From Hanford to Stanford
Micah Olivas grew up in Hanford, CA and graduated from Hanford High School in 2016. Joining the 18th SFHC cohort, he pursued his interest in science, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. With help from Smittcamp Director Dr. Saeed Attar, Micah got involved with undergraduate research early in his time at Fresno State, working under Dr. Laurent Dejean in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His project used cell biology experiments to explain how air pollution affects lung immune cells, particularly in regions like the Central San Joaquin Valley. This experience deepened his understanding of the impact that research can have on addressing personal, tangible issues.
Driven by his research interests, Micah spent his summers at Duke University and Stanford University, learning research techniques in cancer biology and genetics. Micah became Fresno State's first recipient of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship in recognition of his efforts. In his senior year, Micah studied abroad at Oxford University's Lady Margaret Hall, supported in part by the Smittcamp Family Foundation’s Samuel T. Reeves Merit Award. He was also named a finalist for the Marshall Scholarship. Furthermore, he earned a graduate fellowship from the Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi to support his transition to graduate school.
Outside of classes and lab work, Micah was a coordinator and counselor in Camp Kesem, performed with the FLOCC comedy improv troupe, and served on a steering committee for the California Air Resources Board to plan a Community Emissions Reduction Plan in Fresno County in response to State Assembly Bill 617.
Currently, Micah's journey has taken him to the Genetics Ph.D. program at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, where he is an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Fellow. His research focuses on how genetic variation influences protein functions, aiming to better predict disease treatments and advancements in synthetic biology.
“Choosing SFHC at Fresno State was one of the most important decisions I made in pursuit of higher education. Beyond the classes and clubs, it was the friends I made in the Honors College that played the biggest role in enriching my experience. We explored volunteering events in Fresno and ventured across California on road trips and other adventures. Even before graduating, these Smitties were founding, publishing, and performing ideas that carried their influence outside the University and into the community. Since then, they’ve ventured around the globe to pursue these passions. Smitties have a passion that's hard to match, and I’m grateful to count them as my lifelong friends.
Fresno State’s faculty played a monumental role in shaping my path after college. Dr. Saeed Attar and Dr. Laurent Dejean ushered me into the world of undergraduate research. In addition, Dr. Joy Goto encouraged me to explore summer research opportunities that challenged my skill set. Dr. Alejandro Calderon-Urrea and Dr. Cory Brooks allowed me to enroll in graduate courses where I was exposed to advanced concepts in molecular biology that prepared me for graduate school admissions and the lab work that I now do daily.
The Smittcamp Family Honors College has created something truly amazing in Fresno. Over a quarter century, the students, administrators, and faculty of Smittcamp have shaped a culture of scholarship that not only uplifts Central Valley students but also catapults them towards opportunities they might never have envisioned when they entered college. Go Smittcamp and Go 'Dogs!’”