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UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH HUB UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH HUB
  1. Undergraduate Research
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  3. All URH Programs
  4. STARTneuro
  5. Core Team

Core Team

  • Brenda Bloodgood (co-director)

    Brenda Bloodgood (co-director)

    Brenda Bloodgood is an Associate Professor in Neurobiology, co-director of STARTneuro, and director of the Neurosciences Graduate Program. She teaches Human Physiology and her research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular basis of learning. She did her undergraduate at UC San Diego and transferred from Mesa Community College. She knows the challenges of being a transfer student firsthand and works with STARTneuro scholars to broaden their access to opportunities and create a more diverse and inclusive neuroscience community.
  • Ashley Juavinett (co-director)

    Ashley Juavinett (co-director)

    Ashley Juavinett is an Associate Teaching Professor in Neurobiology, co-director of STARTneuro, and co-director of the Contiguous BS/MS Program in Biological Sciences. She teaches several classes in biology, including the Neurobiology Lab, Introduction to Python for Biology students, and Neural Data Science. Her research and writing on education and careers in neuroscience aim to broaden the field and encourage underrepresented students. Everyone deserves a place in neuroscience — she hopes that helping transfer students gain traction in the field through STARTneuro is one way to make equity and inclusion in STEM a reality. 

    Check out Dr.Juavinett's lab website: https://neuroedu.biosci.ucsd.edu
  • David Artis

    David Artis

    David Artis is Dean of Undergraduate Research Advancement at UC San Diego.
  • Stanley Lo

    Stanley Lo

    Stanley Lo is an associate teaching professor in Cell and Developmental Biology and affiliate faculty in the joint doctoral program in Mathematics and Science Education at UC San Diego. His research examines the intersection of student identity, experience, learning, and career decisions in undergraduate STEM education. He currently teaches several courses including Introductory Biology Laboratory, Genetics and Racism, Scientific Ethics, and Learning Theories. In leading the education research and evaluation efforts of STARTneuro, he wants to ensure that individual lived experiences are centered in the design and implementation of program activities, thus supporting the success of transfer students in neuroscience research.

    Learn more about Dr.Lo: https://biology.ucsd.edu/research/faculty/smlo.html
  • Kim Dore

    Kim Dore

    Kim Dore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosciences. Her research focuses on what happens to synapses during Alzheimer's disease and finding ways to protect those precious connections against neurodegeneration. She thinks that fostering access to research is very important and is excited to be a part of STARTneuro. 
  • Jason Avalos

    Jason Avalos

    Jason Avalos is the Student Engagement Coordinator for the STARTneuro program.
  • Katya Hernandez

    Katya Hernandez

    Katya is a graduate student researcher in the Math and Science Education Doctoral (MSED) program at SDSU and UCSD. As a MiraCosta Community College transfer, Katya is driven to empower students to achieve and exceed their academic and career goals. In support of STARTneuro, they research and evaluate program outcomes, focusing on their impact on students' educational experiences and career aspirations. As a first-generation high school graduate, Katya aims to contribute to the visibility of queer, Mexican American individuals in STEM and is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all STEM spaces. 
  • Saya Shahoy

    Saya Shahoy

    Saya Shahoy is a research data analyst at STARTneuro. Her work focuses on assessing the program and examining how a sense of belonging affects transfer students. As a former transfer student herself, she is passionate about using her research to help others navigate their academic journeys and enhance their sense of community and connection in science. 

Former Faculty

  • Eduardo Macagno [R.I.P]

    Eduardo Macagno [R.I.P]

    Eduardo Macagno was a distinguished professor in cell and developmental biology at UC San Diego.
  • Austin Zuckerman

    Austin Zuckerman

    Austin Zuckerman is a graduate student researcher in the joint doctoral program in Mathematics and Science Education (MSED) at UC San Diego and San Diego State University. He conducts evaluation-based research to assess the outcomes of the STARTneuro program. His motivation for supporting the STARTneuro program is to learn how to model meaningful research and mentorship experiences for all students, especially students historically under-represented in science.