IB Peer Advisors
Julia Ciura
About Julia: I am a first-gen student from a town in the Chicago suburbs called Elmwood Park, IL. I am a Junior majoring in Integrative Biology and obtaining 2 certificates in Integrative Health and Health Technology. I am currently on the pre-PA pathway, and I will be applying for the 2025-2026 cycle! On campus, I serve as the President of Her Campus at Illinois, a chapter of the national organization Her Campus, focusing on marketing, public relations, social media, and journalism. I also serve as the Social Chair in the pre-PA club, and I have been involved in undergraduate research in animal behavior in the Bell Lab. During my breaks, I work as a Float Patient Care Technician at a hospital in my hometown, and I dabble in content creation and intern with Campus Trendsetters and College Fashionista. In my free time, you will definitely catch me reading a romance book or spending time with my dogs. I love biology because it fosters diverse life-long learning and there will always be something new to learn about!
Daania Bhatty
About Daania: she/her pronouns. I am from Hoffman Estates, IL. I am a sophomore majoring in Integrative Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Health Technology. I am on the pre-med track with an additional interest in a career in Biotechnology and research. I am involved with the REACT program here on campus and I am currently looking for research to be a part in. In my free time I enjoy watching crime shows, crocheting, rock climbing, and playing video games. I love learning about the more human related parts of biology like diseases and forensic biology!
IB Peer Leaders
Matt Beard
About Matt: I am a senior majoring in Integrative Biology Honors with a minor in chemistry. I come from the small town of Utica, Illinois–right next to Starved Rock if you know where that is. I plan on attending graduate school and getting a degree in bioengineering or biotechnology upon graduating in Spring 2026. I am interested in GMOs, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship, and want to synthesize them into my future career. On campus, I am involved in undergraduate research, working on my independent project in Dr. Brian Allan’s lab, investigating the reemergence of bedbugs through optimizing a literature review process using AI-driven named entity recognition. I am also a part of the Cancer Scholars Program (CSP), where I am a peer mentor to students starting out in cancer research. I am the president of Habitat for Humanity on campus, where we sponsor and build homes in the local community. For fun, I love working out at the ARC and playing disc golf. I love biology because it provides a foundation for understanding how we live; by uncovering what makes us who we are, we can inspire cascading change.
Shana Kelly
About Shana: I'm a senior from Coal City, IL and along with majoring in Integrative Biology, I'm minoring in Anthropology and working towards my Certificate in Forensic Science. Although my passion is forensics, I'm open to any opportunity that presents itself after I graduate. On campus, I play alto saxophone in the University Concert Band and have worked in a research lab with plant genetics. I'm always up for a museum trip and love to visit all of Chicago's institutes as much as I can!
Rebecca Cohen
About Rebecca: (she/her) I’m from Buffalo Grove, IL. I am a junior majoring in integrative biology and minoring in chemistry. Although I don’t have a set career goal, I would like to pursue graduate school and specialize in an area of research. I am on the executive board of Amnesty International, a human rights RSO, at UIUC. I am also involved in undergraduate research in plant biology. In my free time, I love spending time with my dog, singing in choir, and doing arts and crafts! I very much value the biology courses that I have taken with the school of IB, and I hope to encourage my peers throughout their time on campus!
Sophia Vodnik
About Sophia Vodnik: I am a sophomore from Oak Forest, IL, majoring in Integrative Biology Honors with a minor in Chemistry. Pursuing a pre-veterinary track, I plan to specialize in small animal and exotics. On campus, I am an undergraduate research assistant in the Wildlife Epidemiology Lab at Vet Med and work at the Dairy Cattle Research farm. In my free time, I love chatting with my friends, hiking, kayaking, and playing tennis. The IB program has not only allowed me to form meaningful friendships and valuable connections but has also deepened my love and passion for biology in ways I never imagined!
Sandra Castañeda
About Sandra Castañeda: I'm a senior from Harvard, IL, majoring in Integrative Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I love biology because it offers such a wide variety of subfields and is so interconnected with other disciplines! I'm on the pre-dental track and hope to attend dental school after graduating. On campus, I serve as President of the United Greek Council and Vice President of Mi Pueblo Spanish Club. I'm also an active member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., Mariachi Alma, the Pre-Dental Club, and Delta Delta Sigma Pre-Dental Fraternity. Additionally, I’ve worked as a peer mentor for multiple programs on campus and conduct research in Integrative Biology! In my free time, I enjoy reading, crocheting, cross-stitching, and practicing my guitar(s).
Julia Vincent
About Julia: I am from Western Springs, IL, majoring in Integrative Biology and minoring in English. I am currently on a pre-Veterinary Medicine track, and my dream would be to work in Wildlife Rehabilitation at a National Park. I also am intrigued in Animal Behavior/Biology and am considering pursuing a Masters/PhD program if Vet Med doesn't work out. I am fascinated by how different species behave and are physiologically derived, and I'm excited to complete an animalia field study and more animal-based research on campus in the fall. I am involved in the Pre-Vet club on campus, Tau Sigma Transfer Student Honor Society, the student literary magazine, Montage, and I routinely compete in triathlons/half marathons. As a transfer student, I understand the unique challenges that incoming students may have, so I am excited to work with those in a similar position to mine!
Valeria Ocampo
About Valeria: I am from Glendale Heights, IL, majoring in Integrative Biology and pursuing an Anthropology minor. I am working towards becoming a biologist to understand the variety of life systems in order to protect and preserve our environment. I am a member of the Student Sustainability Committee social initiatives team, the Horticulture Club, as well as the Dancing Illini. I also love painting and doing various other crafts, like crocheting. I absolutely love how broad and all-encompassing biology is, that every small detail works together to create a larger purpose!
Kaela Salehzadeh
About Kaela: I’m from Arlington Heights, IL. I'm majoring in Integrative Biology with a double minor in Chemistry and Public Health. I am on the pre-med track, and I am especially interested in between Dermatology and Cardiology. On campus, I shadow/observe at Carle Hospital and the Critical Care Unit, I'm a member of American Medical Women's Association (AMWA), and I'm currently an undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Alison Bell for Bell Labs and working under my mentor, Ph.D student Facundo Fernandez-Duque for my independent research project/thesis on immune function and animal behavior for my senior year! At home, I work my clinical job for LifeStyle Options and shadow in the cardio diagnostic unit at Northwest Community Hospital. I also enjoy running and making home cooked meals! As an IB student, I've always enjoyed and learned a lot from my biology classes, there is always something new to learn!