Five outstanding graduating seniors in the School of Biological Sciences received the 2014 Chancellor’s Award of Distinction: Rame Basem Bashir, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, Rebecca My Linh Do, Biological Sciences major, Christina Bao Han Phan, Biological Sciences major, Bryan Jiaming Xie, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major and Michael C. Yang, Biological Sciences major.

The Chancellor’s Award of Distinction acknowledges the University of California, Irvine’s most outstanding graduating seniors. Awarded by the UC Irvine Alumni Association, these students represent exceptional academic achievement, and a commitment to cutting-edge research, leadership and service to UCI. Selected by a committee of alumni, recipients can be identified by the blue and gold shoulder cord worn with their commencement regalia.

Here is more about our distinguished students awardees:

Rame Basem Bashir, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major

“My experiences at UCI have been amazing to say the least. As a Research Associate within the Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program (EMRAP) at the UCI Medical Center, I have had the privilege to contribute and coordinate several clinical research studies with the purpose of enhancing patient care across the nation. My desire to give back to the campus community gave rise to the ambition of becoming the elected ASUCI School of Biological Sciences Representative where my role was to enhance the campus climate both within the school and at large. My extensive clinical experiences, both abroad and locally, have been paramount in my motivation to continue the rigorous journey of becoming a medical physician.”

Rebecca Do, Biological Sciences major

I’m currently serving as the Chief of Staff for ASUCI Student Services and Vice President of Anteaters’ Habitat for Humanity. I am also a research student with the Urology Department at the UCI Medical Center. I have a passion for giving back to our community, locally and internationally, and I hope to continue with this after graduating as I pursue my career goal of becoming a pediatric physician.

Christina Bao Han Phan, Biological Sciences major

“I take great pride in graduating UCI in less than 3 years (2 years and 2 quarters to be exact) and obtaining an Excellence in Research for my research in stem cells for spinal cord injury within my first year. UCI has given me so many opportunities and memories that I will forever be thankful for–making lifelong friends, becoming a Bio Sci peer tutor, president and founder of the United Nations Advocates club, and Executive Undergraduate President for the Medical Initiative Against Homelessness club on campus. If all goes accordingly, I plan to attend medical school and become a doctor!”

Brian Xie, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major

“My past 4 years at UCI has given me fond memories that I will cherish – interacting with fellow Anteaters and making great friends, tutoring for Bio Sci Peer Tutoring, and toiling away in research and publishing a paper. Graduating from UCI is bittersweet, and I will be taking this next year to travel and to work as a tutor and/or in industry. Afterwards, I aim to attend graduate school studying immunology/chemical biology with the hopes of becoming a professor at a Research I university.”

Michael C. Yang, Biological Sciences major

“My time at UCI has been an absolute rollercoaster ride—all I could do was hold on and enjoy all the fantastic moments of intellectual and personal growth. I have enjoyed every twist and turn as an undergraduate researcher and a Bio Sci Peer Tutor. After graduation, I plan to continue research in Neurobiology at UCI and attend medical school in the near future.”

If you’d like to learn more about you can support undergraduate and graduate students at the Biological Sciences School, please contact Andrew DiNuzzo at 949.824.2734 or adinuzzo@uci.edu.