Graduate Profile
Michael Oliveira
Name |
Michael Oliveira |
Age |
22 |
Hometown |
Hilmar, Calif. |
Major |
Bioengineering |
Degree |
Bachelor of Science |
Clubs/Affiliations at UC Merced
President/co-founder of the Biomedical Engineering Society at UC Merced. President/co-founder of the UC Merced baseball team, Vanguard, library special student assistant/workleader, UCSF LEADS Scholar, undergraduate research assistant in the McCloskey lab.
What were your expectations of college life before UC Merced?
I expected college to be full of fun, but also full of tough classes and professors. I also expected UC Merced to be the end of my formal education.
How did your experience here correspond to that expectation?
UC Merced was full of tough professors and classes, but the faculty took interest in their students and really strived to help us succeed. My time here has been very rewarding and will not be the end of my formal education anymore!
What are your plans for after graduation?
I plan to attend graduate school, obtain a Ph.D in bioengineering or neuroscience and continue on the path to becoming a professor/researcher. I'd eventually like to go into research to develop stem cell-based therapies for neurologic and neurodegenerative disorders.
How did your experience at UC Merced prepare you for your future endeavors?
Small class sizes meant more opportunities for me to get to know my professors. Because of this, I was led to the UC LEADS program at UCSF, applied and was accepted into it, which has greatly accounted for my newfound career path that doesn't terminate after my undergraduate years as originally planned. Also, the opportunities to establish organizations on campus from the ground up has taught me a lot about leadership, time management and other necessary skills for life after college as well as help establish a legacy here at the newest campus in the world-renowned UC system.
What is your best UC Merced memory?
I've got a lot of great memories, but bringing home that first win for the UC Merced club sports program against CSU Humboldt tops them all!
What is the one thing you think all freshmen should know to make the most of their academic career here?
Take advantage of what you can and get involved. You never know who you’re going to meet or where your involvement may lead you. It's all about who you know!
April 10, 2009
