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

Sheryl Hosler
Wednesday & Thursday Coordinator
shosle3@uic.edu
Hi, I'm Sheryl, the BCQ Coordinator. I'm a 2nd-year PhD student studying ecology at UIC, and I have a master's degree in ecology from NIU. My research interests include restoration ecology, urban ecology, and ecosystem function. When I'm not doing research, I work as a science communicator, running my own YouTube channel (The Roving Naturalist) and a group scicomm project where we use ttrpgs and video games to teach people about science on Twitch, YouTube, and in a podcast (Nature Check). I love teaching, talking about nerdy stuff, and spending time outside!

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). In addition to having been BCQ students themselves, they have served at least two semesters as student leaders before being coordinators. 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 2020

Wednesday

Thursday
Alyssa Redini Ramos 
​aramos35@uic.edu

Hello everyone! My name is Alyssa, and I’m a 3rd year biology major with a pre-professional goal of dentistry. In addition to being a student leader, I’m also a mentor & research fellow for UIC’s L@S GANAS department. When I’m not in class, I’m involved with both the Pre-Dental Club and Tabletop Gaming Club. In my free time, I enjoy searching for different restaurants & cafes to try (I’m a bit of a self-proclaimed foodie). Hope you all enjoy your online BCQ experience!
Ang Karikari
akarik2@uic.edu

Hi, my name is Ang and I am a junior, majoring in Neuroscience at UIC! I hope to be a future physician in an underserved community. I’m an RA in the Addiction Research Treatment (ART) lab, which has sparked an interest in learning about addiction/trauma as a public health issue. I enjoy dancing, binge watching TV Shows and hanging out with my friends. I am super excited to be a BCQ Leader this year.  

Needah Abdelrahim
nabdel25@uic.edu

Hi everyone! I am currently a third year Biology major and Psychology minor, on the Pre-PA track. I currently work part time as an EMT, and previously worked as a research assistant in the cognitive psychology department, so let me know if you have any questions about my experiences. Biology has always fascinated me, especially pertaining to animals and how they behave in their habitats (basically an animal lover). However, when I am not at school or work, you can find me at the gym lifting weights, playing videogames, or hanging out with my cats.

​Othman Ibrahim
oibrah7@uic.edu

Hello there, my name is Othman Ibrahim, but my friends call me Oats. I am a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In terms of my undergraduate studies, I am currently pursuing a major in Biological Sciences and potentially a minor in Economics. I am on the pre-medical track but more specifically, I would like to become a physician of emergency medicine. I hope to be able to help my students find their passion the way BCQ did for me.

Payal Gokaldas
pgokal2@uic.edu

Hi! My name is Payal and I am an international student from Ghana. I am a Neuroscience major and have always been passionate about cognitive neuroscience in particular and how it pertains to child development. I was once debating the pre-med track, but I decided not to go that route for several reasons including this course, which showed me that the life sciences aren’t only limited to healthcare! In my free time I love taking naps, trying out new recipes and watching Ted Talks. This is my first semester as a student leader, and I hope you love and learn from this course as much as I did!

Zenab Khan
​zkhan54@uic.edu

Hey everyone! My name is Zenab and I am current third year on the pre-med track, majoring in Biology and minoring in Arabic. This is my fourth semester with BCQ and I have loved every second of it so far. My future goal is to become an OBGYN one day and work for doctors without borders! I love to meet new people and try new things, so if you ever see me around campus feel free to talk to me!
Dayla Dillon
ddillo3@uic.edu

Howdy! My name is Dayla and I am a second year student at UIC. This is my first time being a BCQ Student Leader but this class has already had an amazing impact on my future. Through the connections I have made at BCQ, I was able to get an internship as a Biology Student Trainee with the US Army Corps of Engineers. I plan to major in Biological Sciences with a minor in Environmental Science. I hope to work in the field as a biologist as I am passionate about environmental conservation. In my free time, I like to bake, watch movies, and garden. Let’s make this a great semester in BCQ!

Asher Ortiz
dortiz32@uic.edu

Howdy, all!
My name is Asher Ortiz, now a SENIOR at UIC. I’m majoring in Biological Sciences and pursuing a minor in Classics, with an overarching career goal in dentistry. Outside of my studies, I’m involved in UIC’s pre-dental club and run a club of my very own, the Tabletop Gaming Club! In my spare time, I enjoy canoeing, going on nature hikes, as well as collecting and playing board games. I look forward to meeting you all this semester!
Abdullah Jalal
​ajalal3@uic.edu

Hi everyone! My name is Abdullah Jalal, and I am a senior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Psychology. This will be my first time being a student leader, and I look forward to meeting all of you. My main career goals are to become a pediatrician, travel with doctors without borders, and open a free clinic in the Middle East. I am very interested in health disparities, and as I familiarize myself with the tragic reality of our country’s social determinants of health I am excited to be working with all of you to raise awareness of such inequalities.

Angelina Velez
avelez9@uic.edu

Hey homies! My name is Angelina Velez and I am a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences. I absolutely love to laugh and spend time with my family and I enjoy playing painting, canoeing, running, and playing card games. Some of my talents consist of whistling and playing the ukulele. I love volunteering and leadership activities! If there is a chance to create new friendships and experiences of a lifetime I am always down! This is my third semester with BCQ and I absolutely dig it! I can not wait to meet my team! Have a beautiful semester!
Itzel Flores
iflore23@uic.edu

Hello everyone, my name is Itzel Flores and I am a junior here at UIC majoring in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Molecular, Cellular, and Organismal Biology. My professional goal is to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist. I am also a member of PAP-STEM and FIA. During my free time, I love thrifting clothes, playing games such as Minecraft or Animal Crossing, and watching anime. I look forward to working with you all this semester!
Syeda Syed
​​ssyed48@uic.edu

Hi! My name is Syeda and I am a third-year biology major on a Pre-Dental track and currently working as a dental assistant. In my free time I love to hang out with family and friends, spend time outdoors, or visit new places. I have a passion for learning new things and would like to travel the world one day and learn about different cultures.

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 hand it in to the Colloquium office or 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