Meet Shaylee Larson- 2025 CSEP Mentor Leadership Fellow

We are excited to introduce Shaylee Larson, a PhD candidate in Biological Engineering at UC Santa Barbara, as the newest CSEP Leadership Fellow. With a deep passion for research, mentorship, and outreach, Shaylee brings both experience and enthusiasm to the CSEP community.

Originally from Utah, Shaylee earned her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah. Her journey into STEM began unexpectedly through a scholarship program for women in science, which not only sparked her passion for research but also ignited her long-standing commitment to supporting all students in STEM.

As the CSEP Leadership Fellow, Shaylee hopes to make research opportunities more accessible to undergraduate students and more manageable for graduate mentors. She aims to design workshops and resources that center around mentee-driven project development, easing the mentoring process while ensuring meaningful skill-building and career preparation for mentees. 

Beyond the lab and classroom, Shaylee enjoys trail running, traveling, and spending time with her two cats. She is also a dedicated yoga and pilates instructor, bringing mindfulness and balance into her busy academic life. With a history of impactful outreach and award-winning science education initiatives, Shaylee’s leadership as a CSEP Fellow promises to strengthen our mentoring culture and inspire a new generation of researchers.