People

PLNU students who are interested in joining please follow steps outlined in "Cheng Group Expectations" document.

Our goal (and belief) is that everyone who has been through our group would be skilled, independent, and driven researchers who are ready for PhD and professional studies, or jobs that require creative problem solving.

Ashleigh Meltz '27 is a junior at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is from Foresthill, CA and is majoring in Biology on a Pre-Med track with hopes of becoming a pediatrician. She also has interest in potentially pursuing a career in biotech. Ashleigh has a passion for science, learning, and serving others. Outside of the lab, she also enjoys cooking, snowboarding, and spending time with the people she loves. She is honored to be a part of Dr. Cheng's research team and cannot wait to gain a deeper understanding of DNA/RNA polymers and their extensive applications. 

Beca Silva '27 is a junior majoring in Health Sciences on the pre-med track. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she is passionate about pursuing a career in medicine and exploring growth opportunities. On campus, she serves as a Resident Assistant for the second year, where she enjoys building community and supporting students. Outside of academics, she loves swimming in the ocean and spending time reading by the beach.

Brody Bangert ‘29 is a freshman at Point Loma Nazarene University from Tucson, Arizona. He is majoring in Biology-Chemistry, and hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career in medical research. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, especially basketball. Brody joins Dr Cheng’s research group in Fall 2025, and he looks forward to the opportunity to learn and discover new ideas.

Elijah Flodstrom '27 is a junior at Point Loma Nazarene University. He is a biology major from Port Angeles, Washington and enjoys skiing, surfing and staying active. He is currently pursuing a career in medicine with hopes to become a rural family medicine physician. 

Bridget Swansen '26 is a junior at Pepperdine University. She is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania where she grew up alongside her four brothers and six sisters. She is majoring in chemistry with a biochemistry emphasis and is on the pre-dental track. During her time at Pepperdine, Bridget has teacher-assisted several chemistry labs, she has participated in producing a calculus article, and is a residential advisor for undergraduate students. In her free time, Bridget enjoys surfing, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Bridget will be joining Professor Cheng's research group fall 2024 and she is excited to grow in her understanding and appreciation of chemistry.  

Chris Ghim '26 is a junior majoring in Sports Medicine with a pre-med track at Pepperdine University. He is planning to apply to medical school and pursue a career in the medical field. 

Isaiah Chung '25, hailing from Saratoga, California, is a senior double majoring in Biology and Chemistry at Pepperdine University, with hopes of becoming an interventional radiologist. Isaiah works closely with physicians on critical innovative topics on scanning modalities, where he recently presented on prostatic cancer identification, and supratentorial lesion fluoroscopies. Excited to explore the intersection between research and clinical settings, he will be working under Dr. Ho Fung Cheng on DNA-latex smart coding fall 2024.

Rakel Ang '25 is a senior at Pepperdine University majoring in chemistry and biology. She has spent two summers doing research in organic chemistry and has found a love for organic catalysis and methods. Outside of the lab she enjoys cooking, baking, painting her nails, and playing with her cat.

Vera Syers '26 is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Great Books at Pepperdine University. Vera always wanted to pursue the Medical Field, and is currently considering a path in radiation oncology. She loves travelling (especially trying new foods), which she had the opportunity to enjoy a lot of during her year abroad in Switzerland. In her free time she loves finding new genres of music to listen to, baking (and eating) chocolatey desserts, starting new language profiles in Duolingo, and spending time at the beach. She is honored to be part of Dr. Cheng’s research group and is really excited to help contribute to the field of Organic Chemistry research.