Meet our new 2025-26 KCGIP Mentors!

Meet the 2025-26 NSF Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program OPIRC mentors. They will be meeting with OPIRC mentees on a monthly basis, providing mentorship and advice on building a successful path to an industrial or national lab career.

	“Never be afraid to ask questions, you don’t come into college knowing everything which is the point. You are here to learn, so ask questions even if you think they are ‘dumb questions’. There is no such thing as a ‘dumb question’, only ‘questions’, remember to stay curious.”
Cody Worrell	*My Pathway* BS in Physics KCGIP Master’s Track: Semiconductors Internship Host: Qorvo

	“Don’t be afraid to ask questions! You belong in this space, and your voice matters. Science is best approached with an open, curious, and collaborative mindset.”
Joyce Wang	*My Pathway* BS in Molecular Environmental Biology KCGIP Master’s Track: Bioinformatics and Genomics


Ari Periche	*My Pathway* BS in Biochemistry KCGIP Master’s Track: Molecular Sensors and Biotechnology

	“Science is a place to have fun! You will find your place and find success as long as you find joy in what you do.”
Ava Komons	*My Pathway* BS in Biochemistry KCGIP Master’s Track: Molecular Sensors and Biotechnology Internship Host: Thermo Fisher Scientific – Hillsboro, OR

	“Show up every day, and you will improve. It might be immediate, it might take weeks, but you will see the results.”
Mateo Hall	*My Pathway* BS in Physics KCGIP Master’s Track: Semiconductors

	“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” [James Clear] Reach out for support as much as possible; don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong; and keep imagining yourself at the finish line, living the life you want.”
Amanda Dougherty	*My Pathway* BS in Biology and Environmental Policy KCGIP Master’s Track: Bioinformatics and Genomics

	“Ask good questions, learn from your peers, try your best, and trust the process. Along the way, you will undoubtedly face many challenges and setbacks. Keep moving forward, because even when it doesn’t work out, it always does!”
Kaden Coulter	*My Pathway* BS in Data Science and Applied Economics KCGIP Master’s Track: Bioinformatics and Genomics

	“The journey to a STEM degree may be long and arduous, but its 100% worth it. I believe live that all people are capable of incredible things, the power of believing in yourself is a tremendous part of success. When things get hard, remember how far you’ve come and that you are incredible and determined.”
Meg Callahan	*My Pathway* BS in Biochemistry KCGIP Master’s Track: Polymer Science Internship Host: Bend Bioscience

	“Attend office hours before you think you need it. Getting in there earlier will pay off later in class.”
Julio Barrales Miranda	*My Pathway* BS in Biochemistry KCGIP Master’s Track: Polymer Science Internship Host: LANXESS

	“Whatever you are pursuing in, I want you to put 200% into it. You may feel lonely or lost at times, but just know that what you are doing is special. Cherish it and love it.”
Martin Adra	*My Pathway* BS in Astrophysics KCGIP Master’s Track: Optical Materials & Devices Internship Host: Thermo Fisher Scientific – Hillsboro, OR