Staff and Appointments
Learn more about the Undergraduate Research Hub's leadership and staff members.
Learn more about the Undergraduate Research Hub's leadership and staff members.
Dean of Undergraduate Research Advancement
David Artis, PhD came to the Undergraduate Research Hub (formerly known as Academic Enrichment Programs or AEP) in November 2000, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. There he had served as a faculty member, graduate school administrator and Director of Academic Services in the School of Public Health.
At UC San Diego, he has overseen steady growth in the number of the Undergraduate Research Hub (URH) programs and services, including coordinating more scholarship opportunities for students in all fields, increased participation in URH-sponsored undergraduate research conferences, and more collaborative program efforts with other campus units. Dr. Artis is a graduate of Yale and Stanford.
Assistant Director
TBA
McNair Program Coordinator
Thomas K. Brown has been coordinating the McNair Program since December of 2005. He has earned advanced degrees in chemistry (CPhil, Caltech) and anthropology (PhD, UCSD). In his role as McNair Program coordinator, he helps students find research placements with UC San Diego faculty. The McNair Program is a preparatory program for traditionally under-represented students (first-generation college students from low-income households and those from under-represented ethnic groups) who want to earn a PhD in any field.
E-mail: tkbrown@ucsd.edu
Make an appointment: calendly.com/tkbrown/15min
Research Programs Coordinator
UC Scholars, LAEP
Kirsten Kung, PhD, works with a number of students through the Undergraduate Research Hub (URH). She has extensive experience coordinating multiple year research programs and helping students experience opportunities outside of the classroom. She is particularly interested in issues related to mentoring, engaged learning, and research ethics. Dr. Kung received her PhD from the Ohio State University in social psychology with minors in health psychology and quantitative psychology. Prior to coming to UC San Diego, she was a faculty member at the University of Houston.
E-mail: kkung@ucsd.edu
TRELS Program Coordinator
In his role, Daniel manages the TRELS Program and collaborates with the seven colleges at UC San Diego. He earned his business administration degree from CSU Fullerton. During his time at CSU Fullerton, he worked at the university’s Outreach, Recruitment and Orientation department. Prior to coming to UC San Diego, he worked at National University as an advisor in the Admissions department.
Faculty Mentor Program (FMP) and Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) Coordinator
Noel helps students make professional connections and gain career skills through research presentations. He is a proud UCSD alumni and received his undergraduate degree in speculative design. He has also completed professional certificate programs through UCSD Extension and the San Diego Community College system. With a background in working with diverse groups across campus, Noel strives to provide inclusive support and opportunities to members of the UCSD community.
E-mail: ncnguyen@ucsd.edu
Research Scholarships Coordinator
URS, Genentech, Prestigious Scholarships
Sophia Tsai Neri coordinates multiple programs within the Undergraduate Research Hub (URH). She has experience coordinating student-mentor matching, research scholarships, and helping students get more out of their research programs. She received her PhD from the University of Southern California (USC) in molecular biology doing x-ray crystallography, and her Bachelor of Science at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) studying cybernetics with an emphasis on bioinformatics. Prior to coming to UC San Diego, she was a postdoctoral scholar at UCLA.
Office Hours: Tuesday (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm), Wednesday (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)
E-mail: stsai@ucsd.edu
Phone: 858-534-9014
Make an appointment: calendly.com/stsai-ucsd
STEMM Community Coordinator
CAMP, NACME
Transfer Research and Involvement Coordinator
Elizabeth is the Research and Involvement Coordinator for the Triton Transfer Hub and a liaison between Transfer Student Success and the Undergraduate Research Hub. In her role, the goal is to connect incoming and current transfer students to a wide variety of opportunities offered at UC San Diego such as research, internships, study abroad, volunteer work, and entrepreneurship opportunities. She is passionate about assisting the transfer student community at UC San Diego feel included on campus. A transfer student herself, Elizabeth transferred from community college to UC Santa Barbara where she earned her BA and earned her master’s in postsecondary educational leadership and student affairs from San Diego State University.
Email: e6vazquez@ucsd.edu
Make an appointment: Elizabeth's Appointment Calendar