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Merit Partners Biographies for Spring 2015

	Aloura Alcantar, Team Leader Aloura Alcantar is currently a third year Sociology major at UC Merced. She was raised along Route 66 in Barstow, CA. Through this course she would like to learn more about recidivism rates within the central valley’s prison system. She is especially interested in developing better methods to reduce the return rates of offenders to prison. Some fun facts include her love for knitting, baking, and reading.
	Socorro Martinez, Deputy Leader Socorro Martinez Junior is a third year Bio-Engineer student at UC Merced. He was born in Turlock CA, but was raised in a small town named Winton. Through this course he hopes to improve his communication skills and gain experience as a leader. What he is most excited about is that he will be able to get involved with his community. He plans on contributing to the team by ensuring all deadlines are met, as well as making sure all time is being used efficiently. On his spare time he likes to play soccer, hang out with friends, and watch television.
	Amanda Pandey, Communications Officer Amanda Pandey is a first year Computer Science and Engineering major and is from San Ramon, CA. She hopes to gain experience collaborating with a variety of people and hands-on teamwork experience. She’d like to contribute to the team by carrying out her role as Communications Officer efficiently and professionally.
	Tyler Ngan. Inventory and financial Officer Tyler Ngan is a fifth year Bio-Engineering student of the University California Merced. He was born in New York City, New York, but was raised in Brentwood, California. With this project, he hopes to gain skills and experiences with this team as the IFO. His goal is to provide his own perspective and knowledge to aid the Merit Partners group as well as in hoping to contribute back to the community.
	Alexandra Shoji, Webmaster Alexandra Shoji is currently a fourth year Chemical Science major with an emphasis in Materials Science at the University of California, Merced. She was born and raised in Pasadena, California. Her goal is to contribute to the group by supporting the team and creating new ideas and solutions. Her many hobbies include cooking, baking, any art related activities, and performing chemical experiments.
	Tyler Rackelmann, Webmaster Tyler is a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in Earth Systems Sciences, B.S., at the University of California, Merced. He was born and raised in Mountain View/Los Altos in the Santa Clara County. Through this program, he hopes to contribute in some way to reducing recidivism, build connections with those involved, and applying research to a real-world setting. He loves rock climbing, Ultimate Frisbee, hiking, backpacking, writing in the third person, listening to and sharing stories.