Parth Tare
Bio
I'm a third-year biochemistry student with a strong interest in genetic modification and DNA manipulation, which is what drew me to the Uchida Lab. I'm eager to apply my coursework to real-world research projects and learn from the team. In my free time, I enjoy playing golf, badminton, and playing drums.
Rubi Rivera
Bio
Rubi Rivera is a third-year Biology major with a minor in Chemistry at Fresno State dedicated to her studies and community service. Through the Richter Center, she organizes service events across Fresno, fostering meaningful community connections. In Fall 2024, she joined the Uchida Lab to apply her scientific studies to hands-on research. She plans to graduate in Spring 2026 and pursue medical school, aspiring to become a compassionate healthcare provider.
Skye Nguyen
Bio
Skye is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry in the College of Science and Mathematics, with plans to pursue medical school. He joined the lab to explore his scientific curiosities and to better understand how fundamental discoveries can be translated into real-world applications that advance the scientific community. His current research focuses on engineering protein binding interactions for analysis using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Through this work, he is gaining hands-on experience in protein analysis, purification techniques, and scientific inquiry. Outside the lab, Skye serves as an Instructional Student Assistant (ISA) with the Building Opportunities through Networks of Discovery (BOND) program, where he helps incoming students develop their research skills. He is also involved in clinical research at Clovis Regional Medical Center, contributing to projects aimed at improving patient care.
Melissa Zhao
Bio
Hello, my name is Melissa Zhao. I came from Taipei, Taiwan to pursue B.S. Animal Science and eventually to DVM. There are many reasons that motivates and inspires me to go for this path, but the most significant reason is that I want to see the happiness of people who love their animals and the signs of animals healing. I am excited to contribute and gain more practical experience in research under department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, which I believe will benefit me in building myself to a better scholar, skillful researcher, and a professional veterinarian.
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Khushleen Khakh
Bio
Khushleen Khakh is a third-year undergraduate student who is a part of the Smittcamp Family Honors College. She is a B.S Biochemistry major participating in the Chemistry Honors Program, aimed at applying scientific knowledge to service and research. Khushleen would like to attend medical school and pursue a career in healthcare after Fresno State. She joined the Uchida Lab in May 2025 with the goal to learn more about topics explored in coursework and connect them to in-depth research projects. On campus, Khushleen is also a part of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams.
Sarah Donan
Bio
Sarah Donan is an undergraduate pre-dental student with the goal of becoming an oral surgeon in the Central Valley. She currently contributes to the EMBRACE Prenatal Care Study with the Department of Public Health at Fresno State, a project focused on improving access to equitable maternal health in underserved communities. In addition to her research-centered work, Sarah is a published author through Spectrum, an official undergraduate writing journal created by the College of Arts and Humanities. Her essays explore themes that bridge health and social justice as well as celebrate Hispanic identity and culture. Sarah is also an active volunteer with the Fresno Madera Dental Society, supporting community-based outreach initiatives. She hopes to build a career that combines public health research with laboratory work to improve health outcomes for minority populations.