Peer Advisors
Schedule an appointment our peer advisors to get a student's perspective regarding the undergraduate program in the biological sciences.
2024-2025 Advisors
Katie Kaiser
Major: Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
Minor: Epidemiology
Origins: Belmont, Massachusetts
Teaching assistant experience: I was a workshop leader for Organic Chemistry I (Fall 2023) with Professor Dinnocenzo and Organic Chemistry II (Spring 2024) with Dr. Hafensteiner. I will be continuing as a workshop leader for Organic Chemistry I in Fall 2024!
Extracurricular activities: I am an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Andrew Varble's Lab at URMC as well as a research ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research. I am also a member of the Outing Club. I volunteer at The People’s Pantry every weekend. In my free time, I love hiking, skiing, reading, and just being outdoors!
Personal Statement: Throughout my time at U of R, I have encountered academic challenges, like so many students. I have questioned if I had the skills I needed to succeed. At a rigorous school such as U of R, students need guidance. No matter where a student is in their academic journey, it can be incredibly beneficial to ask an upperclassman for help. College is a huge adjustment, and I often relied on upperclassmen to answer my questions. I have always loved having a peer to talk to whether I need general advice or have a specific question, and I want to fulfill this role for other students.
Weekly Office Hours
Thursdays 2-3 p.m. in-person, 2nd floor of Carlson Library
Email to book an appointment: kkaiser4@u.rochester.edu
Katie O’Leary
Major: Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences: General Track and Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies
Minor: Psychology
Origins: I was born in Southern China but was adopted at almost 1 years old. I have been living in Hartford, Connecticut ever since 2002.
Teaching assistant experience: I have been TAing for Dr. Minckley’s Bio 111 recitations for the past two springs (Spring 2023 and Spring 2024). More recently in Spring 2024 I got to help out with the mentor group aspect of the course (helping smallergroups of undergrads who were struggling in the course). I plan on returning Spring 2025 as well.
Extracurricular activities: I have been heavily involved with research at the medical center since spring my sophomore year (Spring 2022) and fortunate enough to have experiences with three different labs. Through these labs I have truly gotten to understand what it means to do research with the responsibilities and projects I have undertaken. I was fortunate enough to get two grants last summer for the Rowe Lab (including UR Discover Grant) and I have presented posters/projects with both the Hammes and Rowe labs. More recently, I just got to present and defend my senior thesis with the Hammes Lab and present at ENDO 2024 conference. I also have been volunteering at Highland Hospital for the past two years as a HELP volunteer because I am interested in healthcare and love talking to patients.
Outside of research and volunteering at Highland, I have been a writing fellow for the past 3 years and have been involved in Reslife as both a D’Lion and RA. Additionally, I started a club for adopted students since I myself am adopted and really wanted to create a safe and educational community.
Previous organizations that I have been involved with include UR Orchestra as a clarinetist and oboist, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, and Student Alumni Ambassadors.
Personal Statement: I absolutely love helping people and acting as a mentor. I have served in various mentorship/leadership roles where my job is to help individuals feel comfortable in their journey at the university. Nothing makes me happier than helping someone and seeing their face light up when they figure it out. I owe a lot to my first year RA and one of the previous Peer Advisors who helped me navigate the Biology department and major at UR. I believe that if I have the knowledge and experience, I should try to help people who may need it.
Weekly Office Hours
Mondays 8 - 9 p.m. on Zoom (alternative times available by request)
Email to book an appointment: koleary8@u.rochester.edu
Anna Roy
Major: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Origins: I am from Oregon.
Teaching assistant experience: I was a TA for BIOL 110 in the Fall of 2023 with Dr. Clark. I am TA'ing for Dr. Sia for BIOL 202 (Molecular Biology) in Fall 2024.
Extracurricular activities: I do research at URMC, am president of University of Rochester Disability Awareness, and am the assistant music director of Vocal Point on campus. I also work as a medical scribe when I am back home during break
Study abroad activities: I spent a month in Granada, Spain in the summer of 2023 through the UR Spain study abroad program.
Personal Statement: I am genuinely excited about science and want to help encourage underclassmen who are interested in the field. I hope to provide useful advice that will help students plan ahead and be successful. I am a good resource for students to bounce their ideas and interests off of, and I can help steer them in the right direction through suggesting activities to try, courses to take, and programs to apply to.
Weekly Office Hours
Mondays 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. on Zoom
Email to book an appointment: aroy12@u.rochester.edu
Catherine Xie
Major: Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics and Bachelor of Arts in Statistics
Origins: I was born in Ohio, lived in Hawaii and currently live in Rochester.
Teaching assistant experience: I was a TA for CHEM 171 with Dr. Paradine (Fall 2022), BIOL 198 with Dr. Stein (Fall 2023) and BIOL 250 with Dr. Stein (Spring 2024).
Extracurricular activities: On campus, I dance as part of Phoenix Fire, and volunteer at local Rochester schools through the STEM initiative. I am president of the Creative Arts Club, which I have been a member of since freshman year. I have been volunteering through the Friends of Strong program at the hospital since freshman year, and also work as a support assistant in the ED. I currently do public health research in the HEEL lab. In addition to being a TA for a few semesters, I work as a study group leader for genetics and biochemistry at the Learning Center.
Personal Statement: When I first started college as a biology major and pre-med, I realized that my peers were my best resources for course advice on when to take which class and finding classes that corresponded with my interests. I love working with students as a TA, and I hope to be a support system for students who are still figuring out their major or finding their path.
Weekly Office Hours
Thursdays 2 - 3 p.m. on Zoom or in-person by request
Email: cxie3@u.rochester.edu
Use the calendar link below to book an appointment
Schedule an appointment with Catherine
Olga Yuvchenko
Major: Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology
Minor: Clinical psychology
Origins: I was born in Ukraine and lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, for 5 years.
Teaching assistant experience: I was a Workshop Leader for BIO 110 with Dr. Clark in Fall 2022. I also TAed the Genetics Lab (BIO 198P) with Dr. Clark in Fall 2023. I am TAing BIOL 198P this Fall 2024 semester.
Extracurricular activities: I served as a Senator in the Students' Association in my freshman and sophomore years; I am a member of UNICEF and Red Cross clubs and a student representative on the Middle States College Reaccreditation Committee. I've also done research in Perkins Lab at URMC studying molecular mechanisms of leukemia. Currently, I'm doing independent research in the Gerber Lab studying cancer immunotherapies.
Study abroad activities: I participated in the DIS Study Abroad this Summer 2024, studying Positive Psychology in Denmark and Scotland.
Personal Statement: Being a biology student at UR has been one of the best experiences of my life, but juggling classes, clubs, extracurriculars and finding that perfect work-life balance can be a bit overwhelming. Throughout my time here, I've dived into a variety of opportunities, from studying abroad to serving in Student Government. I’ve also volunteered at Strong Memorial Hospital and conducted research at URMC. This year, I'm excited to be a peer advisor and can't wait to help my peers find the best opportunities out there and answer any questions they might have.
Weekly Office Hours
Thursdays 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Zoom
Email to book an appointment: oyuvchen@u.rochester.edu