Homecoming 2021
Alumni, current students, prospective students, parents, staff, faculty, and friends of the college are all invited to CNAS Homecoming 2021!
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 5 p.m. PDT, Nobel Prize-winning chemist, UC Riverside faculty member, and CNAS alumnus, Dr. Richard R. Schrock, will be the featured speaker for CNAS Homecoming 2021. Learn about how Dr. Schrock’s time as a UCR undergraduate paved the way to his Nobel Prize winning work in chemistry.
On Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 2 p.m. join CNAS Dean Kathryn Uhrich for a panel discussion with CNAS alumni and current students, featuring CNAS Science Ambassadors past and present. CNAS alumni will share how their experience as students shaped where they are now and what they have in store for the future. Our students will talk about being a student at UCR today and how their time on campus is preparing them for life after UCR.
Panelists
Pavneet Kaur '15
UCR Undergraduate Major: Biology
Currently attending the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
Pavneet Kaur graduated from UCR in 2015 with a degree in Biology. She was heavily involved at UCR which included being a CNAS Science Ambassador, participating in a research lab, and being involved in Student Life. However, her passion for health and medicine led her to obtain her MPH in epidemiology at The George Washington University in Washington D.C. There she was heavily involved in HIV epidemiology working at the DC Department of Health, and national HIV organizations such as NMAC. Upon graduation, Pavneet moved back to Southern California to work at San Bernardino County's Department of Public Health for 4 years. There she was involved in many community initiatives and also was one of the epidemiologists working on the COVID-19 dashboard. Now, her passions have carried her to UCR SOM where she is in the process of becoming a primary care physician.
Marisol Rivera-Ramirez
Currently: UCR Undergraduate Student
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
Expected Graduation: 2022
Future Aspirations: Veterinarian
Marisol Rivera-Ramirez is a fourth year biology major with a psychology minor planning to graduate at the end of this school year in June of 2022. As a student, Marisol balances her time staying active with campus activities and working to support herself and gain experience in veterinary sciences. While maintaining a consistent presence on the Dean's Honor Roll, she is heavily involved on campus serving as: a Science Ambassador, leader in the Little EINSTEINs Project, Vice President of the Pre-Vet Club, member of three honor societies, and member of a club called Letters to Strangers that advocates for mental health. After working as a Vet Assistant for two years, she aspired to gain more knowledge of the animal health field by working for UC Davis’ Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory as Student Lab Assistant. She currently serves in the following areas: Histology, Milk Quality, Bacteriology, Immunology, and Necropsy. She ultimately hopes to one day become a veterinarian and is currently in the interview process for veterinary medical schools. Her psychology minor was obtained with hopes of bridging the gaps between family’s knowledge of animal health care as well as general accessibility. Aside from school, she is a musician that plays the drum set, volunteers at her local church, and advocates for foster youth as a volunteer at the nonprofit organization, Kidsave.
Sabrina Sedano '18
UCR Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Current Position: Clinical Research Coordinator at Children's Hospital Los Angeles in the Division of Research on Children, Youth & Families
Future Plans: Currently interviewing at medical schools
Sabrina Sedano is a proud first-generation Latinx college graduate, obtaining her Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemistry from UCR in 2018. During her time at UCR, she was heavily active on campus, serving as a CNAS and Advancement Ambassador, a PERSIST (Promoting Engagement, Retention, and Success in STEM Training) mentor, a director of the SISTERS (Success in Science & Technology: Engagement with Role-models) program, a TAP (Tutorial Assistance Program) tutor, and an undergraduate researcher in the Zhong Lab. After graduating, Sabrina became an AmeriCorps member for City Year Los Angeles serving as a tutor, mentor, and role-model for underserved youth at Locke High School. Wanting to coalesce her passion for conducting research and connecting with vulnerable populations, she became a clinical researcher at City of Hope. Sabrina led studies focusing on patient values toward treatment goals and competing health outcomes among adults with cancer. She then transitioned to her current role as a clinical research coordinator at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to gain experience in working with pediatrics. Here, she contributes to translational science aimed at optimizing prevention and treatment of cerebrospinal shunt infections in children with hydrocephalus. She is also collaborating with a large national team through the Society for Pediatric Research to develop a webpage and an accompanying manuscript addressing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the pediatric scientific workforce. Currently, Sabrina is in the process of interviewing at medical schools (securing 1 acceptance and 10 interviews) where she hopes to advocate for marginalized communities and achieve health equity for the medically underserved through research and policy reform.
Connor Richards '16
Undergraduate UCR Major: Physics
Currently: Machine Learning Engineer
During his time as a student at UC Riverside, Connor was President of the CNAS Science Ambassadors in his third year with the organization. As a physics student, Connor had the opportunity to work as an undergraduate researcher at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland— the most powerful particle accelerator in the world! After graduating from UCR in 2016, Connor went on to the University of Cambridge and earned his Master's degree in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics before attending Princeton University's Ph.D. program in Physics. Following his time in higher education, Connor transitioned to a professional career in data sciences and engineering.
To register for the Alumni & Student Panel, please visit (registration closed)
This is a live and virtual event.
For more information or to register for the CNAS Homecoming 2021 events, visit cnas.ucr.edu/homecoming.
For information on campus-wide homecoming events, please visit homecoming.ucr.edu.
Join us for CNAS Homecoming 2021!
Registration closed for the Nov. 16 event with Dr. Richard Schrock
Registration closed for the Nov. 20 Alumni and Student Panel event