Cuong earned his PhD in Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences at the National Chung Hsing University and Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. He had previously completed a year of postdoc at the Centre for Biotechnology and Plant Genomics, UPM, Madrid, Spain.

Ryan is a Junior Research Specialist and has been part of the UCR community for over four years, earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Microbiology.

Jedidiah earned his B.S. in Biology from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and is currently enrolled in the Microbiology and Plant Pathology graduate program.

Jackie earned her B.S. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from California State University, Fullerton, and is currently enrolled in the Microbiology and Plant Pathology graduate program.

Yixin completed her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Northwest A&F University in China and is currently enrolled in the Microbiology and Plant Pathology graduate program.

Raul completed his undergraduate degree at California State Polytechnic and is currently enrolled in a Master’s in Microbiology and Plant Pathology graduate program. 

Hyeonheui holds a degree in Plant Pathology with a specialization in Bacteriology. Her research focuses on bacterial diagnostics and field application, developing deployable assays for rapid and accurate on-site detection. She currently serves as the Korean Principal Investigator for an international collaboration on Xylella fastidiosa.

Jonathan is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry. He is currently applying to medical school.

Dominic is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience. He is currently applying to medical school.

Elizabeth was a 2025 RISE summer intern. She is currently a second-year, senior standing Biochemistry major with a medical emphasis.

Suraj is currently a third-year Biology major at UCR.