ABOUT US
CELL Scholars (Cultivating Early Laboratory Learning) is a UCLA BRI outreach program which aims to provide early exposure to scientific research in an effort to make science accessible to all and promote community engagement in STEM.
CELL Scholars provides scholarship-sponsored opportunities for students from Title I high schools to conduct research in UCLA laboratories during the school year. High school students are paired with a graduate student mentor to hone technical skills at the bench, learn coding skills for computational projects, and gain career and college advice from individuals in the field. Outside of the laboratory, workshops and seminars are held by UCLA graduate students and faculty to help students build critical skills for a career in STEM.
For more information head to: https://bri.ucla.edu/outreach/cell-scholars/
Photo caption: Graduate mentors
Our Executive Team
We are a dedicated team committed to providing high school students with unique opportunities to engage in hands-on laboratory experiences at UCLA. Our mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists and innovators by bridging the gap between secondary education and advanced research.
Through our programs, students gain valuable insights, skills, and mentorship from leading experts in their fields. We believe in the power of education and experiential learning to transform lives and open doors to future possibilities. Thank you for joining us in our effort to cultivate a passion for science and discovery among young minds!
Dylan Hughes & Isabelle Lesmana - Co Presidents
Dylan and Isabelle are the current leaders of the CELL Scholars organization. They collaborate with other VPs and their teams to create the best possible experience for everyone in the program. Their passion and support are the driving forces behind the CELL Scholars mission.
Alicia Kao - VP Internal Affairs
Alicia is responsible for handling logistical and financial operations that make this all possible. She and her team work on creating budgets, coordinating transportation, and facilitating social events for members.
Abigail Yu - VP External Affairs
Abbie and her team lead recruitment efforts, maintain partnerships with other organizations and departments at UCLA, and seek opportunities to secure external funding to support the CELL Scholars mission.
Jennifer An & Shiba Esfand - Co VPs Mentorship
Jenny and Shiba are the points of contact for mentors and mentees. They lead training workshops, facilitate mentor-mentee pairs, and work to create a supportive environment for all team members. The work of the mentorship team is the foundation of the CELL Scholars program.
Aditi Venkatraman - VP Outreach
Aditi and the outreach team oversee activities and coordinate volunteers for various workshops held at high schools in LA throughout the school year. These events serve as interactive introductions to a range of topics from broad scientific concepts - like science communication or careers in STEM - all the way to focused neuroscience content.
Our Mentors
Stay tuned to see the amazing students who will be working with high school mentees this year!
Coming soon!
About our founder
Megan Chappell
Megan Chappell is a Neuroscience PhD Candidate and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Lindsay De Biase, where she investigates how astrocyte-microglia interactions shape early postnatal neurodevelopment. Megan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Virginia, where she investigated how oligodendrocyte progenitor cells contribute to neuroinflammation in mouse models of multiple sclerosis. Through her work with CELL Scholars, Megan is dedicated to increasing the accessibility of science and removing barriers to entering STEM fields for individuals of underrepresented backgrounds. In her free time, Megan enjoys kayaking, playing the viola, and arranging music.
Alumni
Executive positions
Megan Chappell - Founder, President
Douglas Vormstein-Schneider - VP Internal Affairs
Sara Blagburn Blanco - VP Mentorship
Keionna Newton - VP Outreach
Benita Jin - VP Internal Affairs
Student mentors
Cassie Klune
Paul Vander
Yessica Mercado-Ayon
Charlie Schleifer
Jun Reichl
Sara Blagburn Blanco