Group: Previous Members

I’m a transfer student from Butte College, up in northern California near my hometown of Paradise. When I first started school, I rapidly became involved with and amazed by all things biology, a fascination that has never faded! I am particularly interested in studying the nervous system with an emphasis (obsession?) on questions about the biological basis of consciousness. I am thrilled to be learning lots, contributing to research, and taking care of the animals in Dr. Gold’s lab as I pursue my Neurobiology-focused degree. I’m also planning to apply to MD (and probably a few MD-PhD) programs in the upcoming cycle, so stay tuned for the next step in the adventure!

I am a second year undergraduate here at UC Davis who is majoring in Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity. I am interested in studying evolutionary biology, genetics/genomics, conservation biology, marine biology, ecology, paleobiology, and much more! I am super excited to be helping with research in Professor Gold’s lab!

I am passionate about topics related to paleobiology, plant science, and wildlife biology and how research into these fields can help us understand ways to mitigate climate change and restore ecosystems. My career goals include lab work combined with field work focused on these areas. After pursuing and (hopefully) focusing my interests more, I plan on attending graduate school in the future!

Paóla J. A. Benefo is a Ghanaian-Italian who grew up in Columbus, Ohio. She is a Children’s Defense Fund’s Beat the Odds Scholar, New York Times Opinion author, and Phi Kappa Phi scholar amongst many other achievements. She is interested in all things science, specifically biology. She aims to be a dentist that serves underserved communities like her own. Website: https://blaca.weebly.com

I am interested in the growth and function of molluscan shells, as well as understanding the ecological and oceanographic contexts in which adaptations evolve. I am currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Davis investigating how oyster gene expression and microbiomes change throughout ontogeny and under varying pH conditions, and how these factors work in concert to affect calcification.