WOMEN IN SCIENCE SOCIETY
San Diego State University
Meet our 2023-2024 Leadership Board!
PRESIDENT: Chris Sanchez
Hi everyone! I'm Chris and I'm currently 3rd year studying public health with double minors in behavioral and cognitive psych and honors interdisciplinary studies. I am honored to serve as your President this year and working to cultivate an inclusive environment for all women in STEM on campus. Since my freshman year, this organization has provided me with experiences that have allowed me to broaden my professional and social network while refining my leadership skills. I plan on giving back to this organization in the same way that it has given me! I am looking forward to serving WSS members and meeting mire like-minded, passionate, and intelligent women.
Contact - wsssdsupresident@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT: Alyssa Aguirre
Hi everyone! My name is Alyssa Aguirre and I’m so excited to be the WSS Vice President this year! I am a 3rd year Pre-Dental Biology student. I love WSS because it has given me a great support system and allowed me to make amazing friendships with other women in STEM! This organization has also allowed me to grow professionally, while expanding my networking opportunities. A few of my pastimes include hanging out with friends, working out, traveling and going to the beach. I’m so excited to be involved and to see what this year has to offer! I can’t wait to continue doing great things with WSS!
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Contact - wsssdsu.vicepresident@gmail.com
SECRETARY: Amelia Kopf
Hi everyone! My name is Amelia and I'm currently a second year biology student on the pre-med track. I'm beyond excited to take on the role of WSS Secretary this year! Joining WSS has given me a strong support system of women in STEM and has presented me with countless opportunities. WSS has been an integral part of my navigation through college and beyond. I can't wait to help give women in science a safe space to grow and learn at SDSU. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming meetings and events!
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Contact - wss.sdsu.secretary@gmail.com
TREASURER: Rachel O'Campo
Hey there! I'm Rachel Ocampo, the treasurer for WSS this school year. I'm in my 3rd year studying Biochemistry, and my dream is to be a doctor someday. When I'm not busy with school, I love checking out the cool spots around San Diego , going to the beaches, and hanging out at coffee shops. Being part of WSS has been amazing. I've met incredible women who have the same values as me, and it's been a safe and supportive community. I'm super excited for all the personal growth and awesome things that are coming our way this year with WSS!
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Contact - wsssdsu.treasurer@gmail.com
EVENTS COMMITTEE:
Celestine Albaran & Jade Jachim
Hi! My name is Celestine Albaran, but I also go by Cessy, and I am part of the Events Committee for WSS. I am a 5th-year Biology major and this year will be my third year in WSS! I am super excited to serve on our executive board and support our Women in STEM community on campus. I am a pre-med student and plan to attend an osteopathic medical school after graduating from SDSU. I have filled many roles on campus outside of the classroom from doing research to working in food service, so I am happy to answer any questions you have!
Hello to the beautiful person reading this, my name is Jade Jachim. I will be serving as part of the Events Committee for WSS! I am a 3rd year IS3D (Biology, Chemistry, Psychology) major and Public Health Minor with the ambition of working as a Emergency Dept. physician or plastic surgeon. I love music, going on walks, reading + watching pyscho/horrors, and trying new foods. My college life would not be the same without meeting the many intelligent, genuine, evolving ladies in WSS. Please reach out if you have a certain event you want to see happen. I am thrilled to be a part of your college experience!
PROGRAMS COORDINATOR: Mena Shammas
Hi everyone! My name is Mena Shammas, and I am WSS’s Programs Coordinator for the second year in a row! I am a third year Microbiology student and my hope is to attend pharmacy school to become a clinical pharmacist. In my free time, I like to hang out with my family and friends, watch TV, and try new restaurants. WSS has been such a great part of my college experience! I’ve made friends, learned about opportunities, and expanded my professional network. There are so many different ways that this organization supports its members, and I can’t wait to serve as the Programs Coordinator again! I hope that you all gain the beautiful experience that I have had in WSS, and I can’t wait to see you all at our GBMs and Faculty Networking Event
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Contact - wsssdsu.communications@gmail.com
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DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS: Lilianna Ruiz
Hello ladies! My name is Lili Ruiz and I am so excited to be the Director of Public Relations for WSS! I am a 3rd year biology major, with a minor in chemistry, and a dream to become a physician after graduating. My goal as DPR is to build a bridge between WSS with other organizations and the college of sciences, in order to enhance the experiences and networking opportunities for the members of WSS. This organization has truly served as a safe space for me for the past two years, and I hope it can be the same to all of you. Women in Science Society welcomes everyone with open arms and we are SO excited to have you!
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Contact - wsssdsu.publicrelations@gmail.com
OUTREACH COORDINATOR: Nicole Olarra
Hi everyone! My name is Nikki and I am so excited to be your Outreach Coordinator this year! I'm a third year Pre-PA biology major. WSS means so much to me and has allowed me to find a like minded community of women in STEM who I can connect with on all different levels. On top of all the wonderful professional and academic opportunities that WSS had connected me with, I have also met some of the most amazing, intelligent girls ever through it. In my free time I love going to the beach, finding new yummy food spots, and spending time with friends! I'm so excited for this next year and the opportunity to cultivate outreach opportunities that are truly impactful to both our members and the San Diego community!
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CONTENT COORDINATOR: Arianne Pablico
Hi everyone! My name is Arianne Pablico and I'm your Content Coordinator for this year and so happy to be part of this Executive board! I'm a 3rd year Public Health major with a minor in Child and Family Development and hoping to become an Occupational Therapist in the future. Outside of school I love to go to the gym, listen to music, and find cute places to drink coffee. I joined WSS looking to find community and I absolutely did! Being around likeminded women has been so fun and I can't wait to help lead this club with all the other amazing women on the board :)
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Contact - wsssdsu.contentcoordinator@gmail.com
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FACULTY SPONSOR: REBECCA LEWISON, PHD
Rebecca Lewison is a professor of Biology and serves as the Chair for Research and Scholarly Excellence for the Division of Diversity and Innovation at San Diego State University. Her research is at the vanguard of innovating applied conservation science as it relates to resource and land use, developing actionable science in partnership with practitioners and policy makers. Dr. Lewison’s research focuses on the impact of resource and land use on vulnerable wildlife populations that face pressing conservation challenges, in both terrestrial and marine environments. Her projects also explore coupled human-natural populations and systems around the world. What unites the research is a common focus - understanding the complex relationships between human and ecological processes using innovative field, quantitative and lab-based approaches to advance applied conservation science. Dr. Lewison’s diverse research portfolio receives funding from NASA, the National Science Foundation, as well as Federal, State and local resource and land management agencies. In addition to her ecological research, Dr. Lewison has been leading efforts to support diversity, inclusion and excellence in the academy. She serves as a co-PI on a UC-CSU collaborative NSF ADVANCE award “Center for Research, Excellence, and Diversity in Team Science (CREDITS)” and leads several initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, innovation and excellence at SDSU.