One year after graduating UC Santa Cruz, Ozzy Bagno is pursuing his Ph.D. at one of the top medical schools in the country, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He will be the first in his family to earn a graduate degree.
Bagno recently finished his first year as a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology program. His week consisted of morning classes followed by research rotations in three different labs for six weeks each and multiple core classes ranging from biophysics to genetics to cell biology. Going into his second year, Bagno has chosen Dr. Luisa Cochella’s lab as his permanent thesis lab, where he studies how microRNA-mediated gene regulation contributes to cell-type specification in the nematode C. elegans.
His favorite part of his first year at the university was rotating between different kinds of labs and learning from different professors.
“The whole reason I came to graduate school was to conduct research and surround myself with outstanding scientists with whom I can discuss amazing ideas,” Bagno said. “There is only so much you can learn from a textbook, and in the lab you can push the frontiers of biology forward.”
He credits UC Santa Cruz’s MCD Biology department and STEM Diversity programs for giving him the tools necessary to pursue his goals.
“The MCD Biology Department strongly inspired me to pursue graduate school. My classes were taught by awesome faculty who were always approachable and answered any of my questions about science and life.”
Bagno said that professors like Grant Hartzog, John Tamkun, Josh Arribere, and Needhi Bhalla at UCSC all mentored him in some aspect and gave him the confidence to pursue a Ph.D. In his second year, he joined Dr. Alan Zahler’s lab and conducted research until he left for Johns Hopkins University in the summer of 2023.
“Al fostered a supportive lab environment in which I felt comfortable doing research and was not afraid to ask questions. He supported me every step of the way.”
STEM diversity programs at UCSC played a pivotal role in Bagno’s undergraduate education. As a Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) scholar, Bagno received a stipend and a position to work in a campus laboratory, which allowed him to focus on lab work without worrying about finding other ways to support himself financially. The STEM Diversity Programs also hosted professional development workshops, provided academic support in the form of tutoring, and worked to elucidate the various scientific careers one can pursue after undergrad.
“I met so many amazing people through the STEM diversity programs, many of which I formed close friendships with,” Bagno said. “Yuli Ortega, Xingci Situ, and Dani Bolanos all work tirelessly to run the programs and foster a sense of community and belonging.”
After earning his Ph.D. Bagno plans to pursue work in the biotechnology industry or become a postdoctoral fellow, and eventually a professor. He wants to help make science more accessible to underrepresented groups by mentoring undergraduates and disseminating science to broad audiences.
Bagno is grateful to his parents who have supported him every step of the way.
“My parents have always been extremely supportive of my endeavors and have always told me to pursue anything I am passionate about. I would not be in the position I am today without their love and support.”
Read more about the Class of 2023 and their lives beyond the UCSC redwoods.
