About Us

Hello! My name is Manuel but I go by Manny. I am a 3rd year Biology PhD student and I research Mycobacteria and how they grow. 

I attended Dallas College and later transferred to UTA. I graduated in 2020 with a BS in Biology, a Psychology Minor and completed the UTeach program. I was a high school science teacher for a few years and then returned to UTA for my PhD. I helped reestablish the SCC in Spring 2026 and am excited to grow this council and work with the STEM community at UTA! I'm also Vice President of the SACNAS Chapter and volunteer at various College of Science events. 

After my PhD I plan on staying in academia as a teaching professor and plan to continue working with students and advocating for science policies. My hobbies include baking, birding, reading and working out! You can contact me at manuel.chavez2@mavs.uta.edu. I’m always happy to help!

Hello, my name is Tim, and I am the vice president of the Science Constituency Council. I’m an undergraduate junior studying data science with a concentration on mathematics. I like watching movies, producing and making beats, and playing video games (I’ve been playing Pokemon Champions and Kingdom Hearts). I’m excited to work closely with the SCC and build it back up with the other officers and ambassadors!

Email: tdg0269@mavs.uta.edu

Hello! My name is Diego Maldonado, and I’m an incoming senior doing a double major in biology and data science. I am the treasurer for the Science Constituency Council and involved in research under Dr. Laura Mydlarz and Dr. Pal Suvra. I’m currently finishing up an REU under Dr. Kenny Zhu this summer, and will be a zoology TA for Dr. Roelke this upcoming fall.

After graduating from UTA, I plan to enter the workforce and find a job as a data scientist within the healthcare field. Ultimately, I plan to work in computational biology or bioinformatics. If you have any questions, please email me at dam6994@mavs.uta.edu.

Shreya is a Biology major and is on the pre-med route. Shreya is involved in the American Females in Medicine student organization and is an undergraduate reseracher in the Rogers lab at UTA.

Hi! I’m Frezer (I go by Frey). I’m a sophomore biochemistry major and I’m the public relations officer in the SCC.

Besides SCC, I'm the Programs Coordinator for the Habesha Student Organization, where I plan events and help build community for Ethiopian and Eritrean students on campus. I’m also the Editor for Circle K International. I really like planning events and organizing activities that bring people together.

I’m originally from Ethiopia. I really love biology and I'm very interested in genetics and learning how our DNA influences health, and disease. Outside of school, I love watching movies, baking and taking long walks.

I’m super excited that I’m part of this council and able to contribute to the rebrand of the SCC. You can reach me at fwa7462@mavs.uta.edu

Hi! My name is Fairooz Samia and I am the Chemistry and Biochemistry Ambassador. I am from Bangladesh and currently a junior majoring in Biochemistry at UT Arlington. Chemistry has always been a subject that intrigued me and it led me to also be a tutor at the Chemistry clinic to help support my peers as well as being part of a research lab that focuses on peptide synthesis and development. I am deeply passionate about medicinal chemistry and drug synthesis, and I hope to carry that focus into a PhD program after graduation. As a departmental ambassador, I am committed to nurturing a welcoming, collaborative environment for all our students. I look forward to connecting with you!

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions at: fxs8221@mavs.uta.edu

I am Ken Nguyen. I am an undergraduate math and physics double major and will act as the ambassador for the math and physics department. I am also conduction research in space physics instrumentation, and I am also the vice president of UTA MAA chapter and a member of the Society of Physics Student (SPS). I was born in Arlington, TX and am a big fan of learning about a wide variety of different topics. After graduating I plan to get a PhD in physics and hopefully become a physics researcher.

Contact Info: kxn2907@mavs.uta.edu

Hello! My name is Leslie Orozco, and I'm a Criminology and Criminal Justice and Psychology dual major. I am the president of PSI CHI (the international psychology honor society), the secretary for Alpha Phi Sigma (the criminal justice honor society), and I work for The Shorthorn (our campus newspaper). After graduation, I plan on going to graduate school and doing local law enforcement work before applying for the FBI academy. I'm reachable at lxm6800@mavs.uta.edu