麻豆传媒映画

Fourth in a series

A scuba diving researcher, protector of wild animals and aspiring pediatrician: three transfer students demonstrate the wide range of  career paths that can open up to 麻豆传媒映画 graduates with the right preparation. 

Isaac Torres, Cesar Daniel Edeza and Melissa Sicairos Bobadilla got their start at Southwestern College before transferring to 麻豆传媒映画 through the program, which guides students at local community colleges in the transition to 麻豆传媒映画 by offering academic and professional support as they pursue a STEM degree.

From hands-on research experiences on and off campus, they not only gained technical skills needed for their careers, but made lasting connections with peers and mentors in their fields.

Here is a look at each graduate:

The Sea Explorer

Hailing from Chula Vista, Isaac Torres dipped his toes in marine biology research when STEM Pathways connected him with biology professor Kevin Hovel鈥檚 lab. For his first project, he explored how reproductive eelgrass structure influences herbivores, such as grass shrimp, who can utilize more hiding spots to survive.

鈥淭hat kick-started everything for me,鈥� Torres said.

Determined to conduct underwater research, he got scuba certified and literally dove into a series of projects, including studying sunflower sea stars in the cold, rough waters off Oregon as part of an Oregon State University program he learned about at the national SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science) conference.

鈥淲ithout STEM Pathways taking me to SACNAS, I don't think I would have gotten that opportunity,鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom then, I started scuba diving even more with different labs and that gave me a lot more experience.鈥�

Torres has collaborated with graduate students and professors in four biology labs, where he picked up coding and traditional lab skills.

鈥淪TEM Pathways helped me grow out of my shell, ask more questions, ask if people need help with anything. Now I'm the guy people go to because they know I'll say yes,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t's really helped me a lot in my personal life and being more able to advocate for myself.鈥�

Torres also came to be known as a leader within 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 Marine Ecology & Biology Student Association (MEBSA) and Scuba Diving Interest Club, where he helped mentor younger students, and found community through snorkeling trips and outreach activities. He also participated in , helping monitor kelp forests in Ensenada.

This range of experience helped secure Torres a position as one of just three research divers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where he will work on a variety of conservation projects after graduation.

The Animal Whisperer

Cesar Daniel Edeza didn鈥檛 speak any English when he moved to San Diego from Tijuana. Motivated by a dream to pursue biology, he completed two years of ESL classes at Southwestern College before beginning degree specific courses. 

After transferring to 麻豆传媒映画, Edeza took his favorite classes, mammology and ornithology. STEM Pathways opened the doors to hands-on research experiences where he could apply classroom knowledge, including examining red diamond rattlesnakes in biology professor Rulon Clark鈥檚 lab. 

鈥淚 was living a dream. I was living in Animal Planet 鈥� hiking, using a specific radar to find these snakes and taking data,鈥� Edeza said. 鈥淏ecause of STEM Pathways, I know research in the field is a really good position for me.鈥�

Edeza also volunteered at the California Wolf Center in Julian, where he fed and cared for wolves, led educational tours and maintained facilities to help protect and keep at-risk wolves as wild as possible before releasing them back into their natural habitats. There, he uncovered his passions for science education and working with animals.

鈥淚 could see people excited about what I'm saying, about something that I love,鈥� Edeza said. 鈥淚 didn't feel I was going to work, I was feeling I was having a hobby.鈥� 

Edeza is now taking advantage of the connections made during his internships as he enters a conservation-related career. 

鈥淚 like people, I like to socialize and I also like animals,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 would like to be in the educational area or giving animal care or working in research in the field with large mammals that are predators because they're my favorite animal group.鈥�

The Community Physician

With a longtime dream of becoming a doctor, Melissa Sicairos Bobadilla moved from Tijuana to San Diego at age 16.

鈥淚 didn't know how to speak English, so it was hard for me,鈥� she said.

Impressed with her grades, an encouraging professor connected Sicairos with a Southwestern College student on a similar career path. She then got involved with STEM Pathways and joined friends, including Edeza, in transferring to 麻豆传媒映画.

At 麻豆传媒映画, Sicairos valued how, even in large classes, professors encouraged students to attend office hours, ask questions and seek support. She also enjoyed meeting people with different opinions, ideas and cultures.

鈥淭he community and friendships that many people have here, it's awesome,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hese two years were amazing, but also too fast!鈥�

Sicairos gained clinical experience at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center in addition to conducting research on wine grapes. Although she prefers working with patients over plants, she learned how to perform PCR techniques and gained essential laboratory skills.

After graduation, Sicairos will prepare for medical school by studying for the MCAT and completing more clinical and volunteer hours. She plans to pursue pediatrics or family medicine, particularly serving San Diego鈥檚 Spanish-speaking communities. 

鈥淭he people at 麻豆传媒映画 have taught me to always follow your dreams, because many people have different stories, different paths, different passions,鈥� she said. 鈥淚'm grateful for them because I hear their stories and get inspired. I believe that if someone else can do it, I can also do it.鈥�

Read more on the Class of '26:

A returning student overcomes impostor syndrome to curate travel experiences for celebrities

A transfer student reinvents herself with a midcourse adjustment

Trailblazing Imperial Valley undergraduate helps his community through public health

Graduating seniors develop app targeting food waste; students eat it up