About

Understanding research can be hard, but together we can work to make it easier!

Our Mission

Created to fill a gap in Undergraduate research, specifically in STEM, we seek to encourage undergraduates to integrate themselves within the research community through the analysis and discussion of recent academic publications.

Meet the Founder

Natalie Rawlings is an Honors student majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Biochemistry. She is active in the research community at the University of Arizona through her participation in wet lab research in the Capaldi Lab, her work at St. Jude Children's Hospital in the Leggas Lab, her past involvement in UBRP, and her clinical research at Banner University Medical Center - Tucson. As a CBC ambassador and Peer Mentor, Lead CAPS Peer Counselor, and Lead WellCat at Campus Health, Natalie truly values mentorship connection with others. She hopes that with this club, she can bring more awareness to undergrads about their own capacities to become involved in the community of science!

She is looking to pursue an MD/PhD after graduation and has won the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Astronaut Scholarship for her research efforts.

Email: natalierawlings@arizona.edu

Executive Board Members

Noorie Sandhu

Vice President

Hello UJC! My name is Noorie Sandhu, and I am a junior majoring in MCB and Physiology at the University of Arizona. I am originally from a suburb near Cleveland, Ohio, but also spent some time growing up in Canada. After college, I aspire to attend medical school to become a surgical oncologist and utilize research as well as my medical knowledge to provide compassionate, quality care to all of my patients.

Currently, I am a research assistant in Dr. Anne Cress’ lab at the UA Cancer Center, where we are focused on uncovering the mechanisms that enable prostate cancer to invade nearby tissues and metastasize to distant organs. I am particularly interested in the role that integrins (cell surface adhesion receptors) and focal adhesions (clusters of integrins) play in the process of promoting prostate cancer migration. Aside from my involvement in research, I am engaged with the UA Physiology Club, Alpha Epsilon Delta, MCB Ambassadors, and MCB Mentors. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, listening to chill music, watching the breathtaking Tucson sunsets, painting, and playing badminton. I am utterly grateful to be representing UJC as one of the Vice Presidents, and I hope to utilize my role to provide all of you with an enjoyable educational experience. If you have any questions or simply want someone to talk to, please feel free to reach out!

Email: ishnoorsandhu@arizona.edu

Bella Lee

Vice President

I'm Bella, and I'm excited to serve as one of the Co-Vice Presidents of UJC this year. I'm a junior majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology with minors in Biochemistry and Statistics/Data Science. Currently, I'm studying how the TORC1 kinase integrates environmental signals to control growth in budding yeast in Dr. Andrew Capaldi's lab. Research has been a huge part of my undergraduate experience so far, and I hope to increase awareness and accessibility of research for other undergraduate students through this role. I'm also involved as an MCB Mentor and Ambassador, a clinical volunteer at Banner, and a science tutor at Think Tank. Outside of school, I love being with my friends, listening to music, travelling, and making miniature houses. If you have any questions about research, summer programs, classes, or anything else, feel free to reach out!

Laura Serikova

Secretary

Hi! My name is Laura, and I am excited to fulfill the secretary position at UJC for 2025-2026! I am an international student from Kazakhstan studying Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. My motivation to do research led me to join a lab right after coming to the U of A. This summer, I will be joining the Undergraduate Biology Program as a student researcher, which I am thrilled about! After my bachelor's degree, I intend to apply for a PhD program in molecular biology and contribute to science in any way I can.

Email: lauraserikova@arizona.edu

Michael Salameh

Treasurer

Hello! My name is Michael Salameh, and I am thrilled to serve as your treasurer. I am a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry and considering a minor in Religious Studies for Health Professionals. Outside of this club, I am also a CBC Ambassador and Peer Mentor. After I graduate, I either want to pursue medical school or a research focused program, such as an MD/PhD. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing video games, and reading.

Email: michaelasalameh@arizona.edu

Jacob Lines

Officer of Communications

Jacob Lines is a senior majoring in Molecular & Cellular Biology and minoring in music and linguistics. He is also in the first year of the Accelerated Master's Program. He has been working as a research assistant in Dr. Maggert's lab since his junior year and through participation through UBRP, researching the effects of usage of CRISPR on fruit flies. He is from Spokane, WA and enjoys spending time hiking and in the outdoors. He also enjoys spending his free time watching TV, playing the violin, and settling on the couch with a good book.

Email: jacoblines@arizona.edu

Elliott Brumbaugh

Officer of Marketing

Hi my name is Elliott Brumbaugh and I am hyped to be the officer of marketing for the 2025-26 year! I am a biochemistry and Spanish translation and interpretation major and right now I am looking to go to medical school when I graduate. I am really passionate about the journal club because it opened my eyes to how interesting science can be at a high level and everyone in the club is very nice and talented. I had a good time last year surrounding myself with people who are passionate about science and learning in general. In my free time I love to golf and draw and I also like going out because the night life at U of A is incredible.

Email: ebrumbaugh33@arizona.edu

Harvey Ortiz

Officer of Marketing & Graduate Student Advisor

Harvey is committed to creating a stronger scientific community. In his doctoral studies, he is contributing to the understanding of epigenetic modifications in the context of development and disease under the mentorship of Keith Maggert.

Harvey is interested in understanding how the world works from the most fundamental perspectives, with a passion for all things atomic or molecular. He hopes to share his vigor and enthusiasm for science with his peers and was highlighted with the 2024 MCB Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award.

Outside of his doctoral studies, Harvey is an independent researcher working to elucidate Crustacea behavior and micro-commensalistic relationships of the Menefee Formation. After receiving his Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology and Masters in Legal Studies with an emphasis in scientific policy, Harvey plans to be part of an effort to restore funding to the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, and Universities across the United States. He hopes to one day open his own laboratory to investigate molecular drivers behind morphological evolution and the origins of life with an interdisciplinary approach, mixing molecular biology, evolutionary-developmental biology, biocomputation, geochemistry, biochemistry, and paleogenetics.

Email: harveyf@arizona.edu

Alumni

UJC alumni have gone on to pursue a wide range of advanced degrees, including MD, MD/PhD, Master's and PhD programs. Our graduates are distinguished by their commitment to research, critical thinking, and scientific communication, all skills honed through their time in the club. They are now continuing their academic journeys at some of the world’s leading institutions, including Stanford University, UCSD, the NIH, and the University of Cambridge. We’re proud to support the next generation of physician-scientists, researchers, and healthcare leaders.

Who to Contact:

Officer of Communications: Jacob Lines

Email: uofaujc@gmail.com

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