Learn a bit about our panelists.
Holly Olvera
My name is Holly Olvera and I am a PhD student at Boise State University in the Biomedical Engineering Program. My interest in research and graduate school began here at Boise State, as a sophomore undergrad. I participated in LSAMP and the McNairs Scholar Program – which both gave me experience to do research as an undergrad and helped guide me in the process of graduate applications. I received my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boise State in 2023. My current research involves investigating respiratory safety measures for infants in commercial products, through a biomechanics lens. Our work in the Boise Applied Biomechanics of Infants (BABI) Lab translates to product safety advocation and legislation. My future plans are TBD (to be decided) as I continue building my skill set as a student, teacher, and mentor.
Gabriel Jose Rodriguez
I am in the Juris Doctor program at the University of Idaho College of Law. Previously, I have worked as a contract lobbyist at the Idaho Capitol. After I graduate from law school, my plan is to pursue a Master of Law (LL.M) degree and then a Doctor of Juridical Sciences (JSD) degree, which is a research-oriented doctoral degree in law. My graduate school journey has been anything but linear. Ultimately, for me, it was important to pursue what I found to be most stimulating academically and to follow my passions.
Tiara Thompson
I am in the Master of Fine Arts, Theater Film & Television program at the University of California, Los Angeles. I also work locally as an actor, director, and educator. For the next two years, I plan to be in Boise, raising my niece and continuing to work on local creative theater, film & writing projects.
[On the graduate school journey] I auditioned for URTA (University Resident Theater Associations) which is where you travel to do one audition for multiple higher ed and conservatory institutions. After callbacks and post-URTA conversations, I decided on UCLA where I spent 1 1/2 years in-person and 1 1/2 online due to the pandemic culminating in my graduation in June of 2021.
Colleen Murray
I completed my undergraduate degree in molecular biology and psychology, which led to my current focus in neuroscience. As a graduate student at Idaho State University, I build computational models of neurons and skeletal muscle fibers to simulate the impact of mutations in ion channel protein genes. In the future, I would like to continue conducting biomedical research on human diseases.