Announcements
Summer Research Scholars Program (SRSP)
We are excited to announce that the Summer Research Scholars Application is now open – and we are accepting applications!! Please note the deadline has been extended to Wednesday, June 4, 2025! The in-person program will launch on July 9, 2025, and will conclude on August 13, 2025.
CAMP Book / Technology Loan Program
Please feel free to visit the CAMP Office to participate in our book /technology loan program! Available items are on a first-come first-served basis. You may view the list here.
The Mentor & Tutor Program
Our fabulous Mentors & Tutors are available to assist you with time management, guidance, and tutoring to help you through your academic experience. Please click here to view the spring Mentor & Tutor schedule.
CAMP Updates
CAMP is currently reviewing applications for the CAMP Summer Science Academy. We look forward to meeting our new cohort CSSA participants! The application is now closed.
Leadership Spotlight
Meet Ana Tecuanapa!
Ana Tecuanapa is a Program Professional at CAMP and a UC Irvine Alumna. Ana enjoys supporting students in college and helping them discover their passion. With a background in education, she is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where every student’s unique story is valued. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her corgi, Boba.
In what capacity do you work at UC Irvine?
As a Program Professional, I have the privilege of supporting students in various ways, from contributing to programs that ease their transition into college to creating a safe, welcoming, and useful environment where they feel encouraged and can thrive.
How did you become involved with the CAMP program?
After a few years as an educator in primary education, I realized that my true passion is higher education. While I valued my experiences as an educator is primary education, I became increasingly interested in addressing the challenges I observed in educational settings. This desire led me to seek an environment where I could explore solutions, which led me to having a conversation with Dr. Harris, CAMP’s Executive Strategic Director. Joining the CAMP team has ignited my passion for the work that I do and has motivated me to further my education. I am excited to contribute to developing solutions that enhance educational environments for students in the future.
What is your educational philosophy?
Students are individuals with unique backgrounds and experiences that should be honored. Their personal stories greatly influence their learning and success in the classroom. I believe that an educator should aim to create an inclusive environment where a student can achieve their potential.
Why do you believe undergraduate research is an important component of the student experience?
I believe that undergraduate research is important to a student’s experience because research allows students to learn more about their passion, and whether that area of study is truly for them or not. Research also helps students figure out their level of desired impact; in other words, whether they would like to pursue a Ph.D. to keep conducting research or do something else.
What advice would you give students that may be afraid to communicate with faculty?
I think students need to remember that faculty are also human. If you keep this in mind, it can be easier to start a conversation with them. Especially since one of their main interests is most likely their research, that can be used as an icebreaker until students feel more comfortable speaking with them.
What do you do for fun?
I love going to the beach with my corgi, drinking boba, and eating different types of snacks.
What is your favorite movie and why?
One of my favorite movies is Elemental. I like this movie because it portrays narratives about diversity, first-generation experiences, and culture. The main character shows how difficult it is to be the first person to do something that has never been done. It also shows how passion can overcome fear and lead people to move forward to accomplish their goals, even if it means doing it alone.
What is your favorite song and why?
If I must choose – it would be “Joy in the Morning” by Tauren Wells. That song just lifts me up when I am having a difficult day, and reminds me that things will not stay the same, that everything happens for a reason.
What advice would you give students with respect to successfully navigating their STEM degree program?
My advice is to practice time management and consistency. I think both go hand in hand. When you practice consistency, that will help improve your time management, whether it is getting used to a study routine, studying at a certain time, or even studying for a specific amount of time. I believe both are especially important when you are trying to do well in a course you are struggling with or when you are juggling multiple responsibilities like clubs, work, and school.
Student Spotlight
Meet Pedro Noel Ramirez!
Pedro Ramirez is a second-year biology major participating in undergraduate research focusing on T cell immunology. He has been an active CAMP Scholar since his first academic year, regularly visiting the office and using its resources. He is also involved in MAES and the Pre-Dental Society, finding support and growth in both. Pedro values helping others and encourages students to stay focused, be themselves, and find balance in college life.
How long have you been involved with CAMP and what are some of the services you have utilized?
I joined CAMP my first year when I was introduced by some of my friends. Ever since then, I have mostly used the study space, which is the most convenient for me. I also use the printing services too. I plan on applying to CAMP’s Summer Research Scholars Program.
Are you part of any clubs? If so, which ones? Why is it important for you to get involved?
Some clubs I am involved with are Latinos in Science and Engineering (MAES) and the Pre-Dental Society. My active involvement in MAES has helped to create a friendly environment on campus and it is also a great outlet. Clubs provide you with great opportunities, help you gain experience, and fosters connections that will help you in the future.
What do you do for fun?
I really like to play soccer. I am not as good as I was before, but I still partake in intramural games or just kick a ball around with my friends. That is what I usually tend to do, it is my go-to activity. I also hang out with friends occasionally here and there. It is my outlet for stress, whether it is just live streaming or playing, I really just like to unwind.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is Mexican food, I would say, a dish called Tinga. My mom makes an amazing Tinga, so I love it. Every time I go home, that is what I request.
Favorite movie? Why?
I would say it is Hacksaw Ridge. The movie is about someone in the war, and you would expect people to be using weapons to hurt others, but instead, the main character’s sole purpose was to help others. That is my favorite movie because the fight scenes are good, but I also like that it has a deeper message. That you can change the world without hurting people. You do not need to condone violence or aggressive tendencies to try and fix things. Instead, you can help and uplift others to contribute to a better cause.
Favorite song? Why?
It is a song called “Adoro” by Bronco. I like that song because, when I was younger, my mom used to always play it. I think she is the reason I got into it. It just stuck with me, so it is very nostalgic. I would say it is my go-to nostalgic song.
What advice would you give your fellow CAMP scholars about successfully navigating higher education?
I believe school is what you make of it. Something I would advise scholars is to really dedicate their time to what they believe is important, and to follow what they believe is right. Although it might be unorthodox or different from what everyone else is doing, everyone has their own path. Try to minimize distractions, meaning if you have a midterm the next day, do not do something random the day before. So, in a way, having your priorities set correctly is important. Always maintain a good balance between life and school. Like Dr. Harris once told me: yes, school is very important, and it is also important to take time to reset as part of your process. With that, have a good balance between school, social life, school activities, and other activities that are not school-related.
Mentor Way
Vivian, Tony, and Vianey are the 2024-2025 AY CAMP Mentors. Please feel free to stop by the office to discuss your academics, learn about CAMP resources and/or programming, or how to get involved during their scheduled hours.
CAMP Doctoral Student Mentorship
Office Hours: Fridays, for 1 hour at the CAMP Office
A bit about Jordan James Bond, UCI Doctoral Student:
I am a first-generation college graduate. My successful collegiate journey is one that can be described by self-made, unconventional, and determination. I am evidence that if there is a will then there is a way; however, I aspire to pave the path for those who come after me. I am a student whose life experience outweighs their academic growth, often resulting in having to learn to navigate imposter syndrome. I am a molecular biologist with a dash of biochemist working toward a doctorate degree in Biology under the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, with research that focuses on documenting molecular mechanisms of anticipatory biology.
Interested in scheduling a meeting to discuss your academic goals and navigating college with Jordan?
Please reach out to Leonora Peña at ldwillia@uci.edu to schedule a 1-hour session.
Graduate Fellowships/Assistantships/Scholarships
Research Opportunities
REUFinder.com is a quick and easy way for students to find research opportunities. The site is divided into pages that list REU opportunities by year (freshmen, sophomore, junior and seniors as well as specific populations such as community college, international students, and undocumented students). REU Finder seeks to minimize extensive google searches to make it easy for students to identify programs that might be a good fit for.
Pathways to Science Summer Research Tool
PathwaysToScience.org has a searchable database of 700+ summer research programs in all STEM disciplines. These are all fully funded opportunities including programs sponsored by NSF, NASA, NIH, etc. We also have a selection of resources to help you strengthen your applications.
NSF-Funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. The search page is meant to help scholars search for an REU site throughout the country.
Scholarships
Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship
Empowering women in STEM is at the heart of Hyundai’s mission to pioneer sustainable mobility and innovation. By supporting the brilliant minds of today, Hyundai is steering towards a more promising, inclusive tomorrow. The scholarship awards $10,000 to five applicants who submit the most thoughtful 500+ word essays describing a tech project or initiative the student envisions in their chosen STEM field that addresses a real human need.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Women in Aerospace Foundation Scholarship
The WIA Foundation is pleased to provide scholarships to women interested in a career in the aerospace field to pursue higher education degrees in engineering, math or science. Four merit-based awards of $5,000 will be given to rising juniors and seniors in college, to be applied to the 2025-2026 academic year. To be eligible for the WIA Foundation Scholarship, an applicant must be interested in pursuing a career in the aerospace field and be a rising junior or senior working towards a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math or science.
Application Deadline: June 17, 2025
ABC Humane Wildlife Women In STEM Academic Scholarship
ABC Wildlife offers a scholarship designed to increase the number of women studying and influencing the future of science, including technology, engineering and math. This scholarship is open to students who identify as female and enrolled in a STEM field of study. The award of $1000 will be granted to a student whose essay covers their passion for any STEM field and how their pursuit of their field will preserve biodiversity, improve environmental health, or alleviate the suffering of others.
Application Deadline: July 1, 2025
Internships
Health Equity Internship Program
The Health Equity Internship Program was created to support the diversification of the public health and health-related workforce. The public health nutrition workforce, like many areas of health, needs assistance with diversification and the recruitment of a new generation of nutrition professionals. This 12-week paid internship was developed to support those efforts. Since 2002, the internship program has prepared nearly 1,000 students with practical skills in the Essentials of Public Health Services and Core Competencies of Health Education and Promotion. Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Honda Electrical Engineering Co-op/Intern- Fall 2025
Co-ops/Interns are tasked with hands-on, project-based work relevant to their department of placements’ current needs. Projects may be as large as developing a new test, designing systems, traveling to suppliers, or serving as a project manager! In addition to the full-time associate work that our Co-ops/Interns are given access to work on, Honda Co-ops/Interns are invited to participate in a variety of paid work events and experiences offered by the Honda Co-op and Internship program team. Click here to learn more and apply.
Application Deadline: June 31st, 2025
JPL Year-Round Internship Program
The JPL Year-Round Internship Program offers part-time and full-time internship opportunities at JPL during the academic year as well as summers to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or Mathematics.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
The Port of Los Angeles Student Engineer Program
Throughout the year, the Port of Los Angeles employs college engineering majors as student engineers or architecture majors as student architects. Student engineers or architects may assist in the design and construction of major Port and LA Waterfront projects.
Application Deadline: Year – Round
SCE Internships – Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer Science Majors
Become a summer intern at Southern California Edison (SCE) and build a better tomorrow. In this 12-week internship, you’ll gain hands-on experience with meaningful work while developing your skills and building your network. SCE big believers that diversity leads to innovation, creativity, and collaboration. As a summer intern, your work will help power our planet, reduce carbon emissions and create cleaner air for everyone.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Fellowships
Gulf Research Program Early-Career Research Fellowships
To support scientists, engineers, and health professionals working on oil system safety, environmental protection, and human health issues relevant to the Gulf region, the Gulf Research Program will administer Early-Career Research Fellowships. The fellowship will recognize early-career researchers for past performance and their future potential for substantial contributions to enhancing the protection of environmental and/or human health and/or the pursuit of safer offshore oil and gas operations. The fellowship will provide support for scientists, engineers, and health professionals at the critical pre-tenure phase of their careers.
Application Deadline: June 18, 2025
The Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program
The Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program (AF STFP), funded by the United States Air Force, provides a platform for outstanding scientists and engineers to engage in vital research and development efforts. Through a competitive selection process, the program identifies exceptionally talented individuals at various career stages, from recent graduates to experienced researchers, offering them the opportunity to conduct self-directed research at Air Force facilities.
Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 (Opens June 1st)
Community Energy Fellowship Program
The Community Energy Fellowship Program (CEFP) sponsors candidates from diverse backgrounds to spend 18 months embedded in state, local, and tribal governments (Hosts) learning about and assisting in the implementation of clean energy projects and programs. Fellows will be matched with one or more local or tribal governments to apply their knowledge and experiences to the Host’s current activities. Fellows will gain experience around energy technology areas such as energy efficiency, electric vehicle technology or renewable energy deployment to local, state and tribal governments as well as gain valuable insight into the government’s role in the creation and implementation of policies and programs that affect clean energy technology developments.
Application Deadline: Rolling
STEM Student Org. Corner
MAES Latinos in Science and Engineering
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Women in Information and Computer Sciences (WICS)
Did You Know…
Did you know that the UCI Department of Chemistry offers FREE peer tutoring via Zoom to students taking General Chemistry courses such as Chem 1A or Chem 1B. The department also has another set of peer tutors that can assist with Organic Chemistry (Chem 51B). It is important to utilize these resources as they are meant to help you be successful in the course! The Department of Physics also has free tutoring for Physics 2, 7 series, and 3 series. The tutors are the teaching assistants (TAs) for the courses. Additionally, the Department of Mathematics also has TAs and graduate students offering free virtual tutoring for Math 1A/1B and Math 2A/2B.
Upcoming Events
UCI School of Biological Sciences- DCB Seminar: Dr. Kyoko Yokomori
Thursday, June 5, 2025
11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
4201 Natural Sciences II
Join Dr. Kyoko Yokomori, Professor of Biological Chemistry at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, as she discusses how certain mutations on chromosome 4q structurally alter the chromosome resulting in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (a type of muscular dystrophy). The effect of these mutations specifically has been difficult, so Dr. Yokomori in her lab used CRISPR-Cas9 to a create human skeletal myoblast line which contains two mutations theorized to be linked to this disease. Dr. Yokomori will discuss her findings of these experiments and what they may tell us regarding the disease progression.
UCI School of Population and Public Health- Racial Differences in Nursing Home
Thursday, June 5, 2025
12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M.
Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, Room 1517
Join Dr. Neale Mahoney, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and the Trione Director of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), as he discusses his participation in research on racial disparities. He will discuss his significant findings regarding disparities in the quality of nursing home care.
UCI School of Information and Computer Sciences- Quantum Computation and Statistics
Thursday, June 5, 2025
4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
6011 Donald Bren Hall
Join Dr. Yazhen Wang, George Box Distinguished Chair and Professor of statistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as he discusses the important role that statistics play for quantum computation. Because of the nature of quantum physics, quantum computation and quantum information include inherent randomness, so the use of statistics could revolutionize the realm of computational statistics and quantum algorithms. Dr. Wang will discuss the role of statistics and potential benefits of this implementation.