When Valeria Castellanos Rodriguez crosses the commencement stage next week, she will be thinking about the countless hours she logged in labs en route to a biology degree.
She'll be thinking about her primary Cal State San Marcos mentor, biology professor Carlos Luna Lopez. She'll be thinking about her impending enrollment at UC Irvine to begin a Ph.D. program in cancer research.
Mostly, though, she'll be thinking about her parents.
Rodriguez’s father and mother never got the chance to pursue higher education, with her dad stopping in sixth grade and her mom in first grade. Rodriguez grew up in Oceanside with three siblings, and for the first 18 years of her life, she and her entire family resided in a house owned by a relative. Her father would rise by 5 a.m. seven days a week to do landscaping work, and still it was barely enough to scape by.
Many parents in that situation would have urged their children to drop out of school to help earn money for the family, but Rodriguez’s parents thought differently.
“They have always supported my journey of higher education, which I’m very, very thankful for,” Rodriguez said. “They didn’t choose not to have an education. They didn’t have an opportunity to. My mom used to tell me that if she could have gone to college, she would have become a nurse.”
On her path to a science degree, Rodriguez benefited from more than just parental support. She had a sibling role model in her sister, Tanya, who’s only one year older and resembles Valeria so much that they’re often mistaken for twins. Tanya preceded Valeria at CSUSM (graduating in 2024) and, after taking a gap year, also will be starting a Ph.D. program in the fall, at UC Santa Cruz for immunology.
Then there was her high school. Rodriguez had the advantage of attending Mission Vista, the newest high school in Vista Unified School District, which offers a program called Project Lead the Way that allows students to get a head start in STEM disciplines like biomedicine and engineering.
As a result, Rodriguez arrived at CSUSM having been exposed to and liking science, specifically biology. It was at CSUSM, however, that she discovered research and the notion – previously unimaginable to her – that research could be a career.
After her freshman year, she joined the lab of Luna, the biology professor, for the Summer Scholars program in 2022. She wanted to do research involving the human body, and she liked that Luna specialized in breast cancer research.
Rodriguez has been a member of Luna’s lab ever since. She worked on a project to learn how different types of fat cells (brown and white) affect how breast cancer spreads, growing such cells in the lab and using a special microscope to examine how they change shape. She also helped the tab transition to employing 3D models to study breast cancer cells since, as she points out, “humans are 3D, so hopefully we make research a lot more relevant if we use a model that’s closer to us.”
“Dr. Luna is the best mentor I’ve ever had,” Rodriguez said. “He’s very honest when it comes to meeting realistic goals but also supports me in the path that I want to follow. And he’s a very fun guy.”
After she caught the research bug through Summer Scholars, Rodriguez set her sights even higher for the subsequent two summers, gaining acceptance to premier undergraduate research programs through Stanford University and the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle.
Outside of the lab, she became heavily involved with both the Center for Training, Research and Educational Excellence (CTREE) – the hub for research-based initiatives at CSUSM – and The Alliance, a program aimed at increasing access to college education for area K-12 students. She also maintained a 3.96 GPA while being honored as one of the first two CSUSM students ever to receive a Barry Goldwater scholarship, a prestigious national award that recognizes leadership potential in research science.
Of being a first-generation Latina scientist, Rodriguez said: “It has been difficult. Sometimes I feel like I’m behind, like I’m sprinting a marathon rather than jogging it. But I think I’ve learned to appreciate the small moments, whether it’s winning an award, having a happy time with my family and friends, or just chatting about life with Dr. Luna. Those moments motivate me to continue and overcome the hardships that I’ve gone through.”
Luna and Denise Garcia, the director of CTREE, said Rodriguez is one of the most motivated and talented students they’ve encountered in their careers as professors.
“I put her in the top 1% of students that I’ve worked with,” Luna said. “She displays a great deal of dedication, intellectual capacity and compassion. She is driven to be a leader and role model in the field of cancer research.”
The drive is innate in Rodriguez. It was forged as a child as she watched her parents struggle to assimilate into American culture and establish a livelihood. It carried her through her high school years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when her whole family was stuck inside the rented room, which simultaneously brought them closer together and drove them crazy.
Now, with her family having moved out and living in their own apartment, that inner drive will propel Rodriguez toward a doctorate in UC Irvine’s Cellular and Molecular Biosciences program, which she could start as soon as next month.
“I’ve always been motivated to get a college degree and a Ph.D.,” she said. “Yes, I want to have a better life for myself, but more importantly, I want to thank my parents and make them proud.”
Media Contact
Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
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- University Honors Outstanding 2025 GraduatesMore than 4,000 students are expected to graduate from Cal State San Marcos this academic year, including six standouts from the Class of 2025 who are receiving special recognition for their achievements. Honorees were nominated by faculty or staff and endorsed by their college’s dean. Here is a closer look at each award recipient: Alexandria (Alli) Mulqueen, psychological science President’s Outstanding Graduate Dean’s Award, College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences Mulqueen is engaged on campus and in the community, where she demonstrates unique commitment to her passion around disability inclusion, equity and justice. She serves as co-president of the Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (also known as the CSUSM Best Buddies Chapter), which is aimed at empowering people to become advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to bringing awareness to the disability rights movement. As the only student organization on campus focusing on neurodiversity and disability justice, Mulqueen’s leadership has provided a voice and place for community building, belonging, learning and advocacy for students with disabilities and allies. Learn more about Mulqueen. Tyler Glasser, business administration Gerevas Family Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration Glasser was selected for his collective leadership contributions to the college and the student community, including helping to advance the Cougar Fund. Through his leadership and knowledge, the Cougar Fund has enhanced its investment strategy and rebalanced the holdings of the fund’s portfolio. The diversification has helped mitigate risk and established a foundation for the financial sustainability of the Cougar Fund. As important, the knowledge and techniques introduced by Glasser will move the Cougar Fund’s chief investment officer position forward, motivating future leadership to new levels of performance. It has also enhanced student hands-on learning, a cornerstone of CoBA degree programs, better preparing Cougar Fund students for their future investment careers. Nathan Lenski, master's public health Dean’s Award, College of Education, Health and Human Services Lenski has consistently demonstrated exceptional research skills and a deep commitment to improving public health, particularly among vulnerable populations. Additionally, he has taken up the mantel of the department’s student organization, Graduate Organization of Public Health. He has accomplished this over the course of CSUSM’s accelerated Master of Public Health degree program while still employed full time for the County of San Luis Obispo. Lenski was lauded for his research capabilities and for being both intuitive and open to learning. His commitment to public health is not limited to his academic work but is also reflected in his actions. He seeks to leverage his research and leadership to create meaningful solutions. Maya Qaddourah, biochemistry Dean’s Award, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Qaddourah has shown a remarkable commitment to leading efforts to support and encourage her peers and her community at a time when her peers were consumed by isolation, fear and self-doubt with all that is happening in the world. She did this all while balancing a heavy academic load and performing at an exceptionally high level in the classroom, demonstrating a deep commitment to interdisciplinary biochemical research that resulted in working in multiple labs across campus and bringing her research to the point of publication, almost unheard of at the undergraduate level. She also served as a teaching assistant in several advanced courses where it is unusual to have even one of these experiences. Even with such extraordinary academic and research accomplishments, what set Qaddourah apart was her insight into the importance of community and sense of belonging and her exceptional persistence that led her to develop a personal mission of leaving an enduring impact that fosters inclusivity, innovation and career readiness in STEM at CSUSM. Kate Carlson, master’s kinesiology Dean’s Award, Graduate Studies Carlson’s work ethic, attention to detail, professionalism, communication, reliability, leadership and organization skills are impressive to her peers and professors. These qualities were on full display during Carlson’s thesis defense on Feb. 20. Following the presentation, the committee unanimously agreed that it was the most exceptional master’s thesis project, defense and written document they had encountered in their academic careers. One committee member even noted that Carlson’s performance was on par with Ph.D. dissertation defenses from former students who now hold full or associate professor positions at top-tier research institutions. Miyah Walker, psychological sciences Dean of Students Leadership Award Walker’s ability to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for residents, while promoting wellness, has been a hallmark of her time as a resident adviser. Additionally, she has demonstrated exceptional counseling, mentorship and facilitation skills, leading educational conversations that center on personal development, cultural understanding and co-curricular programming in a diverse learning environment. Walker is a rare student who has integrated her studies, co-curricular experiences and embodies a holistic student experience at CSUSM. She has taken what she has learned in psychology and applied it to her RA and peer educator roles. After graduation, in the near term, Miyah intends to become a registered behavioral technician to work with autistic children. Her long-term goal is to earn a doctoral degree and work in underserved communities as a psychologist. Learn more about Walker. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Neufeldt Unveils Latest Exhibit of Student Art in Her HomeCal State San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt remains committed to doing her part to showcase student artists. Neufeldt hosted about 40 people at her house on April 27 for a reception to unveil the third exhibition of student art in her home gallery. The exhibit features 11 pieces of art and was curated by Sarah Bricke, a professional artist and CSUSM alumna. Bricke also curated the previous display, which had hung in Neufeldt’s home for the past year. The four student artists are Emma Dill, Adel Bautista, Kaia Pappas and Erin Wilmot. More than 800 CSUSM students have a major or minor in the arts. A priority of the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences and the School of Arts is to increase space to showcase student artists, and to teach, rehearse and perform. Here’s the language that Bricke used in describing the exhibit, followed by artist statements: This exhibition brings together four emerging artists whose practices engage forms of portraiture as a site of experimentation. Though grounded in distinct mediums, each artist reimagines the portrait as more than likeness, exploring how it can function as a record of presence and experience. Dill’s photographic work, while not traditional portraits, centers the experience of live music and the ephemeral intensity of performance. Her images in this exhibition can be read as a “portrait” of a moment in time and associated emotional experience. Bautista utilizes nature photography alongside self-portraiture to convey internal states over physical representation. Her compositions reflect an engagement with the landscape as an element of portraiture. Pappas approaches the portrait through the labor-intensive process of woodblock printmaking. Her repeating images distort photographic clarity, reconfiguring familiar forms into graphic abstractions that invite multiple interpretations. Wilmot pushes the boundaries of the photographic portrait, layering found objects and expressive mark-making over photo substrates. Her tactile surfaces mirror the nonlinearity of childhood cognition, rendering portraiture as a fragmented, sensorial field of discovery. Together, these artists challenge conventional boundaries of the portrait, privileging intuition, memory and material play over realism. Their works collectively demonstrate how portraiture can serve as a flexible and generative framework for exploring identity, environment and the ever-shifting relationship between self and other. Emma Dill Music has been a constant presence for Dill – from singing pop and punk with a sibling to listening to alt-rock in the car with her parents – ultimately inspiring an eclectic taste that continues to evolve through college. With over a decade of experience in photography, she focuses her work on both live performance and conceptual image-making. By photographing concerts, she aims to capture the joy of shared musical experiences, offering fans the chance to relive the energy of their favorite artists. Her experimental and creative projects seek to introduce reflection and variation within an increasingly saturated visual culture. Whether through the thrill of live music or the stillness of constructed imagery, her practice explores the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of sound, performance and visual storytelling. Adel Bautista Baustista is a photographer and digital media artist based in Vista. Her work draws from travels across the United States and internationally. These journeys serve as emotional outlets, offering opportunities for reflection, clarity and well-being. Her practice is rooted in emotional awareness and the pursuit of balance – socially, emotionally, spiritually, environmentally, intellectually and physically. The resulting images are shared with the intention of encouraging positive ways to manage the stresses and challenges of daily life. As a survivor of physical and emotional abuse, she makes art that’s a declaration of resilience and strength. Bautista’s work champions emotional mindfulness as a foundation for personal health and communal empowerment. Kaia Pappas Pappas is a woodblock printmaker based in East Los Angeles. Her work explores photographic, posterized imagery translated through the tactile and deliberate process of hand carving. Influenced by artists like Shepard Fairey and Barbara Kruger, Pappas draws inspiration from portraiture, everyday life and the subtleties found in seemingly ordinary moments. Her compositions – often rendered in black and white – embrace ambiguity and interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with the image beyond surface clarity. Some works intentionally obscure their subject matter, reflecting the artist’s belief that little in life is ever truly black and white. Her work challenges perception while celebrating the emotional and visual power of contrast, process and reinterpretation. Erin Wilmot Wilmot is a mixed media artist whose recent work explores the emotional landscape and imaginative depth of childhood, inspired by a single moment captured at a family celebration. A spontaneous encounter with a child’s uninhibited play – particularly in the aftermath of a piñata explosion – served as the catalyst. Photographic prints from that day were later translated into hand-painted compositions. To foreground the painted medium, Wilmot first converted the photographs to black and white, creating a quiet visual pause for color, shape and texture to speak more vividly. Working intuitively, she incorporated found and local materials – spray-painted feathers, broken ornaments, string beads – to construct layered, tactile surfaces. With no strict blueprint, the process unfolds organically, reflecting the way children assign meaning to even the most ordinary objects. Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- D.C. Internship Pushes Students on Path Toward CareerKarli Llorens aspires to work for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Saba Wali wants to go to law school and become an international lawyer. Both Cal State San Marcos students took considerable steps toward their career ambitions this spring by participating in semester-long internships in Washington, D.C. Llorens and Wali were CSUSM’s representatives in Cal State DC Scholars, a program offered through Cal State Fullerton that gives students opportunities to earn academic credit while interning in the nation’s capital. Llorens, a second-year student who’s majoring in criminology and justice studies, worked for the U.S. Department of Labor. Wali, a third-year who’s a double major in political science and computer science, interned for the Washington International Trade Association, or WITA. “What I like best about my internship is gaining more research experience,” Llorens said. “Having the skills that come with doing thorough research will make it easier for me to be successful in my future career.” Said Wali: “The most valuable aspect of this internship is the network it provides. Each month, we’ve had the opportunity to attend lunches with board members representing diverse backgrounds in trade. Additionally, we can research event attendees and speakers to identify professionals whose careers align with our interests, allowing us to reach out and arrange coffee meetings for deeper insights.” Llorens chose to intern for the Department of Labor because she wanted to gain insight into working for the federal government. She worked with the head of the Employee Ownership Initiative, a new program that encourages business ownership by America’s workers. She also assisted with inquiries regarding the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans. Outside of her internship and schoolwork (classes were Mondays and Wednesdays), Llorens lived in an apartment provided by an organization called Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) and enjoyed exploring the city with other interns, including Wali. Because of her interest in international relations, Wali gravitated toward WITA, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a neutral forum for discussion of international trade policy and related issues. Her daily duties included communicating with WITA members and trade professionals, designing graphics, promoting events, conducting research, and expanding knowledge of international trade and trade policy. One of the particular benefits of Wali’s time in Washington was the chance, as a Pashtun Muslim, to connect with the robust Muslim and Afghan communities in the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. She too lived in WISH housing. “Living in a building filled with student interns has been an incredible experience,” Wali said. “Most of us share similar goals, and since we come from all over the world, there’s so much to learn and enjoy from each other.” An added bonus of both students’ Washington experience: the opportunity to meet with CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt, who was in the capital last month as part of the CSU system’s annual Hill Week. “Meeting President Neufeldt really put it into perspective that I am doing something great for my community at CSUSM by being a representative for our university within the DC Scholars program,” Llorens said. “During my time on the Hill, I aim to showcase the strengths and greatness that are taught at CSUSM.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- Business Student Defies Expectations After Autism DiagnosisAdam Heppner didn’t speak his first words until he was 3 1/2 years old. Diagnosed with autism at 18 months, doctors were unsure of what his functioning level would be as an adult. But on May 16, Heppner will walk the commencement stage at Cal State San Marcos, the proud recipient of a bachelor’s in business administration. “I owe my family my life for the work they put in to help me become who I am today,” Heppner said. Heppner, who also was diagnosed with ADHD, said middle school and high school were a time of discovery – learning how he functions best and how to navigate the world around him. Certain sounds that most people naturally tune out can be overwhelming, and he's particularly sensitive to specific foods and textures. Condiments like ketchup and ranch cause him to gag and make himself vomit. Through Individual Educational Plans in middle school and high school, Heppner had classes with peers who were also on the spectrum. While attending speech therapy wasn’t always easy, he said it helped change his perspective. “It really made me stop caring about what people think,” Heppner said. “I’m going in there and still socializing with people when I come out, and I’m still just like everybody else.” Learning social cues was one of the biggest challenges for Heppner. “I’d be in public and there’d be a larger set lady and out loud I’d be like, ‘Oh my gosh, that lady’s butt is huge,’ ” Heppner said. While he can laugh about incidents like that now, he didn’t understand at the time how his words might be construed. Heppner’s mom quit her full-time office job to educate herself on Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, and other family members also pitched in to support Heppner. His mom helped him to recognize and understand behavior through using picture association and studying patterns. Eye contact, listening and comprehension are skills that Heppner had to learn. “Eventually I just kind of overcame the hurdle,” Heppner said. “Now I’m running the race.” As Heppner got older, he found himself becoming more independent and confident. He attended Mt. San Jacinto College before transferring to Cal State San Marcos, drawn to its location and strong business program. Heppner has known since he was 12 years old that he wanted to pursue business. He still remembers telling his dad about Nintendo and Electronic Arts’ new game drops, encouraging his dad to invest. “He made money off it,” Heppner said. “I’ve always loved the aspect of business.” Heppner felt at home at CSUSM through Campus Recreation activities and the College of Business Administration. He also credits professors like Olaf Hansen, Jeffrey Kohles, Mark Monahan, Shane Thompson and Michael Winter for helping to make his time at CSUSM one to remember. “They’re here to teach, to actually help people,” Heppner said. “That’s the best kind of professor you could have.” Heppner has been working at Costco while attending school and he’s looking toward getting his MBA at CSUSM Temecula. While having autism and ADHD have caused challenges, Heppner hopes that he can use his experiences to be a voice for others with similar struggles. “They have to have hope,” Heppner said. “That’s my goal – telling my story and inspiring people in general.” Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim Assistant Director of Editorial and External Affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
- Mural Unveiling Highlights CSUSM's Ties to Native CommunityAfter giving a presentation at a local conference about equity in education in 2023, Eric Tippeconnic was approached by a middle school teacher from Bonsall. Tippeconnic, an artist and American Indian studies professor at Cal State San Marcos, had spoken to the audience about one of his specialties: the use of murals to portray land acknowledgements visually. And having been inspired by the talk, the teacher, Domingo Anguiano, wanted Tippeconnic to bring a visual land acknowledgement to his school, Sullivan Middle in Bonsall. Two years later, the vision that was born that day has become a reality. On April 23, Tippeconnic was among a crowd of about 250 people who watched the unveiling of his mural – which doubles as a land acknowledgment – in the courtyard between Sullivan Middle and Bonsall High School. Among the others in attendance were two CSUSM administrators, Provost Carl Kemnitz and Chief Community Engagement Officer Patricia Prado-Olmos; Joely Proudfit, chair of the American Indian studies department and director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center; Brandon Johnson, vice chair of the Pala Band of Mission Indians; Heather Golly, superintendent of Bonsall Unified School District; Joseph Clevenger, assistant superintendent of the San Diego County Office of Education; and guests from various Native communities in Southern California. “This mural represents a school district making a significant step by centering the first peoples of this land,” Tippeconnic said. “A visual land acknowledgment is a more tangible and permanent step to include the original peoples of this land in the historical narrative.” After Anguiano met Tippeconnic at the conference, he invited him to Bonsall to talk to school officials and teachers about the project. Once it had been approved, Anguiano introduced Tippeconnic to Native students from the district who had expressed a desire to be involved in the mural. Last May, 10 students (five boys and five girls) participated in a photo shoot during which they sang Native bird songs and danced. Tippeconnic took those photos and rendered a composite drawing, which he then used as a guide for the mural. During the unveiling event, those same students depicted in the mural danced in front of their own images on the wall. “That was the absolute highlight for me,” Tippeconnic said. “It truly captured the spirit of the day. The positive feelings and vibrations were palpable.” Since the partnership with Bonsall began, Tippeconnic said, more than 30 Native students from the district who are considering college have visited CSUSM to tour campus and the CICSC. An enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, Tippeconnic is no stranger to visual land acknowledgements. Three years ago, he created an exhibit titled “Our Existence Is Our Resistance” in the CSUSM library that was entirely dedicated to the subject. “Native peoples, including those indigenous to California, have been systematically erased from U.S. history and are conspicuously absent from mainstream educational curriculum,” said Tippeconnic, who has been a tenure-track professor at CSUSM since 2020. “The Bonsall mural is a significant gesture to convey that inclusion and representation matter.” Media Contact Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306
- Psychology Student Takes First Place at State CompetitionPsychological science student Bianca Delia was awarded first place in Behavioral, Social Sciences & Public Administration (undergraduate) at the 39th Annual CSU Statewide Research Competition last month. The event, which was held at Cal Poly Humboldt, brings together scholars from each of the 23 California State University campuses to showcase undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship and creative works. The top 10 projects from the CSUSM Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, and Innovation moved on to the statewide competition. Delia, a third-year student with a data science minor, was first drawn to neuroscience while taking professor Yasmine Sherafat’s biopsychology course in 2023. She then joined the research lab. Delia’s project investigated the role of NACHO, a critical chaperone protein that enables the expression and function of nicotinic receptors in the brain. Media Contact Eric Breier, Interim assistant director of editorial and external affairs ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314
