Get S.E.T. Biographies

Roman Kolodize - Project Manager

Kolodize is a fifth-year Mechanical Engineer major from Martinez, CA. Kolodize is now the Project Manager of Team Get S.E.T. He chose this team because he believes that a proper education can positively influence the life path of our community's youth. Professionally, Koldize has experience with motion graphics, video production, 3D modeling, and animation. In addition, he enjoys making music, drawing, and getting lost in YouTube for hours on end. Fun Fact: Roman often convinces people he is visiting from London as part of a research program. They usually like him less when he admits his accent is fake.

Jorge Luna - Assistant Project Manager

Luna is a second year Computer Science and Engineering student. He is the assistant project manager of the team. Luna chose this team because of his passion for teaching and volunteering in the community. Academically, he has experience with programing. Luna, is from California City, California and enjoys playing soccer during his spare time.

Victoria Manh - High School Sub Team Leader

Hailing from San Jose, CA, Manh is a 4th year student studying material science and engineering.  She joined this team because in high school she and her class went to local elementary schools to perform science and engineering demonstrations for the students and she enjoyed seeing their genuine interest in the demonstrations.  Victoria was the vice-president of the Circle K club at UC Merced and has done over three hundred hours of community service since she started studying at UC Merced. Currently she does not have any technical skills but hopes to gain some while working with Team Get S.E.T.  Fun fact: Victoria loves to travel and has traveled to five different countries.

Beatriz Morales Perez - High School Sub Team Leader

Morales-Perez is starting her third year as a transfer student in search of a degree in Material Science Engineering with an emphasis in nanotechnology. She is from Oxnard, CA. and transferred from Ventura College. Morales-Perez chose this team because, aside from having experience working with middle school and High School students, she also believes that by nurturing and motivating students they will be encouraged to further their educational goals.  She has volunteered with the Migrant Program for her Junior High Saturday School, as well as tutoring English Learner students. Morales-Perez has also volunteered for the El Centrito Family Learning Center STEAM, which stands for Science Technology Engineering Art and Math, Academy. In addition, Beatriz enjoys learning about Korean culture and language, listening to K-pop, making tamales, walking in the beach, and spending time with her family

Monica Portillo - Middle School Sub Team Leader

Portillo is a first year computer science and engineering student from Los Angeles, CA. She is now the Middle School Team Leader of Team Get S.E.T. Portillo has volunteered in her local elementary school by helping special education students. Her experience with children drove her to join the Team Get S.E.T because it promotes education for the children of the Merced community. Portillo believes that children are the future and wants to help them in the areas of math and science. An interesting fact about Monica is that she enjoys baking cupcakes because she bakes them with love. 

Veronica Lopez - Elementary Sub Team Leader

Lopez is a first year majoring in English. She is from Santa Ana, California, a predominantly Latino based community in Southern California. Lopez is the team leader of the elementary school team. In the past, she volunteered at her local Boys and Girls Club and Think Together program to help the younger demographic of Santa Ana overcome the detrimental influences within the community. It was an eye-opening experience that stemmed a love for education and made Lopez want to pursue teaching as a career. It was her love for children and willingness to embark on new experiences outside of her comfort zone that made her join this particular team. In addition, Lopez enjoys writing fictional short stories and watching anime

Karla Serrano - Communication

Serrano is a first year Mechanical Engineering student from Los Angeles, CA. She is now the Communications Officer of Team Get S.E.T. Serrano has always wanted to help her community and she believes she can achieve this by working with Get S.E.T. Professionally, She has experience with communications, robotics, video production, and event planning. In addition, Serrano enjoys reading, watching football games, and volunteering. Fun Fact: She studied abroad in Russia. Serrano can read, write, and speak Russian fluently.

Banyem Ufoegbune - Inventory & Procurement Officer

Ufoegbune, a 2nd year from Oakland, CA, is heading towards his goal of a degree in Computer Science and Engineering. He is the Financial Officer of Team Get S.E.T. Ufoegbune has experience working with the community as well as experience working with 3D programs. Ufoegbune chose this team because he likes the thought of being able to make an actual change in the community through the information that he has learned through his college life. He enjoys playing sports including golf, basketball, and soccer, and he also has fun hanging out with his friends. Fun Fact: Ufoegbune gets serious when the game turns into Monopoly. He gets very emotional when people cheat.

Mireya Juarez - Web Designer

Juarez is currently a second year pursing her Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is from Los Angeles, CA. Juarez is now the Webmaster for Team Get S.E.T. She chose this team because she has experience teaching students. Juarez believes that she could help out the community more than what she has done. She has taught circuits to middle school students at the PG&E facilities. Juarez has been helping out the community through the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Fun Fact: Juarez is 4'11 and has not grown since she was a freshman in high school. She is a very happy person and is always seen smiling. 

Christian Montes - Intellectual Property Officer

Montes is a 3rd year undergraduate student pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Engineering. He is the Intellectual Property Officer for Team Get S.E.T. Montes chose this team because his parents have been educators for over 20 years, and he has taken the opportunity to give back to the community. He is also currently the Vice President for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at UC Merced. Professionally, Juarez has helped host a conference, and has technical skills using Autodesk Fusion 360, MATLAB, and Java. He also enjoys playing the guitar, drumming, amateur beat-boxing, and spending time with family and friends.

Daniel Cortes - Team Member

Cortes is a first year student at UC Merced and his intended major is Mechanical Engineering. He is currently a member of the Demonstration Sub-Team for Team Get S.E.T. The reason why Cortes chose this team is because he wanted to collaborate in raising interest in Science, Engineering, and Technology. Furthermore, he has experience with graphic design. Cortes enjoys playing video games, traveling, and watching sports, as well as playing them.

Pedro Limon Hurtado - Team Member

Hurtado is currently a 4th-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. He chose the group because he believes that being able to help out in the community can benefit one’s own development in character and moral fiber. Hurtado also believes that this service can grant an experience outside the learning institution’s community for anyone who is willing to give their all in their services. He enjoys playing various genres of music on his own spare time. Fun Fact: Hurtado’s favorite productive hobbies are reading and drawing, while on occasions he will spend hours creating his own free-writes, as well as construct spontaneous monologue, fluctuating between short to extensive hours throughout the entire day.