College of Natural Sciences
Student Ambassadors

Leigh Antoinette Medina

HOWZIT my name is Leigh (pronounced "Lee")! I'm from Hālawa/Salt Lake area and I'm a third year here at UH Mānoa! At UH, I'm a Mānoa Peer Advisor (MPA) and I was a BIO172L teaching intern! Outside of school, I love hiking, going beach and eating all kine food with my friends. I am adamant about meaningful connections; the opportunity to yap is NEVER a wasteful one. I'm nothing short of an everything-enthusiast who loves learning about anything and anyone; if you see me in passing please don't hesitate to say hello!

Rey-Joseph "RJ" Dinulong

Aloha! My name is RJ and this is my 2nd year serving as the Vice President of NSSA! I'm a senior and also the Vice President of the Pre-Medical Association and a COPE Health Scholar at Adventist Health Castle. I'm really excited to be doing the CREATE program at the UH Cancer Center for Summer 2024, and I hope to continue doing cancer research after completion of the program! Outside of school, I enjoy trying new food, taking naps, and buying things I probably don't need, but what's a bit of money compared to happiness?

Olivia Turner

My name is Olivia and this is my third year as a marine biology major at UHM! I have a special interest in coral conservation and some of my other favorite marine organisms include mantis shrimp and firefly squid. I enjoy painting, scuba diving, watching TWD, and going out to eat with my friends. Besides being a part of the NSSA, I am also lucky enough to be a member of the Marine Option Program (MOP). I’m looking forward to this upcoming year because I plan on attending MOP events and scuba diving more often.

Kayla Lum

Hello! My name is Kayla, and I am a senior at UH Mānoa and the treasurer of the Natural Science Student Ambassadors! Besides NSSA, a few of the other things I'm involveded in are being the Student Relations Director of the Pre-Medical Association, a laboratory assistant at the Prišić Lab, and a COPE Health Scholar and executive training coordinator at Adventist Health Castle. Other fun things I've done are studying organic chemistry in Ireland, shadowing at Kapiolani Medical Center, and doing the CREATE program at the UH Cancer Center.

Janna Celeste Bautista

I aspire to one day be a retail pharmacist and serve both the people and animals of my community. Besides being an ambassador, I participate in the Pre-Pharmacy Association here at UH Manoa. I am also currently working as a certified pharmacy technician at my local retail pharmacy and volunteering weekly for a cat rescue and adoption foundation. Some interests and hobbies that I enjoy participating in would be going to the beach or being an amateur foodie. Along with my passion for assisting animals and humans through medicine and care, I try my best to live a sustainable lifestyle, reducing my carbon footprint and helping the earth.

Ritu Krishna Raju

Hello! My name is Ritu and I am an international student form India. I am one semester away from graduating! I have volunteered at Hanuama Bay for over a year. This spring semester I interned at HIMB with MMRP helping analyze Hawaiian Monk Seal Vocalizations. I am a dancer and I love to paint or draw in my free time. I am an advanced scuba diver and freediver. I have two national records in freediving. I love marine mammals, sharks and mantis shrimp!

Venus Li

Hello! I am a junior majoring in Biology and a student in the University of Hawaii Honors Program, deeply engaged in research and extracurriculars. As a senator of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Elections Committee of ASUH, I've represented my peers and addressed critical issues. Outside of school, I help organize the State Science Olympiad event every year. I am also currently working as a research intern at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, where I am honing my research skills. My current research involves researching how native and ethnic communities are affected by breast cancer.

Alain Medeiros

Hi everyone! My name is Alain Medeiros and I am a senior and from the Big Island of Hawaii. In addition to classes, I was also a CNS Office Assistant, Learning Assistant for the math and history departments on campus, and an ACE Peer Mentor as well. In addition to these jobs, I am currently doing 499 research in the PAR/BB lab, and I am a part of the Pre-Medical Association and Psi Chi Honors Society as a board member. I love going to the beach, going out with friends, eating food, and listening to music!

Kendal Nakaoka

Hello! I'm currently studying Molecular Cell Biology and Psychology. I am involved in the Pre-Medical Association and am a General Chemistry TA at UH Manoa. Outside of school, I work as a pharmacy technician and volunteer at Pali Momi Medical Center and UH Cancer Center. During my free time, I enjoy traveling, paddleboarding, and hiking!

Rina Ogino

I am now in my fourth year at UH Mānoa studying Computer Science and Japanese, and am planning to pursue an occupation in software or cloud engineering after graduation. Besides NSSA, I am part of a club called SWITCH: Supporting Women In Technology and Computing Hawaiʻi, where our mission is to support women and minorities in the STEM field. We also encourage young girls to look into STEM, as we previously held a event in collaboration with the Girl Scouts. Outside of school, I volunteer at my local library and love to travel whenever I get the chance to--you will most likely find me in Japan!

Troy Sensano

Aloha! My name is Troy and I am a senior planning to graduate this Spring. Aside from typical school responsibilities, I currently work as an ophthalmic medical assistant for a glaucoma specialty clinic and serve as a lead volunteer with the Hawaii HOME Project. If you're pre-med/pre-health, you may also recognize me as the President of the Pre-Medical Association at UHM. A fun fact about me: I spent my past two summers doing research at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado School of Medicine with projects in HIV and cancer immunology. To keep myself sane, I love being a foodie, going out with friends, lying in bed with my cat, and listening to Taylor Swift!

Sheena He

hihi! I am currently a junior majoring in Biology. My top two hobbies of all time are eating and sleeping. Boba tea connoisseur and not a coffee person. My last name is He but it is actually pronounced as Her.

Connie Nguyen

Hi! I am a botany major at UH Manoa. Outside of classes, I like to volunteer at Bishop Museum's Herbarium, read, and paint.

Cassandra Au

Hello! I'm currently a sophomore at UH Mānoa. Other than NSSA, I am a part of the Pre-Dental Association as an undergraduate club member, and I'm working as a teaching intern for the BIOL275 class. I'm also shadowing under a private practice to get a better grasp on dentistry.

Christian Carrillo

Heyy! My name is Christian, but my family and friends call me Diego. I am currently a second year undergraduate here at UH Mānoa majoring in Biology. After I complete my Bachelor's, I plan to work towards a Master's in Zoology here at UH Mānoa. I have a strong passion for animals, nature, and conservation, which is what I want base my future career on! Some of my hobbies include hiking, going to the beach, hanging out with friends, listening to music, watching K-dramas or nature documentaries, and many other things! I also love to explore new places and areas, whether that's by foot, car, or bus! And I am a fiend for some matcha!

Sheany Chung

I am currently working at a Pediatric office at Ala Moana, alongside working at UH for Graduate Division. I love to help out and give back to my community through volunteer work or community service. One day, I hope to specialize in orthopedic medicine for either pediatrics or geriatrics. Some of my hobbies include: playing volleyball, surfing, art, and music.

Lee Jae Andrei Daguio

For the 2024-2025 academic year, I'll be a Junior majoring in Molecular Cell Biology! Ironically, I initially pursued Biology, then shifted to Biochemistry, before finally settling on MCB. While underscoring my indecisive nature, this journey also highlights the value of exploring diverse majors in discovering one's passions! I'm an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Elinnor Haglund with the Haglund Research Group, focusing on chemokines: small signaling proteins that orchestrate immune cell migration to inflammation or infection sites. Additionally, I cherish spending hours in coffee shops to study while sipping on an unhealthy amount of caffeine, of course, with soy milk (I have a lactose problem)! I also love collecting smiski's—overpriced green, glow-in-the-dark figurines that only collect dust. Did I mention they glow in the dark?

Marisol Dennis

As a second-year botany major, I enjoy taking hikes and swimming in the sea. As for career interests, I am interested in rainforest restoration along with examining the effects of colonization on ecosystems and people. Crocheting, drawing, and making music help me keep my artistic side entertained. Finding a solid life balance can be hard as a STEM major so I'm always looking for new things to try out, like food!

Cassandra Liong

Hi! My name is Cassie, and I am a third year B.S. Marine Biology major, Earth Science minor from LA! I am a part of the Mānoa Scholars Club Senate and KPCC Executive Board as well as a Mānoa Peer Advisor here at the College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Success Center. I have completed an REU here at UH Mānoa in partnership with the Bishop Pauahi Bishop Museum on DNA-Based Discoveries in Hawai'i's Biodiversity and hope to be able to do museum collections work in the future. In my free time, I like to make crafts, read webtoons, go swimming, and listen to music!

Sakura Takahashi

Salutations I’m Sakura, a third-year majoring in Mathematics! Currently, I’m an intern at Urban Land Institute but I hope to work on research regarding fractals this year! Outside of school, I love collecting trinkets, sewing clothes, and producing music.

Ryan Zang

Hi, I’m Ryan! I’m a junior studying marine biology and I’m originally from California. I’m planning on interning at the Monterey Bay Aquarium once I graduate and hopefully one day I’ll be able to go back to school to get my PhD! When I’m not in school or at work, you can find me out exploring the island or napping on the beach. I love being close to the ocean and I try to go out paddle boarding as often as possible!

Rachel Anderson

Hi! I'm Rachel and I'm a second year majoring in Marine Biology. I love being active, specifically playing any and all sports, scuba diving, running, hiking, or swimming! I'm a member of MOP and the UH Scuba Club, so if you like to dive, come join us! I'm currently applying for research opportunities so fingers crossed I get accepted! I absolutely love whales and sharks so my dream is to swim with them! I'm also very passionate about coral reef conservation so I'm hoping to pursue a career in that field!

Jennifer Arca

Hello! I’m Jenn and I’m a 2nd year undergraduate majoring in Microbiology. Aside from NSSA, I am also part of the Honors Program, and the Finance Committee for the Pre-Medical Association. In my first year, I researched with the SEA-PHAGES program. Outside of school, I love to play bass and uke, read, and explore new places with my friends!!

Celeste Chan

Hi! My name is Celeste and I am second-year student studying Biology at UH. I am a part of the UHNROTC and I play the violin at the UH Symphony Orchestra. Outside of school, I like to spend time with family or friends. I also enjoy going on runs and exploring more of what this island has to offer!

Saya Gordon

Hello, I am Saya and a sophomore at UHM. I was born and raised on Oahu, and a Roosevelt HS alumni. I'm active in other clubs such as the UHM Pre-Med Association and Japanese Culture Club. After getting my degrees from UHM, I plan to go to medical school. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, listening to music and baking.

Hailey Riven

Hi! My name is Hailey! Besides NSSA, I'm on UH's Sailing Team, a member of MOP, and in the Honors College. My favorite things to do on island are climb, run, scuba dive, and hike. While I'm currently a math major, I'm thinking about changing my focus to biomedical engineering to work with prosthetics.

Stephen Wagner

Hello, I'm Stephen! I'm from Hilo, Big Island, and I'm a second-year astrophysics major. Outside of NSSA, I'm the vice president of the physics club, and a member of the Rainbow 'Ohana program. I've shadowed a couple of telescope operators in the past, and I love seeing how the universe works. This last summer, I did an internship at UC Riverside researching galaxies! I plan to continue researching as I continue my second year here at Mānoa. I love to read, stargaze, go to the gym, and pet cats. This community at UHM is so welcoming, and I can't wait to see you all around campus :-)

Kurt Wong

Hello! My name is Kurt and I am a Second Year at UH Mānoa. Originally from Southern California, I am currently studying Biology, with a minor in English, and a certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I currently work at Hamilton Library’s Circulation Department and was part of the CNS Residential Learning Program last year. Being my first year in NSSA, I’m so excited to get to meet new people and share about the amazing opportunities at UHM. When not in class, you can probably spot me in line at Ding Tea with a Taylor Swift shirt on!