Officers

 

 

Calvin Harris Belcher
Position: President
cbelcher@uci.edu
Calvin is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Professor Diran Apelian’s group. Calvin’s research focuses on metallurgical processes and alloy design and synthesis for targeted functional properties. He spends his free time in the outdoors and likes to go cycling and play video games. As GSA President, Calvin is responsible for all of GSA and provides a framework and leadership for the GSA officers to build a strong program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salma El-Azab
Position:  Internal Vice President
selazab@uci.edu
Salma is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Julie Schoenung’s research group. As Internal VP, Salma is responsible for GSA events and activities for students within the department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Mastracco
Position:  External Vice President
pmastrac@uci.edu
Peter is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Stacy Copp’s research group. He uses machine learning for the predictive design of soft materials. Outside of lab, Peter enjoys powerlifting, cooking, and board games. As the External VP, Peter provides support for GSA sponsored activities meant to reach the community outside of UCI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sierra Gross
Position: Outreach Coordinator
sjgross@uci.edu
Sierra is a 2nd year Ph.D. student working in Prof. Mumm and Mohraz’s groups. Sierra’s role as the Outreach Coordinator is to provide STEM outreach workshops for the surrounding community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Santiago
Position: Social Media Manager
pjsantia@uci.edu
Peter is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Regina Ragan’s research group. His research is focused on advancing renewable energy catalysts via graphene and self-assembled 3D substrates. In his free time, Peter’s hobbies include sports, spam musubi, and the beach! As the Social Media Manager, Peter is responsible for the GSA social media, such as the instagram page (@mse_gsa_social) and is also responsible for the GSA weekly emails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jingyi Luo
Position: International & Master’s Student Representative
jluo11@uci.edu
Jingyi is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Albert Yee’s research group. As one of the International & Master’s Student Reps, Jingyi helps provide events and activities specific to international and masters students in the department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devashish Kulkarni
Position: International & Master’s Student Representative
dskulkar@uci.edu
Devashish is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Iryna Zenyuk’s research group. His research focuses mainly on the development of operando Nano X-ray computational tomography techniques to understand the catalyst morphologies that affect the water distribution in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. His interests also include renewable energy, zero-emission vehicles, and sustainability. Outside of the lab, he enjoys cooking, traveling, working out, hiking and advocating for science. As one of the International & Master’s Student Reps, Deva helps provide events and activities specific to international and masters students in the department.

 

 

 

 

Brandon Fields
Position: Faculty Representative
bfields1@uci.edu
Brandon is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Lorenzo Valdevit’s research group. Brandon’s research focuses on metal additive manufacturing applications. Outside of school, his hobbies include basketball, exercising, and video games. Brandon’s role as Faculty Rep is to provide faculty in the department with updates GSA events and activities and provide GSA with updates on faculty and departmental events and activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alyse Gonthier
Position: Secretary
agonthie@uci.edu
Alyse is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Ali Mohraz’s research group. As the Secretary, Alyse is in charge of taking attendance and minutes during all GSA meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arturo Meza
Position: Social Chair
arturoam@uci.edu
Arturo is a 3rd year Ph.D. student in the Materials Science and Engineering program. He researches high entropy materials, focusing on designing and engineering specific electrical properties through materials processing. In his free time, Arturo enjoys running, as well as dancing salsa, tango, and swing. Other hobbies include playing video games, backgammon, and cooking. As the Social Chair, Arturo is responsible for hosting GSA social events and activities for students of the department such as networking events and mixers.

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Cortez
Position: IM Sports Coordinator
jcortez2@uci.edu
Justin is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Prof. Julie Schoenung’s research group. Justin’s role as the IM Sports Coordinator is to organize IM Sports teams within the department.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First-Year Representatives

• TBD