BCCP 2023

Sarin Dochoghlanian

BCCP Undergraduate

Sarin is a fourth year student at UC Santa Barbara, pursuing a major in Political Science with a concentration in Political Theory, and a minor in Translation Studies. Sarin was born in Aleppo, Syria to an Armenian family, and in 2012, Sarin and her family immigrated to the United States, and settled in Pasadena, California. Since then, Sarin has been exploring the implications of her identity and reflecting on her ties to her country of origin, and to the homeland she never got to experience. Being a part of the Armenian and Syrian diaspora, Sarin is interested in conducting...

Marianna Orestes-Zoellin

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Marianna Orestes-Zoellin is a second-year political science student at UC Berkeley, specializing in political theory. Born in Monterey, CA to a Brazilian immigrant mother, Marianna is endlessly inspired by the narratives and struggles of her mother and tias alike. Her research is focused on a neo-colonial approach to the Brazilian diaspora and how Brazilian identity manifests within the greater Latinidad. Marianna's research interests also include civic engagement and representation, race and inequality, and the various dimensions of Latinx/e identity.

Amani Kim

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Amani Kim, a senior at the University of California, Berkeley, is a dedicated student majoring in Legal Studies with a keen focus on law and culture. Her academic journey has been defined by a passion for understanding the intricate relationship between legal systems and cultural dynamics. At Berkeley, she has engaged in extensive research, primarily centered on migration patterns, particularly in the Philippines. Her work delves into examining the positioning of Filipino immigrant and diasporic communities within the United States, with the objective to delve into and amplify the lived...

Chloe Ma

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Chloe Ma is a third year student pursuing a major in Ethnic Studies and a minor in Public Policy at UC Berkeley. Chloe was born and raised in China, and her family moved to Atlanta, Georgia when she was 14. Because of this experience, Chloe is passionate about learning the experiences of Chinese American immigrants and advocating for their rights through literature, academia, and laws and policies. In addition, she is interested in learning about the labor history of the Chinese immigrants, the current debate regarding the Asian Americans in the higher education admission system, and the...

Juan Araujo

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Juan Araujo is a 4th year anthropology major with a focus on studying recreational drugs in society at UC Merced. He loves to DJ, play baseball, and cook! He aspires to be a journalist or a professor in the future. He is from Los Angeles, CA.

Lauren Kim

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Lauren Kim is currently in her third year of studies, majoring in Economics and Global Studies with a concentration in Asia, Peace & Conflict Studies. Her unique upbringing saw her immerse herself in various Korean diaspora communities across Los Angeles, Seoul, and parts of Europe, nurturing a deep-rooted connection with Korean Diaspora communities. An advocate for the heritage of Korean traditional and Korean-American cultures, Lauren channels her passion into in-depth explorations of the history of Korean communities in the US, particularly the vibrant enclave of Koreatown in Los...

Joyce Lin

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Joyce Lin is a second-year transfer who is pursuing a B.A. History of Art at UC Berkeley. Before coming to UC Berkeley, she studied at Pasadena City College before transferring to four-year public institutions in California. She spent her early life in Taiwan and China before moving back to the United States, where she gave birth to pursue a college education.


Besides her major in art history, Joyce is interested in diasporic research on Taiwanese culture, which inspired her passion to work with the Berkeley Interdisciplinary Migration Initiative. She engaged with several...

Yvalisse Ganzon

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Yvalisse Ganzon is currently a second-year undergraduate pursuing Sociology with Public Policy and Journalism minors. Working alongside Amani Kim, the two seek to study the nuances of the diasporic experience of Filipino immigrants as they span from deep histories of American colonial occupation, labor exportation, government corruption, and activism. With a special interest in media to tell these stories, Yvalisse hopes to dispel misconceptions about what it means to be a part of the diaspora via analytical works of art, music, and personal storytelling. Deploying skills of cooperative...

Daniel Bui

BCCP Undergraduate
BIMI Team

Daniel Bui is a graduating senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Global Poverty and Practice. Born in Oakland to two Vietnamese refugees, he has experienced the hardships faced by working-class households, communities of color, and refugees in the area. As a result, many aspects of his life have been shaped by government programs and initiatives, fueling his deep passion for exploring public policy and governance—particularly in areas regarding immigrant adjustment and socioeconomic mobility. Daniel is thrilled to join BIMI this fall semester, where he hopes to conduct in-...