Last Saturday, the University of California, Irvine buzzed with activity as roughly 100 high school students from Orange and Los Angeles counties converged for a noteworthy outreach event. Organized by the Center for Educational Partnerships in collaboration with BioSci Student Affairs, this gathering was part of the “Choosing a Major” program aimed at guiding future college students.

Celeste Nicole Sanchez, a distinguished senior within BioSci and a participant of the Minority Science Programs, took the stage to share her educational journey through BioSci. Celeste’s presentation not only outlined her path and how she plans to pursue a PhD at Stanford this fall but also served as a beacon of inspiration for many attendees. Her narrative was a vivid testament to the resilience and dedication required to excel in the sciences.

The event also featured Marina Ritchie, Ellie Andrews and Gema Olivarria, graduate students and members of the UCI MIND research group. They shared their experiences and challenges as BioSci students, engaging the audience with a live demonstration using real human brains. This hands-on session illuminated the practical and impactful side of scientific studies, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm among the young attendees.

It was a day of discovery and motivation, effectively bridging the gap between current scholars and the next generation of scientific leaders and leaving the high school students with newfound excitement about their future academic endeavors.