What a year we’ve all had! I’ve just graduated in June after 3 years at Davis as a transfer student, and now I am leaving the GDB advising team after 2.5 years of advising. 

Being part of this advising team has provided me with an outlet for my creativity and I’m so grateful! The advising team supported me through tough times, and the job allowed me to meet so many more peers than I ever would have met outside of the office. So thank you to all of you who have trusted me enough to chat about life as a student. I am so grateful to have known your stories, to have been part (even if a small part) of your journey at UC Davis, and to have been inspired by all your hard work and accomplishments!

Graduating into a messy world in 2020 was daunting, but I strongly believe that my time at UC Davis has given me the skills to move on forward towards my dream job. I fell in love with the interdisciplinary approach of the GDB major and I have learned to look at the world in such a different way. I feel privileged to have learned from such caring professors and participated in projects with passionate students.

Truly, thank you, UC Davis.

Thank you, Department of Plant Pathology, for being one of the friendliest places to have a full time job after graduation, and for providing peer advisors with such an incredible chance to help shape this major into what it has become today.

Thank you, peers and current students, for being the amazing group of people that you are. Keep chasing your dreams. You make this major so special.

Thank you, GDB ADVISING TEAM, for the amazing experiences I’ve had, growing as a student, peer, leader, team player, and person. This team has always been in good hands and it will continue to be. I’m grateful for the friendships and the opportunity to have met all of you (I would name you all, but that would be a long list for this already-long post). Leaving you all with so much love!

I’ve always loved to talk with all of you about future plans, what to do with a GDB degree, what research is like, etc… So feel free to stay in touch - I’m one email away! (blarao@ucdavis.edu)

Have a fantastic rest of your year at UC Davis!

GO AGS!