Curious Mind
@UCLA
Executive Team
Darcy Niu
Co-Founder
Hi everyone, my name is Darcy Niu, and I’m a second-year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology student at UCLA, originally from Vancouver, Canada.
I am captivated by the intricate complexity of biological systems and deeply inspired by the power of human connection. Aspiring to become a physician-scientist, I am driven to bridge groundbreaking research with compassionate care to advance human health and well-being.
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Erick Nedd
Co-Founder
Shabon Hankerson
Co-Founder
2025-2026 MEMBERS
Ava Francis
Shania Mancol
Leon Lavong
Liana Galang
Tiffany Asatryan
Annabel Sen
Graduate Student Mentor
I am a PhD student in Genetics and Genomics at UCLA. I graduated from Brown University with a degree in Human Biology and later completed a post-baccalaureate program at Columbia University. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a Research Associate at Yale University, where I had the opportunity to teach a genetics class at Hills Regional Career High School and lead the Flipped Science Fair at OpenLabs.
Luckily, the team at Curious Minds found me through OpenLabs at Yale and I have been able to bring some of the outreach programs I helped establish at Yale to sunny Los Angeles!
I am passionate about inspiring young minds and sharing groundbreaking research with local students, who in turn inspire me daily.
Dr. Rana Khankan
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Rana grew up in the California central valley and moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA as an undergraduate. A former first-generation college student, Rana is a triple Bruin now. After earning her B.S. and M.S. in Physiological Sciences (PHYSCI), Rana completed her doctorate in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology at UCLA while conducting spinal cord injury research. She went on to investigate glioblastoma development at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, then joined the Life Sciences Core Education Department to teach introductory biology and physiology courses.
She was awarded the Life Sciences Excellence in Educational Innovation Award in 2022 and the UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award in 2024 which recognized her for demonstrating passion for teaching, continually improving teaching practices, and positive and significant impact on students.