Cal NERDS

NSF LSAMP (aka CAMP) Pre-PhD Research Program

A National Science Foundation STEM Network

This NSF grant-funded program was created to provide a buffet of opportunities for historically underrepresented STEM students. UC Berkeley’s NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in the Sciences (LSAMP) program is also known as NSF CAMP (California Alliance Minority Participation) and it is part of a UC systemwide alliance. In 2018, our statewide office transitioned from UC Irvine (http://www.camp.uci.edu) to UC Riverside (http://camp.ucr.edu/contact.html) under the direction of Dr. Richard Cardullo. Nationally there are over 50+ NSF LSAMP Alliances. This program focuses on increasing the number of baccalaureate degrees granted to underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and supporting continuation to graduate studies, particularly for the Ph.D. Our Faculty Director if Professor Scott Moura.

STEM Faculty involvement is one of the keys to our success
STEM Faculty involvement is one of the keys to our success
"NSF CAMP is dedicated to UC undergraduate achievement in STEM. Faculty-mentored research experience is the cornerstone, providing the preparation and impetus for graduate studies. UC faculty assert that creative research is one of the best ways to prepare students for persistence toward the B.S. degree and success in graduate school." ~ NSF CAMP Statewide Office

Students gain many advantages through the academic and professional development opportunities that increase retention and degree completion. These include workshops, linkedin coaching, career pathway advising, and professional development grants to help support graduate school applications, etc. Often NSF LSAMP/CAMP scholars can qualify for STEM graduate school fee waivers at other universities because of its 25+ year history of supporting diversity STEM. Typically in February, students from nine UCs travel to the host campus for a one day research symposium. Over 25 STEM faculty mentors judge research presentations in areas of biological sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.

CAMP Scholars are involved in Faculty mentored STEM research, research conferences, and poster competitions
Many CAMP Scholars are involved in summer research internships (both on and off campus)

Additional Information about NSF LSAMP

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) is a program in the Division of Human Resource Development (HRD), within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) at the National Science Foundation (NSF). LSAMP was authorized by Congress and established in 1991 to help diversify the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The program accomplishes this mission by funding institutions of higher education through a collective plan of action to implement evidence-based strategies for recruitment and retention to STEM degree for students historically underrepresented in these disciplines.

The LSAMP program priorities are to (a) increase individual student engagement, retention and progression to baccalaureate degrees for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, (b) enable successful transfer of underrepresented minority students from two-year to four-year institutions in STEM programs (c) increase access to high quality STEM mentoring and undergraduate and graduate research experiences, (d) facilitate seamless transition of underrepresented minority students into STEM graduate programs and degree completion and (e) stimulate new research and learning on broadening participation in STEM disciplines.” ~ NSF

2024 Cohort | Application Paused

Our 2024 application will open when (and if) we receive confirmation from our statewide office of funding beyond our current five year grant cycle that is scheduled to end this year. If you have any questions please text Diana at # (510) 778-5165.

2023 Cohort

  • Angelica Pena, Mechanical Engineering
  • Ceshia Palos Castellanos, Public Health
  • Daniel Gilbert, Astrophysics
  • Dominic Vazquez, Astrophysics
  • Jason Hodes, Mechanical Engineering
  • Jennifer Reyes, Mathematics
  • Jordan Kam, Aerospace Engineering & Mechanical Engineering
  • Jenny Mendez Mendez, Applied Mathematics & Computer Science
  • Juana Cruz Sampedro, Bioengineering
  • Migdalia Sanchez, Mechanical Engineering
  • Sahari Munoz, Cognitive Science & Data Science
  • Soliana Yohannes, Molecular Cell Biology & Mathematics
  • Stephen Salazar, Mechanical Engineering & Material Science Engineering

2022 Cohort

  • Alfred Vargas, Chemical Engineering
  • Dafne Renteria, Mechanical Engineering
  • Edgar Vidal, Physics and Astrophysics
  • Carina Romero, Mechanical Engineering
  • Gaby Gutierrez, Mechanical Engineering
  • Irma Duran, Chemistry
  • Mateo Morales, Mathematics
  • Martin Beshara, Mechanical Engineering
  • Miguel Montalvo, Physics Engineering
  • Miguel Jose Baeza, Mechanical Engineering
  • Mirelys Carcana Barbosa, Physics Engineering
  • Omotara Moremi Oloye, Computer Science
  • Preston Hong, Engineering
  • Sebastian Quiroz, Mechanical Engineering
  • Tristan Villanueva, Mechanical Engineering
  • Vyoma Raman, Computer Science & Information/Data Science

2021 Cohort - no cohort due to delay in funding

2019/2020 Cohort

  • Ashley Quiterio, Data Science
  • Azucena Castro, Applied Math & Data Science
  • Carina Hernandez, Bioengineering
  • Daniel Santos, Mechanical Engineering
  • Diana Sanchez Ruiz, Chemical Engineering
  • Elias Saravia, Applied Mathematics & Data Science
  • Fatima Rodriguez, Physics & Astrophysics
  • Francine Morales, Physics
  • Ifechukwu Okeke, Molecular Cell Biology - Neurobiology
  • Memo Gonzalez, Computer Science
  • Migueljose Baeza, Mechanical Engineering
  • Jesus Rios, Nuclear Engineering
  • Jorge Soto Pena, Data Science & Ethnic Studies
  • Julia Davila, Mathematics & Astrophysics
  • Lauryn Jordan, Bioengineering
  • Nicholas Brathwaite, Data Science
  • Sandra Lucero Ramirez, Physics & Astrophysics
  • Sofia Haile, Bioengineering
  • Xiomara Gonzalez, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Our CAMP Scholar go on to STEM trajectories
Our CAMP Scholars go on to STEM trajectories

Application Information

This Program Identifies Students Who Have…

    • Experienced educational barriers to their academic progress, or who express a commitment to address the barriers that prevent participation of students from underrepresented groups in graduate academic programs;
    • Experienced situations or conditions that impacted their advancement or ability to advance in a STEM field (e.g. the absence of a role model in the STEM field, absence of a family member who received a four-year college degree or graduation from a high school with poor financial or curricular support);
    • Leadership potential to address the issues of underrepresentation of domestic minorities in the STEM fields;
    • The potential to gain the personal and multicultural competency skills necessary to address the needs of a diverse state and global community through STEM.

Additional Application Information

  • Must be a registered full-time UC Berkeley student and in good standing at the time of the application.
  • U.S Citizens or Permanent Resident (funding source requirement).
  • Sophomore through Senior STEM Majors interested in going to STEM Graduate School Programs, though priority consideration may be given to Juniors/Seniors who are applying to graduate school during the fall 2023 cycle so that they can receive graduate school advising support for their upcoming applications.
  • Must have a 2.70 or above overall UC Berkeley GPA (new Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 transfer students without a UC Berkeley GPA may use their overall community college GPA).
  • Program resources are contingent upon NSF federal funding and it should be noted that this program is not a pre-med program.
Dafne Renteria was selected for the 2023 Thermofisher Award
Dafne Renteria was selected for the 2023 Thermofisher Award

    Alfred Vargas is selected for the 2022 Thermo Fisher Award
    Alfred Vargas was selected for the 2022 Thermofisher Award

    CAMP Scholars Win Top Statewide STEM Research Poster Awards
    CAMP Scholars Win Top Statewide STEM Research Poster Awards

    Please send your questions to Director Diana Lizarraga via text at #510.778.5165 or contact Chris Noble,cknoble@berkeley.edu