School of Medicine Division of Biomedical Sciences

Graduate Program Director

Seema K. Tiwari-Woodruff, Ph.D.

3140 Multidisciplinary Research Building
Email: Seema.Tiwari-Woodruff@medsch.ucr.edu
(951) 827-7819

Oversees PhD and Masters programs and supports all graduate students

Graduate Advisor

Sika Zheng, Ph.D.

2125 Multidisciplinary Research Building
Email: sika.zheng@ucr.edu
(951) 827-7791

Academic progress of enrolled doctoral students

Graduate Advisor

Erica Heinrich, Ph.D.

101 School of Medicine Research Building
Email: erica.heinrich@ucr.edu
(951) 827-9198

Graduate student recruitment and admissions chair

Masters Program Director

Milton Hamblin, Ph.D.

109 School of Medicine Research Building
Email: milton.hamblin@ucr.edu

Academic progress of enrolled masters students

Student Services Advisor

Hermila Torres

2676 School of Medicine Education 1
Tel: (951) 827-4540

Graduate Program Coordinator - provides support and assistance for the graduate programs in Biomedical Sciences. Assists with class registration, program requirements, and fellowship and employment matters (TAships/GSRs). Oversees graduate student records, and helps interpret graduate division regulations and procedures. Admissions administrative contact. 

For admissions questions email: biomedadmissions@medsch.ucr.edu

Current BMSC graduate student inquiries: hermila.torres@medsch.ucr.edu

To schedule a virtual advising appointment, visit the advising bookings link.

Curriculum & Instructional Support

Linda Larsen

2678 School of Medicine Education 1
Tel: (951) 827-1081

For Canvas (elearn), classroom assignments, liaison for current first year PhD course schedule, email: linda.larsen@medsch.ucr.edu

2025-2026 Biomedical Sciences Departmental Graduate Student Association

Executive Board

President: Charly Acevedo
Email: charly.acevedo@email.ucr.edu

Vice President: Karen Zhao
Email: karen.zhao003@email.ucr.edu

Secretary and Sustainability Representative: Julie Innabi
Email: julie.innabi@email.ucr.edu 

Treasurer: Terese Garcia
Email: terese.garcia@medsch.ucr.edu

Treasurer: Mya Nguyen
Email: mya.nguyen@medsch.ucr.edu 

Social Chair: Jose Martin
Email: jmart559@ucr.edu 

Social Chair: Alena Pham
Email: apham112@ucr.edu

Community Engagement Representative: Samantha Assad
Email: samantha.assad@medsch.ucr.edu

GSA Representative: Clarissa Edmundo
Email: clarissa.edmundo@medsch.ucr.edu

SOM Representative: Veronica Penuelas
Email: veronica.penuelas@medsch.ucr.edu 

MS Student Representative: Natalie Monroy
Email: nmonr007@ucr.edu