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UC LEADS

Undergraduate STEM Research Program 

 

new student scholars

 

The University of California Leadership Excellence for Advanced DegreeS (UC LEADS) program prepares promising undergraduate students for advanced education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This program is designed to identify upper-division UCSD undergraduate students with the potential to succeed in these disciplines, but who have experienced situations or conditions that have adversely impacted their advancement in their field of study. In addition, this program provides  students with undergraduate educational experiences that will prepare them to assume positions of leadership in industry, government, public service, and academia following completion of a STEM graduate degree.

Once chosen as UC LEADS scholars, the students embark upon a program of scientific research and graduate school preparation. Scholars are provided with an excellent opportunity to explore their discipline, experience a research environment, and improve their opportunities for future study in their chosen field. Each scholar is mentored by a member of the UC faculty, who assists the student in designing a plan of research and enrichment activities fitted to the individual interests and academic goals of the scholar.

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Program Components & Benefits

  • Paid summer research experiences, at UC San Diego and at other UC campuses
  • Graduate school preparation and advising
  • Travel funding to attend professional meetings or scientific conferences
  • Membership to a professional society
  • Poster presentations at the annual UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium
  • Application fee waivers to UC graduate programs
  • Leadership development
  • Opportunity to meet other students interested in STEM on campus but also across the UC system
  • GRE preparation
  • Potential source of letters of recommendation
  • NEW! UC LEADS Fellowship for Graduate School at University of California Campuses

 

Application for the 2025 Cohort had closed.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for selection, applicants must be:

  • Enrolled in a UC undergraduate degree program in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) major
  • Interested in research (note: you do not have to have previous research experience to apply to this program)
  • Seasoned UC sophomores or rising junior standing with two more full academic years until graduation (Students who have recently transferred from a community college with less than two years until graduation are encouraged to apply)
  • Intent to pursue a PhD and/or Master programs in a STEM field
  • In good academic standing in undergraduate degree program with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Able to demonstrate potential for success in a graduate program
  • U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents; AB540 students are also eligible to apply

All eligible students are encouraged to apply. The UC LEADS program does not consider race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories as part of the application and selection process.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a panel that might consist of staff, faculty, and graduate students. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview with staff and current scholars. Applicants will be evaluated based on a holistic review process of their applications, education/career goals, and aspirations.

Current Scholars


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Yazmin Ortega | Cognitive Science/Neuroscience Major

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Fabrizio Malatesta | Biology/Bioinformatics Major

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Kai Velasco | Structural Engineering Major

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Michelle Voong | Biochemistry Major

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Manasvini Komandur | Physics Major
profile picture Harini Muralidharan | Cognitive Science/Design and Interaction Major
profile picture Tran Vo | Chemical Engineering Major

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  Thomas Frisch | Biochemistry Major

XInyi.jpg

 

  Xinyi Zhang | Biology Major in Bioinformatics

Edrian.jpg

 

  Edrian Kabiling | Chemical Engineering Major

Alumni Scholars


patrick.jpg Patrick Joseph Smith | Microbiology Major | 24' Cohort
anetzy.png Anetzy Bermudez Torales | Biochemistry Major | 23' Cohort
runpeng.png Runpeng Jian | Computer Science Major | 23' Cohort
tin.jpg Tin Nguyen | Molecular and Cell Biology / Mechanical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort
savannah.jpg Savannah Rhoades | Chemical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort
Leanna-Rondon.jpeg Leanna Rondon | Biology Major | 23' Cohort
Michelle.jpg Michelle Diaz Gomez | Cogn & Behavioral Neuroscience Major | 23' Cohort

julian.jpeg

Julian Ramirez | Mechanical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort

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Marissa Todesco | Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Major | 23' Cohort

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Edwin Ruiz | Cognitive Science/Machine Learning and Neural Computation Major | 23' Cohort

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Anna Nguyen | Mechanical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort

VickyChen

 

  Vicky Chen | Biochemistry Major

ClaireWellenkamp

 

  Claire Wellenkamp | Marine Biology Major

AliKattee

 

  Ali Kattee | Mechanical Engineering Major

JessicadelaTorre

 

  Jessica de la Torre | Mechanical Engineering Major

AndrewOabel

 

  Andrew Oabel | Computer Science Major

FAQ

  1. If I have additional questions, who should I contact?
    • Please contact the program coordinator Edgar at eabeas@ucsd.edu
  2. Can I do summer school or take summer courses and do this program?
    • Unfortunately no, you'll be required to do 35 hours a week of a faculty mentored research experience during the summer. 
  3. I already have a UCSD faculty research mentor that I've been working with, can I still apply to this program?
    • Yes
  4. I am a freshmen or senior, can I still apply?
    • Per our statewide efforts, every year we recruit sophomores or new transfer juniors to our program.
  5. Will we have an opportunity to present our research?
    • Yes, every summer scholars do a 15 minute oral presentation and then a research poster presentation in March.

Contact

Please direct questions to:

Edgar Beas

UC LEADS Campus Coordinator
ucleads@ucsd.edu

Proposition 209 Compliance

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. All programs and initiatives coordinated by the University of California Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs are designed and implemented in full compliance with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy.

More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.

More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.