Riya studies Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Global Poverty and Practice at UC Berkeley, where she holds a 3.8 GPA. She has completed extensive coursework in the sciences and works as a Senior Research Assistant at UCSF’s Bhattacharya Lab, contributing to studies of pulmonary fibrosis and pathogenesis while training peers in PCR and genetic construct design. Riya has co-authored publications on emotional abuse, glioma risk, and the psychosocial benefits of physical therapy. On campus, she has served as Peer Advisor and Outreach Coordinator for the Global Poverty and Practice Program and as President of Asha for Education’s Berkeley Chapter. Fluent in Spanish and Tamil, with experience in R and single-cell RNA sequencing, Riya combines scientific training with a commitment to education and equity.