The College of Arts and Sciences will present at three Family Weekend sessions.
Two faculty presentations:
Sorting Single Cells for Cancer Research using Microfluidic Devices
Paul Abbyad, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Could a cheap and disposable device diagnose cancer? Microfluidic devices enable the analysis of a chemical or biological sample in a small plastic device or “chip.” Dr. Abbyad will present research in his lab to develop microfluidic devices to sort individual cancer cells based on their metabolism. SCU undergraduates in the lab get hands-on experience in research that bridges chemistry, material science, engineering, optics, and cell biology. The integration of diverse skills is important as students will be entering an increasingly interconnected and interdisciplinary professional work environment.
Shakespeare Technologies, Old and New
Andrew Keener, Assistant Professor, Department of English
What's new in Shakespeare Studies at Santa Clara University? Working at SCU's Imaginarium with Dr. Keener and Professor Brian Beams, Natalie Van Maerssen ('20) has designed a virtual-reality model of a Shakespeare-era playhouse: the Virtual English Renaissance Theater Experience (VERSE). Meanwhile, working on the Santa Clara Early Modern Book Initiative (SCEMBI), Bree Bellati ('20) and Sean Oblak ('21) have been reporting information about books at SCU dating back to the time of the Bard, and in a way that opens new avenues for scholars, teachers, and students around the world.
Dean's Reception:
Featuring the following students:
Raymond Hartjen '20 - Anthropology

Major: Anthropology; Minor: Classical Studies
Title: Student Involvement in Santa Clara Community Archaeology
Hometown: Pleasanton, California
Plans: I will be exploring internship options within the museum sector, and hopefully enroll in a graduate program with a focus in museum curation or conservation.
Daniela Hernandez '20 - Anthropology

Major: Anthropology; Minors: Economics and Sociology
Title: Student Involvement in Santa Clara Community Archaeology
Hometown: Oakland, California
Plans: Taking a year off to prepare for grad school and get in applications.
Isabel Wu '21 - Art & Art History

Majors: Marketing and Studio Art
Title: AdvocaSea: A VR Experience
Hometown: Santa Clara, California
Plans: I am currently a junior so future plan is senior year and I am considering graduate school for either an MBA or MFA.
J. René Harper '20 - Biology

Major: Biology with an emphasis in Cellular and Molecular Biology; Minor: Biotechnology
Title: Embiopteran Silk Genes: The molecular composition of silk used as armor
Hometown: Roseville, California
Plans: Currently looking for a job in the biotech industry for a few years working as a research scientist. At some point, I will pursue a Ph.D. in either Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or Immunology.
Diana Servin Ayala '20 - Child Studies

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Environmental Studies; Minor: Urban Education
Title: Resilient Families: Safe, Secure and Loved
Hometown: Redwood City, California
Plans: SCU Graduate School of Education and Counseling Psychology, ExCEL Program
Maria De La Lima '22 - Child Studies

Majors: Child Studies and Ethnic Studies
Title: Resilient Families: Safe, Secure and Loved
Hometown: San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California
Plans: Aspiring Elementary School Teacher, so my future plans after Santa Clara is to obtain my Master's and Teaching Credential.
Erika Rasmussen '20 - English

Majors: English and Sociology; Minors: Creative Writing and Spanish
Title: Writing: A Little Bit of Everything
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Plans: I will be moving to New York City to pursue opportunities in journalism and creative writing.
Haley Butler '20 - English

Major: History; Minor: Women's & Gender Studies
Title: Eleanor Roosevelt, Setting the Stage for the Future
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Plans: I’m applying to internships and jobs currently and am planning on going home and applying to grad school for this fall.
Nick Ellis '21 - History

Majors: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: History
Title: Historical Perspectives: Undergraduate Journal of History
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Plans: I would like to work with marine robotics at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA.
Peter Ferguson '20 - Mathematics & Computer Science

Majors: Computer Science and Engineering
Title: Hydration Automation
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Plans: Graduate School for Computer Engineering
Jesse Mayer '19, MS '24 Computer Science and Engineering
UG Majors: Computer Science and Engineering Physics
Title: Hydration Automation
Hometown: Los Altos, California
Plans: A job in Software Engineering or possibly Ph.D.
Will Tuttle '21 - Mathematics & Computer Science

Majors: Computer Science and Mathematics
Title: Hydration Automation
Hometown: Park City, Utah
Plans: Hopefully employed in IT risk consulting.
Samantha Steinbrecher '21 - Modern Languages & Literatures

Majors: French and Economics; Minor: Management Information Systems
Title: "Oui, oui baguette!”
Hometown: Danville, California
Plans: I intend to work in consulting. I interned with Accenture in summer 2019 and will return in summer 2020. I look forward to building on the foundation I’ve set at SCU by working with different clients, building a national and international network, and solving tough challenges in a constantly evolving world.
Sara Eckles '21 - Modern Languages & Literatures

Majors: Communication and Italian Studies
Title: Cultural Italian American Organization: CIAO!
Hometown: Redwood Shores, California
Plans: I hope to stay in the area and work for an event planning company. If possible, I would also love to work abroad in Italy planning events.
Ursula Roscigno '23 - Modern Languages & Literatures

Majors: Marketing and Italian Studies; Minor: International Business
Title: Cultural Italian American Organization: CIAO!
Hometown: Rome, Italy
Plans: I definitely would like to work in the Bay for a little bit, but I think I would love to return to Rome eventually.
Kimberly Derderian '21 - Neuroscience

Major: Neuroscience; Minors: Computer Science and Biotechnology
Title: Category-specific Semantic Cognition Meta-analysis
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Plans: I plan to work in neuroscience research or the biotech industry for a couple years before attending grad school.
Richard S. Arnold III '21 - Physics

Majors: Mechanical Engineering and German
Title: Development and Parameterization of a Bidirectional Comb Laser
Hometown: Los Altos, California
Plans: Pursuing a Masters Degree in Engineering, largely undecided.
Kelly Fradet '20 - Physics

Majors: Physics; Minor Philosophy
Title: Development and Parameterization of a Bidirectional Comb Laser
Hometown: Altadena, California
Plans: I plan to work for the Department of Justice.
Aldo Caballero '20 - Psychology

Major: Psychology; Minor: Computer Science
Title: Looking Away From Other People’s Pain? Predictors and Consequences
Hometown: San Jose, California
Plans: Work in the research in Psychology through academia to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology.