Our Leadership Team
Guided by passion and expertise, our leaders provide the support that powers Nuestra Ciencia’s mission.

Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Alejandra Yep
(Biological Sciences)

Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Jasmine Nation
(Liberal Studies)

Post Doc:
Dr. Perla Ramos Carranza
(Liberal Studies and Biological Sciences)

TA:
Isaiah Rivera
(Liberal Studies)
Dr. Alejandra Yep is a microbiology professor at
Cal Poly. She was born in Argentina and completed a BS in
Molecular Biology and a PhD in Biological Chemistry at the
University of Buenos Aires. Her lab focuses on bacteria that
cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), and she cares passionately
about science communication and making STEM welcoming for all.
Dr. Jasmine Nation is a professor of science
education who is passionate about university-community
partnerships that benefit undergraduates and elementary learners.
She focuses on science education for multilingual students of
color, place-based environmental education for teachers, and
creative maker and engineering design projects.
Dr. Perla Ramos Carranza
currently works as Frost Postdoctoral Fellow for the Liberal
Studies and Biological Sciences departments at Cal Poly. She
received her PhD and M.A. in Education from UC Irvine and her B.A.
in Psychology and B.S. in Human Development from UC Davis. She is
committed to advancing the learning opportunities of students from
marginalized communities in culturally meaningful ways.
Isaiah Rivera is a Liberal Studies major
with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages. As an aspiring educator, he believes that every student
deserves the opportunity to reach their greatest potential in a
supportive and inclusive learning environment. He is passionate
about helping students embrace their identities, express their
ideas, and grow both academically and personally.
Our Team
From different majors to different journeys, our team is a tapestry of experiences working toward a common mission: equitable science for all.

Back Row: Emily Hernandez^, Carolina Altbaum*, Yesenia Ceja*,
Xavier Aguilar^
Middle Row: Isaiah Rivera^ , Dr. Yasmine Nation^, Dr. Alejandra
Yep*, Dr. Perla Ramos Carranza*^, Kathryn Hutchinson* , Ximena
Santos^, Evelyn Soto (Kinesiology and Public Health), Ariela
Rugendorf (Food Science and Nutrition), Aylin Fernandez*
Bottom Row: Alexi Ringler (Computer Science), Kali Rye (Spanish),
Deisi Luna^, Sarah Lazaro*, Mia Muzquiz*, Carlos Leonel Ferreyra
(Spanish), Bili Chavez (English)
Not Pictured: Madison Hershorin^, Mirca Gomez ^, Carolina
Gutierrez*, Cristal Gomez^, Bianca Cruz^, Victoria Lancaster
(Spanish and French), Sema Lew*, Stephanie Mendez*
* = Biological Sciences ^ = Liberal Studies
Back Row: Alexis Espinoza (Industrial Technology and
Packaging), Bianca Cruz^, Dr. Alejandra Yep*, Daya Rameirez^,
Carolina Altbaum*, Kali Rye (Spanish), Yesenia Ceja*, Emily
Hernandez^
Bottom Row: Natali Ceja (Biomedical Engineering), Sarah
Lazaro*, April Valdez-Garcia^, Tatum Schneider*, Ana
Banuelos^, Dr. Yasmine Nation^, Fatima
* = Biological Sciences ^ = Liberal Studies
Back Row: Isaiah Rivera^, April Valdez-Garcia^, Daya
Rameirez^, Ana Banuelos^, Ariela Rugendorf (Food Science and
Nutrition), Alexis Espinoza (Industrial Technology and
Packaging)
Bottom Row: Alexi Ringler (Computer Science), Natali Ceja
(Biomedical Engineering), Tatum Schneider*