2023-2024 Undergraduate Student Advisory Board

Aila Shibao

She/Her/Hers

Chemistry and Biochemistry

I am a first-year student majoring in Chemistry. I am currently involved in the professional Chemistry fraternity Alpha Chi Sigma, and I am hoping to partake in undergraduate research in the future. With a distinct passion for science, my long-term goal is to pursue graduate school or a professional school in healthcare. Beyond my academic goals, I am committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and community within the Physical Sciences Division at UCLA. I hope to contribute to an environment where all students can thrive.

Ashwath Nayagadurai

He/Him

Biophysics

I am a 3rd year Biophysics major with a potential entrepreneurship minor. On campus, I’m an active member of several clubs, including Lifestyle Medicine, Bruin Democrats, and the Arisaka Research Lab. When I’m not in my room studying, you can find me out on the open seas fishing for the biggest bass, hiking and lifting with my closest friends, or cooking all types of food (and eating them, of course!). When I’m older, I hope to be a surgeon, and when I’m even older, I hope to be a farmer in Midwest America, growing crops and taking care of my herd of capybaras.

Eliana Green

She/Her/Hers

Physics and Astronomy

I am a fourth year physics major and I am part of Dr. Kavner’s Physical Chemistry laboratory where I use a Diamond cell to create high pressure and measure the effects of high pressure on rock samples. I am a Queens Road Scholar and I am involved in LASEO and REACH on campus. I am also the Vice President of Homeless Heath Alliance, a club where we volunteer with organizations that assist homeless individuals in the Los Angeles area. 

I am excited to be on the board and I am optimistic that we will be able to make the Physical Sciences at UCLA more inclusive.

Ella Freiss

She/Her/Hers

Astrophysics

I am a fourth-year Astrophysics major. I am currently working on the UCLA SETI science and communications team which uses citizen scientists to help categorize radio signatures in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Astronomy, Physics education and outreach, and exoplanet research are really interesting to me. I hope to encourage and inspire more people to pursue education in the Physical Sciences and to help them understand that it is a field that anyone can belong to. 

Evan Sang

He/Him/His

Statistics and Data Science

I am a second-year double majoring in ‘Statistics’ and ‘Computational Biology’ from near Boston, Massachusetts. Currently, I volunteer as a Learning Intern for STATS 20 (shoutout Dr. Tsiang!) and work on-campus in the ASUCLA Health Sciences Department. I also work for two quantitative research labs remotely, one focusing on characterizing alcoholism and another investigating the interplay between human metagenomes and various disorders. In my free time, I love to cook, go to concerts, and watch RuPaul’s Drag Race. I hope to one day go to grad school for Biostatistics and eventually work in Epidemiology, applying statistical methods to public health.

Jaeden Wesley

They/Them and She/They

Mathematics and Statistics and Data Science

I am a second year double majoring in ‘Mathematics/Economics’ and ‘Statistics and Data Science’. I am from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation where I was raised in the Standing Pine Tribal Community. On campus, I am a board member in the American Indian Students Association, External Vice-President for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and I work as a Site Coordinator for American Indian Recruitment. In all of these roles, I simply hope to promote a more inclusive and accessible space for underrepresented groups to reach success in higher education, especially in the STEM field.

Lisa Wang

She/Her/Her, They/Them/Theirs

Mathematics

I am a fourth-year Applied Math major at UCLA. Along with my role in the SAB, I am also one of the Vice Chairs of the Undergraduate Math Council, a student organization that my classmates and I founded in 2021. This past summer, I interned with UCLA External Affairs, focusing on the Development for Environment and Sustainability initiatives, including the Institute of Environment and Sustainability (IoES), Climate Wildfire Institute (CWI), and Congo Basin Institute (CBI). Currently, I’m a student worker for the Business Analytics and Development Reporting team at UCLA Development. My experiences as a student and employee in the Physical Sciences division have taught me the importance of promoting diversity, opening opportunities, and nurturing a sense of community. I am deeply passionate about driving positive change and fostering a culture of inclusivity, transparency, and innovation at UCLA. 

Maya Vasisht

She/Her/Hers

Chemistry and Biochemistry

I am a fourth-year Chemistry major from Pasadena. I currently conduct research in the Diaconescu Lab where I study redox-switchable catalysis of aluminum complexes. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, traveling and exploring new places with friends. My future goals are to one day become a Physician-Scientist. 

Ningweizhi Ge

He/Him/His

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Mathematics

I am a second-year majoring in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences/Math with a minor in Environmental Engineering. I aspire to be a climate scientist, and to advance toward that goal. I’m a part of the AOS XEP club as well as the American Forecasting Society of LA. It’s an honor to be on the board, and I hope to bring about positive change and become a voice for undergrad Physical Science students.

Shota Nozaki

He/Him/His

Chemistry and Biochemistry

I am a fourth-year transfer student majoring in  Chemistry from Irvine. At UCLA, I am conducting research on Ytterbium complexes in the Caram Group, promoting election transparency and equity at California Common Cause, and a part of the professional chemistry fraternity Alpha Chi Sigma. In the future, I aspire to be a community college Chemistry professor to inspire and empower students.

Soomedha Vasudevan

she/her/hers

Statistics and Data Science

I am a second-year Statistics and Data Science major and I am a part of BruinLife, Google Developer Student Club, and Bruin Sports Analytics (BSA) here at UCLA. I really enjoy writing and BSA is the perfect blend between a hobby of mine and my major, especially since I analyze the sports I frequently watch. My aspirations include being able to apply my statistical knowledge to real-world problems and promote inclusion within the Physical Science Division.