From left to right: MCB Club officer Dave Valenzuela, MCB Club President Komal Cheema holding her Adam’s Award for Leadership certificate, incoming president Sierra Demaula, and faculty advisor Professor Ken Kaplan. The group stands smiling in front of a UC Davis backdrop at the 2025 Student Leadership Awards event.

MCB Club Reinvigorated: Komal Cheema Wins 2025 Adam’s Award for Leadership

  • by Kenneth B. Kaplan

After the pandemic the MCB Club had gone dark. Thanks to the work of a new group of students with passion for all things molecular and cell biological, the club is thriving again. This success is due in large part to the work of club president, Komal Cheema. Komal clearly had a vision for bringing in a diverse group of students who either take MCB taught courses, have a general interest in the molecular and cellular aspects of biology or craved more structured social interactions around a common interest.

A sign of a good leader is their ability to recruit others who share a common vision. The leadership team Komal assembled and led are themselves remarkable and a testament to her energy. Pictured in the photograph (from left to right) is Dave Valenzuela (Club officer), Komal Cheema (president),  Sierra Demaula (Club officer and president elect for next year) and professor Ken Kaplan (faculty advisor). Not included in the photo are club officers, Veda Nayak, Samantha Hall (Treasurer) and Yousuf Mustafa.

The Adam’s Award for leadership in a student organization recognizes Komal’s leadership skills and her success at reviving and reinvigorating an SRO. The club has grown in numbers and the events have evolved during her tenure to serve students across majors, departments and colleges. Her impact as a leader is truly broad and definitely worthy of recognition. Please join us in MCB in congratulating Koma and please visit their website if you’d like to be part of the vibrant MCB Club.