– Artem Goncharov, University Representative