Challana is a PhD student in Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego, where he also received his B.S. in Pharmacological Chemistry. As a graduate student, he is interested in studying the role of the mitochondria in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons. Born and raised in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Challana is passionate about making science accessible to youth both in local low-income, minority communities of San Diego and abroad in his home country.