Nathan Mermilliod
Nathan Mermilliod is a junior biology major with a minor in leadership. Experiences with his bleeding disorder, Severe Hemophilia B, inspired him to pursue a path to medical school. His long-term goal is to become a pediatric hematologist. Nathan works hard as a tutor and supplemental instructor at Chapman for Biology and Organic Chemistry courses. He is a mentor and leader in his communities, volunteering regularly at St. Joseph’s Hospital. His favorite hobby is chess. As President of the Chapman Chess Club, Nathan built a community of chess fans from the ground up, and he regularly hosts tournaments and tabling events for the club. Nathan is thrilled to be working in Dr. Islam’s lab this year and hopes he can bring new ideas and projects to this exciting field of research!
Mo Hijazi
Hi, I’m Mo Hijazi, a Junior Biological Sciences major with a minor in Game Development Programming, and I’m a member of the Soft Materials research lab. Currently, I’m designing complex microgels for drug delivery applications. My ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become a physician.
Aside from my academic pursuits, I have a range of interests, including video games, surfing, snowboarding, and teaching. I’ve been fortunate enough to find a place for each of my hobbies within my community, whether it’s volunteering at the local food bank or after-school program, serving as a supplemental instructor at Chapman, or teaching kids on the spectrum how to surf.
In addition to my academic and extracurricular activities, I also host a podcast called Theory Premed, where I share my experiences throughout my undergraduate career. I’m passionate about science, and I believe that sharing my experiences and knowledge can help inspire others to pursue their passions. I’m excited to participate in this research lab, and I look forward to contributing to our team’s success.
Former High School Comrades
1. Derek Lee
Junior at Northwood High School, Irvine, CA
Currently at UCLA, Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology
2. Ryan Zwatschka
Senior at Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo, CA
Currently at USC, Neuroscience
3. Jaiman Pandya
Senior at Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo, CA
Currently at Northeastern University, Computer Science
Former Members
Nataly Reyes
Chemistry Major and a Simon Scholarship recipient from Simon Family Foundation