Alumni Profiles and Directory

We love to keep in touch with our alumni and keep our alumni in touch with each other!

If you are one of our alumni and wish to be included in this directory, please fill out your information using the Alumni Profile Form.

Here's what some of our alumni are doing:

1960's

Nagaishi (Yamada), Rosa (1963; email Rosa): Retired Chemistry Teacher. I retired in 2004 after receiving National Board Certification(99) and teaching chemistry in the Los Angeles Unified District for 40 years. My husband Hiro who retired in 99 from aerospace and I have 3 kids. Kevin has been teaching Biology for 11 years and is getting married in May. Monica is also a HS science teacher and married to an elementary teacher. Debbie is still in graduate school in the field of science. I went back to work partime and teach the sewer science program for LA County Sanitation Dept. and we spend a week cleaning and testing water in a HS science classroom at a time. I am also an academic advisor to two science teacher networks and co-director of the program for Target Science. I am really enjoying the free time and flexibility I have to work during my retirement. I often think of Pat Schaffer and I am glad they have the seminars in her name. Thanks for keeping me informed is really exciting to see the progress..

1970's

Kennedy, Sheila (1976; email Sheila): Safety Coordinator at UCSD. I've been married to Carl Luster ('76) since that summer; we now have two 6-foot red-haired sons. Since 1997 I've been part of the lab support staff to the Chem&Biochem department at UCSD. Now I coordinate health and safety programs, teach lab safety and assist the lab instructors and TAs.

1980's

Amarante, David (1981; email David): Investment Real Estate Agent. After 15 years in Technical Sales & Marketing for a few specialty chemical companies, I am now selling commercial and residential real estate in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.
Finocchio (McIntire), Debbie (1988; email Debbie): Chemistry Instructor/General Chemistry Lab Coordinator.
McDowell, Tim (1985; email Tim): Regional Manager; Systems Administrator. I am currently a contractor with DoD Peterson AFB, Colorado as a Network administrator and Homeland Security Analyst. It's a far cry from chemistry, but I still use it daily. I married later in life to Sveta, and have a 3 year old son, Alexander. I earned a couple of graduate degrees along the way and I am still learning.

1990's

Lee, Brian (1990; email Brian): Enivronmental Scientist. I am in Washington DC working for the US EPA at EPA Headquarters with the Clean Air Markets Divisions under the Office of Atmospheric Programs. We will be leading the way in implementing the ambient mercury monitoring network in the US. I am excited to be involved with that. I love the work and I like living in the DC area very much but I do not like the cold. We are all extremely shocked by the cold and it is not really that cold yet. My wife and children are really glad to be in the US however we miss our family members and the nanny!
Bratcher, Matthew (1991; email Matthew): Research Chemist. It has been quite a while since I have touched base. I am working at the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Life is good with my wife Vickie and two kids, Jason (5) and Caelie (3).
Still, Gregory (1991; email Greg): Podiatrist. I have been practicing podiatric medicine and surgery in Colorado for 7 years. I practice with a large multi-specialty group in Denver and am also the current president of the Colorado Podiatric Medical Association. I am single and have no kids. Denver is a great place to live.
Duncan (Quiroga), Jacqueline (1992; email Jacqueline): Quality Manager. I am currently the Quality Manager for JVC in Atlanta, Georgia. After spending the initial years after graduation working as a chemist for the Gillette Company, I started leaning towards a career in Quality Management. I've been living in the Metro Atlanta area for 6 years now and I am married with 2 children, ages 9 and 7.
Miller, Timothy (1992; email Timothy): DDS. Hi all. It's been awhile since i updated so here's a quick rundown. I recently bought my own dental office after associating for nine years, it's all going well. My wife Elizabeth Johnstone-Miller, also a USD graduate, is in her final year of medical school at UCSF. Elizabeth will persue psychiatry while I am getting more invovled in the area of implant dentistry. We have no children, but we do have two dogs. I am willing to talk to students interested in careers in dentistry. It sounds like the Chemistry Department is doing well, I'll have to come take a tour.
Isaacs, Trevor (1994; email Trevor): BA, MA, CSCS. Trevor has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and a graduate degreein biomechanics and athletic training. In addition to his extensive education, he possesses certifications in Personal Training, Advanced Post-Therapeutic Exercise, and Pilates Mat. Trevor strives to maintain a keen understanding of the latest breakthroughs in strength and conditioning and therapeutic exercise. With this in mind, he is preparing to sit for his board certification in Kinesiotherapy (LKT) as well as his license as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). In 1998 Trevor started Excel, a fitness center located in La Jolla.
Stafford, Chris (1994; email Chris): Medical Doctor. After completing a fellowship in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine in 2004, I have been stationed at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Currently, I am deployed to Iraq for 6 months with the United States Marine Corps in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am married to Cathleen (MFCC, USD 1994) and have two sons, Jack and Bennett (ages 7 and 3).
Arruda, Jeannie (1998; email Jeannie): Research Associate at Amira Pharmaceuticals (San Diego).
de la Fuente, Tania (1998; email Tania): Graduate Student. I am currently back home getting my Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry at Universidad Compultense de Madrid and hopefully will be reading next summer. After that I am still not sure if I will go back to the states for a post doc. I am also teaching chemistry at St. Louis University (Madrid campus).
Rosness, Melissa (1998; email Melissa): Associate Director of Manufacturing Operations. I am currently working at Althea Technologies, Inc. in San Diego and I am also back at USD as a graduate student working on my MBA.
Abouzari, Moe (1999; email Moe): Medical School Student. After graduation in 1999, I started using my chemistry background in a local food/pharma company by the name of Cpkelco. After 2 years of working for the company I was promoted to scientist level and continued my work until August 2004, when I moved to nothern California for medical school. Currently, I am just finishing my second year and getting ready for the more exciting aspect of the medical field, seeing patients. During my time out of school I got married to my long-time girlfriend and just last year we were blessed by a little girl named Melody.
Cordaro, Joseph (1999; email Joseph): Post-doc. After graduating from USD in 1999 I went to UC Berkeley and completed my Ph.D. in the summer of 2004. Since then, I have been a post-doc at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland. This summer I'll return to California for a second post-doc at UCSB.

2000's

Medina, Martha (2000; email Martha): Scientist at Proctor & Gamble. After USD I graduated from Arizona State with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in August 2004, where I worked on proteomics of secreted proteins from the fungus Aspergillus flavus. After some time off traveling around the world, I joined Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati, where I work on hair biology (very different!). I recently bought my own house and I am trying to enjoy the cold midwest weather!
Bailey (Dunn), Denise (2001; email Denise): Graduate Student. I am in my last year (hopefully) of graduate school getting my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. I am actually working on more of a Chemical Biology project and hope to start interviewing soon for a job in industry. I have been running into alumni lately and would love to hear from more of you. I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well.
Clark, Tim (2001; email Tim): Graduate Student. I am in my final year at UC Irvine getting my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. In the spring I will start a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
O'Neill, Bryan (2001; email Bryan): Graduate Student. I am in my last year at The Scripps Research Institute and I am hoping to defend in August of 2006. My next move will likely be away from traditional science, but I'm not sure what that will be yet.
White, Ryan (2001; email Ryan): Graduate Student. I am finishing up my last year of graduate school at UNC-CH (hopefully!).
Weinberg, David (2001 email David): Graduate Student. I am finishing up my graduate studies under Professor John E. Bercaw at California Institute of Technology. In 2009, I will commence my postdoctoral studies at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill under the tutelage of Professor Thomas J. Meyer.
Adams (Russell), Hailey (2002; email Hailey): Adjunct Faculty at the University of San Diego. I'm teaching DNA Science & Technology and Physical Science for K-8 Teachers.
Benton, Patricia (2002; email Patricia): After graduating with a biochemistry degree in 2002, I worked in a pediatric dental office for two years in Washington State. I am now living in Boston, attending my second year at Tufts School of Dental Medicine and I plan to graduate in 2008.
Bouton(Dooley), Lea (2002; email Lea): Nuclear Engineer. I am working onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Over the summer Jeff and I were married in a beautiful ceremony in Alaska.
Burghardt, Ted (2002; email Ted): Veterinary Student. I am in my first year of veterinary school at CSU. After USD I worked for 2 years at The Scripps Research Institute and I received my Masters degree in Anatomy.
Christian, Nilesh (2002; email Nilesh): Air Force Officer and Program Manager. As per my goal, I am now an Air Force Officer and Program Manager as of May 2003. I am currently working on the development of new acquisition for the Air Force. It's very exciting to work with and experience future technology made for tomorrow's world (although it has nothing to do with chemistry). I am thinking about going back to chemistry to pursue a graduate degree so I can become a chemistry instructor at USAFA.
Clarke, Kristine (2002; email Kristine): Chemistry Instructor. I am teaching and coaching softball at Dana Hills High School.
Humkey, Robert (2002; email Rob): Graduate Student. I am currently a 4th year graduate student in Dr. Nigel Richards' group at the University of Florida pursuing a Ph.D. in computational biochemistry. (www.chem.ufl.edu/~richards/)
Lai, Yin Sian (2002; email Lai): Graduate Student. After obtaining my MBA from USD, I went back to Singapore. I am waiting for acceptance into a dual MSc. in Supply Chain Management and Logistics jointly offered by the National University of Singapore and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Mills, Jamie (2002; email Jamie): Graduate Student. I am a 4th year graduate student in Dr. Patricia Jenning's lab at the UCSD and I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.
Thayer, Angelina (2002; email Angie): Senior Research Associate & MA Graduate Student. I am currently working as a Senior RA in Medicinal Chemistry at Kalypsys. I am also pursuing an MA at SDSU part-time! As you can imagine - life is crazy!
Johnson, Tyler (2003, email Tyler): Finished Dental School at Loma Linda University in 2007. Started an anesthesia residency to be completed in 11 months. I miss San Diego and will be moving back ASAP.
Fillo, Jeremiah (2004, email Jeremiah): I am in my second year of medical school at Creighton University and am continuing to push through the curriculum. The medical program at Creighton is excellent and I am already working in a clinic at the VA hospital once every two weeks as part of my regular education. Omaha is a change from San Diego, but it lets me see another part of the country and helps me determine where I want to eventually settle down.
Sullivan, Brian (2004, email Brian): Systerms Engineer. I am working at Raytheon Integrated Defense here in San Diego. I am currently applying to Notre Dame for a Master's program in Mechanical Engineering.
Newbrough, Bryan (2004, email Bryan): I am currently a resident at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The University of San Diego Chemistry Department did an outstanding job in preparing me for my future.
Bart, Jennifer (2005, email Jennifer): QC Chemist I at NeoMPS Inc., Inc. I have been working at NeoMPS, Inc. in Miramar the past couple of months and it is going great. The people are very nice and I am using things I learned at USD in chemistry that I never thought I would. I know I have graduated, but I still feel like I am on an extended summer break. I live with Ashley (a chemistry senior at USD) and when I see her studying for a biochemistry test and registering for classes it makes me realize that I am really done with school, for awhile. I would love to hear from everyone and I hope all is well in Shiley!
Fong, Jennie (2005, email Jennie): Graduate Student. I am a first year graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at MIT. I am excited to announce that I am now a member of Rick Danheiser's group in the Organic Division (web.mit.edu/chemistry/www/faculty/danheiser.html) My project(s) will include either developing synthetic methodology, total synthesis of natural products, or ideally both. I'm looking forward to the end of all classes next summer so I can focus on research. Feel free to contact me with questions about life in graduate school or getting in to graduate school. It's hard to believe but sleep is always your friend and sometimes, it is worth not studying just to get your zzz. I didn't believe it at first and sometimes I still forget how true it is.
O'Leary,Tara (2005, email Tara): Laboratory Technician. After a year-long hiatus in Mammoth Lakes, I am now working at ETS Laboratories (www.etslabs.com), a beverage analysis lab in Napa Valley. Due to our location around wine country, much of our analysis is focused around the 'popular' TCA (chloroanisoles) which contaminate wine. However, we also analyze many other qualities in wines and other beverages..
Rowe, Tad (2005, email Tad): Currently employed at Althea Technologies.
Marinkovich, Nicholas (2005, email Nicholas): Research Associate. I am currently employed at Takeda San Diego where I work in the Analytical Chemistry Department. In Fall of 2008, I plan to attend Creighton Medical University.
Balatbat, Calvin (2006, email Calvin): Research Associate III, Harvard Stem Cell Institute Greetings from Boston! I am currently working under the direction of Dr. Douglas Melton (hsci.harvard.edu/index.jsp). My projects include high throughput screening of stem cells toward insulin producing cells and understanding the mechanisms of pancreatic organogenisis through developmental assys. As of now, my plans are to attend graduate school and pursue my interests in stem cell engineering. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about stem cell research or why you should be a chem major...trust me it pays off.
Gonzalez, Vincent (2006, email Vincent): Transaction Revenue Analyst, AthenaHealth Inc. I am newly married, living in Boston and working at Athena health management company. I am also reapplying to medical school. Hope all is well in SD!
Sullivan, Ashley (2006, email Ashley): Graduate student, University of Zurich. I am currently living in Zurich, Switzerland. I am working on my Masters in Wirschaftchemie, or Business Chemistry, in the Organic Chemistry Institute at the University of Zurich. I work for Jay Siegel, formerly of UCSD, in an unusually diverse but close knit group in which at least 12 countries are represented. I divide my time between doing columns, eating Swiss chocolate, and exploring Europe. I am having a wonderful time!
Brauner, Noah (2008, email Noah): Applying for Medical Schools!
Forrester, Jared (2008): Axikin Pharmaceuticals
Hanley, Sean (2008, email Sean):United States Navy
Hodko, Domagoj (2008, email Domi): UCLA Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program
Klick, Cole (2008): Student at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine
McBeth, Andrea (2008, email Andrea):Applying to graduate schools.
Parks, Ashley (2008, email Ashley): University of South Carolina graduate program
Pfaff, Danielle (2008, email Danielle): Western Washington University,M.S. Chemistry Program
Scudday, Travis (2008, email Travis): Medical School, Medical College of Wisconsin
Smith, Kathryn (2008, email Kathryn): School? I wont know til next year cause I'm taking the year off and volunteering in Ecuador!
Smith, Kyle (2008, email Kyle): I just wanted to say hello and that I have been working with SDSURF in the biochemistry lab this past summer!! It has been great to reinforce my education with intense hands on work... I also wanted to announce that I got a job working for Cell Applications Inc. in SD. You can check them out at http://www.cellapplications.com/ I hope you're looking forward to the new year as much as I am.
Stroik, Dan (2008, email Dan): Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Lopes, Shauna (2008): Pharmacy Student at the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy

Chemistry and Biochemistry

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