Bryan Yavari, a 2024 graduate who majored in neuroscience, has closed the chapter of his collegiate career filled with numerous achievements. Yavari chose to study neuroscience after a years-long interest in the brain, how it works and the research opportunities available to discover what is not yet known about it. During his undergraduate career in SOLS, Yavari led two projects focusing on cancer in the Arizona Cancer Evolution Center.

Each year, the Arizona State University Faculty Women’s Association (FWA) recognizes outstanding faculty mentors and distinguished graduate students at their annual awards program.

The FWA is an organization dedicated to providing support for faculty success and innovation at ASU. Since its founding in 1954, the FWA has served as an important resource to all faculty through our programming, advocacy efforts and special networking events.

Dementia, an umbrella term used to describe various forms of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia, affects millions worldwide. With an expected surge to over 130 million cases by 2050, the search for effective treatments and early diagnostic methods is more urgent than ever. The personal impact of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's, cannot be overstated. As we witness loved ones struggle with the disease, we're reminded of the critical importance of understanding and addressing dementia.

Note: This story is part of an ongoing series profiling graduate students in the School of Life Sciences. See April's featured students here. 

Gissel Marquez Alcaraz – Evolutionary Biology 

What do cancer, cacti, and kombucha have in common?  

For Gissel Marquez Alcaraz, a third year PhD candidate in the Evolutionary Biology program, they’re all model systems for studying evolution. 

Note: This story is part of an ongoing series profiling graduate students in the School of Life Sciences. See March’s featured students here.  

Ask a Biologist is a website and podcast dedicated to teaching about the living world. The podcast is hosted by Charles Kazilek, executive director of K-12 outreach and advisor to the Provost on academic technology. On his podcast, he's better known as "Dr. Biology."

Note: This story is part of an ongoing series profiling graduate students in the School of Life Sciences. See February’s featured students here.  

This article is part of a series of profiles for SOLS alumni stories.
 

School of Life Sciences students ElanaGrace Fernandez and Nabhan Fakrudin are working hard - on and off campus. Through the undergraduate advising office at SOLS, Fernandez and Fakrudin scored internships in their desired career field as undergraduate students. 

The research that goes on in the School of Life Sciences spans a huge and fascinating variety of subjects. The graduate students who make up SOLS are no less diverse or interesting, arriving at their respective research from different places and with different passions. Here, we recognize a handful of these graduate students, their work, and what motivates them to pursue it. 

Jason Lacson – Animal Behavior Program