Danny is a Neuroscience major and an Honors student. If there were such a thing as an ideal student, it would be Danny. He has embraced academic excellence, participating in research in three campus science labs: Dr. Christophe Le Dantec’s neuroscience lab, Dr. Arturo Diaz’s SEA-PHAGES lab, and Dr. Lloyd Trueblood’s marine physiology lab. As if these experiences were somehow inadequate, Danny also spent time at Loma Linda University in the theragnostic lab of Dr. Frankis Almaguel. Through this research, Danny has received opportunities to participate in several regional and national conferences, and his name will be included as a participant author in several scientific publications.

Danny has initiated research for his Honors Scholarship Project, exploring methods of visualizing proteins that associate with cancer; identifying and targeting the proteins may provide another mechanism for targeting cancer cells. This research, combined with his diverse lab experience at La Sierra, has qualified him for a research position with the National Institute of Health. Danny concisely expresses his future goals: I will be completing a postbacc at the NIH and then pursuing my MD/Ph.D. where I plan to specialize in theragnostic medicine through a residency in nuclear medicine and with a Ph.D. dedicated to discovering specific biological molecules unique to neurological diseases and mental health disorders.

Accomplishments in research set Daniel Bazan apart as a La Sierra student. But I have not yet addressed the qualities that make Danny truly impressive and admirable. Mr. Bazan embodies a service mentality. The range and variety of Danny’s service is remarkable. He currently serves with the Riverside County Library in tutoring a non-English speaker, going beyond language instruction to assist with employment searches and the U.S. citizenship process. During the pandemic he volunteered with the La Sierra University Church’s food distribution program. He co-led a Guatemala mission trip in early 2021.

Most importantly, he served a year as student missionary with ADRA in Mauritania. His résumé shows his willingness “to do what needs to be done” in this service; while he held an impressive job title (Program Supervisor) which accompanied an impressive list of duties, the résumé also lists Music Teacher, English Tutor, and Construction Laborer as part of his Mauritanian experience. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing several students who have served in the student missions’ program; I’m convinced that such service is almost always life transforming, establishing a sense of vision and purpose, as well as developing a maturity that would normally take several years to establish. Brief conversations I’ve had with Danny assure me that this has certainly been the case for him. 

Since returning from his student mission experience, Danny has been involved in La Sierra’s student government, accepting various leadership roles. Similarly, he has served as a leader in the Honors Program’s student government. His résumé even includes five events over the past few years when he has functioned as keynote speaker.

In a personal statement, Danny reflects on his start at La Sierra in the Title V Summer Bridge Math program: “The program introduced me to the discipline required to expand my thinking and gave me the confidence, for the first time, to look at the world not just as something to acknowledge but rather something to discover. My excitement for learning was born.”

Bogdana completed a double major in history and English literature. She also completed the University’s Honors program with an overall GPA of 3.87. Bogdana directed and performed in the drama program, and was a member of the Red Pill Improv Team. She wrote for the Criterion and served as Archival Assistant in the Frederick G. Hoyt Research Archives.  

Dr. Brotton describes Bogdana as possessing “intelligence, drive, work ethic, and curiosity,” which makes her a superb scholar. Bogdana’s Senior Honors Project, “The French Resistance Amidst the Underground Paris Catacombs during World War II,” blended the study of history and literature. Bogdana also writes creatively. Professor Fordham describes Bogdana as a talented writer, with an amazing eye for detail. Bogdana was always supportive of her classmates' writing projects and provided insightful constructive feedback.Dr. Geriguis writes, “Bogdana is easily among the top 5% of students I have taught for the past 15 years.  She is the kind of student you always remember when reflecting back on a class…Her contributions to class discussion are always intelligent and deeply thought out…I predict she will shortly become one of the rising stars of our alumni.”

Bogdana plans to pursue graduate studies in history, and was accepted into the University of Oxford. Dr. Loveless sums up:“It is always bittersweet to say farewell to students like Bogdana. She will be a powerful ambassador for La Sierra University wherever her future achievements lead her.”