Sarah Manoj
Hello! My name is Sarah Manoj. I am a second-year Biotechnology major and a writer for the BIG blog. In the future, I intend on pursuing a career in research to create innovative biological solutions to modern challenges, particularly in medical treatments or the food industry (still exploring where my interests will take me!)
I joined the BIG blog team because I have enjoyed writing for a long time and this was the perfect opportunity to combine that with exploring emerging biotechnology innovations and be able to share with my peers In the age of disinformation enabled with social media, I am passionate about making scientific news more accessible to the public so they can be empowered to make more conscious perspectives and decisions about their healthcare and lifestyles. If you are more interested in my work, please read “The first patient of personalized in-vivo gene editing therapy”.
Outside of writing and biotech, I enjoy painting, ceramics and traveling!
Feel free to connect with me by:
Hafsa Aslam
Hi! My name is Hafsa Aslam and I am a second year Human Biology major and am currently a writer for the BIG Blog as well as an undergraduate researcher for one of BIG’s research team, Organo-chip. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in healthcare, as I hope to bridge the gap between underserved populations. Currently, I hope to work towards my goal by educating individuals about recent advances in medical technology and breakthroughs specifically in relation to optimizing health through lifestyle changes.
During my first year, I joined the BIG–RT program, where I learned about the basics of molecular laboratory techniques and also learned about the vast research opportunities at Davis. The program introduced me to the research teams part of BIG, which I find very unique as they are student-led! Shortly after the program, I became interested in sharing the diverse topics in the biotechnology field and the importance of sharing them to help cultivate more research.
As a blog writer, I hope my posts help inform others about the vast knowledge biotechnology research entails and the importance it has in bridging a gap between healthcare and patients. I hope these posts engage with the wide audience of students and educate them more about current research. If you’re interested in learning more about some of the topics, please take a look at some of my work “Organs in a Dish: The Future of Personalized Medicine”.
Outside of academics, I enjoy baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends!
Feel free to connect with me:
Addison Shah
Hi! My name is Addison Shah, and I’m a first-year Human Biology major and one of the Blog writers for BIG! After graduating from UC Davis, I’m hoping to pursue a career in healthcare, specifically in emergency medicine where I can create meaningful connections within my community while advocating for accessible healthcare.
I became involved with BIG after a wonderful experience in the BIG-RT program during my first quarter of freshman year. From the start, the BIG community was welcoming, and encouraging, and continues to push and inspire me. It introduced me to a wide range of research areas and broadened my perspective on the possibilities within STEM.
As a blog writer, I hope my posts help others explore diverse research topics and feel empowered to pursue their own passions in STEM. If you’re interested in reading my work, I invite you to check out “Regenerative Medicine - The Future.”
Outside of academics, I enjoy playing the trumpet, working out, and spending time with my friends and family!
Feel free to connect with me:
Amanda Zou
Hello! My name is Amanda Zou, and I’m a first year Undeclared - Life Sciences major and a blog writer for BIG. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in either healthcare or biotech where I can help others, whether it’s hands-on or by creating innovations.
I joined the blog team after attending a BIG meeting during my first quarter, where it was introduced. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone by trying something new, so I applied! I’ve always known that I had an interest in biology and I actually debated applying to UC Davis as a biomedical engineering major at first, so biotechnology is definitely something I’d like to explore more.
As a blog writer, I hope my posts inspire others to educate themselves and start thinking about how impactful biotechnology is on our world, even in small things that may be unnoticed. If you’d like to learn more about my work, feel free to check out “The Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance.”
Outside of academics, I enjoy doing crafts, going to the gym, and gaming!
Feel free to connect with me:
Luis Alvarez
Hey my name is Luis Alvarez, I am a first year Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity major and one of BIG's Blog writers. I specialize in the intersection of biotechnology and evolutionary biology, primarily in the future I aim to do professional research of ecological and evolutionary genomics in the context of the biodiversity crisis.
I joined the Blog Team as I took an interest in developing my science communication and writing skills and do something a bit outside of my comfort zone. Later Participating in the BIG-RT program.
I aim for my writing to be an accessible window into ecology, evolution, and biotech. Hopefully creating an easy way for people to understand contemporary conservation and biodiversity related issues. Explaining to others as to why they should care for conservation, and exploring how modern biotechnology can be used to address the challenges of conservation in a world facing mass extinction.
Outside of my work I love to hike, read, video games, and going on long road trips. If your interested in my work, feel free to connect with me on