Get to Know Your

Student Assistants

Patrick Turner

Myra Ronquillo

Gene Blair

KellyWilkins

Paige Mullins

Are You Interested in Becoming a Student Assistant?

Many Biology 3a students go on to become a student assistant.

The qualifications?

An A or B in Biology 3a course

Ability to work well with other people

Desire to help students learn biology

How does it work?

Bio 21, Independent Study in Biology Lab, 2 hrs credit

Talk to Professor Kelly for details

Jose´ Rojas

Jose´ shares this advice with students: "Make sure you fill out every single question in the Lab manual.  A missed question could mean 5 or 10 points off your lab manual grade.  Study hard and always look at your notes before going to class.  Do not procrastinate, that will be the last thing you want to do in this class.  Most importantly, enjoy and have fun." Jose´ is a Bio 3A Bio-Star alum from Fall 2005, when he finished at the top of the class. You'll find Jose´ will be a great help to you as well as a good friend.

Sara Custer

Sara was a student in Fall of 2002. Now she's back as a Student Assistant for the Tuesday/Thursday morning lab in Fall of 2003. She's looking forward to a great semester!!

Rana Khankun

Rana won top honors in the class of Spring, '01. We're lucky to have her here to share her knowledge with students. Her advice to incoming students is to"stay on top of it all. Take good notes and study early but also don't forget to have fun with it!" Her favorite part of the course was the "enormous diversity of things we got to learn about." Rana plans to major in Biology with a view towards Med school. When she's not at BC you'll find her playing sports.

Mikal Martinez

After spending a year in Colorado and then going to Cuesta College, Mikal has returned to Bakersfield. She wants to be a zoologist or a veterinarian, something she can do that's not in an office. Mikal enjoys hiking, bike riding and studying beach fauna. She says in the past her hair was every color imaginable and even though she's over that phase, she still loves punk rock music.

Her advice to incoming students: "Show up!! Don't EVER miss class even if you feel like crap--there's too much information in even one day to miss." She wants to reassure students that "this class is not a far reach--anyone can do well if they know how." If you want to know "how" just ask Mikal.

Eddie, who also answers to Ed or Edward, was a Bio-Star in 3a last semester. His favorite labs were the Ecology and Survival! labs and others where the activity was outdoors. A Dive Master for 4 years, Ed loves to dive with sharks. Other adrenalin-producing hobbies are boxing, martial arts, hang gliding and sky diving. His next project is cave-diving training in Florida.

An Alaska native, Ed says the secret to his Bio success is to take really good notes and don't wait til just before the test to review. He wants you to know that you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions because he's looking forward to helping you to understand the course

Seth Blackmon

Seth took Biology 3a during the Spring, '99 semester. He's looking forward to his second semester as a biology student assistant this term and to helping out other students because as a 3a survivor he knows what it takes to do well in the course.

Seth's favorite part of class was the friendships he made and all the people working together to learn a subject he loves.

Seth gives incoming students the following advice for Bio3a: "Don't miss a day of class. You have to eat, breathe and sleep it!"

Debra is an alumna of the Spring, '99 class. When she's not in school she loves to relax playing tennis, softball, and rollerblading. Her advice to students is to study EVERY day, even just a little, while the lecture is still fresh in your mind. When she's not busy with school she takes time to enjoy being with her husband and 3 year old daughter. Since taking the course, Debra has become an avid birdwatcher and tide-pool enthusiast. She's fun and bright--don't be afraid to ask her questions.

Last updated 10/26/2001