UC LEADS

Undergraduate STEM Research Program 

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.

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

	Yazmin Ortega | Cognitive Science/Neuroscience Major
	Fabrizio Malatesta | Biology/Bioinformatics Major
	Kai Velasco | Structural Engineering Major
	Michelle Voong | Biochemistry Major
	Manasvini Komandur | Physics Major
	Harini Muralidharan | Cognitive Science/Design and Interaction Major
	Tran Vo | Chemical Engineering Major
	Thomas Frisch | Biochemistry Major
	Xinyi Zhang | Biology Major in Bioinformatics
	Edrian Kabiling | Chemical Engineering Major

Alumni Scholars

	Patrick Joseph Smith | Microbiology Major | 24' Cohort
	Anetzy Bermudez Torales | Biochemistry Major | 23' Cohort
	Runpeng Jian | Computer Science Major | 23' Cohort
	Tin Nguyen | Molecular and Cell Biology / Mechanical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort
	Savannah Rhoades | Chemical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort
	Leanna Rondon | Biology Major | 23' Cohort
	Michelle Diaz Gomez | Cogn & Behavioral Neuroscience Major | 23' Cohort
	Julian Ramirez | Mechanical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort
	Marissa Todesco | Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Major | 23' Cohort
	Edwin Ruiz | Cognitive Science/Machine Learning and Neural Computation Major | 23' Cohort
	Anna Nguyen | Mechanical Engineering Major | 23' Cohort
	Vicky Chen | Biochemistry Major
	Claire Wellenkamp | Marine Biology Major
	Ali Kattee | Mechanical Engineering Major
	Jessica de la Torre | Mechanical Engineering Major
	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