BioBridge Advising

Gurmenjit Bahia (she/her) is a coterm studying Biology from Modesto, CA. She particularly enjoys research revolving around omics and healthcare disparities. Additionally, she is involved with the BIOME (Biological Interdisciplinary Open Maker Environment) and a group advocating for First-generation and/or low-income students known as FLIP. She aspires to become an Orthopedic surgeon and go into global surgery while continuing to complete research. Aside from her academics, she loves nature, gardening, and long walks.

Corrie Branche (she/her) is a senior from Los Angeles studying biology with a concentration in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology and minoring in music. She is interested in cardio-oncological research and is a member of the Zhu lab investigating immune checkpoint inhibitor induced myocarditis. She has previously worked in surgical outcomes research at the UCLA CORELAB. Outside of academics, Corrie is passionate about community health and volunteers at the Stanford Cardinal Free Clinics. Corrie also loves making music and is a member of the acapella group Everyday People. In her free time, Corrie enjoys playing piano, watching movies, trying new restaurants. Corrie is super excited to join the BioBridge team and meet all the amazing biology students!

Om Patel (he/him) is a junior from Melbourne, FL, studying Biology with a concentration in Cellular, Molecular, and Organismal Biology. He is passionate about cardiovascular research and is currently a member of the Cheng Lab, where he studies the cellular mechanisms of tobacco-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms. He has previously worked in clinical research at the U.S. Veterans Affairs and the Stanford Pain Lab. Outside of research and classes, he serves as vice president of the Stanford Global Health Student Council, editor for the Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal, and a core member of the South Asian Society. Om aspires to be a physician and researcher to advance global health literacy and accessibility. In his free time, he enjoys reading, volunteering, and trying new foods. Om is excited to join the BioBridge team this year and help students explore Biology!

Saloni Shah (she/her) is a senior from the Bay Area studying Biology with a concentration in Computational Biology and minoring in Medical Anthropology. She performed research on Alzheimer’s disease through high school and into college. Currently, she focuses on the biology of mental health with the Snyder Lab and cancer with the Morrison Lab. Outside of academics, Saloni runs Humans of Stanford, is involved in numerous premedical clubs across campus, and serves as an RA at Suites. In her free time, Saloni loves to watch football (she’s a huge 49ers fan) and pursues her interests in portrait photography. Saloni is super excited about her second year with the BioBridge team and can't wait to continue to help students pave their paths in Biology!

Maya Xu (she/her) is a senior from the Bay Area studying biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution and the Environment. She is passionate about conservation biology and is a member of the Dirzo lab, completing her senior honors thesis on the impact of toxicants on raptors of the North American west coast. She will coteach BIO 121/221 (Ornithology) for the second time in Spring of 2025 and previously worked as a research assistant in the Daily lab. Outside of class, Maya is a docent and bird transect leader at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma) (the best place in the world!), an extractor trainee with the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO), a financial officer and avid birder with the Stanford Birdwatching Club, and sings in the Stanford Chamber Chorale. She also loves wildlife photography, reading fantasy novels, and playing or watching tennis in her free time. Maya can't wait for her second year working with the BioBridge team and building a community of biology undergrads!