Bionerds was born in September 2015 in Orange County, California. It was founded with a mission to nurture curiosity, share lifetime passion and give opportunities for the younger generation to learn about biology through self-discovery. We believe each individual is a bionerd. Living things are too amazing not to be wondered about. When the right environment is provided at a young age, a child will learn and appreciate how amazing living things are, no matter how small or not-so-good-looking they are.
Bionerds will be there for the kids to do hands-on experience that are fun, memorable and educational at the same time. Our curriculum is currently designed for Kindergarten to 8th-grade children.
We are proud and passionate Bionerds!
The people behind Bionerds are fun, energetic and of course, bionerds. We are a family business with some of the co-founders being kids themselves. Our goal is to awaken your kid’s inner bionerd once and for all. All Bionerds’ teachers are college graduates with Biology or other Science degrees/experiences and have been cleared from the background check, TB, and drug tests. They are also CPR certified.
Co-Founders and Consultant
Diana Dizon
Diana Dizon is the co-founder and president of Bionerds. Biology has been her passion ever since she can remember. She thinks the human body is a very fascinating machinery. She earned her bachelor degree in Medical Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry from California State University, Long Beach. Then, she continued her academic journey to earn a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology from the University of California, Irvine. She co-authored several publications related to her field. She is also a mother of two children who are curious about everything. Spending more than 16 years combined in pharmaceuticals, academic research and manufacturing department has only deepened her love for biology. Now she is excited to be sharing her passion, expertise, and experience with the younger generation.
Ryan Dizon
Ryan Dizon is the co-founder and Film Director at Bionerds. Ryan is attending University of California, Riverside, and has been extensively working in Film and Broadcasting program at his schools since he’s a 7th grader. He enjoys helping Bionerds to grow by giving feedbacks from student’s perspective, to assist teachers in class, and to create/edit films and videos captured or used for education throughout the program at home. He is excited to share his talent and effort to bring Bionerds to the next level.
Nicole Dizon
Nicole Dizon is the co-founder and Educator Assistant at Bionerds. Nicole is currently attending high school and has been extensively helping Bionerds since the beginning. She contributed many ideas to the company from the start. She is currently taking many science classes at school and hoping to be a nutritionist one day. She enjoys working with teachers and students in class. When not working, she is busy running for her school’s Cross Country and Track & Field team.
Sopheap Phin
Sopheap Phin, Ph.D., is the curriculum consultant at Bionerds. She helps develop our curriculum, which is guided by the California Department of Education standard and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) Program. She earned her bachelor degree in Medical Microbiology and Molecular Biology from California State University, Long Beach and her doctorate degree in Developmental Biology from the University of California, Irvine. She authored numerous publications in her field and has experience teaching students from the elementary to the college level. She is very passionate about science as well as sharing her enthusiasm for biology. Bionerds is very grateful to have her on board.
Our Dedicated Teachers and Assistants
Anika Kenion
Anika Kenion is an Educator Associate who received a BA in Integrative Biology from University of California, Berkeley, with an emphasis on Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology. She taught for several summers in the Ocean Sciences Program with the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego and spent the last year as an educator at SeaWorld San Diego. She also spent a year in Puerto Rico mentoring college students and engaging in relief work. In addition to teaching at Bionerds, she develops curriculum and teaches ocean science with Sally Ride Science @ UCSD Extension. In her free time, she loves singing, writing and reading poetry and spending time with loved ones. She is passionate about exploring the world of biology with students and creating learning spaces to inspire growth, compassion and challenge. Bionerds is fortunate to have her on our team.
Elizabeth Mesic
Elizabeth Mesic is an Educator Associate who graduated from University of Minnesota with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Public Health. She has years of experience working with kids. She went on to work with a laboratory technology company where she worked with laboratories all over the United States on their purification processes. After observing the after-school programs at her child’s school, she jumped at the chance to share science with kids in a fun, hands on way. She enjoys the excitement kids bring to science and loves to see that interest grow. Bionerds is fortunate to have her on the team.
Eric Fan
Eric Fan is an Educator Associate who graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Masters (MS) degree in Biology and a Bachelors (BS) degree in Biological Science at the University of California, Davis. He has years of experience in marine biology and cancer research. He enjoys science because it is a field of study where he can always learn something new about the world around him. He enjoys playing music and maintaining his planted aquarium during his free time. While pursuing his Master’s degree he discovered a passion for teaching. He enjoys seeing the excitement in his students’ eyes when they learn something new, and he hopes that he can inspire the next generation of young biologists! Bionerds is fortunate to have him in the team.
Janiel Staana
Janiel is an Educator Associate who graduated from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa with a Bachelor’s (BA) degree in Public Health and a minor in Biology. He is pursuing a Master of Education in Teaching and a CA teaching credential. Janiel has years of experience in both healthcare and working with children. He served in the U.S. Navy for six years as a Hospital Corpsman working in Pediatrics and with the U.S. Marines. While pursuing his degree, he worked as a Teaching Assistant in a preschool and as a Peer Mentor with college freshmen. He had planned to pursue a career in medicine but realized his true calling was in education. Most recently, he worked as an Elementary Teacher teaching Math, Science, and Social Science. He hopes to inspire students to learn and help them find their meaning of success. In his free time, he enjoys rooting for the Lakers or the Rams, watching movies/TV shows, and looking for places to add to his “To-eat List”. Bionerds is fortunate to have him with the team.
Sandra Leo
Sandra Leo is a dedicated Educator Associate at Bionerds who graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Entertainment Art. Since a young age, she has maintained a strong interest in the sciences. By continuing to pursue areas of science throughout her education, she developed a deeper understanding of Biology. Sandra’s unique combination of skills allows her to create engaging classrooms, maximize hands-on activities, and use creativity to help inspire young minds. Her expertise in the arts and over 5 years of experience in teaching and coaching has been valuable in her role at Bionerds, where she also supports the company with her knowledge of content creation and media.
Sarah Christianscher
Sarah ChristianScher is an Education Associate at Bionerds. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Organismal Biology from Chapman University and her Master of Science degree in Biology from Cal Poly Pomona. Sarah has been teaching at community colleges in Southern California for the past three years, but prior to that, she worked as a substitute teacher for kindergarteners to 8th graders. Sarah believes all children are born to be scientists, and that curiosity about our world and how it works should be nurtured from an early age. Bionerds is so excited to have her to bring science to kids of all ages.
Wendy Ochi
Wendy Ochi is an Educator Associate at Bionerds. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Science at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She teaches science at the Ocean Institute, California State University, Long Beach Young Scientist’s camp and Discovery Science in Orange County. Wendy attended California State University, Fullerton where she took courses toward a single-subject credential. Her educational experience at CSUF validated her love of learning science and her desire to teach the subject. Wendy is passionate about mentoring young people, especially girls, and encourages them to pursue rewarding careers in the STEM field. When not teaching science, she enjoys photography, sports and considers herself a “foodie” who loves trying new eateries. Bionerds is excited to have her on our team.
Bionerds
PO BOX 81004
Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688
(949) 288-1486
hello@bionerdsllc.com
