Laina is responsible for the UCLA NIH Bridge Program for Community College Students, the NSF CAMP Program at UCLA (California Alliance for Minority Participation),and SACNAS and other research conference participation for URC/CARE students. She also serves as advisor for UC LEADS students, CARE Fellows and Scholars and Warners Scholars, and particularly enjoys helping students find the best labs for them to pursue their research interests at UCLA. She has been involved in many community development and community outreach projects for her entire career. Laina has an MFA in Media Arts and has produced several award-winning documentaries, and taught at UCSB, LACC and at the Hope Street Family Center in downtown Los Angeles. She is currently doing research for a dissertation about science education and new methods for communicating scientific concepts through contemporary media.