About CAL BMES

BMES hosts professional development events, workshops, formal dinners, tutorials, panels, and everything in between! Many of these events are open to the general public. We also spend time hanging out as a club playing games, traveling, volunteering, or just eating food together. Our goal is to ensure our club members’ success in the world of bioengineering and/or biotechnology; this could manifest in a research position, an internship, a job offer, or even a new best friend! Our five distinct committees help members to find their own idea of success, whatever that might look like to them.

Get Involved

meet the 2026 - 2027 Officers

Our hardworking, dedicated officer team ensures BMES is able to function well. Get to know each officer below!

Hi, I’m Preeti! This year, I’ll be serving as the BMES Berkeley President. I’m a fourth year BioE major with an intended concentration of Cell and Tissue Engineering. I’m on a pre-med track and am currently learning more about how we can innovatively employ biotechnology to increase accessibility and equity in healthcare. I’m super excited to get to know all of our members this year and watch BMES continue to grow as a club. I love going on hikes, scuba diving, checking out new live music venues, and painting! In my free time, I’m working on getting a kelp restoration certification to help rebuild marine habitats and protect the diverse wildlife that depends on them. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about BioE or want to learn more about BMES as a whole!

Preeti rao

President

calbmes.president@gmail.com

Hi everyone! I’m Ernesto and I am a third year bioengineering student and I’m currently interested in medical devices and cell and tissue engineering. I am excited to be this year’s Vice President. Outside of academics I like listening to music, going to concerts and the movies, trying new food, exploring new places and napping! Feel free to reach out to me about anything!

Ernesto De Santiago

Co-vice President

calbmes.vp@gmail.com

Hi! I’m a third-year Bioengineering major with an interest in biomaterials and synthetic biology. I’m one of the Vice Presidents for BMES, and I’m excited to see all of you Bears throughout the year and at general meetings! My hobbies include music, food, word puzzles, and going on side quests around the Bay. Feel free to reach out or say ‘Hi’ if you see me around campus!

Kaitlyn Le

Co-vice President

calbmes.vp@gmail.com

Nchegem Nyenke

Treasurer

calbmes.treasurer@gmail.com

Hi everyone! My name is Nina and I am a 4th year Bioengineering major concentrating in Biomedical Devices and Imaging. My interests mainly lie in developing medical devices for orthopedics, medical imaging, and bridging medtech with underrepresented communities. Outside of BMES, I enjoy dancing, hanging out with friends, trying new food spots, and adventuring around the Bay! I also love meeting new people, so feel free to reach out to me about literally anything lol. Super excited to be one of this year’s Internal Operations Co-Chairs! (〃＾▽＾〃)
 

Nina Nguyen

Internal Operations Chair

calbmes.gmc@gmail.com

Sreshta Yelisetti

Internal Operations Chair

calbmes.gmc@gmail.com

Gisselle Monique Avina

Public RElations Chair

calbmes.pr@gmail.com

Edmund Chen

External Relations Chair

calbmes.pr@gmail.com

James Castillo

Historian Chair

calbmes.pr@gmail.com

Rocky Andre Lopez

academic co-chair

calbmes.academic@gmail.com

Priscila Bravo-Santos

academic co-chair

calbmes.academic@gmail.com

hihi! i’m joanne, and i am a third year bioengineering major with a concentration in cell and tissue engineering. i am interested in immunology and drug delivery and am on the pre-med track. in my free time, i love going on spontaneous side quests (it’s especially fun when it’s late at night), cafe hopping/finding new matcha places, and trying new foods. i look forward to meeting everyone this year 🙂

Joanne Lau

BioE Banquet co-chair

calbmes.bioebanquet@gmail.com

Hi guys! I’m Amarrah, one of the Banquet Co-Chairs. I’m currently a senior majoring in bioengineering, loosely concentrated in synthetic + computational biology and hoping to work in the industry post-grad. During my free time, I love going to music festivals + concerts, thrifting, and going on late night walks. I’m super excited to help coordinate our upcoming events while getting to meet some old and new faces, so if you have any questions or just want to talk, feel free to reach out!

Amarrah Len

BioE Banquet co-chair

calbmes.bioebanquet@gmail.com

Hi, I’m Luke and I’m one of your corporate chairs this semester! I’m a sophomore majoring in BioE and EECS, planning to work in industry directly after college (fade med school). Outside of BMES, I’m involved in CalVSA, IM Sports, and Phoenix Consulting. Outside of school, I love playing pickleball and eating food spots on Beli!

Luke To

Corporate co-chair

calbmes.corporate@gmail.com

Natalie Leyva

corporate co-chair

calbmes.corporate@gmail.com

Hi everyone, my name is Vivian Silva and I am one of the Design Co – Chairs with Heidi. I am a second year Bioengineering major and I want to pursue biotech that uses robotics along with tissue engineering. Outside of BMES I am involved in Cal Club Lacrosse, ski instructor, weightlifting, and down to try everything. If you see me on campus or at edmonds cafe feel free to always say, “hi” but I might start a full blown conversation. Some fun facts about me is that I have torn my ACL twice and I am from Chicago.

Vivian Silva

design co-chair

calbmes.design@gmail.com

Hello everyone!!! My name is Heidi and the co-design chair! I’m a 2nd year Bioengineering major, concentrating in medical devices focusing on improving accessibility to lower minorities and rural communities! Outside of BMES I love to do photography, go on hikes and play video games! Fun fact I just finished watching the hunger games and twilight series (never seen any of the movies before) this year!! Aside from that feel free to reach out about anything!! Excited to see and meet you this year!

Feel free to reach out or say ‘Hi’ if you see me around campus!

Heidi Vasquez

outreach co-chair

calbmes.outreach@gmail.com

Hi, I’m Gabriella, a sophomore Bioengineer student who has a passion for developing and enhancing medical devices for the future of our healthcare. As Co-chair of outreach committee I’m looking forward to put on amazing volunteer events, and de-stressing events that is welcome for everyone!! Outside of BMES I’m a member of SWE to get more connections and add to the community of Women in the Engineering fields. Fun fact I saw Oscar from The Office at Disney California Adventure!!

Gabriella Garcia

outreach co-chair

calbmes.outreach@gmail.com

Hi everyone! I’m Makayla Garcia, a 2nd year Bioengineering major. I’ll be an Outreach Co-Coordinator this year! Other clubs that I am a part of on campus are iGEM and Raíces RRC. Outside of campus, I love to go on hikes, hit the gym, sew with my machine, and eat good food. I’m very excited to be a part of BMES this year, and make sure to attend some fun outreach events! Fun fact: I learned how to drive my stick-shift car this summer!

Makayla Garcia

outreach co-chair

calbmes.outreach@gmail.com

Learn about our senior advisors below!

Senior Advisors 2025-26

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