Research Alumni Panel
On Wednesday, July 29th, the University of San Diego Office of Undergraduate Research welcomed back 4 alumni to speak with current undergraduate research students and faculty. The panel included Maria Tavares, Erika Atienza, Gavin McLaren and Fermin Martinez. This inaugural event was created with the purpose of current undergraduate students learning from alumni about how they’ve leveraged their research experience from USD to earn internships, jobs, admission to graduate schools and more. The panel inspired current USD students to recognize the real-world impact of their undergraduate research and decide what path to take after graduation. After the panel, students had the opportunity to connect with the panelists through smaller breakout sessions to ask questions and hear more about their journeys on a deeper level.
Tavares, a 2024 Bachelor of Arts graduate in neuroscience, is now pursuing her PhD in Neurobiology at the University of California, San Diego. During her time at USD she conducted research under the mentorship of Professor Jena Hales, PhD, with support from the McNair Scholars Program. She was able to offer students the perspective of attending graduate school after earning her undergraduate degree, working through imposter syndrome, and leaning on a diversity of mentors she now considers as close as family.
Atienza graduated with her BA in sociology in 2025 and is currently studying social anthropology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. While at USD, she worked alongside research mentor Thomas Reifer, PhD, chair and professor of sociology. Atienza is a proud alumna of multiple USD programs such as Student Support Services (SSS), McNair Scholars Program, and the Keck Undergraduate Humanities Research Fellows Program. During her time on the panel, Atienza told the audience about her interdisciplinary experience in the humanities, social sciences and medicine, and pursuing a graduate degree outside of the United States.
McLaren earned his BA in biology in 2024 and now serves as the clinical research supervisor for preventive cardiology at the University of California, San Diego. McLaren worked with mentor Associate Professor of Biology Cawa Tran, PhD, while studying at USD and published a first-authored manuscript on his undergraduate research. He had also interned at Sanford Burnham Prebys through the Career Development Center’s summer internship award. While on the panel, he advised undergraduate research students to maintain a close relationship with their mentors and not to overlook the importance of soft skills in research.
Martinez is still an active undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering with one more year at USD and has participated in research with mentor Ryan McGorty, PhD, chair and professor of physics and biophysics. Martinez is also a SSS student and tutor of various physics, math and mechanical engineering classes. He is currently working as a mechanical engineering intern at Hughes, providing insight into industry experience, and applying his skills in 3D printing, CAD design, manufacturing and soft matter physics. He talked the audience through his experience in different internships and institutions across Southwestern Community College, San Diego State University (SDSU), USD and those in Mexico.
The panel concluded with discussion about how the USD research experience can be impactful throughout your career and the amazing resources offered. “My research experience didn't just shift, but completely set my direction. It’s the reason I have chosen this career,” Tavares shared. “It wasn’t until I joined Dr. Hales’s lab that I got exposed to research for the first time, and through many different experiences I’ve had in the lab and through the mentorship of Dr. Hales and opportunities like going to conferences, presenting, getting exposed to this world of research that I decided to do a PhD instead and it was what I was really passionate about.”
Tavares' message was echoed by the other panelists, that the mentorship and opportunities provided at USD can shape students’ academic and postgraduate journeys and should be embraced by students looking to grow in a personal and professional capacity.