Hi! My name is Jessica Hodges and I am a first generation college student entering my sophomore year with a major in biological sciences. I am on the pre-med track and I am passionate about asking complex questions and pursuing meaningful solutions through science. As a first generation student, I’m also dedicated to supporting and uplifting other first generation women pursuing STEM fields. 

Hajer is a first-year undergraduate student at ASU, pursuing Biological Sciences and Global Health with minors in Spanish and Arabic. As a School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Scholar in a myxoma virus lab at Biodesign, Hajer is looking forward to contributing to positive change in STEM classrooms at ASU as a RISE Ambassador. As a first-generation student and an aspiring medical school student, Hajer is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and with various goals at ASU.

Garv Kalra is a junior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. As a RISE Ambassador, he is focused on making research opportunities and labs more accessible, with a particular emphasis on addressing the academic and social barriers faced by international students. In his free time, Garv enjoys watching motorsports, spending time with his dog Shiro, listening to music, and traveling.

Ariana is a Barrett senior majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She plans to attend medical school after graduating from ASU. As a RISE Ambassador, she is excited to support ASU STEM students by connecting them with resources to succeed, whether that means navigating classes, finding research opportunities, or preparing for graduate school applications. She is passionate about making a collaborative environment for STEM students to feel a sense of belonging. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and learning about different cultures.