"Keep going": How graduate student Amber Peek turned adversity into award-winning research
When Amber Peek transferred to Cal State Long Beach, they were living out of their car.
Parked in a Planet Fitness parking lot and facing what they described as “rock bottom,” Peek found themself at a crossroads. Rather than retreat from uncertainty, they decided to move forward — even if the path ahead felt impossible.
“I was like, well, might as well just go for the hardest thing I could do with my life,” Peek said.
Years later, that mindset has carried Peek from a period of homelessness to becoming one of CSULB’s most celebrated graduate researchers — earning statewide recognition for their scientific work, communication skills, and perseverance.
This spring, Peek won the Don Eden Graduate Research Award from CSUBIOTECH, earned first place at both the CSULB and CSU Student Research Competitions in the Biological and Agricultural Sciences category, placed first at the CSULB Grad Slam and second at the statewide CSU Grad Slam, and was named to the Graduate Dean’s List of University Scholars and Artists.
For Peek, the recognition represents far more than a successful semester. It reflects years of hard work, mentorship, and a willingness to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.
Their journey is also emblematic of a broader vision shared across The Beach: creating environments where students feel a sense of belonging, receive meaningful support, and have opportunities to achieve academic success at the highest levels. Through research experiences and graduate student support systems on campus, Peek found a community that helped transform potential into achievement.
Discovering a path
Peek arrived at CSULB after attending Long Beach City College with plans to pursue veterinary medicine. While earning a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, they enrolled in a course taught by Dr. Deepali Bhandari, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and associate dean in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM).
The course changed everything.
“It was finally something that really caught my interest and clicked for me,” said Peek.
When Dr. Bhandari first met Peek, she quickly recognized their potential.
“I first met Amber in my upper-division biochemistry course, which inspired them to pursue research and ultimately graduate studies in my laboratory," Dr. Bhandari said. "Since then, I have had the privilege of watching them grow into an exceptional researcher."
At the time, cancer research was not part of the plan.
“I didn’t ever even see myself going into cancer research,” Peek said.
Today, Peek’s research focuses on colorectal cancer prevention, specifically investigating how aspirin may help reduce cancer risk. The project became increasingly meaningful as they learned more about rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults.
“There’s so much cancer research going on, but in this specific type of cancer, we’re still seeing the rates rising in younger people,” Peek said. “It’s a huge issue that needs to be addressed."
What motivates Peek most is the possibility of creating a preventive strategy that could be both affordable and accessible.
“If we could develop something that is accessible for millions of people and can be used as a preventive measure, I think it has the potential to be very, very impactful for a lot of different communities,” they said.
Turning research into impact
Over two years, the project helped Peek grow not only as a researcher but also as a communicator. According to Dr. Bhandari, Peek's accomplishments this year are virtually unprecedented.
"Amber has had a remarkable year representing CSULB at three CSU-wide student research competitions and may be the first CSULB student to earn top distinctions across all three in a single year," Bhandari said.
Through competitions such as CSU Grad Slam, the CSU Student Research Competition and the Don Eden Award, Peek learned how to translate complex science into a story that broad audiences could understand.
“I think something I really learned through these research competitions about communicating my research is how to tell it as a story,” they said.
With a background in sports and competition, they saw each presentation as an opportunity to train, refine, and perform.
“It was really fun to be able to compete with my research,” Peek said. “I think that drove me to work really hard because the way I approached it was more like training for an athletic competition."
Behind every presentation was a network of support.
Peek credits Dr. Bhandari, fellow researchers, faculty collaborator Dr. Jiae Lee, family, friends, CNSM, and staff at CSULB’s Graduate Center with helping them develop the confidence and skills to succeed. That community support reflects CSULB's larger commitment to fostering student success through collaboration, mentorship, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive academically and personally.
“There were days where we were up calling at 9 p.m., fixing slides and editing videos to get it perfect,” Peek said of Dr. Bhandari. “She goes above and beyond."
Dr. Bhandari said Peek's achievements reflect both individual determination and the opportunities available through graduate programs within CNSM and the broader CSULB community.
"Amber's success is a testament to their hard work and to the outstanding research and graduate training environment in CNSM," Dr. Bhandari said. "I am excited to see the impact they will make as a CSULB alum."
That support helped Peek begin to see themself differently, not just as a student trying to survive, but as a scientist with something meaningful to contribute.
“I did not have a lot of confidence in myself — in my intellectual abilities, my presenting abilities, any of that — when I came in,” Peek said. “But being around people that constantly tell you that you’re doing really well, it’s really, really helpful."
Peek is preparing for the next steps: defending their master’s thesis, pursuing a Ph.D., continuing their research, and building toward a future in biomedical science.
The road ahead still carries uncertainty. But uncertainty is no longer unfamiliar.
“It’s like stepping into the unknown,” Peek said. “Sometimes it definitely feels like it’s unattainable. But everything that I’ve done thus far that felt unattainable, I did it."
As Peek looks toward the next chapter, they remain guided by the simple yet poignant encouragement they received from CNSM faculty throughout their graduate journey: “Good job. Keep going."
Peek's journey illustrates what is possible when determination meets opportunity. From a student unsure of their future to a graduate researcher earning statewide recognition, their journey demonstrates the impact of supportive faculty, engaged mentors, and a university community committed to helping students realize their potential.
As Academic Affairs works to cultivate ecosystems of belonging and academic success across The Beach, stories like Peek's serve as a powerful reminder that student success is not achieved alone. It is built through communities that challenge, encourage, and invest in students every step of the way.
