The mission of the Program Development Team (PDT) is to oversee the implementation of the LA Program Mission, continuing to improve the program to best support the needs of Learning Assistants and the students they support.
| PDT Division | Description | Team Member(s) |
| Anti-Racism | Connects the mission of the Learning Assistants Program with the Anti-Racism Discourse Program and supports Program Operations. | Kaylie Bair |
| Applications | Oversees the LA Application Process and Forms/Surveys pertaining to the LA Program. | Bryan Luo, James Yoon, Mica Bacani & Naomi Hammonds |
| Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity (JEDI) | Works to create an equitable space for all Bruins within the Learning Assistant Program and provide inclusive teaching resources for Instructors, TAs, LA and the students they support.. | Kaylie Bair, Naomi Hammonds |
| Logistics | Oversees the implementation of Learning Assistants into Content Courses | Christine Tseng, Mahfuzun Nabi, Mica Bacani |
| Pedagogy | Oversees Pedagogy Seminar and implementation of evidence-based collaborative learning strategies into Content Courses. | Alana Sur, James Yoon & Kaylie Bair |
Content-Specific Contacts:
- Chemistry: Alana Sur & James Yoon
- Computer Science: Bryan Luo & Kaylie Bair
- Engineering (all disciplines): Kaylie Bair
- Mathematics: Christine Tseng
- Life Science: Naomi Hammonds
- Physics: Mahfuzun Nabi & Mica Bacani
- Psychology: Alana Sur
Current Program Development Team Members
Alana Sur (she/her)
Alana is a 4th-year Double Majoring in Neuroscience (B.S.) and Psychobiology (B.S.).
Bryan Luo (he/his)
Bryan is a 3rd-year majoring in Computer Science with a Technical Breadth in Technology Management.
Christine Tseng (she/her)
Christine graduated with both a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and B.S in Economics. Christine had a central role within our Mathematics, Logistics, and Statistics Divisions. Following graduation, Christine plans to join Brown University’s Applied Mathematics PhD program. She is looking forward to exploring the many applications of mathematics and prioritizing creating a safe space for all students interested in math!
James Yoon (he/they)
James graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Physical Chemistry. They also completed minors in Atmospheric Sciences and Digital Humanities. During their time at UCLA, James was both an Honors and Regents Scholar as well as being involved with the Pedagogy, Chemistry, and Social Media Divisions of PDT. In the Fall, James will be attending the University of Washington to pursue their PhD in Atmospheric Sciences.
Mahfuzun Nabi (he/him)
Mahfuzun is a 4th-year majoring in Physics with a Minor in Math.
Kaylie Bair (she/her)
Kaylie is a 4th-year double-majoring in Electronics Engineering (B.S.) and Physics (B.A.) with an emphasis in Electrical Engineering.
In the future, Kaylie hopes to attend a PhD program in Electrical Engineering.
Mica Bacani (she/her)
Mica graduated with a B.S. in Physics and a minor in Mathematics. During her time in the LA Program, she played a central role in the Logistics, Physics, and Math Divisions. In the Fall, Mica plans to pursue a PhD in Physics at UC Irvine.
Naomi Hammonds (she/her)
Naomi is a 2nd-year majoring in Psychobiology.
STEM Education Research Being Conducted by PDT
Alana Sur
I am working with Dr. Prado and Dayanni to implement POGIL (peer-oriented guided inquiry learning) into chemistry discussion sections to foster collaborative workspaces that support student learning both remotely and in-person.
Kaylie Bair
Naomi Hammonds
Dr. Maloy and Dr. Siobhan introduced myself and several other undergraduates/graduate students to a research study this summer called the LS Liberation Project! The idea behind the project is finding ways to create an environment that is more inclusive, caring, and welcoming for the LSA/B/C series. As a team, we have spent time gathering and listening to experiences of students in the STEM/LS learning environment to seek sources of uncomfortability and comfortability for students. In addition, we have looked at various literature about creating inclusive spaces in STEM education and personal accounts from marginalized students tied to microaggressions, inequities in resources, and much more. In imagining what we envision a truly liberated and inclusive LS series would look like, proposed interventions will be made in regards to the structure, support, flexibility, autonomy, etc. for the 2021 school year and forward!
2021 Program Development Team Cohort
Aly Ung (she/her)
Aly graduated with a B.S. in Bioengineering and Technical Breadth in Computer Science and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Aly had a central role within our Applications, Chemistry and Logistics Divisions. She is currently working as a Research Device Engineer at NovaSignal and hopes to eventually return for her MS/MBA to grow in the neurotechnology industry.
Arliette Sulikhanyan (she/her)
Arliette graduated with both a B.S. in Anthropology and B.S in Biology. Arliette had a central role within our Anti-Racism, Chemistry, Pedagogy and PLTL Divisions. Following graduation, Arliette plans to complete an accelerated Masters in Public Health (MPH) program in epidemiology at UC Davis.
Esin Gumustekin (she/her)
Esin graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Esin played a central role in our Logistics, PLTL, Life Sciences and Chemistry Divisions. Following graduation, Esin will attend Medical School at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Mia Navarro (she/her)
Mia graduated with a B.S. in Computational and Systems Biology with a focus in Epidemiology. She has served both as a PDT member and Program TA. She had a central role in our Life Sciences and Logistics Division. Following graduation, Mia plans to attend Stanford University School of Medicine to pursue her MPH in Epidemiology.
Oliva Lopez (she/her)
Olivia graduated with a B.S. in Psychobiology. She was a central part of our Pedagogy and Psychology Divisions. Following graduation, Olivia plans to teach Biology to underserved students as part of Teach for America in Denver, Colorado before returning to receive her Teaching Credential.
Sarah Castillo (she/her)
Sarah graduated with a B.S.in Computer Science and Engineering. She was a central part of our Applications, Computer Science and Logistics Divisions. Following graduation, Sarah will begin working as a Software Development Engineer for Amazon Web Services (AWS) in New York, NY.
Past Program Development Team Members
2019-20 PDT Cohort: Byron, Raph, Sarah, Aashi + Josh
From Left to Right: Raphael SJ, Sarah Castillo, Byron Corado Perez, Aashi Patel, Joshua Lee
2018-19 PDT Cohort: Dominic, Max, Mariam, Irena, Tim
Top row from left to right: (Josh Lee), Dominic Diaz, Max Zhu, Timothy Hamilton, (Raph).
Bottom row from left to right: Irena Roy, (Sarah Castillo), Mariam Ghattas, (Shanna), (Byron)
2017-18 PDT Cohort: Johnny, Elisa, Kylie, and Dominic
From Left to Right: (Shanna), Dominic Diaz, Kylie Rostad, (Suchi Amin), Johnny Dang, (Liz Mills); Not pictured: Elisa Fazzari