Hi! I have lived in a couple different states, most recently Virginia, which is where I attended high-school and university. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in history, and I am currently a Ph.D. student in the Pharmacology & Toxicology graduate group here at Davis. I really love learning and science, and I think I'm most interested in pursuing teaching after graduate school! Outside of the lab, I enjoy listening to science podcasts, drawing, reading, playing video games, and playing with my cat.
Gabriela Rivera, BS
Gabriela Rivera is currently a second year graduate student in MCIP. In her free time she loves to bake, camp, and spend time with her family.
Research Assistants:
Ahmad Ikram
Ahmad graduated from UC Davis in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, achieving the distinction of Summa Cum Laude. He is now keen to further his expertise by gaining valuable research experience in the Gomes Lab before pursuing medical school. As a former student in Dr. Gomes's NPB101 course, Ahmad excelled and developed a deep appreciation for the subject matter. Outside of his academic pursuits, he is dedicated to staying active through working out, swimming, and enjoys playing Forza Horizon 5.
Yue “Cynthia” Yu
Cynthia graduated in 2025 with a double major in NPB and philosophy. She enjoys reading (classics are somewhat more interesting for her), cooking, and playing video games during her free time.
Undergraduate Researchers:
Emily Barson
I am an incoming junior majoring in cellular biology at UC Davis. I am originally from the Bay Area and moved to Davis for college about two years ago. I am a very curious person who love learning, but when outside of school or lab I enjoy hiking, cooking, going to the gym, and most importantly spending time with friends and family.
Jacob Tuazon
Jacob (he/him) is a Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major at UC Davis with aspirations to join the medical field. In his free time, he enjoys working out, people-watching, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Christina Vyvoda
Christina is a fourth year Global Disease Biology major at UC Davis. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and skiing!
Siona Samanta
Alireza Taeb
I'm a fourth year psychology student, I was born in Tehran, Iran. And grew up in Ventura, California. In my freetime I enjoy surfing, backpacking, and hiking. Pretty much anything that has to do with nature and the outdoors.
Victoria Randall, BS
Victoria Randall is a Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program student with aspirations of becoming a Physician. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and spent a majority of her childhood overseas in Okinawa, Japan.
Hafsa Aslam
Hafsa is an incoming second year majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology. She hopes to attend grad school and pursue a career in research or the healthcare field. In her free time, she enjoys baking, painting and traveling.
Michael Solorio
Michael graduated from UC Davis in 2025 with a bachelors of science in human biology. He aspires to pursue a career in medicine. In his free time he enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, strength training, and listening to vinyl records!
Doaa Shahid
Doaa (she/her) is a second-year Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major. She hopes to attend medical school and study cardiology while continuing research throughout her journey. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, building Legos, and walking around Davis.
Jinyue Xu
I’m Jinyue Xu from Beijing, China. I’m an incoming second-year student majoring in Biological Science. I love swimming, and dogs are my favorite animals!
Yunwei (Evelyn) Huang
I'm a third-year undergraduate student at UC Davis majoring in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Statistics. I am interested in a PhD in biomedical molecules in the future. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring new cultures, traveling and dancing.
Amillia Nguyen
I'm a second year Genetics and Genomics major with the hopes of pursuing a career in healthcare in the future. In my free time, I love to do all types of arts and crafts like crochet, draw, and paint! A goal of mine is to travel the world more often, draw the places I go to, and eat lots of new food!
Mahmood Ikram
I’m an incoming senior majoring in Biological Sciences at UC Davis. I’ve always been fascinated by the mechanisms that govern our biology, and I plan to translate this curiosity into a career in medicine. Beyond my academic interests, I enjoy running, soccer, and going on road trips with my family.
Cassidy Chang
I'm a second year student from New York, and currently pursuing a degree in NPB with a minor in nutrition science ! I enjoy going to the gym, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and baking. I hope to one day become a pediatrician or orthopedic / sports medicine doctor.
Rain Kim
Rain is a second year Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design major at UC Davis. She hopes to attend medical school in the future and in her free time she enjoys playing tennis, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Momen Rasool
Momen is a sophomore majoring in Human Biology at UC Davis, with plans to pursue a career in medicine. When he’s not in class or the lab, he enjoys watching cricket (though Pakistan’s performance makes it tough sometimes), hitting the gym, and exploring hiking trails with friends.
Elizabeth Gayhart
Elizabeth is a third year NPB major from Mountain View, CA. She aspires to practice medicine alongside her research, and become an educator further in the future. Some of her hobbies include traveling, cooking, playing the piano, and working out.
Donnawhitte Le
I graduated from UC Davis in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and am planning to pursue further education in medical school. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and binge-watching TV shows. Â