MCB Class of 2021 Campaign

Empower the next generation of students with sponsored research awards!

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Photo credit: Noah Berger

Students cite their research experiences in MCB labs as one of the most impactful and transformative experiences of their undergraduate careers. Exposure to cutting-edge research provides invaluable opportunities for our students to uncover fascinating truths about the life sciences and ignites their passion for the inspiring work they go on to do in the future.  

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Photo credit: Noah Berger

Your gift to the MCB class of 2021 campaign will allow us to support our incredibly driven, committed and talented students by creating $1,000 sponsored research award stipends to allow more MCB majors to have these positive experiences. Funds raised will provide research stipends to declared MCB majors in the 2021-2022 academic year that secure a research placement in an academic or non-profit lab. Focus will be placed on students that are undertaking research for the first time, have financial need, and or are from underrepresented backgrounds. 

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We need your help to make a big impact! Please join us to reach the MCB Class of 2021’s campaign goal of $4,000 and leave a lasting legacy for the next generation. No gift is too small to make a positive difference in the lives of our students!

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Go Bears! 

~MCB Class of 2021   

Photo credit: Ann Trápaga

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Voices of Community Support 

Jessica Bonnar (MCB Alumna, BA 2019) | "The opportunity to research within Berkeley MCB was the most impactful experience of my undergraduate career. I learned how to design, implement, and troubleshoot an independent research project; gained critical fellowship-writing and science communication experience; and developed relationships with lifelong mentors and colleagues. The ability to interact with a world-class biology department through my undergraduate research was life-changing for me, as it challenged me to grow the spark of curiosity and excitement for biology into a full-fledged desire to pursue research as a career." 

Iswar Hariharan (MCB Department Co-Chair and Professor) | "I can still remember the excitement that I experienced when I worked in a research lab for the first time - as an undergraduate. Our department is a great place for undergraduates to do research in labs that are doing some of the best science in the world. We want as many of our undergraduates as possible to spend more time in research labs so that they can experience the joy of discovery. Providing students with stipends for doing research will promote this goal. We are committed to raising funds in as many ways as possible to make this happen." 

Clara Ng-Quinn (MCB Undergraduate Academic Advisor) | “I have been a staff MCB advisor for 6 years, and I've watched so many students discover their passion in research. It's amazing to watch students connect their classroom learning to real research applications, and get involved in groundbreaking research projects at the same time! Research stipends will help us be able to better connect students to research opportunities. Your donation will open up so many doors for our MCB students; thank you for supporting undergraduate research!”

Sydney Ghoreishi (MCB Class of 2021 Graduating Senior) | Watch this video message from Sydney, one of our graduating seniors, about how her undergrad research experience was key to her getting accepted to graduate school and how research stipends for our students preserve equity and diversity in MCB.

Pragnesh Kalyandrug (MCB Class of 2021 Graduating Senior) | Check out this video message from Pragnesh, one of our graduating seniors, on his thoughts about the importance of research stipends for our students for their future success and leaving a lasting legacy.  

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Naama Weksler (MCB Class of 2021 Graduating Senior) | I have loved my time in MCB, and the chance to pursue an honors thesis project was the perfect way to top an exciting undergraduate career. Working in a lab long term gave me the chance to learn about every element of experimental design, as well as get a taste of the social and professional dynamics of academia. I learned new technical skills, read tons of papers, designed experiments, and presented my work in multiple professional settings. This experience was instrumental as I weighed different career paths, and helped me to develop a solid identity as a scientist. I think it's incredibly important that these kinds of opportunities be accessible to everyone.