We invite you to send any questions you have about the application process or the program to the Polymathic Scholars listed below. All serve as CNS Honors Ambassadors.

JOSE GONZALEZ
joseglzb27@gmail.com

"Hello! I am a third-year Neuroscience major in the Polymathic Scholars Program. I was born and raised in Mexico and moved to South Texas when I was in high school. I’m currently working as a Peer Mentor in the Microorganisms in Bees and Other Insects FRI Stream where I mostly collect bees and wasps across Texas. I spend most of my free time outdoors exploring all the nearby parks and reserves or watching movies at the theater. Feel free to contact me with any questions."

ESTHER KIM
kim.esther@utexas.edu

"Hello! My name is Esther Kim, and I am a second-year biology major on a pre-med track in the Polymathic Honors Program. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to Dallas, Texas with my family in August of 2011. I am fluent in both English and Korean! I have always wanted to become a medical doctor since I was young. I am very excited to follow my dream at UT in the Polymathic Honors Program, in which I get to design my own field of study and truly pursue my passions!"

NATALIE LIM
natalie.lim@utexas.edu

"I am a first-year Neuroscience Honors / Plan II double major from East Texas (specifically Tyler).  I am on the pre-medical track but am still interested in the possibility of professional research. I'm currently very interested in memory and neuro-regeneration research. Outside of class, I am currently part of Koinonia, a Christian student ministry on campus, but plan to continue finding more organizations I am passionate about. I am a buyer of books that I don't have time to read, a listener of all types of music, and an officially unofficial test-taster of good boba and tea."

CHRISTINE NGUYEN
christinenguyen221@gmail.com

"Hi! I am a second-year, pre-dental nutrition major from Friendswood Texas. I was in the Genome Engineering stream through the Freshman Research Initiative last semester, and I am currently working with a Ph.D. student doing research on the relationship between nutrition knowledge and oral hygiene. I am involved in Kappa Rho, an all-girls pre-health organization, Texas Pre-Dental Society, and Healing with Harmonies, a music therapy group. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and ukulele, watching horror movies, taking Buzzfeed quizzes, and volunteering."

ARIANA OLVERA
oariana17@gmail.com

"Hi everyone! I am a third-year pre-med biology major in the Polymathic Scholars Honors Program. I am from the Rio Grande Valley, and graduated from Donna High School in 2016. I was involved in the Freshman Research Initiative through the Antibiotics stream, and now serve as a mentor to current students. Additionally, I am actively involved in the Hispanic Health Professions Organization (HHPO) and Humanity First. Please feel free to reach out to me over any questions you may have about the application process or to ask about my experiences here at UT so far. I am excited to hear from you!"

ATHENA OWIRODU
athena_owirodu@utexas.edu

"I am a third-year Biochemistry major born and raised in Dallas, Texas! My designed field is titled "Human Resilience in Academia," in which I aim to understand how certain qualities impact an individual's ability to achieve success in college. I have been a part of the Virtual Drug Screening stream through FRI, and served as a mentor in the Scientific Inquiry Across Disciplines class for freshmen pursuing research. I also serve as a Texas Student Recruiter in our effort to reach underrepresented students applying to UT. Outside of school, I am enjoy volunteering, music, and geeking out about statistics!"

LOIS OWOLABI
lois.owolabi@gmail.com

"I am a Biochemistry major from Carrizo Springs, Texas and a Polymathic Scholar! I sing as a tenor with Voice of Africa A Capella and serve the Austin area with my fellow Chickadees in the Chi Kappa Phi Service Society. With my free time, I plan and organize, play the guitar, travel, tutor, and write poetry."

MICHAEL OWOLABI
msomichael2@gmail.com

"I am a fourth-year Biochemistry major from Carrizo Springs, Texas. My Polymathic field of study, "Health and Healthcare in West Africa," analyzes the traditional and modern health systems in West African nations. On campus, I am involved in Texas Gospel Fellowship (a corner of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship), and recently the Health Career Mentorship Program (HCMP). During my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music and volunteering at St. David's Medical Center."

ALLI REIBACH
areibach@utexas.edu

"I am a fourth-year Neuroscience major from Denton, Texas. I designed my field, "Language and the Brain," to investigate the neurological basis of language. I hope to be a speech pathologist someday and view my research as a way to connect neuroscience to my future career. Aside from my studies, I enjoy rock climbing, reading, and spending time with my friends."

BENJAMIN SOLDER
benjamin.solder@gmail.com

"I am a senior B.S.A. Neuroscience major and applying to medical schools this year. My Polymathic field is “Teaching Emotional Intelligence,” in which I am researching mindfulness, compassion, and positive psychology in educational settings.  I have been a Resident Assistant (RA) at UT and worked for UT RecSports for three years as a lifeguard and swim instructor.  I have been on multiple medical brigades to Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala throughout my time at UT and am actively involved in UT Student Government. I currently serve as Speaker of the Student Government Assembly and advocate for sexual and gender minorities on campus." 

JOYCE TIONG
jtiong218@gmail.com

"I am a second-year, pre-med biology major from Allen, Texas. I currently work with the Osier Lab on a clinical research study at Dell Children’s Medical Center, and I am also part of the Gene Networks stream through the Freshman Research Initiative. Outside of lab and classes, I am involved with Healing with Harmonies, a music therapy group, and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Home Cooked Fridays, a local event that provides free meals to the Austin community. During my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, the ukulele, and the guitar, cooking, and exploring Austin."