The Summer Science Institute Staff
SSI is currently hiring instructors and mentors! We are looking for dedicated, caring and intelligent professionals who have a heart to serve through teaching and mentoring students.If you feel like you qualify, please download the applications to fill out. Make sure to save the applications to your computer before completing it. Please use Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader (even if you are on a Mac) to fill application and don't forget to save before emailing it to us. Please send the completed application along with your transcript(s) in PDF format to staff@summerscienceinstitute.org to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!
Click here to download SSI Instructor Application
Click here to SSI Mentor Application
Talia Coney - Co-Director
Originally from Virginia, Talia completed her undergraduate education at the University of Virginia in 2009 majoring in Psychology and minoring in Religious Studies. Following graduation, she moved to San Francisco to enroll in the SFSU pre-health post bacc program to pursue her dream of becoming a psychiatrist. Once arriving in San Francisco, Talia was instantly drawn to the Tenderloin district. She currently volunteers at the needle exchange in the Tenderloin. In the summer of 2009, Talia joined the Summer Science Institute team in the hopes of helping other students pursue their goals of entering the health care field. Talia is looking forward to attending medical school in the fall of 2012.
Albert Robelo - Head Tutor
Name is Albert Robelo and I am a Mentor and Head Tutor for SSI. I graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2004 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006 with a M.S. in Engineering (Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials Program). After working for two years in San Francisco and Los Angeles as a Structural Engineer, I decided to pursue a life in medicine. I completed the Formal Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate Program at San Francisco State University in 2010. I am currently applying to medical school. I enjoy exercising, Naruto, Bleach, musical theater, Glee, Community, Scrubs, and The Sopranos."
Cheyenne Snavely - Mentor
I am currently an undergraduate at San Francisco State University majoring in biology as well as minoring in chemistry. I have passion for science, and medicine! When I graduate in May of 2011 I plan on applying to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist because I absolutely love children.
Heidi Lucas - Mentor
I am currently an undergraduate student at SFSU and will be graduating in the fall of 2011. I first got started with SSI when I was a student in the program back in the summer of 2008 and have been involved ever since. I plan on applying to a MPH program and then eventually medical school. I have been volunteering at Clinica Martin-Baro in the Mission district for over 2 years now and it’s amazing. The work that’s done there every Saturday is really inspiring and has continued to keep me passionate about working with the underserved Latin community. I also am a sex education peach on campus which has really exposed me to the public health side of medicine. I really enjoy working with the students in SSI so if anyone ever has any questions feel free to ask me and I’ll try to help in whatever way I can.
Ike Iloka - Mentor
Ike Iloka is a native of Columbus, Ohio. He attended school at Case Western Reserve University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Classic literature. After graduation, he attended San Francisco State University to complete his post-baccalaureate work in the Pre-health Profession program. In his free time Ike works as an EMT and is involved in research at UCSF and San Francisco General Hospital. His future aspirations include pursuing a career in internal medicine and working with marginalized populations both at home and abroad.
Joshua Meneses - Mentor
Joshua Meneses did his undergraduate work at the UCLA, where he received a B.A. in Psychology. He returned to his native Bay Area, and is currently finishing a pre-health post-baccalaureate program at SFSU. He is currently involved in research focusing on the effects of after school programs on childhood fitness under the supervision of Dr. Kris Madsen. He also volunteers as an HIV counselor at the Student Health Center at SFSU, where he maintains a philosophy that stopping the spread of HIV needs to be done one individual at a time. In SSI Joshua focuses on making each of the students truly believe that they are capable of achieving whatever goals they aim for. His motivation for getting involved as a mentor is similar to the motivation that pushes him to strive to be a physician; the desire to help those who need it the most. Moreover, his realization that he could not have gotten to where he is today without the selfless acts of others fuels an desire to do the same for his mentees.
Lilia Sanchez - Mentor
Lilia Sanchez graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2008, where she received a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Child Health and Development. She then completed the SFSU Pre-Health Post Bacc Program in Spring of 2010 to pursue her dream of becoming a Pediatrician. She currently works as an ER Scribe, is Clinical Coordinator of Global Medical Brigades at SFSU, and is volunteering at the Healthy Lifestyles Clinic with children and families struggling with obesity. Lilia's passion is outreaching to communities and being an advocate for the underserved population. She joined SSI to give students hope to pursue careers in medicine, and be a motivator as someone once was for her at a young age. She enjoys dancing, especially salsa and hip hop, movies and shows like Glee! She is looking forward to applying to Medical School this year.