BASIS Volunteer: Maggie Stoeva

April 2016

We spotlight Maggie Stoeva, a 3rd year PhD in Microbiology at UC Berkeley.  Read Maggie’s story about growing up in Canada, teaching students about science, and exploring the outdoors.

From Bulgaria to Canada and China to the Bay Area, Maggie Stoeva has traveled around the globe.  Currently, Maggie is in the 3rd year of her PhD in Microbiology at UC Berkeley and we are thrilled that she can spend some time in the Bay Area.

Maggie was born in Bulgaria, and moved to Canada when she was 2 years old.  She grew up in Canada where she first developed a love for biology with excellent high school teachers.  Maggie did her undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa and studied Environmental Science because she wanted to develop technology that would help the world.

After her undergrad, Maggie moved to China where she taught Kindergarten at a private school.  She loved the especially friendly people that she met and would love to go back at some point.  Continuing her spirit of adventure, Maggie embarked on a journey with her best friend to California for a month.  They traveled to places such as Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Big Sur, Yosemite, and the Sequoias.  After seeing the natural beauty, Maggie applied only to schools in California and ended up at Cal.

Maggie teaches a BASIS lesson called “Microbes in Action” to 4th Graders with other members of the Plant & Microbial Biology department at UC Berkeley.  One exciting part of their lesson is showcasing a nucleation protein that turns water into ice!

In teaching, Maggie likes how students make connections and ask difficult questions, yet is surprised at how much students already know.  She also loves the look on kids’ faces when they “get it.”  Teaching a BASIS lesson has changed the way that Maggie communicates science as she reflects on what is effective and what is not based on who she is teaching.

Maggie also teaches classes as a Graduate Student Instructor at Cal.  She loves the individual attention that she can give her students and the hands-on nature of the work.  Maggie loves the outdoors, sunshine, and hiking.  One of her favorite hikes is Wildcat Canyon in Berkeley.  We’re excited to see where Maggie’s passions take her as she continues exploring.