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 two 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 Colloquium.

Student Coordinators

Sara Izquierdo
Wednesday Coordinator
sizqui2@uic.edu
My name is Sara Izquierdo, and I’m a Neuroscience and Spanish dual major at UIC! I have a strong love for neuroscience, public health, and animals! I hope to go to medical school in the next few years to become a doctor with a passion for humanitarianism. Being a Doctor Without Borders is my ultimate goal! I love traveling and volunteering abroad, as well as taking care of both my own pets and rescues. Let’s make this BCQ semester great!
Abdel Bayoumi
Thursday Coordinator
abayou22@uic.edu
Hi, my name’s Abdel, and this is my fourth semester in BCQ.  I’m a second year Neuroscience major on the pre-med track with a minor in History. My main career goals are to open my own pediatrics office, travel with Doctors Without Borders, and open a clinic overseas. I’m also a little bit interested in policy-making in relation to the medical field. It combines my passion for medicine as well as my great interest in social equality. 

Field Trip Coordinators

Abdel Bayoumi
Hi, my name’s Abdel, and this is my fourth semester in BCQ.  I’m a second year Neuroscience major on the pre-med track with a minor in History. My main career goals are to open my own pediatrics office, travel with Doctors Without Borders, and open a clinic overseas. I’m also a little bit interested in policy-making in relation to the medical field. It combines my passion for medicine as well as my great interest in social equality.​
Raj Gurtatta
Hi everyone! My name is Raj Gurtatta and I’m a fourth-year student at UIC. I’m a neuroscience major and CS minor, while also being on the pre-med track. I currently do research with the UIC-COM Department of Psychiatry, work as an EMT with UIC EMS, and volunteer with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This is my second semester as a student leader and field trip coordinator for BCQ, and I’m excited to be working and going on field trips with you all!

​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 two coordinators (one for Wednesday and one for Thursday) 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 coordinators 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
Spring 2020

Wednesday

Thursday
Haley Urbanczyk
I’m a junior here at UIC and my major is neuroscience. I like to learn new languages, travel, and I have a passion for cars, new and old. The most recent places I traveled to include Las Vegas, Miami, and Jamaica. I adore animals, too, especially reptiles! I have a baby Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) named Buzz, short for Buzz Lightyear, and an outdoor pond filled with different species of goldfish and Japanese Koi
Zuleyma Molares
Hello everyone! My name is Zuleyma Morales and I’m a third year undergraduate student at UIC. I’m pursuing a degree in integrated health science with a minor in life science visualization while on a pre-med track. I’m a student leader at UIC Heritage Garden and encourage students to learn more about the paid internship. I’m most passionate about self-expression through clothes and gardening. I’m excited to go on trips with BCQ students and learn more about everyone! Let's have a warm semester.  

​Eric Bretz
​Hey everyone! My name is Eric Bretz and I’m a junior at UIC. I am a biology major with an interest in pursuing a molecular genetics graduate track. I am 25 years old and a Chicago native. I spent a few years in the United States Marine Corps as a combat engineer and received my honorable discharge as a Sergeant back in 2017. I am incredibly excited to be a student leader this year.
Rebecca Ramirez
Hello my name Rebeca Ramirez, I am a first year undergraduate student at UIC.This is my first year with BCQ as a student leader and I am very excited to get to know you guys. My major is biology on a pre-med track. I am a very extroverted person and love to learn about other people's cultures and backgrounds. My goal is to work overseas and through organizations like doctors without borders. In my free time, I love watching TV shows like Criminal minds and grey's anatomy. 
Zenab Khan
​Hey everyone, I’m a sophomore here at UIC. I’m a Biology major minoring in Arabic on the Pre-Med track. In the future I hope to be an obstetrician. One of my major goals is to work for Doctors without Borders and MedGlobal. In my free time I love to bake, hang out with friends, explore different places, and watch movies. I also love meeting new people so if you ever see me around feel free to talk to me.
Sonya Gupta
Hey! My name is Sonya and I am a sophomore currently undeclared. I am on the pre-med track and aspire to become a physician! My main career goals are to work with Doctors Without Borders and encourage greater cross-cultural collaboration in medicine. I am also interested in medical policy to encourage equity both locally and globally. I absolutely love rock climbing, reading, volunteering, and watching Marvel movies. I love to go on adventures and hiking. Can’t wait to meet everyone!
Alyssa Ramos 
​Hi everyone! My name is Alyssa, & I’m a second-year Biology major on the Pre-Dental track. When I’m not in class, I split my time going to Pre-Dental Club or Tabletop Gaming Club meetings and working at the ARC Starbucks. When I have free time, I love roaming the city and experiencing new things. I’m excited to explore with you all this semester & hope your experiences in BCQ will strengthen your love for the sciences in all they entail!

Asher Ortiz
​Hey everyone, my name is Asher. I am a biological sciences major, pursuing a classical studies minor, as well as a career in dentistry. When I’m not focused on my studies, I’m involved with the pre-dental program and running my own club, the Tabletop Gaming Club. In my free time, I enjoy playing board games, exploring the great outdoors, playing board games, and playing with my dogs.

Nidhi Kasana
Hey guys! My name is Nidhi Kansara and I am a senior majoring in Biological Sciences with a
minor in Chemistry. I am studying breast cancer as a research assistant at UIC-COM
(Department of Physiology and Biophysics). In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my
friends and family, binge-watching shows, and making organizational crafts. This is my second
semester as a student leader, I look forward working with all of you.
Mesk Samara
Hello everyone,
My name is Mesk Samara and I am a junior majoring in Biological Sciences. I am on the pre-dental track and I aspire to become a dentist in the future! I took this course as a first year and it provided me with great tools and connections to make the most out of my major, as well as research and volunteer opportunities. I hope to provide other students with the same experience, if not better. My interests include creating henna designs, as well as spending time with family and friends. I wish you all a great semester!
Tu Nguyen
​​My name is Tu Nguyen and I am a junior at UIC. I currently major in Biochemistry and minor in Life Science Visualization. I want to become a researcher in the genetics of cancer and/or immunology field. My hobbies include tasting exotic food, baking, racing, photography, and drawing. I like animals in general, but cat is my favorite one.  Above is a picture of me grinning in a cave in Viet Nam’s Ha Long Bay

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