Over 200 people gathered at the UCSF Mission Bay campus on Saturday, February 28 for the 26th Annual Koret UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium, hosted by UCSF for the first time since 2005.
Launched in 2000, the University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program trains California’s future leaders by preparing promising students for advanced education in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM). UC LEADS identifies undergraduate students with the potential to succeed in these disciplines, but who have experienced situations or conditions that have adversely impacted their advancement in their field of study.
UC LEADS Scholars participate in a two-year program, including 2 years of scientific research at their home campus, an 8-10 week summer program and research at another UC campus, professional development, and graduate school preparation.
UCSF has hosted a total of 123 UC LEADS students in its Summer Research Training Program (SRTP) — celebrating 40 years in 2026 — and 39 UC LEADS scholars have entered UCSF basic science PhD programs. Their contributions have strengthened our research enterprise and enriched our academic community over many years.
A highlight of each academic year, the Koret UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium is an opportunity for mentors and scholars from across the UC system to meet as an intellectual community. This year’s event drew 105 undergrad scholars, 30 UC LEADS staff members, and about 50 judges from across UC and industry. The symposium featured poster presentations by scholars, a panel with UC LEADS alumni, networking session with faculty, a keynote address, UCSF lab tours, and the opportunity to meet other members of the UC LEADS community.
One of the featured speakers at this year’s symposium was Beatriz Osuna, PhD ʼ19, a UC LEADS alum and graduate of UCSF’s Tetrad PhD program. Now a co-founder of SF-based biotech company Tacit Therapeutics, Osuna’s keynote address emphasized the vital role that communities of support play in the scientific journey, highlighting their importance in fostering her learning and empowering her to pave her own path through self-advocacy. Throughout her talk, she shared photos of key programs and mentors who shaped her path, including SRTP, Dr. Gabriela Monsalve, Dr. Joe Bondy-Denomy, UC LEADS, and Dr. D’Anne Duncan.
As a first-generation Latina, I didn’t grow up having much exposure to what a career in science could look like, so UC LEADS truly expanded what felt possible for me. It was an honor to return as the UC LEADS Symposium keynote speaker .... it was exciting to connect with scholars who are shaping the future of research, and I loved sharing my journey with students.
– Beatriz Osuna, PhD ’19, UC LEADS and UCSF alumna
The symposium is made possible through the dedicated efforts of UC LEADS coordinators across the UC system, who spend nearly nine months planning the event in partnership with UC LEADS Statewide Coordinator Ana Guerrero and Director Michele Johnson and the host site, UCSF. The host team comprised several staff members from GEPA, including Yvonne Garcia, UCSF UC LEADS coordinator, and Analisa Bea, events manager. The event was also bolstered by the many volunteers and poster judges who contributed their time and expertise on the day of the symposium.
All photos by Ricardo Espinosa Lima