Hello.
My name is Steven Sutton. I am a student at UCLA in the Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) undergraduate program.
I started at UCLA in the summer of 2025, after finding the end of a winding road through community college that began at age 14. Much of the work that went towards my high school diploma was done alongside college students working towards their Associates degrees. After I earned that diploma, I bugged out of California for a year to attend a small liberal arts college called Reed College in Portland, OR.
It is a constant challenge, when examining my undergraduate timeline, to explain to people that I did not leave a respected 4-year university to return to a community college because I flunked out. On the contrary, I was one of the highest academic performers at the school, receiving a Commendation for Academic Excellence from the faculty. The reasons people choose to attend community college are more wide reaching than I could've ever imagined when I began my full time year there, and a community college, more so than any other academic institution, embodies the uplifting and egalitarian ideals of education. Returning to community college for the single year I spent as a full time student is quite possibly the best decision I have ever made, and it did nothing but advance my academic and personal development. I was able to leave an era of academic roboticism behind and enter one where I am truely passionate about what I am studying and excited about every next step I take.
The work I did at Stanford Medicine that year was a catalyst for that change. As a part of life sciences arm of Stanford Small Science Groups, a research program designed for San Francisco-area community college students, I did work that has proved formative and pivotal. Working with Ivy Evergreen of the Kundaje Lab I performed a literature review into the delivery methods of exogenous androgens for targeting clitorophallus growth in transgender men, and working Rachel Turn of the Jackson Lab I developed a research plan for investigation of excess androgens on healthy ovarian tissue with applications in PCOS treatment and gender-affirming medicine.
I am extremely proud of the work I did at Stanford. It gave me the opportunity to learn a critical amount of information about the day-to-day processes of biomedical research, and I am forever grateful to the people who facilitated my journey through the program.
Now, with 5 years of various forms of college behind me, I am beginning my time at UCLA. The list of things I want to do there is longer than the number of terms I can stay there, so while cutting back has never been in the plan, it might have to occur. Key word: might. That is why this website is so bare bones. It, like my future, is currently being built.
Below is, for all intents and purposes, my CV. I am on the prowl for a position in lab doing research in developmental biology, microbiology, pharmacology, stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioorganic synthesis, or any field related to these areas.
www.linkedin.com/in/stevendeansutton
stevensutton@ucla.edu (institutional)
steven@thesuttonfamily.com (permanent)
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
University of California, Los Angeles
June 2025 - June 2027 (in progress)
Associate of Science for Transfer - Biology
Cañada College - Redwood City, CA
College of San Mateo - San Mateo, CA
Skyline College - San Bruno, CA
June 2020 - May 2023; June 2024 - May 2025
Reed College - Portland, OR
August 2023 - May 2024
High School Diploma
Design Tech High School - Redwood City, CA
August 2019 - May 2023
Research and non-Academic Laboratory Experience:
Stanford Small Science Groups - Palo Alto, CA and Remote
September 2024 - May 2025
Performed a comprehensive literature review under the supervision of a Stanford researcher in the Kundaje Lab into delivery methods of exogenous androgens for targeting clitorophallus growth in transgender men.
Developed a research plan for investigation of excess androgens on healthy ovarian tissue with applications in PCOS treatment and gender-affirming medicine under the supervision of a Stanford researcher in the Jackson Lab.
Reed College Chemistry Student Project - Portland, OR
March 2024 - May 2024
Determining the Effect of pH of Dyeing Solution on the Adherence of Leucoindigo Dye – Performed basic laboratory research into adherence conditions for leucoindigo dye. The entire lab procedure was performed independently by a student group without influence or instruction from an instructor or lab manager.
A poster was created and presented at the Reed College student chemistry research fair at the end of the spring 2024 semester.
Research Intern - Pets in Need - Redwood City, CA
Led team of 4 through research process to gather data about local stray cat population to support future “trap-neuter-release” population control program run by shelter.
Academic Awards:
Dean's List - San Mateo County Community College District (Cañada, Skyline, San Mateo)
Fall 2024, Summer 2024, Summer 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021
Commendation for Academic Excellence - Reed College
2023 - 2024