Staff

This is MCB! Hear from Claudia Garcia

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) supports fundamental research and related activities designed to promote understanding of complex living systems at the molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular levels. Behind our mission stands a group of individuals whose efforts and great work make this Division outstanding; we are proud to showcase their hard work via this blog.

Claudia Garcia has a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from George Mason University. She is currently working on her second bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She came to NSF through the Pathways Program in February 2013. The Pathways Program in the federal government is designed to provide current students, recent graduates, and students with advanced degrees an opportunity to explore federal careers while enrolled in school. As Program Specialist, Ms. Garcia provides administrative support to the Molecular Biophysics and Cellular Dynamics and Function clusters. Furthermore, Ms. Garcia assists six program directors with the approval proposal cycle, which includes compliance checking, panel set-up, and award distribution. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and outdoor activities like biking and hiking.

This is MCB! Hear from Uebonda Denise McGee

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) supports fundamental research and related activities designed to promote understanding of complex living systems at the molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular levels. Behind our mission stands a group of individuals whose efforts and great work make this Division outstanding; we are proud to showcase their hard work via this blog.

Uebonda Denise McGee attended the University of Phoenix and began providing administrative support to MCB in March of 2008. Ms. McGee greatly enjoys working with the Genetic Mechanisms and System and Synthetic Biology clusters. As Program Assistant, Ms. McGee provides customer service, travel, and panel support to the division and the scientific community. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, reading books, and shopping.

This is MCB! Hear from Valerie Samantha Maizel

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) supports fundamental research and related activities designed to promote understanding of complex living systems at the molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular levels. Behind our mission stands a group of individuals whose efforts and great work make this Division outstanding; we are proud to showcase their hard work via this blog.

Valerie Samantha Maizel graduated from Fairfax High School in 2009. She then went to Northern Virginia Community College and began providing administrative support to MCB in 2011. Ms. Maizel greatly enjoys working for an organization that promotes science. As Administrative Support Assistant, Ms. Maizel handles travel arrangements, scheduling, correspondence, and other activities to enable the Division to meet its responsibilities. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, movies, and participating in several different social clubs.

Welcome to MCB Arvin Tahami!

Hear from Arvin Tahami, the newest member of the MCB Division.

What is your educational background?

I have a masters degree in Biotechnology from California State University, San Marcos.

What is your position? When did you start working in MCB?

I started two weeks ago as a Presidential Management Fellow. I work as a Biologist in MCB.

The Presidential Management Fellowship program is led by the Office of Personnel Management to recruit recent graduates from graduate programs into federal service. Recently OPM has added an additional STEM track designed specifically for recent graduates with a background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. My appointment is in the PMF STEM track.

What attracted you to work for NSF?

Scientists working on important projects to advance our basic understanding of science rely on funding from organizations like the NSF to carry out their work. My role at the NSF allows me the unique privilege to play a part in making sure that our nation’s top scientists, working on worthy projects with the potential to have the highest impact, can apply to the NSF for the funding they need.

What have you learned in the first two weeks of your position?

I am very excited to be a part of MCB. Everybody here is very passionate about our mission. So far I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to observe a couple proposal panel reviews. It has been very fascinating watching scientists debate the merits of each proposal being reviewed. Peer review is central to the advancement of science. Using this process to evaluate funding proposals is very fitting with the foundation’s mission. I’ve learned a great deal about how review panels evaluate proposals by watching them in action.