Our Team
Program Leadership
The SJSU SCILL Leadership Team is comprised of four SJSU faculty members each member brings a unique expertise to the program. The Team meets periodically to discuss program curriculum, budget, interview applicants, and review internship placements.
Tzvia Abramson
Program Director
Professor, SJSU
Dr. Abramson provides administrative oversight including issues related to budget approval, student recruitment, staff employment, scheduling and staffing classes, laboratory safety and regulatory compliance. The director is also responsible for reviewing and implementing Advisory Committee decisions.
Dr. Leila Khatib has worked as an industry consultant for 10 years prior to entering academia. Her specialization includes the development of molecular methodologies for public health applications. She currently is Assistant Professor of Virology and is serving on the management team for the SCILL program.
Dr. Bree Grillo-Hill
Assistant Professor, SJSU
Dr. Grillo-Hill provides expertise in developmental and cell biology, and will assist with trainee selection, internship placement, and program assessment.
Dr. Walter Adams
Assistant Professor, SJSU
Dr. Walter Adams is a pathogenic microbiologist promoting DEI topics at SJSU. He brings to the program his expertise in reaching out to a diverse pool of potential applicants as well as advising on equity and inclusion.
Administrative Personnel
Salma Farid
SJSU SCILL Program Coordinator
The SJSU SCILL Coordinator is involved all administrative aspects and the primary point of communication for the program.
Faculty Mentors
SCILL students and interns are required to have three committee members for their MA/MS degree. One of the committee members is the internship mentor and the other two are SJSU faculty as chosen by the student.
SJSU faculty mentors accept students into the graduate programs as required by the Department of Biological Sciences and provide academic advisement. They also advise students in forming their graduate committee, and completing their culminating experience. Mentors play an active role in their student’s mentorship team.
Tzvia Abramson
Professor Biological Sciences
(408) 924-4872
tzvia.abramson@sjsu.edu
Bree Grillo-Hill
ASTP Biological Sciences
bree.grillo-hill@sjsu.edu
Leila Khatib
ASTP, Virology
leila.khatib@sjsu.edu
Cleber Ouverney
Professor Biological Sciences
(408) 924-4806
ouverney@email.sjsu.edu
Sabine Rech
Director of the Master of Biotechnology Program
(408) 924-4832
sabine.rech@sjsu.edu
