KIN UC Santa Barbara
KIN UC Santa Barbara
2024-2025
Kaila Yi
Chapter Director
Hi! I’m Kaila, a third year biology major, and I am SO EXCITED to be KIN’s Chapter Director this year! Being a part of KIN is such a fulfilling experience because we work together to create a foundation for nutrition education in our very own local community. I love regaling kids about mindful eating habits and sustainability while also learning alongside them! KIN’s mission to forge the precedent for a healthful lifestyle within the younger generation deeply resonates with me, and I am eager to carry on its cause with my team. In my free time, I enjoy sunset walks, baking (whether it’s healthy or slightly less healthy), yoga, painting, and watching movies!
Lily Weiss
Community Clinics Director
Hi, my name is Lily and I am the Director of Community Clinics for KIN! I am a third year psychological and brain sciences major with a minor in applied psychology. I love KIN because I love seeing the kids we teach get excited to learn about their health. In my free time I enjoy running, painting, and roller skating. I am so excited for a great year of KIN!
Aisha Aranda
Bilingual Liaison
Hello everyone! I’m a third year psychological and brain sciences major! I love that KIN, not only inspires kids to take charge of their eating habits, but it encourages them to be creative with their food!It is rewarding to see how the kids take on their weekly challenges. I hope that as a Bilingual Liaison, KIN could reach our Spanish speaking community and excite them about food! In my free time, I love to cook, run, and spend time with my family.
Shreya Krishnan
Food Access Co-Director
Hi! My name is Shreya and I am a third year biology major. As one of the Food Access Directors, I am excited to help alleviate food access inequalities in our community. I love KIN because it combines two of my passions, working with kids and healthcare. In my free time, I love to travel, swim, and paint.
Jeremy Nieda
Food Access Co-Director
Hi! I’m Jeremy, and I’m one of the food access directors. I am a fourth year pharmacology major, and I joined KIN because I believe nutritional proficiency is something that we should all have from a young age. I believe food access is something that is especially important as everyone should have access to healthy, balanced meals. Outside of school, I enjoy working out, snowboarding, playing the guitar, and playing basketball!
Brianna Garcia
Food Access Co-Director
Hey I’m Brianna, one of the Food Access Directors!! I’m a third year Biology major with a minor in art and I am super excited to become a bigger part of kin this year!!! I’ve been a KINstructor since my fall quarter freshman year and I can honestly say it’s my favorite part of every week. I absolutely adore talking to all the kids and creating wonderful friendships with them throughout the quarter while teaching them the importance of loving and taking care of their bodies from a young age. In my spare time, I love to explore different crafts like pottery, painting, sewing, nail art, and also enjoy being outdoors!
Mahsun Mirmohammadsadeghi
Research Co-Director
What I admire most about KIN is the dedicated teamwork of volunteers that work together to empower children with knowledge about the foods they eat and the lifestyles they have. Interacting with the kids is always very fun and seeing the lightbulb of understanding turn on for them on aspects of what we teach them is very exciting to see. My hobbies include cooking + baking, singing, watching movies, art, writing, daydreaming, and going on walks w/music.
Kaede Juarez
Research Co-Director
Hi, I’m Kaede and I am a research co-director for KIN! I am a third year biological sciences major. I love getting to teach kids about healthy eating habits and how engaged they are in our lessons! I’m excited to research more about our impact on the kid’s lives and how much they are learning from the KIN lessons! One of my favorite healthy meals is salmon bowls, and I enjoy cooking, walks, and watching professional sports! I can’t wait to teach more kids this year in KIN!
Carrie Chang
Research Co-Director
Hi! I'm Carrie and I'm one of the research co-directors. I'm a third year pre-bio major. I joined KIN because I think teaching kids about nutrition is super important and impactful throughout their lives. Being able to interact with kids is always a fresh and rejuvenating experience. Outside of school, I enjoy swimming, hanging out with friends and trying different sports!
Dylan Giesecke
Research Co-Director
Hey everyone! I’m Dylan Giesecke and I’m one of the research co-directors for KIN! I’m a third-year Biopsychology major with a minor in Philosophy. I love being a part of KIN because of the lasting positive impact I can leave behind for the younger generation. Teaching kids about health and nutrition at a young age is great way for them to develop lifelong healthy habits. Outside of school, I love going to the gym, playing spike ball with friends, or checking out a new show.
Abhiyan Kota
Finance Co-Director
Hi! I’m Abhiyan and I’m one of the Finance Directors. I am a third year pre-bio major. I joined KIN because I believe in the importance of teaching nutritional ideas from an early age, especially knowing that these kids can carry these ideas with them throughout their lives. It feels so rewarding to know what a positive impact our organization has on all these kids, and it’s my goal to only further this impact by improving the strength and resources of KIN. Outside of school, I love to work out, play basketball, and have a good time with my friends.
Ethan Fook
Finance Co-Director
Hi! I’m Ethan and I’m one of the co-finance directors! I am a third year bio-psychology major and I joined KIN because I’m passionate about nutrition and being healthy. Being able to teach the kids about healthy nutritional habits and having an impact on them early on is something that I value greatly. In my free time I enjoy playing basketball and hanging out with friends!
Ian Fong
Education Co-Director
Hi, I’m Ian! I am one of KINs education directors and I am a Third year General Biology major. I like KIN because I have always liked interacitng with kids and I feel like we make a big impact influencing kids early on to make healthy choices for their futures by making them develop good habits at a young age. In my free time, I like going to the gym, spending time with my friends, and playing piano!
Anusha Srinivas
Education Co-Director
Hi, I’m Anusha! I am one of KINs education directors this year and a second year biopsychology major. What I like about KIN is how we’re able to help the younger population build a healthy nutritional lifestyle. I love seeing the kids get excited and understand the information we teach them! In my free time, I enjoy watching TV, playing basketball, and trying new coffee shops.
Brooke Saathoff
Education Co-Director
Hi, I’m Brooke and I am one of the education directors. I am a third year pre-bio major with a minor in Spanish. I love KIN because I’m super passionate about getting the right nutrition and I think it’s something really important for the kids of this next generation to learn about. I am super excited to be teaching classes our material and to be working with this team to help spread information! When I have free time, I love swimming, skiing, and generally just being outdoors.
Ben Rivera
Education Co-Director
Hello! I’m Ben and I’m one of the Education Directors. I am a third year Biology major with a minor in Applied Psychology. I joined KIN because I’m very passionate about nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle. I am excited to teach classes and spread important information on healthy living habits. Outside of school, I enjoy working out, golfing, playing pickleball, and hanging with friends!
Mia Yang
Social Co-Director
Hi! I am Mia and I am one of the social chairs. I am a third year biopsychology major. I joined KIN because I love working with and teaching kids. It's so fulfilling seeing the student get excited about learning. In the future, my goal is to attend medical school and work in pediatrics. Outside of school, I love dancing, the beach, reading and anything disney. I am so excited for this upcoming year!
Emma Gareis
Social Co-Director
Hi everyone! What I love most about KIN is seeing the difference we make in these children’s lives. I love seeing how much they have learned from the beginning of lessons to the end. It really is so fulfilling to see this tremendous change. My hobbies are reading, taking beach walks with my friends, and getting matcha!
Callie Thai
Outreach Co-Director
Hi, I’m Callie and I am one of the co-outreach directors! I’m a second year pre-bio major. I joined KIN because I get to teach kids about the importance of healthy eating and moderation. I love seeing how engaged the kids are with the lessons and the impact KIN has on the community. As one of the outreach directors, I hope I can further KIN’s impact and connect with more families and organizations in the Santa Barbara community. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and trying new foods.
Sofi Bowlus
Outreach Co-Director
Hi! My name is Sofi Bowlus. I am one of the co-outreach directors! I’m a third year philosophy major. I’m really passionate about nutrition and health so I love working with kids to help teach them how to adopt healthy eating habits. KIN has been a great opportunity to connect with my community and peers in KIN. I can’t wait to work towards expanding KIN, connecting KIN with more people and organizations in the community. In my free time I enjoy yoga, reading, and cooking.
Christina Melikian
Outreach Co-Director
Hi! I’m Christina and I’m one of the outreach directors. I’m a fourth year Biopsychology major. I joined KIN because I love being able to educate kids about leading a healthy lifestyle, and it’s an experience I would’ve loved to have as a kid. I really enjoy working with kids and seeing them excited about our lessons. In my free time, I love to cook new recipes and read!
Neela Iyer
Outreach Co-Director
Hi, I’m Neela and I’m a third year biopsych major, and one of the co-outreach directors! I joined KIN because I love working with kids, and I think it’s important for them to learn about healthy eating habits from a young age. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, crocheting, and reading.
Noelle Nashed
Outreach Co-Director
Hi Everyone! I’m Noelle and I am one of the people on the Outreach Team! I am a 3rd-year Biology major. What I love most about KIN is getting the one-on-one interaction with the kids when teaching. It is truly so enjoyable to see their faces light up when you are teaching them. It was such an enjoyable experience when I did it last quarter and I am so exhausted for more times to come. My hobbies are the gym, reading, and hanging out with my friends!
