Meet the Business Team

Crystal Song | MCDB 2020
Business Lead

​I've been a part of the iGEM business team since Fall 2018, helping to manage and grow the funds for our research, as well as analyzing the market potential of our projects. Outside of iGEM, I am currently an undergraduate researcher at Dr. Hui Sun's Lab, studying small molecules and antibodies inhibitions of pathogenic angiogenesis. I am also serving on the board of Bruin Medical Entrepreneurs at UCLA.

Yinnie Wong | MCDB 2020
​Business Analyst

Passionate about the intersection between business and life science, I joined the iGEM Business Team as a fourth-year in Fall 2019. The summer before joining iGEM, I started working as a supply chain intern for Kite Pharma, a biotech company under Gilead Sciences that focuses on CAR-T therapy. Outside of iGEM, I am working in Dr. Lamkin’s lab, looking at breast cancer progression in various mice models. I am also involved in UCLA Powerlifting and Care Consulting. I was previously a PAC leader for Alpha Phi Omega and a mechanical technician for UCLA Recreation. 

Christina Tam | Business Economics 2022
​Business Analyst

​I've been a part of the iGEM business team since Fall 2019 because I am interested in the biotech industry and wanted to combine this with my passion in business. Outside of iGEM, I am involved in other organizations on campus including VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), MoneyThink, and Roosevelt Institute. I am also a OCHC (On-Campus Housing Council) government representative for UCLA's Residential Life. 


Neha Bhongir | Math, Applied Science 2023
​Business Analyst

I've been a part of iGEM since Fall 2019 because I am extremely interested in the intersection of biology and business. In addition to iGEM, I have pursued other business-related ventures. I co-founded Hydrope, a company that promotes the use of reusable water bottles through the production of paracord water bottle handles. In the future, I hope to pursue consulting, specifically healthcare consulting. 

Nora Liu | Chemical Engineering 2023
​Business Analyst

I joined the iGEM business team in Fall 2019, as it fits my interest in both scientific research and business. In the past, I have conducted researches related to cardiovascular disease, specifically the effect of Aspirin on Apolipoprotein A-I synthesis in human intestinal cells, as well as fuel cell clean energy technology in Nanyang Technological University. Outside of iGEM, I'm also involved in CSSAUCLA.

Alumni

Johnny Lee | Chemical Engineering 2019
​Business Lead

I’ve been a part of iGEM since Fall 2018, and I help manage and grow the funds for our research projects. Outside of iGEM, I am currently developing a multiplex system to study protein-protein interactions in the Kosuri Lab. Previously, I worked in the lab of James C. Liao at UCLA to improve the economic feasibility of utilizing small-scale methane sources for the U.S. energy industry. I am also involved in UCLA EMS and Tau Beta Pi at UCLA.

Brian Chew | Business Economics 2020
​Business Analyst

I've been with iGEM since Fall 2018, working to manage, allocate and acquire funds for our research projects.  I have a background in life science venture finance, tech consulting, and biotechnology.  Outside of iGEM, I lead a tech consulting club with The Bruin Group Consulting, providing a variety of services for Series A/B companies.  I previously interned at Pontifax Agtech, a Series B Venture Capital/Growth Equity firm, working on their life sciences/therapeutics investment team.  I was also involved in Club Track and Field and ACA at UCLA.

Nicolas Pacheco | Business Economics 2020
Business Analyst

​I’ve been a part of iGEM since Fall 2018, and I help the team through outreach to potential corporate sponsors. Outside of iGEM, I am currently consulting for a social enterprise by helping establish the company’s business model and identifying potential sales channels. Previously, I worked in a startup called New Realm Technology where I helped develop the company’s business pursuits by conducting market research and competitor analysis. I am also involved in MoneyThink, Net Impact Consulting, and play IM soccer at UCLA. 

Alexandra Li | Bioengineering 2021
Business Analyst

​I joined the iGEM business team in Fall 2018, as it seemed to fit my interest in the intersection of biotech and business. I'm currently involved as an intern of professional affairs in Sigma Eta Pi, UCLA's co-ed entrepreneurship fraternity, and a programming assistant of UCLA's Residential Life. In the past, I have conducted research in the Sletten Lab (UCLA) utilizing perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions and droplets of fluorous solvent stabilized by surfactant as a modular, versatile nanocarrier for therapeutics and at the Mascal Lab (UC Davis) probing the function of pentafluorobenzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate as a p-type dopant.