Meet The Team!

Lead Undergraduate TAs

Daisia Nyayieka
(She/Her)
Major: Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences)

From a very young age, Daisia knew that she wanted to be a doctor. Her journey started off by enlisting in the Air Force as a Radiology Technologist. She realized that she loved the clinical aspect. She loved interacting with the patients, learning from the radiologists, and helping in procedures with the surgeons. After 6 years of being active duty, she decided to go to school full time, spend more time with her family, and focus on preparing for medical school. Her current interests are genetics and immunology which she's very excited to see how far she can go within the field.

Tyler Watkins
(He/Him)
Major: Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences)

After earning my associate degree in English, Tyler did not feel challenged or completely fulfilled. He has always loved science, but was hesitant about pursuing a STEM major. He can say it's been the best decision he's made. With his life science degree, he plans on applying to graduate school. His current interests are pathology and immunology.

Undergraduate TAs

Ariel Aslan
(She/Her)
Major: Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology) (BS)

Data Science (BS)

Ariel is an undergraduate student studying biology and data science. Her love of the outdoors has always driven her passion for natural science. She is interested in the cooperative behavior of weaver ants, along with computer modeling and the intersection of biology with astronomy and psychology.

Andrea Petersen
(She/Her)
Major: Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology

Andrea currently resides in Sierra Vista, Arizona. After a 33 year hiatus from school, she decided to return and major in Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), however after taking General Genetics, she decided to switch her major to Genetics, Cell and Developmental Bio! She is a technical (deep!) scuba diver and spent many hours underwater in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest volunteering her time doing "citizen science", by conducting fish species/counts at various sites around Puget Sound in WA state before moving back to Arizona. Diving is her "passion with a purpose"! When not traveling to dive, she loves to spend time outdoors hiking with her two cattle dogs exploring SE Arizona.

Hana Roushdy
(She/Her)
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in studio art and biological sciences

Hana is a current junior and a proud Sun Devil! She is hoping to apply to medical school after college and focus on a more holistic way of healing her patients and work on a patient-care centered module.She is passionate about helping others heal and find their way through their own journey physically, mentally, and emotionally as a future physician. She is a world traveller and has been to more than 15 countries and she love horseback riding and swimming at the beach!

Lee Towery
(He/Him)
Major: Biological Sciences

Lee is a Biological Science major. He plans to graduate spring of 2026 and apply to medical school. He enjoys research in oncology and dermatology. He loves anything, water, and the outdoors in his leisure time.