Desiree for Burlingame - Meet Desiree

Meet Desiree

I was born and raised in a working family in Michigan. My mother was recruited from the Philippines during the nursing shortage in the 1970s, and my father is an Army veteran and worked over 30 years on the assembly line at General Motors. I went to college at the University of Michigan, then moved to California for graduate school and earned a PhD in Biochemistry. I've lived in the Bay Area since 2006, working as a scientist and educator. My partner, John, and I have made Burlingame our home since 2015. My priorities for District 2 are livability, safety, and community and economic vibrancy.

Community Service and Training

Citizens Environmental Council (CEC) of Burlingame, Board Member, 2018 to present

I joined CEC as a volunteer in 2017 and as a board member in 2018. My focus with CEC has been youth programs, high school scholarships, liaison with Peninsula Clean Energy, and the newsletter.

Peninsula Clean Energy's Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Member (2017 to present) and former Chair (2019-2021)

I am currently serving a third term on Peninsula Clean Energy's CAC. I have been a board-appointed member of the CAC since 2017 and served as the chair for two years from 2019-2021. In addition to acting as a liaison to the community, providing feedback on PCE policy and operational objectives, and engaging in outreach to the community, I worked on sub-committees focused on education programs, diversity and equity, strategic planning, distributed energy resources, and building electrification.

Youth Climate Ambassador Leadership Program, volunteer staff, 2019 to present

I co-led a pilot high school leadership program in Burlingame (2017-2018) that expanded countywide as a partnership between the San Mateo County (SMC) Office of Education, SMC Sustainability Department, Acterra, CEC, and PCE. I've continued as a volunteer staff member for 5 years, helping to train more than 250 high school students in leadership and climate action. Our program won the 2024 Sustainability Award from Sustainable San Mateo County.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), trained member by Central County Fire Department in 2017; also trained in CPR/First Aid and Mental Health First Aid
California Academy of Sciences, volunteer docent (2007-2016)

I provided visitors with scientific interpretation of exhibits at the museum, with a focus on the aquarium and green roof.

Oxfam America, Lead Community Organizer for SF Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps chapter (2007-2016)

I conducted constituent lobby visits at the district and Washington DC offices of Senators Feinstein and Boxer and Representatives Pelosi, Speier, Eshoo, and Lee and secured their support for Oxfam's humanitarian work combating poverty and hunger in the U.S. and abroad. I trained volunteers in policy advocacy and community organizing skills, coordinated public events, and built an email listserv of 1500+ supporters.

University of California San Francisco Committee on the Status of Women, member (2010-2014)

I worked on unconscious bias training, backup childcare, and lactation facilities for the UCSF campus and hospitals.

Occupation

Alliance Manager - coordinate collaborations for discovery of new therapeutics (2020 to present)
Scientist, University of California San Francisco and biotech companies in the Bay Area (2006-2020)
Chemistry Instructor, UC Berkeley Extension (2015-2022)

Education

PhD degree in Biochemistry from Scripps Research Institute (2006)
BS degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Michigan (2001)

Photo does not indicate endorsement

District 2 includes the residential areas of Burlingame Terrace, Burlingame Grove, Burlingame Gate, Burlingame Village, a portion of Burlingame Park, and North Rollins and the business areas of Broadway, Rollins, North Burlingame, and Old Bayshore Bayfront.

Check if your residence is located in District 2 at Burlingame's official City Council Districts site.

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