Graduate students are the heart of any research campus and we look forward to sharing with you what makes them passionate about what they do, what brought them to UC Merced, and more.
January 12, 2026
From Central Valley Roots to Aerospace Frontiers
When Samuel Leventini walks into the lab at UC Merced, he carries more than notebooks and data sheets — he carries the weight of a family legacy. A Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering, Leventini is part of a lineage of educators from the Central Valley.
Are you interested in being featured in a Degrees of Determination profile? We want to hear from you. This is a fantastic chance to reflect on your academic journey, inspire the next generation of researchers, and showcase your journey. Submit profile online
Browse through the past stories of our amazing graduate students.
2025-2026
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From Resilience to Research: Marvelous Fidelis’ Path to Understanding Political Emotions (Sept. 1)
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From First-Gen Beginnings to Cutting-Edge Tribology: Alex Hartzler’s Mechanical Engineering Story (Oct. 6)
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Lighting the Way: Teddy Adams’ Journey from Adversity to Innovation (Nov. 3)
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Asking the Hard Questions: Omowumi Omole’s Journey Through Faith, Gender and Justice (Dec. 1)
2024-2025
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From STEM Enthusiast to Sustainability Champion: Jose's Academic Journey (Oct. 7)
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Making Waves in Water Research: Shelby Defeo's journey at UC Merced (Oct. 21)
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From Iran to UC Merced: Camellia Haghverdian's Path to Purpose (Nov. 4)
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A Journey of Cognition and Resilience: Helia Hosseinpour's Story (Nov. 18)
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From Tehran to UC Merced: Engineering a Sustainable Future (Dec. 2)
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From Fresno's Valley to Sierra's Peaks: Meet Christopher Bivins, UC Merced's Pioneer Mycologist (Jan. 13)
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The Journey of Md Mehdi Masud: From Bangladesh to UC Merced (Jan. 27)
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From Challenges to Champions: Idris Olopade's Journey of Academic Excellence (Feb. 7)
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From Napa to UC Merced: Angela Rosales's Journey in Environmental Systems (Feb. 24)
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From Oakland to Academia: Kevin Easley's Journey of Perseverance (March 10)
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From Teacher to Scholar: Reanna Bromley's Path to UC Merced (March 24)
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Rising Star: How Life's Journey Shaped Polyphony J. Bruna's Path to Discovery (April 14)
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Breaking Barriers and Defying Expectations: Sabrina Rawson's Journey at UC Merced (April 25)
