2017 Incoming Grad Series: Teodora Losic

The 2017 Incoming Grad Series continues, featuring backstories and fun facts on 8 students who are part of our largest and most diverse incoming class in recent memory.

Grad school marks the next chapter in Teodora Losic's UCSB adventure, as she just graduated from UCSB in the spring with her B.S. in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology. She is very excited to work alongside familiar faces and continue her Master's research in the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department.

Read on to learn more about ​Teodora's childhood and her recommendations for activities to do in Santa Barbara.

	THE STORY Teodora was born in Germany after her parents moved there with her older sister in 1993 to escape the war in Bosnia. S​he fondly remembers visiting castles with her family and playing in the wintertime snow. When the war ended, her family was told they could no longer stay at their new home in Germany and had to go back to Bosnia. Thus, they began to apply to programs for war refugees. Catholic Charities ​resettled them to San Jose, California, ​and Teodora has lived there ever since. She and her sister made frequent trips back to Sekovici to stay with their family in Bosnia and learn how to speak Serbian. Going back and forth between the tech capital of the nation and a small rural village with less than 2,000 people ​opened her eyes to the diversity in the world ​as she grew up.
	WHY UCSB "The best decision I've ever made was to come to this school," Teodora said. ​When her PI approached her about applying for the Master's program at UCSB she knew it was the perfect opportunity to spend more time ​in a place that she loves while continuing her research. She is looking forward to making more memories with old and new friends, living by the beach, and being a part of an amazing research university.
	RESEARCH INTERESTS Teodora currently ​works in the Herbert Waite Research Lab focusing on material sciences and bioengineering. While her undergraduate research was in plant molecular biology, she has always been fascinated by biotechnology, specifically nanotechnology. After taking Dr. Waite's physical biochemistry class, she approached him about joining his lab for her graduate studies and is looking forward to researching in a new direction.
	FUN FACTS Teodora admits that her favorite pastimes include not only eating carbs but also drinking them via wine tasting. These hobbies pair themselves well with binge-watching Game of Thrones, Westworld, Handmaid's Tale, Flight of the Conchords, House of Cards, and stand-up comedy. She also likes to go on runs down Sands Beach to catch the sunset or hike the Gaviota Wind Caves. One of her favorite things to do in Santa Barbara is to hop on a Landshark for an evening ride down State Street. Grab some friends and give it a go!

Welcome, ​Teodora!

Be sure to subscribe to the GradPost and check back each day until the start of classes for the continuation of our Incoming Grad Series. Up next is Sarah Dunne, an incoming Ph.D. student in History who is finally coming to Santa Barbara from Dublin, Ireland, to fulfill her dream of attending UCSB for graduate school.