College of Natural Sciences
Student Ambassadors
Mission Statement
Our organization strives to promote a welcoming and inclusive community for all students pursuing an undergraduate degree in the Natural Sciences. Members of our organization will act as mentors and leaders, aiding incoming students in their transition to our University and building camaraderie amongst continuing students.
Officers and Student Ambassadors
President
Emi Lin Luo
Name: Emi Lin Luo (President)
Current year in school: Senior
Major: Molecular Cell Biology
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Future educational and career goals: Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I hope to attend medical school. I am primarily interested in ophthalmology and pediatrics, but I am open towards other fields.
Hobbies: I enjoy photography and hiking.
Vice-President
Kelly Huang
Name: Kelly Huang (Vice President)
Current year in school: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Future educational and career goals: After completing my undergraduate education, I hope to apply this foundational knowledge in Pharmacy school and towards my future career goal as an aspiring Pharmacist.
Hobbies: Aside from school taking the majority of my time, I do enjoy spending time with my family and solving jig-saw puzzles!
Historian
Natalie Choi
Name: Natalie Choi (Historian)
Current year in school: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Future educational and career goals: I aspire to be a physician so my next educational goal after finishing my undergrad is to go to medical school.
Hobbies: In my free time, I like to play the piano, video games, cook, and ice skate.
Secretary
Maansi Murty
Name: Maansi Murty (Secretary)
Current year in school: Senior
Major: Biology and Public Health
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Future educational and career goals: After undergrad, I hope to apply for medical school to receive my doctorate of medicine! I plan to focus on Emergency Medicine or Trauma Surgery.
Hobbies: When I’m not drowning in schoolwork, I love to surf, go on adventures, and play the ukulele poorly!
Student Ambassador
Jolie Tosten
Name: Jolie Tosten
Current year in school: Junior
Major: Marine Biology
Hometown: Grangeville, Idaho
Future educational and career goals: After receiving a B.S. in Marine Biology I plan to attend graduate school to obtain a doctorate degree in marine sciences-more specifically biological oceanography.
Hobbies: I love all things outdoors! I especially love snorkeling, going to the beach, and hiking. When I have the time, I also love to read a book.
Student Ambassador
Brandon Effendi
Name: Brandon Effendi
Current year in school: Senior
Major: Biology
Minor: Public Health
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Future educational and career goals: Through completion of my undergraduate degree in Biology and Public Health, I plan to continue my journey in medical school where I will be taking the next steps into becoming a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
Hobbies: I am currently a part of the UH Manoa’s Esports Varsity team for R6 Siege and CS:GO. I love cooking dishes from a variety of different cuisines, and experimenting with new flavors! I also love to workout at the gym and play golf. Whenever I have time to spare, I usually love to run around Waikiki and Diamond Head as a way to relax.
Student Ambassador
Caroline Smith
Name: Caroline Smith
Current year in school: Junior
Major: Marine Biology
Hometown: Snoqualmie, WA
Future educational and career goals: I plan to complete my Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology and start my career in research or for a company where I can actively work to change laws in favor of the environment.
Hobbies: I love staying active and frequently hiking, snorkeling, surfing as well as cooking and spending time with my friends and family.
Student Ambassador
Jaymie Bilog-Mina
Name: Jaymie Bilog-Mina
Current year in school: 3rd year, senior standing
Major: BA Microbiology
Minor: Psychology and Spanish
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Future educational and career goals: After I finish my undergraduate I plan on getting my masters in Microbiology and going on to medical school. I hope to go into internal medicine or pediatrics. I also want to travel to other countries, helping those living in underprivileged communities.
Hobbies: Aside from studying and working I enjoy being involved in school clubs like HOSA and Disney Ohana Club. I also love going to the beach every weekend and trying new places to eat around the island with friends and family!
Student Ambassador
Kiersty McKee
Name: Kiersty McKee
Current year in school: Sophomore
Major: Biology B.S. with a minor in Public Health
Hometown: Papakōlea, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Future educational and career goals: While at UH Mānoa, I would like to become involved with as many clubs and activities as possible and also participate in undergraduate research. After graduating from UH Mānoa, I would like to continue my education in medical or pharmacy school in order to give back to the Hawaiian community in the future.
Hobbies: When I am not spending time with friends, family, and 3 dogs, I enjoy napping, watching cooking and baking videos, travelling, trying new foods, lei making, and playing video games.
Student Ambassador
Jobert Teppang
Name: Jobert Teppang
Current year in school: Junior
Major: Biology B.S.
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Future educational and career goals: After graduating, I plan to attend medical school and pursue my goal of becoming a doctor!
Hobbies: In my free time I do sports such as basketball, skateboarding, and judo! I enjoy going outside, especially hiking or going to the beach with friends. Once in a while I play video games but I consider it as a hobby!
Student Ambassador
Chase Kane
Name: Chase Kane
Current year in school: Sophomore
Major: B.S. Biochemistry
Hometown: Kapolei, Oahu
Future educational and career goals: Medical School (possibly JABSOM) after I graduate. I’m very interested in oncology and dermatology, but I’m still exploring my interests :)
Hobbies: Singing/music, running, unnecessarily shopping for clothes, eating ice cubes, finishing homework in one sitting.
Student Ambassador
Tina Loos
Name: Tina Loos
Current year in school: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Future educational and career goals: After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I plan to attend graduate school, earn a doctorate degree, and work in an interdisciplinary career that utilizes technology to make positive differences.
Hobbies: Volunteering, Playing Tennis; Reading; Listening to Music; Watching K-dramas; Spending Time with Family and Friends.
Student Ambassador
Liliana Rivas
Name: Liliana Riva
Current year in school: Junior
Major: B.S. Biology
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Future educational and career goals: After completing my undergraduate degree I plan to attend medical school and work towards becoming a pediatrician.
Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, taking care of my plants, swimming, making coffee and walking through nature.
Student Ambassador
Yousef Sarameh
Name: Yousef Sarameh
Current year in school: Junior
Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology B.S.
Hometown: Kapolei, HI
Future educational and career goals: My immediate goal after I graduate is to enter medical school and receive an MD. From there, I plan on entering a surgical residency, with the hope of one day practicing on these islands.
Hobbies: Basketball, Netflix, Comics, Walking, Watching movies with my friends
Student Ambassador
Levin Gill Bonilla
Name: Levin Gil Bonilla
Current year in school: Senior
Major: B.S. Biology
Hometown: Kahului, Maui, HI
Future educational and career goals: After completing undergrad, I plan to go for a Master’s with aspirations towards a career in education as a high school teacher and maybe one day work in educational administration. I am inspired how an education can transform lives and hope to give back to my community as much as they have done for me!
Hobbies: Listening to music, food adventures, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family. Recently into K-dramas and rewatching childhood shows when I have time. Enjoy hiking once in a while.
Student Ambassador
Cynthia Chan
Name: Cynthia Chan
Current year in school: Sophomore
Major: Marine Biology
Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI
Future educational and career goals: After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I plan to attend graduate school and work in a lab environment where I can make a difference in society.
Hobbies: Going to the beach, sleeping, eating poke.
Student Ambassador
Ju-Ling Chen
Name: Ju-Ling Chen
Current year in school: Sophomore
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Yokohama, Japan
Future educational and career goals: I hope to go to medical school as well as conduct biomedical research.
Hobbies: Relax at cafes, practice violin, surf, and eat tasty food.
Student Ambassador
Étienne Briddell
Name: Étienne Briddell
Current year in school: Junior
Major:Biology and French
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Future educational and career goals: I aspire to become a zoologist/wildlife biologist who works with endangered species. I would like to help with conservation efforts and educate the public on animals and effects on them. My ideal career would be to work with bears, specifically polar bears and work closely on climate change and conservation.
Hobbies: In my free time, I like to play volleyball, craft or color, listen to music and be outdoors.
Student Ambassador
Stacie Saito
Name: Stacie Saito
Current year in school: senior
Major: Chemistry and Psychology; minor: Music
Hometown: Kahului, Maui
Future educational and career goals: After getting my bachelors at Manoa I plan on going to Hilo’s Pharmacy program for a future of being a Pharmacist. I hope to find a job back on Maui where I can see my family and friends as much as I want.
Hobbies: I like to hang out with my furry family at home, 2 cats and sometimes three dogs. I am a proud cat and pitbull mom. I play violin and was in the orchestra at UH Manoa, although walking back to the dorms at 9 pm was not nice, and I’ve been playing for almost 14 years now. Hanging out with friends is a given as well.
Student Ambassador
Eunice Bala
Name: Eunice Bala
Current year in school: Senior
Major: Biology and Philippine Language and Culture
Hometown:Waikoloa, Hawaii
Future educational and career goals: I aspire to become an ophthalmologist and open my clinic in Hawaii. After obtaining my undergraduate degrees, I plan to attend medical school.
Hobbies: I like to hike, cook, play the piano, and edit videos!