Jerry is a PhD student in Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology at the University of Chicago studying small RNA-mediated genome defense and epigenetic inheritance in C. elegans in the laboratory of Dr. Heng-Chi Lee. Prior to graduate school, he discovered his interest in research working as a technician at UCSF and developed a passion for diversifying higher education through mentorship. He completed his undergraduate studies in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at UCLA after first attending UCSD for two years. He identifies as a queer, neurodivergent (ADHD and GAD) first-generation college graduate from a low-income, primarily Taishanese/Cantonese-speaking immigrant family and grew up in Chinatown, San Francisco, CA. He has also participated as a mentee and mentor for graduate school admissions with Científico Latino. He tries to stay sane by indulging in art history and biking around cities.