Santa Clara University

da Vinci - Staff

Staff

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Dr. David Tauck
Faculty Director

I moved into Casa Italiana the morning that the new part of our building opened in 2003; two years later I became the Faculty Director of the da Vinci RLC. I have offered two courses for members of the community: The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci and The Faces of AIDS. As a biology professor I routinely teach Human Physiology and Neurobiology, as well as a course for non-science majors called Fitness Physiology. I hold a BA in biology from Middlebury, a PhD in physiology from Duke and completed post-doctoral fellowships in anesthesia at Stanford and in neuroscience at Harvard. Most recently, just for kicks, I earned an MA in Spanish at Middlebury. I travel whenever possible; I’ve seen grizzly bears and wolves in Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park, penguins and condors at the southern tip of South America, koalas and wallabies on Kangaroo Island off the southern coast of Australia, eagles in the Republic of Georgia (north of Iran between Azerbaijan and the Black Sea) and pigeons on Piazza San Marco in Venice.
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Kathy Gordon
Resident Director

I was born and raised in Orange County and moved to Oregon and Iowa to receive my undergraduate (Pacific University) and graduate (Iowa State University) degrees. I then spent two years working with international programs at North Carolina State University and then another three years after as a Resident Director back in Oregon at Pacific University. I live in beautiful Casa Italiana with my dog Maybe and cat Mac and spend my free time with marathon television on DVD viewing sessions, hours walking around shopping in the many fun malls in the area, reading novels, and lounging at local coffee shops. I have a killer sweet tooth and will try to keep my office (next to the front desk) stocked with candy, so please visit to grab a few pieces (otherwise I may eat it all!).

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Bennett Lee
Assistant Resident Director 

I am a senior Biology major and I’m interested in emergency medicine. I’m originally from Hawaii and enjoy hikes, being in the ocean, and staying active. I also enjoy cooking and making my own ice cream!
















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Natasha Ahuja
Community Facilitator
I'm a junior Bioengineering major with an interest in medicine. I am from the lovely Midwest (Wisonsin woot woot!). I'm involved with the Multicultural Center and our awesome RLC, da Vinci! I am a huge sports fan and love watching (and playing) them! My favorite sport is definitely basketball and I am a die-hard Phoenix Suns fan. So if you ever want to watch basketball or play volleyball or just chat, stop by my room and I'll be more than willing to do so! Yay "Old" Casa!
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Nick Giustini
Community Facilitator
I am a junior Bioengineering major from Portland, Oregon. After I graduate, I hope to go to medical school. I love soccer, hockey, reading and just generally hanging out with people doing whatever catches our fancy. I'm involved with tutoring on campus and this year I'm hoping to work on some cool Chemistry research. I'm really excited to be a CF in the best RLC on campus - da Vinci!!
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Jennifer Cruden
Community Facilitator

I am a senior Accounting major with a pre-health emphasis. I grew up in Santa Maria, California and enjoy the outdoors, especially when the weather is nice. I love playing sports, especially soccer, and am pretty much up for anything. Horses are a passion of mine, and I’m on the SCU Equestrian Team. This is my second year as a CF in da Vinci, and I have lived in this beautiful building the entirety of my college career. So, if you have any questions or new ideas, come by my suite!

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John Brown
Community Facilitator
 
I am a junior Economics major from a small farm outside of La Crosse, Wisconsin. I enjoy playing guitar and finding random adventures. I'm excited to meet all the residents next year.



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Alyssa Gomez
Community Facilitator

Hey, hey, hey what's up everybody? I am a senior Combined Science major from Santa Cruz, California. This will be my second year as a CF and I am super excited and can't wait to get started and meet all of you. After graduation I plan to either go on to graduate school for my Masters in Biochemistry or work in the medical field. I am a huge San Francisco Giants fan and plan on going to many games, so if you want to catch a game you know who to call! I love sports, mainly baseball, basketball and football, talking and just plain having a good time. So on by my room. My door is always open for you!

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Ben Williams
Community Facilitator

I am a junior Accounting major from Fremont, California. I am currently involved in the Multi-Cultural Center here at SCU as well as the Rotary Club. I am looking forward to being a CF again this year in the one and only DA VINCI!!!

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Michael Kawamoto
Community Facilitator

I am originally from San Jose, California and am currently studying Accounting and Information Systems. Out of the classroom, I participate in several intramural sports teams. I also have future plans of attending graduate school at Santa Clara University.

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Cameron "Maka" Wong
Community Facilitator 



What's up, da Vinci?! My name is Maka (pronounced Mah-kah) and I'm a junior in the Computer Science department, with a minor in Japanese. When I'm not studying, I spin poi, listen to music, and practice jiu-jitsu. Since I'm from Hawaii, I usually stay in Casa on long weekends and holidays, so come and find me! I love meeting new people. And if there's anything else you want to know about me, just ask.


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Milena Guajardo
Community Facilitator

I am a junior Combined Sciences major from  Clovis, California. I love animals so my goal is to become a small animal veterinarian. This is my first year working as a CF, but my third year in da Vinci. I look forward to getting to know all of my residents along with everyone else in Casa. If you're new to da Vinci, WELCOME; I'll be seeing you soon. Get ready to have a great year!


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Bryan Schamus
Resident Minister

 

My name is Bryan. Last year I was a RM in Loyola and after moving across the sidewalk I am most excited to be here with you. The school calls me a Resident Minister but I can also be your Resident Big Brother, Resident Chef, Resident Wii Master, Resident Sports Fanatic and Resident Beethoven.

Before coming to Santa Clara I got a BA from Virginia Tech in Communication and Music. I am now studying theology in a masters program here at SCU. I also serve as a coordinator of liturgy and music in Campus Ministry.

I love to cook. (and eat)
I love sports. (especially the Dallas Cowboys, New York Mets and Virginia Tech Hokies).
I love to play Wii (especially sports and Mario games)
I love to make and listen to music.

You’ll see me around the halls. And always feel free to come visit. (Rm. 101 in Old Casa) I’m available for whatever you need as you grow in your particular communities, teams, faiths, spiritualities, classes and families.



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Fr. John Braverman, SJ
Resident Minister

I am a Jesuit priest. My hometown is a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I have several other homes, though! I spent a lot of time in the Washington, D.C., area, so my home in the Jesuits is the Maryland Province. I am writing a thesis for a graduate degree in theology (the Licentiate in Sacred Theology). My subject: the dialogue between science and religion (theology). That way I am combining my professional background in evolutionary biology (Ph.D. from U.C. Davis) and my work as a Jesuit. Please feel free to ask me about this if you are curious how evolution and God are compatible! Anyway, as a graduate student, my "home" is the Jesuit School of Theology (JST), located in Berkeley, which became a part of Santa Clara University this summer. My academic home at Santa Clara is the Center for Science, Technology, and Society. One of my passions is wildlife photography and bird observation. I look forward to meeting you around da Vinci or in one of my many other "homes" on campus!