The faculty advisors, student coordinators, field trip coordinators and student leaders are the people that keep BCQ running. It is their hard work that allows the Colloquium to be a success. All coordinator and leader positions are occupied by former BioS 196 students who have “moved up in the ranks” and now help run the course.  If you love Bios 196, apply to be a student leader!

Faculty Advisors

The Biology Colloquium is very fortunate to have three faculty advisors that oversee the BCQ course, guide and chaperone the field trips, share their research experience and scientific knowledge, make introductions to local biologists for field trip visits, offer guidance and mentoring to BCQ students, and are always there to step in should any problems arise. They are important liaisons to the UIC Biology Department, and have helped foster the growth of the class.

Student Coordinator

Eric Bretz
Wednesday & Thursday Coordinator
ebretz2@uic.edu

Hey! I am a PhD student in Ecology and Evolution. I study phylogenomics, transcriptomics, and computational biology.
I'm a Chicago local, veteran, and high school hockey coach. From BCQ student, to student leader, and now coordinator, I'm excited to be a part of helping biology students network with and learn from biologists in the Chicago area.

Becoming a Coordinator


​Student coordinators apply and are appointed to their position by the faculty advisors (their term spans the entire academic year and longer in some cases). The coordinator(s) are in charge of managing their student leaders and students, setting up and running large group classes and overseeing the entire operation of the Colloquium (e.g. class policies, meetings, etc.).

Field trip coordinators apply and are appointed by both the student coordinator(s) and the faculty advisors. Their major responsibility is that of the coordinating and planning each large semester field trip (end of the semester for spring trip and during midterms in the fall). Sometimes field trip coordinators are also student leaders and show a high degree of organization and commitment to BCQ. 

​Student Leaders
Fall 2021

Wednesday

Thursday
Rosa Mendoza
rmendo27@uic.edu

I am Rosa Elena Mendoza. I am a first-generation Mexican student. I am majoring in Biology, and I’m on the pre-PhD track. I was recently accepted into the Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, and Neurobiology (MCDBN) Ph.D. program. I hope to learn more about schizophrenia and other mental disorders. I want to focus my career on finding more specific causes of schizophrenia and better treatments for it. I love to work out and read. I am also in the Isotope Lab with Dr. Gonzalez-Meler and the Bat Lab with Dr. Salles. In addition, I am a mentor for L@s Ganas. I took this course last year and truly enjoyed every part of it. I can’t wait to see what this semester holds.


Sarah Saleh
ssaleh4@uic.edu

Hey everyone! My name is Sarah Saleh and I am a third year student majoring in biochemistry on the premed track. I have always enjoyed school, learning new things and being able to apply them to real life. Outside of school I love working out and being active, as well as watching and playing basketball. I am a people person so I always find myself around my friends and family.

Fatima Alshboul
falsh4@uic.edu

My name is Fatima, and I am currently majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-dental track. I am fascinated with the field of dentistry and have ambitions to become a prosthodontist. I love spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy watching movies, reading books, and playing volleyball.

Danny Owais
dowais2@uic.edu

Hello everyone! My name is Danny and I am a senior at UIC currently studying biology. I want to become a dentist and explore my passion by entering dental school. I am from Orland Park and I am 20 years old. In my free time, I like learning about business and entrepreneurship.
Heba Hussein
hhusse23@uic.edu

Hello! My name is Heba Hussein and I am a third year Biology student. I am currently on the Pre-Dental track in hopes of becoming a Dentist in the future. In my free time I work in a pharmacy and volunteer at Feed My Starving Children. I took this course last semester and enjoyed everything about it. I hope the students will enjoy it as much as I did.

Sabha Aladwan
saladw2@uic.edu

Hi! My name is Sabha Aladwan and I am a third year Biology student. I am on the Pre-Dental track in hopes of becoming a Dentist. I have a great passion for Biology as it is so fascinating and unfolds an endless field of opportunity. I love that there is always something new to learn and you can always improve your knowledge.
Yahya Shalabi
yshala2@uic.edu

Hello Everyone!  My name is Yahya Shalabi. Born in Chicago but raised in Palestine. My educational journey moved me back to chicago in 2018. I am curently a senior in general Biological Scineces at UIC. I picked the biology field for my undergrad because I have passion towrds becoming a Physician Assistant. I worked as a tutor at Moraine Valley community college for 2 years. When I had the enough scince credits I started working as a lab technician.  Outside of school I used to be a soccer player overseas! I love to meet new people and make new connections, so feel free to reach out!
Mateen Moghtaderi
mmoght2@uic.edu

Hi! My name is Mateen Moghtaderi and I am a senior at UIC. I am a biochemistry major on the pre-dental track. I’m from Skokie and I like to work out and hang out with my friends during my free time. I can speak English, Farsi, and a little bit of Spanish. I decided to follow the pre-dental track ever since I got my braces off in highschool. I used to have extra teeth, so after getting them removed as well as my braces, I have become interested ever since. I now work as a dental assistant in Glenview and I want to become an orthodontist. I’m always excited to meet new people, so feel free to reach out. Let’s have a great semester.

Miguel Salgado
Msalg8@uic.edu

Hi everyone! I’m Miguel Salgado and I’m a Junior at UIC majoring in biology on the pre-PhD track. I graduated Triton College in Spring 2022 with my associates degree, I’m a transfer here at UIC. I’ve always had a passion for learning what makes us as humans so unique as well as the amazing yet mysterious environment we live in. Likes: Playing piano, working out, cooking, going to jazz shows, boxing, poetry, coffee, & cuddling with my 9-month-old kitten Luca. Dislikes: Onions, calculus, being stuck by the train in traffic, balloons, and onions. Goals: To help each and every one of you achieve your goals, while offering my mentorship and a helping hand we all need sometimes. I’m excited to meet you all soon! :)

Merwin D'Souza
mdsou2@uic.edu

Merwin is a second-year student at UIC, double-majoring in Biological Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Spanish for the Professions. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine, especially in medical research. Outside of school, Merwin enjoys spending time with his friends and family as well as playing songs on his guitar.
Alexis Aguayo
aaguay5@uic.edu

Hello, welcome to BCQ! My name is Alexis Aguayo, I am a third year Biology major with a pre-med focus in hopes of becoming an anesthesiologist. I am also an HSI Scholar conducting research with the American Heart Association. I am always looking for opportunities to lead and develop new skills. My hobbies are watching movies, listening to music, and visiting vintage stores around Chicago. I hope to get to know you and try to help you on your academic journey.

Kymberly Luna
kluna23@uic.edu

Kymberly is a third-year student at UIC. This is her 2nd time being a student leader. She is on the Pre-Med track, majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in French and Psychology. She aspires to be a pediatrician. She is very involved on campus. She is a co-founder and Vice President of Mujeres en Medicina, a member of the Flames Leadership Council, a member of Medicina Scholars. She also works as an UIC Ambassador on campus. On her free time, she loves to bake (always from scratch!), explore trendy restaurants/places, and loves to learn new things about fashion!

Becoming A Student Leader

If you are a current or past Colloquium student, we invite you to apply for a Student Leader position. There are many advantages to being a Student Leader, most importantly learning the skills needed to organize, motivate and mentor younger students.  What a great career stepping stone!  Student Leaders also earn 2 biology 200-level credits (as BioS 296) for their efforts, and have use of the great BCQ Office.  The office has a nice, almost too comfortable sofa; 3 computers for e-mailing, writing papers, and playing games; a refrigerator and microwave for storing and heating food; and an almost constant supply of snacks. Furthermore, several times a semester, student leaders are treated to dinner when the Colloquium holds a staff meeting.

To apply, print the relatively short Student Leader Application, read the directions and complete it, and  email it to the student coordinators before the end of finals week. After receiving the applications, the student coordinators will then contact you to set up a brief interview.

Former Faculty Advisors

The Biology Colloquium would not be where it is today were it not for the support and guidance of all its past faculty advisors.
Dr. Jennifer Schmidt
Dr. Robert Willey (in memoriam)
Dr. Don Murphy
Dr. Steve Kelso
Dr. Paul Malchow
Dr. Steve Logan 
Dr. Joel Brown
Dr. Thomas Park