Executive Board
2024 - 2025
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Jordy Martinez
President
Jordy Martínez is a fourth-year graduate student in the Molecular Biosciences department (IBiS program) advised by Dr. Sadie Wignall. He investigates the mechanism for acentrosomal cell division in female reproductive cells using C.elegans. Prior to his graduate studies, he received his B.S in Cell Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Houston in Texas. The native Tejano enjoys painting, drawing and exploring the best Chicago bars with his friends.
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Jamie Nelly Guillén Magaña
Co-President
Jamie is a fourth-year PhD Candidate in the lab of Dr. Leonidas Platanias. Broadly, her work involves investigating the role of a protein (Schlafen 12) in glioblastoma progression and therapeutic resistance. She double-majored in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Psychology at Emory University. Jamie was born in San Jose, CA but was raised in Houston, TX. As a first generation student and proud Latina daughter of immigrant parents, she is very passionate about mentoring underrepresented students and advocating for student needs. In her free time, she likes to hike with her mini Australian Shepherd named Ollie, read, listen to Bad Bunny on repeat, and explore Chicago.
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Alissa Gomez
Co-Treasurer
Alissa is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Psychology’s Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience area. Her work investigates the factors that contribute to effective decision-making and problem solving, including variations in reasoning style and memory consolidation during sleep. Alissa is from California’s Bay Area and a proud first-generation college student. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and received her BA in Psychology with minors in Applied Psychology and Feminist Studies. In her free time she enjoys exploring Chicago and trying new restaurants.
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David Artega
Co-Treasurer
David (he/him) is a first-year PhD student in the Driskill Graduate Program. He is currently rotating in potential thesis labs but has a broad interest in studying cell communication in complex tissues and how aberrations in cell signaling lead to disease or aging. David is originally from Lafayette, IN, and received his BS in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology from Purdue University. In his free time, David enjoys biking along the lake, vintage shopping, art museums, and live music!
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Alaia Snell
Secretary
Alaia Snell (she/her/hers) is a first-year PhD student in English Literature with research focuses in Indigenous studies, the environmental humanities, and Critical Race Theory/counterstory. Her work has been published in Writers: Craft and Context and Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment. Prior to Northwestern, Alaia received her B.A. in English Literature and B.S. in Economics at the University of North Texas. Alaia is deeply passionate about celebrating her heritage as a Cuban, Viet, and reconnecting person and representing her family as the first in her lineage to attend a PhD program. In her free time, she enjoys staying active through boxing and rock-climbing and cooking up new recipes.
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Miranda Flores Escobar
Communication Chair
Miranda is a second year graduate student in the Molecular Biosciences program. She investigates how three potential dynein adaptors regulate cargo movement in filamentous fungi called Aspergillus nidulans. Miranda was born in Mexico and moved to the Bay Area, CA in 2010. As a first generation college student, she got a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. In her free time she likes to paint, explore Chicago and spend time with her cats.
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Lucia Galindo
Professional Development Chair
Lucía was born in Guatemala City. She is a first year Masters student in the Biomedical Engineering Program. Her research focuses on Tissue Engineering and Bioelectronics, as well as Organ-on-Chip technology. In her free time she enjoys dancing, traveling, and exploring whatever city she is living in at the moment.
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Alondra Sanchez
GUIAR Co-Chair
Alondra (she/her) is a third-year PhD candidate in the Chemistry Dept in the Zhang Lab. Her research focuses on studying degradation pathways using tools such as proteomics to uncover new potential therapeutic targets. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC) and worked at Argonne National Laboratory prior to grad school. A first-generation Latina born and raised in Joliet, IL, Alondra enjoys spending time with her four nephews, playing soccer, and cooking for her friends.
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Antonio Santa Cruz
GUIAR Co-Chair
Antonio is a 4th-year PhD candidate in the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience area within the Psychology Department. His research focuses on implicit memory and statistical learning, particularly in perceptual-motor skill acquisition, to uncover underlying cognitive mechanisms. Beyond research, Antonio co-leads the Cognitive & Brain Mechanisms Group (CBMG), organizing and moderating weekly brown bag talks centered on topics in cognitive neuroscience. Originally born in Houston and raised in Dallas, he graduated summa cum laude with honors in psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas. Antonio is deeply passionate about mentoring students in STEM and hopes to pursue a career in academia. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, playing disc golf, and honing in his Texas Hold 'em skills.
Executive Board Alumni
Citlayi Villaseñor
Citlayi Villaseñor (she/her/hers) is a third year PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS) program currently serving as the CLX secretary. She was raised in Escondido, California and earned her bachelor's degree from San Diego State University studying biochemistry. She is currently researching in Dr. Neha Kamat's laboratory in the department of Biomedical Engineering. Citlayi uses biophysical techniques to study lipid membrane properties and membrane protein folding. She is a first-generation doctoral degree student who loves being immersed in nature and music in her spare time.
Monica Gallegos-Garcia
Monica Gallegos-Garcia (she/her/hers) is a fifth year in the Physics and Astronomy PhD program. She uses simulations to study the interactions between binary stars that lead to merging binary black holes. Monica was born in Mexico and grew up in Southern California. She went to UC Santa Cruz for undergrad where she loved hiking and admiring the Monterey Bay.
As the secretary, Monica takes care of logistical organization around board meetings and community meetings. Soon she will also be leading the Comunidad Latinx News Letters.
Aidden Tapia
Aidden Tapia (he/his) is a 1st year MS student in the Plant Biology and Conservation. He is interested in land management and restoring prairie communities. Aidden is a Chicago native, and received his B.S. in Environmental Science at Taylor University. He loves to cook, read fantasy and science fiction books, and go bird watching in the city!
Ivan A. Hernandez
Ivan Alfonso Hernandez (he/him/his) is a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in Social Psychology. He is originally from Lake Elsinore, California and earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) where he majored in Psychological Science. His research focuses on understanding the psychological factors that influence the identities, well-being, and academic outcomes of students from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds and historically underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Ivan currently serves as the President of CLX, is a first-generation Latinx college student, loves soccer. and proudly comes from a family of Mexican immigrants.
Crystal Camargo
Crystal Camargo (she/her/hers) is the treasurer for CLX and manages its financial aspect. She is currently a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate in the Screen Cultures program in the Department of Radio/Television/Film. Her research explores Latinx representation at the intersection of television theory, language ideologies, and critical race and ethnic studies in both U.S. English- and Spanish-language television. As a first-gen college graduate, she received her B.A. in International Studies, Spanish Language & Literature, and Gender & Women's Studies from the University of Denver and M.A. in Screen Cultures from Northwestern. Crystal grew up in the Rocky Mountain state of Colorado with her Mexican immigrant parents. She enjoys traveling locally and internationally, all things chocolate, and enjoys dancing and working out in her spare time.
Elizabeth Barahona
Elizabeth Barahona (she/her/hers) is a third year PhD student in the History Program under the mentorship of Geraldo Cadava. Her research focuses on Latinx and Black History of the U.S. South. She is from Orlando, Florida and received her B.A. in History at Duke University. Elizabeth loves to go to the gym, watch Avatar, and go latin dancing! Her role in CLX is working through emails and supporting the board in events and initiatives.
Michael Bueno
Michael Bueno (he/him/his) is an astronomy Ph.D student at Northwestern and part-time consultant at Movement Consulting. Here are some questions his research touches on: why are galaxies so bad at forming stars? How do galaxy mergers affect star formation? How often do stars get torn up by close encounters with black holes? Mike’s passion for making STEM education and outreach accessible also drives him to work with local organizations/schools to help develop engaging and accessible educational materials for the students they serve. He received his B.S. in Astrophysics with a minor in Spanish at Haverford College.
Outside of work, Mike loves cooking, reading for leisure, crosswords, biking, playing basketball, social latin dancing, and watching movies. He and his two younger brothers grew up in the South Bronx, New York City.
As the Activism Chair at CLX he is excited to help organize and/or participate in direct-action initiatives with the CLX community, local organizations, and a variety of communities. We hope to have regularly organized and informal participation in direct-action initiatives that include (but are not limited to) providing mutual aid, attending rallies, and contacting our reps as we work to enact change within ourselves, the broader Northwestern community, and the various communities outside of NU that we engage with.