Las Positas College Grad to Present Research at UC Berkeley

From Las Positas College:

(Livermore, CA) - Las Positas College (LPC) in Livermore is pleased to report that Ashley Kim, a student from its recently graduated class of 2016, was selected to serve as a student speaker at the recent Symposium of Undergraduate Research Experiences held at UC Berkeley.

Kim, of Pleasanton, participated in the Summer Systematics Institute at the California Academy of Sciences, a program focused on the evolutionary relationships on animals. Kim's animals of study were the nudibranchs-known as sea slugs in more common terminology-and a very diverse species. She explored the morphological and molecular data to confirm new species of nudibranchs, and culminated the program with an oral presentation at the Berkeley symposium.

"The entire LPC community applauds Ashley Kim on her recent achievement," said LPC President Dr. Barry Russell. "She was selected from a very competitive pool of top students and made an impressive presentation to an audience that included representatives of the National Science Foundation," he added.

Kim heads to the University of California at Davis in the fall, where she will study Animal Biology, a field that is entirely research based. With a deep love of outreach and education programs, she is considering careers as a museum curator, director, or a biological researcher.

"What really set me apart from other applicants to the program at Davis were the skills I had acquired at Las Positas. I strengthened my public speaking and writing skills, and gained extensive experience in the lab techniques that were necessary to secure the best internships, " said Kim.

While at LPC, Kim also served as the college's first Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) president. TriBeta is an honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending the boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research.

Kim also credits her professors at LPC for providing a caring and positive environment that helped her to grow academically and emotionally. While attending LPC, Kim balanced two jobs, 18 units of classes, the presidency of TriBeta, and the application process to complete her college education.

She looks forward to traveling to the Maldives in the coming months on a research expedition, and to New Orleans for an Integrative Biology Conference where she will also present her work.

About Las Positas College
Las Positas College currently enrolls approximately 8,000 students and offers curriculum for students seeking transfer to a four-year college or university, career preparation, or basic skills education. The College provides university transfer classes, retraining classes for those in need of employment or career advancement, a first-time educational opportunity for many adults, enrichment classes for those seeking a broader perspective, and career and technical training for those entering the technical and paraprofessional workforce.

Las Positas College is a learning-centered institution focused on excellence and student success. It is fully committed to supporting Tri-Valley residents in their quest for education and advancement. Las Positas College faculty and staff are distinguished by their energy, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of the students they serve and the future of the Tri-Valley region.

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