About Us
Our Team
The Science Learning Intitute is managed by two teams, our Core Team and the SLI STEM Impact Team. Meet our teams members here.
Office Team
Sophia Kim, SLI Director
Sophia joined Foothill College in April 2020. She is a transplant from Boston, where
she spent almost 15 years working in the nonprofit youth work space, directing programs
that primarily served Asian American youth from immigrant and low-income backgrounds,
building youth leadership and supporting youth to effect positive change in their
communities. Sophia also has a commitment to anti-oppression education and change
work through initiatives to develop anti-racism trainings, activist trainings for
young adults.
Sophia has a bachelor's degree from Williams College, where she double-majored in biology and history, and a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Boston, with a focus on multicultural education at the secondary level.
Sophia spends her free time with her husband and young son, riding their bikes, exploring farmer's markets, hiking, and trying to be outdoors as much as possible. She loves cooking and baking for family and friends, and exploring new places with her family.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-kim-31805626/
Marissa Yañez, STEM Workforce Specialist
Marissa joins Foothill College in the Fall of 2021 as a STEM Workforce Specialist
with the goal of helping empower the next generation of underrepresented students
in STEM. She is a Foothill alum who transferred to U.C. Berkeley and majored in Mechanical
Engineering and Materials Science, and then went on to get a Ph.D. in Bioengineering
from the University of Washington. As a scientist, she researched the use of biomimetically
coated nano-particles to develop novel diagnostic techniques with applications in
developing countries.
With a deep passion and over 20 years of experience working on efforts to empower underrepresented students to pursue STEM degrees, she eventually pivoted full-time towards developing programs and systems to support increased representation in STEM. She has led efforts for Facebook, and international non-profits to increase representation in Computer-Science across Mexico and Latin America, and currently runs her own non-profit Empoder Latinas Code to empower the next generation of diverse leaders in STEM. Outside of work you can find her hiking, salsa dancing, traveling and spending quality time with friends and family.
Lillian Swedlow, Student Empowerment Specialist
Lily is a third-year Aerospace Engineering Major. In the middle of the pandemic, after
two previous attempts at different colleges, she began studying at Foothill. Her most
successful college career yet began with SLI's Techcore Cohort which she joined shortly
after she started at Foothill. From there, Lily has worked with SLI through various
roles including being a Peer Mentor/TA/Admin Assistant for the Techcore Summer Institute
2021, a member of the SLI STEM Impact Team, SLI's Social Media Specialist, Program
Coordinator for the PRE-STEM Summer Institute 2022, and for the 2022-23 school year
the Student Empowerment Specialist.
When she's not busy tutoring or spreading awareness of SLI at Foothill, she loves hanging out with her friends, playing video games, and spending time at home with her partner and dog.
Schlyer Martin Rueda, Program Assistant
Schyler (they/them) is a third-year environmental science, biology, physics, and math
major, as well as part of the Humanities Mellon Scholars program. Originally from
Colombia, Schyler moved to the US to pursue a career in astrophysics and found a home
in Foothill College. They work in multiple departments at a grocery store and have
recently started their job with SLI. In their free time, Schyler likes practicing
different forms of art.
Dr. Ram Subramaniam, Administrator Champion
Ram Subramaniam (he/him) is the Acting Associate Vice President of Instruction at
Foothill College. Prior to this, Ram was the Dean of the STEM Division at Foothill
(2017-2022) during which time he supervised the various academic STEM departments
and also the Science Learning Institute. Before coming to Foothill , Ram was a chemistry
instructor at De Anza College (also part of the California Community College system)
from 2008 to 2017 and at Santa Clara University (2003-2008).
Ram has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Instrumentation Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (1987-1992, Pilani, India) and a Doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Kentucky (1993-1997, Lexington, KY). After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Case Western Reserve University (1997-2001, Cleveland, OH) Ram was a visiting assistant professor in the chemistry department at Hamilton College (2001-2003, Clinton, NY). Contact at subramaniamram@fhda.edu.
SLI STEM Impact Team 2022-23
Find out more information here. This leadership team is dedicated to change efforts to advance SLI's mission both on campus and in the local community.
Loni Halsted, Computer Science Major
Hello, my name is Loni Halsted, and I am a third-year student studying Computer Science.
In the past, I have been a part of AVID and other programs designed to support underrepresented
students. Now, as a member of the SLI impact team, I hope to use my experience to
contribute to initiatives which will support students in their educational journey.
In my free time, I like finding new hiking spots, reading, and listening to my favorite
music. I look forward to working more closely with the Foothill community.
Hooseok Lee, Biology Major
My name is Hooseok Lee, and I’m a second-year biology major. I am an international student from South Korea planning on transferring to a UC school after finishing my stay at Foothill College. I watch movies or hang out with friends in my free time. I’m excited to be part of this team and to make Foothill College a better place.
Trisha Nguyen, Psychology Major
"Trisha is a third-year student pursuing an AA.T in Psychology at Foothill College. Here, she continues to use her interests in psychology to fuel her mission of diversifying and expanding inclusivity in academia. Her proudest work yet has to be her independent research project that has allowed her to find ways to better serve students with disabilities. Now, she joins the Science Learning Institute as a STEM Impact Team Fellow and is excited to grow as a leader and changemaker.
Outside of Foothill College, Trisha has previously volunteered for non-profit organizations
focused on creating social and environmental change by providing underserved communities
access to science opportunities. She has also worked to serve residents in assisted
living facilities through her involvement with two organizations. Not only that, but
she has recently been given the opportunity to conduct research at Stanford University’s
Department of Developmental Biology.
During Trisha’s free time, she enjoys caring for Tsuki (her dog), listening to Korean
pop music, rewatching the movie Turning Red, and going on walks—with her dog."
Meaghan Pearson, Engineering Major
Meaghan is a second-year Engineering Major at Foothill Community College. She is planning to transfer to a UC or CSU in the Fall of 2023. She has been the co-president of the Foothill Engineering Club since Winter 2022. She works in the Makerspace at the Krause Center of Innovation. In her free time she enjoys reading dystopian novels, watching Netflix, baking, creative projects, and walking her dog.
Fatima Sanchez, Biology Major
I am Fatima Sanchez and I am majoring in Biology. I am part of the Pre-STEM cohort and the Biology club. I am passionate about sciences and I enjoy lab activities. I like to support the community that has been underrepresented because I can understand the challenges and provide feedback because I have been both audience and staff. In my free time I like to exercise and build Legos.
Lillian Swedlow, Aerospace Engineering Major
see bio above
Click here to find out more about the 2021-22 inaugural STEM Impact Team. They laid an important foundation for the team's work, and SLI could not have done it with them!
