Current Members
Executive Board
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Somya Jalan, President
Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Major: Physiological Sciences Extracurricular Activities: Middle School Education Director of Amigos de UCLA, Publicity Director of Pre-Medical Peer Association, Undergraduate Research Assistant under Dr. Kenneth Bradley, Global Medical Brigades in Honduras, Bruin Belles Service Association Hobbies: Reading, Music, Movies/Television Shows, Basketball, Snowboarding, Laughing, Family Vacations Greatest Accomplishment: Learning how to shoot a free throw from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Career Goals: Orthopedic Surgeon Favorite Quote: "Don't look to quotes for inspiration, inspire yourself." |
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Vivy Tran, Vice President
Hometown: Arcadia, CA Major: Biology Extracurricular Activities: Stroke Force, Department of Neurobiology, APA Health Care, AMSA, TA, Mental Note, Operation Mend, Cedars Sinai Cardiology, Cardiology Online, GK, WCHD Hobbies: Horseback riding and trying anything new Greatest Accomplishment: Being a sister, an aunt, a daughter, and a friend Career Goals: MD Favorite Quote: "Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good, either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be. "--Roald Dahl |
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Sona Parikh, Treasurer
Hometown: Oxnard, California Major: Neuroscience Extracurriculars: Undergraduate Researcher in Ganz Lab, Global Medical Brigader, Tennis Instructor, Volunteering, ISU Culture Show, AMWA Hobbies: Doing absolutely nothing, and being content with it. Tumblr-ing. Hustling. Laughing. Being absolutely ridiculous. Greatest Achievement: Under construction. Career Goals: Physician. Favorite Quote: "Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can break your peace of mind..."- Christian D. Larson |
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Ann Wang, Secretary
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Major: International Development Studies Extracurricular Activities: Business Assistant at the UCLA Volunteer Center, President of Invisible Children at UCLA, Medical Intern for ARC at RRMC, Intern at Catherine Cindy Leo Weddings, and SWC. Hobbies: Yoga, running, eating/cooking healthy, watching a TON of television, painting, event planning, hiking, surfing, and traveling. Greatest Accomplishment: Fundraising over $40,000 for Invisible Children while I was an intern. Career Goals: to become a social entrepreneur with a focus in international development issues. Favorite Quote: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” –T.S. Eliot |
Academic Committee
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Shilpa Argade, Co-Chair
Hometown: San Diego, CA Major: Biochemistry Extracurricular Activities: Project RISHI (Rural India Social and Health Improvement), Homeless Outreach through Prevention and Education (HOPE), Emergency Medicine Research Associates (EMRA), AAP Peer Learning Facilitator, Undergraduate Science Journal, Premed American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Research Assistant. Hobbies: Dancing, watching movies, cooking, reading, playing with my puppy :) Greatest Accomplishment: Performing my Arangetram (solo dance recital), winning 4th place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Career Goals: To become a physician and volunteer abroad. Favorite Quote: "All our dreams can come true ? if we have the courage to pursue them." ~ Walt Disney |
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Arjun Saggu, Co-Chair
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario Major: Human Biology and Society Minor: Music History Extracurricular Activities: Cultural Affairs Commission, T.E.A.C.H. Health Intern, Hands for Africa Hospital Liaison, Mixed Student Union, Community Service Commissioner for Rieber Terrace, Golden Key International Honour Society, Global Public Health Brigades Hobbies: Karate, soccer, piano, reading, making lists, and everything Lord of the Rings Greatest Accomplishment: Progress Career Goals: Public health advocate for unspecified countries in the majority world Favorite Quote: “All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien |
Alumni Relations Committee
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Areni Shahinian, Co-Chair
Hometown: Los Angeles, California Major: Political Science Extracurricular activities: Scouts, UCLA Kappa Alpha Pi Co-ed Pre-Law Fraternity, Armenian Student’s Association Hobbies: Dancing, gymnastics, camping, hanging out with friends, laughing! Greatest accomplishment: From all my accomplishments, the one I find most valuable is my work at scouts. As a scouts leader I get to inspire and lead 20 amazing young girls. Being able to shape the leaders of tomorrow means the most to me. We have a motto at scouts “Elevate yourself and others with you” and I live by this every day. My successes are not enough; being able to influence others to achieve things like I have is my greatest accomplishment. Career goals: Criminal Prosecution Attorney Favorite quote: "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." -Ursula LeGuin |
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Golmah Zarinkhou, Co-Chair
Hometown: Shiraz, Iran Major: History Extracurricular Activities: Vice President of Public Relations, Secretary & Webmaster, National Society of Collegiate Scholars; News Writer, UCLA Daily Bruin; UCLA School of Dentistry Volunteer; Premed American Medical Student Association; Service Learning Student, Westwood Horizons; Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority Hobbies: Reading, writing fiction and poetry, collecting stickers—especially the sparkly ones, participating in debates about the Harry Potter wizarding world, and searching for the real-life version of Sheldon Cooper Greatest Accomplishment: Earning the Thelma L. Culverson Scholarship to UCLA Career Goals: Making a difference and enjoying myself in the process Favorite Quote: "No, look, all we need is a no-pressure situation where we can force things to happen naturally" - According to Jim |
Awards Committee
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Jennifer Movsessian, Tip of the Hat and Honorary Member Coordinator
Hometown: Glendale, CA Major: Political Science and Sociology Extracurricular Activities: President of Alpha Gamma Alpha Sorority, Executive board member of Armenian Students’ Association, National AGA Marketing ,Publicity and Social Director, UCLA Students for Progress in Employee Language Learning Tutor, Director of Children’s and Youth Miniseries, Intern at HTAE Church, Teacher’s Assistant at Haygazunyatz Armenian School, BruinCorps Tutor, Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Alpha Greek Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society Hobbies: Arts & crafts and baking cupcakes Greatest Accomplishment: Serving as class president for four years in high school, the first to do so in the 100 year school history. Career Goals: Participating in Teach for America after graduation then attending a top Educational Administration program to finally become a school administrator or employee of the Department of Education. Favorite Quote: "As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives." -Henry David Thoreau |
Calendar Committee
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Angela Arunarsirakul, Co-Chair
Hometown: Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA Major: Southeast Asian Studies, History, Political Science Extracurricular Activities: Southeast Asian Campus Learning Education and Retention (SEA CLEAR) Project, Vietnamese Student Union, United Khmer Students, Thai Smakom, UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, UCLA Committee on Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools, UCLA Council on Planning and Budget, UC Committee on International Education, Undergraduate Students Association - President's Office, External Vice President's Office, Academic Affairs Commission, Alumni Scholars Club, College Honors Program, Hobbies: Reading the newspaper, running half marathons, creating greeting cards, painting portraits, exploring LA via public transportation, having critical discussions about social and political issues, Greatest Accomplishment: Completing the San Francisco Half Marathon the day after I finished a rigorous Public Policy & International Affairs fellowship Career Goals: Get a Ph.D, research, teach, and work on policies in the education sector Favorite Quote: A smile is a present in a special way because you still get to keep it when you give it away! |
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Sahar Shiralian, Co-Chair
Hometown: Encino, CA Major: English and Comparative Literature Minor: French Extracurricular Activities: Editor-in-Chief of the Undergraduate Law Journal; Pre-Law Society; Justicecorps Intern; Popular Culture section editor, blogger, and columnist for FEM magazine;Student Educator at The Hammer Museum; (UCLA’s feminist news magazine); editor for Aleph, (UCLA’s Undergraduate Research Journal); President and Founder of the UCLA Opera Club; UCLA Representative of LA Opera’s College Advisory Committee; French Club; Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society); Golden Key International; Dean’s Honors List; Honors Collegium; English Departmental Honors; Comparative Literature Departmental Honors Hobbies: reading, discussing, and writing poetry, discovering more about modern and contemporary art, seeing operas, going to concerts, playing the cello, being a shameless shopaholic, having long conversations over coffee and scones, spending time with my awesome little sister, and obsessing over Lana Del Rey Greatest Accomplishment: Becoming Editor-in-Chief of the UCLA Undergraduate Law Journal Career Goals: Entertainment Law or Corporate Law Favorite Quotes: “Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” -Oscar Wilde “I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.” -Anaïs Nin |
Communications and Publicity
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Carmen (Andrea) Chavez, Co-Director of Communications
Hometown: San Diego, California Major: Sociology | Spanish Extracurricular Activities: Univision News Department Intern 2012 –Present; Management Leadership for Tomorrow 2011-Present; Riordan Program Alumni Association 2011-Present; Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Vice President 2011-2012; KCET Program Marketing Intern 201 Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Assistant Chapter Orientation Advisor 2010-2011; Latino Greek Council Scholarship Chair 2010-2011; Secretary for Order of Omega 2010-2012; Secretary for Gamma Sigma Alpha 2010-2012 Hobbies: Working out, going to the beach, listening to music, strolling, shopping, baking, and spending time with family and friends. Greatest Accomplishment: Being the first female in my family to attend college. Career Goals: To obtain an MBA. Favorite Quote: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” – Nelson Mandela |
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Serli Polatoglu, Co-Director of Communications
Hometown: Northridge, CA Major: English Minor: Political Science Extracurricular Activities: Contributor to and former editor of the Daily Bruin, sister of Alpha Gamma Alpha, member of JusticeCorps, member of the Armenian Students Association, member of the Alumni Scholars Club Hobbies: Reading! I do a lot of that as an English major, but reading for pleasure is a rarity I try to treat myself to as much as possible. Greatest Accomplishment: Proudly serving as the Daily Bruin's Opinion Editor for the 2011-2012 academic year. Favorite Quote: "For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" |
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Tatiana Nemanim, Director of Publicity
Hometown: Santa Monica Major: Undeclared Extracurricular Activities: Student Health Advocate (SWC), Student Researcher at PEG Study, incoming Resident Assistant, active lover of life! Hobbies: Reading, gym, and sun-time Greatest Accomplishment: Becoming a part of Mortar Board :D Career Goals: Pharmacy Favorite Quote: “When it rains, put on a coat.” |
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Community Service Committee
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Michael Jew, Co-Chair
Hometown: Monterey Park, CA Major: Physiological Sciences Extracurricular Activities: Vice President of Recruitment, Phi Delta Epsilon; President, Bruin Scouts; Undergraduate Research Assistant, Dr. Gwack's Calciomics Lab at the David Geffen School of Medicine; Served as a Site Coordinator, TEACH; Undergraduate Caseworker, UCLA Mobile Clinic Project; Volunteer, Assisting Residents in C-ICARE at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center Hobbies: Enjoying Scenic Views, Basketball, Board Games, Walking my Dogs, "Cleaning" the Apartment with my Apartment-mates Greatest Accomplishment: Achieving the Rank of Eagle Scout; Becoming a Bruin; Hiking the Incan Trail to Machu Picchu Career Goals: Family Medicine Physician Favorite Quote: "Go big or go home" - Johnny Tsunami |
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Mynga Le, Co-Chair
Hometown: Rosemead, California Major: Psychology Extracurricular Activities: Resident Assistant with the Office of Residential Life, President of Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society), Fernald Research Lab Intern, Camp Ronald Mcdonald Counselor, Camp Kesem Counselor, Invisible Children Intern Hobbies: Spending time with loved ones, Singing, Reading, Writing, Trying new things and exploring new places. Greatest Accomplishment: Wait for it… Career Goals: To have a career that makes me smile every time I think about it, in addition to starting a nonprofit organization. Favorite Quote: “Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” -Mother Teresa |
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Allison Portney, Co-Chair
Hometown: Arroyo Grande, CA Major: Anthropology B.S Minor: Public Health Extracurricular Activities: Founding member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority at UCLA, Lemelson Anthropology Research Program, Intern at the American Red Cross in their Government Relations Division, CAPPP Quarter in Washington, DC, Test of Oral Proficiency Questioner, Representative of Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol, mentee in a Physician Mentoring program and Public Health Mentoring program, UCLA Hillel Hobbies: Reading, discovering new music, experiencing different cultures, traveling, watching movies, and eating lots of sweets Greatest Accomplishment: I’m still working on it! Career Goals: Receive a Master’s Degree in Public Health with a concentration in International Health and begin to change the world! Favorite Quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”- Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Funding Committee
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Wan Jung (Yvonne) Chang, Co-Chair
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan Major: Global Studies Minor: Film, Television, and Digital Media Extracurricular activities: Programming Co-Director of Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA), Internal Vice President of Bruins for Taiwan, Research Assistant of Fuyoush, Office Assistant of ARC Films/ Trigram Films Hobbies: reading, traveling, cooking, and watching movies Greatest accomplishment: leaving my hometown alone for the state when I was 18 Favorite quote: “The only disability in life is bad attitude.” – Scott Hamilton “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.” – Steven Jobs “Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts.” – Winston Churchill |
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Jenna Chilingerian, Co-Chair
Hometown: Fresno, California Major: Political Science Minor: Civic Engagement Extracurricular Activities: Internships, President of the Political Science Student Organization, Peer Learning Facilitator at the Athletics Peer Learning Lab, ALD PES Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Colleges Against Cancer. Hobbies: exercising, organizing, being a tourist, exploring local cultures (i.e. I love farmer's markets) Greatest Accomplishment: So far, being able to, on my own, fund 1-year of college through merit-based scholarships. Career Goals: Anything and everything dealing with politics and government that takes me back to Washington, D.C. Favorite Quote: Don't hope good things happen, make good things happen |
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Historian and Webmaster
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Rashi Singh, Historian & Webmaster
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA Major: Psychobiology Minor: Biomedical Research Extracurricular Activities: Research Assistant -- UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program (Lai Lab); Research Assistant at the UCLA Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology (Sun Lab); Director of the Alumni Mentor Program -- UCLA Alumni Scholars Club; Director of Communications -- Golden Key Honor Society; Tennis Instructor -- ACEing Autism; Official Notetaker the UCLA Office for Student Disabilities; Surgical Assistant -- Charitable Eye Hospital, India; Alpha Lambda Delta & Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies; Physician's Assistant -- Santa Barbara Eastside Neighborhood Clinic; UCLA Honors College; Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Recipient Hobbies: Listening to Latin music, playing tennis, shoe shopping, eating sweet potato fries, relaxing back home Greatest Accomplishment: Doing everything humanly possible as a Bruin!Career Goals: Neurosurgeon Favorite Quote: "All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson |
Scholarship Committee
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Jeffrey Lin, Co-Chair
Hometown: Arcadia, CA Major: Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Extracurricular Activities: Co-Editor-in-Chief, UCLA Undergraduate Science Journal; Public Relations Chair, CPR & First Aid Program; Student Research Assistant under Dr. Linda Liau. Hobbies: basketball, tennis, taekwondo Greatest Accomplishment: Overcoming my fear of flying. Career Goal: Physician Favorite Quote: "Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back."- Harvey Mackay |
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Katelin Shepardson, Co-Chair
Hometown: Lancaster, California Major: History Minor: Education Extracurricular Activities: Director of Activities and tutor with WATTs Tutorial Program, Student coordinator at Undergraduate Admissions, Volunteer at Sundown Elementary, Performer with Hooligan Theatre Company (Suessical) Hobbies: My hobbies are spending as much time as possible with my family. I love to be active; running, soccer, and dance are my favorite activities. And I love reading (non-school related reading that is.) Greatest Accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment was my acceptance into the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers. This program prepares us for a graduate-program setting, and will help me with my GRE classes and pay for 10-15 graduate applications in the fall. It is a tremendous opportunity and will be a huge stepping-stone towards preparing me in the best possible way to become an educator. Career Goals: My goals for my future are centered on education. I want to work in the classroom as a teacher and eventually begin to work with education policy within the school district, continuing on to state-wide and nation-wide education policy. Favorite Quote: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)” |
Selections Committee
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Malav Patel, Selections Chair
Hometown: Gainesville, FL Major: Biology Extracurricular Activities: Phi Delta Epsilon, Camp Crystal Lake – Camp Counselor, Research Assistant – Genetic Dissection of Behavioral Flexibility: Reversal Learning in Mice, Office of Residential Life-Learning Center Consultant (L.C.C.), Measuring and Assuring Patient Safety (M.A.P.S), Tennis Club, Together Educating and Advocating Community Health (T.E.A.C.H), California Teach – Elementary School Level Science Intern. Hobbies: Being outdoors, going on random adventures with friends, Tennis, Running, Biking, Water Skiing, Archery, travelling, watching reality shows and playing Mario Kart. Greatest Accomplishment: Moving across the country to attend UCLA as an out of state student. Career Goals: To become a Psychiatrist. Favorite Quote: “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” –Robert Frost |
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Evan Shih, Orientation Chair
Hometown: Irvine, CA Major: Physiological Science Extracurricular Activities: Co-Head Coordinator, Student Stroke Team; Referrals committee chair, Mobile Clinic Project at UCLA; Director, CPR/First Aid Program; Research Assistant, Medical and Molecular Pharmacology Sun Lab; Regents Scholars Society; ALD/PES Honor Society, Hobbies: Playing basketball, going to the beach, skating around town, watching movies, reading, and enjoying time with family. Greatest Accomplishment: Planning my own trip to Peru, Earning the Regents Scholarship to UCLA, and surrounding myself with such radiant family and friends. Career Goals: Become a physician and give back to the community. Favorite Quote: “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” – Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie. |
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Patil Kodchian, Membership Assistant
Hometown: Glendale, CA Major: Psychology Extracurricular Activities: Member of Psi Chi, Alpha Gamma Alpha, and the Armenian Students Association, Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Social and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory Hobbies: My hobbies include playing volleyball, drawing, and going hiking. I also love approaching big dogs any time I come across one and trying out different types of restaurants Greatest Accomplishment: Wanting to accomplish more! Career Goals: Working with stroke patients and all other individuals who have experienced any sort of brain injury as a Speech Pathologist, helping with the rehabilitation of their speaking abilities. Favorite Quote: “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” ~Abraham Lincoln |
Social Committee
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Edwin Eshaghzadeh, Co-Chair
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA Major: Physchobiology Extracurricular Activities: Founder and External President, ImpactLA; Campus Engagement Intern, UCLA Hillel; First Year Network Intern, UCLA Hillel; Bone Biology Researcher, UCLA Dental School; Volunteer, Pre-Dental Student Outreach Program; Volunteer, Friendship Circle Hobbies: Running, Basketball, Singing in the shower, Sipping on hot cocoa by a fireplace listening to smooth jazz on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean Greatest Accomplishment: Smiling (: Career Goals: Being happy, Oral & Maxilla Facial Surgery Favorite Quote: "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." ~Stephen Grellet |
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Lidia Liang, Co-Chair
Hometown: Irvine, CA Major: Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Extracurricular Activities: Assistant Director and Instructor, UCLA CPR/First Aid Program; Research Assistant, Medical and Molecular Pharmacology Research Assistant under Dr. Ren Sun; Research Assistant, Membrane Biology under Dr. George Sachs; Lifescience 23L Undergraduate Assistant; Editorial Board, Undergraduate Science Journal; Case Worker, Mobile Clinic Project; Department Coordinator Assistant and Care Extender, Ronald Reagan Hospital; Pre-assigned Shadowing Program, Ronald Reagan Hospital, Pediatrics Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Hobbies: Fighting "bad guys" and going on adventures with my 7 year old little brother. Baking fun, crazy weird desserts that usually end up being inedible. Traveling the world (slowly). Karaoke. Spending hours in puppy stores. Going to Aquariums and Zoos!!! Long conversations over "fine politics" aka potential Zombie attacks with my roommate. Impulsive shopping. Fashion magazines and blogs. Writing about random realizations throughout the day. Theme Parks!!! Especially disneyland. Eating giant turkey legs at disneyland. Eating everything. Trying new, exotic foods from different cultures. Long hikes to enjoy beautiful scenery. Debating! Reading psychology magazines, articles and blogs. Reading classic novels and being a book worm. Enjoying the finer things in life :) Greatest Accomplishment: I attended 9 different schools growing up. I was able to stay optimistic and accepting of the new environment every time my family moved. Throughout this process, I have interacted with so many different kinds of people and have grown to love and accept different personalities, beliefs and cultures. Career Goals: Become a physician and be involved in non-profit health clinics for underserved populations. Favorite Quote: "Hakuna Matata" It means no worries, for the rest of your days :) |
Special Projects Committee
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Janice Ma, Co-Chair
Hometown: Arcadia, CA Major: Biology, Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor Extracurricular Activities: APA Health CARE Referrals Director, UCLA School of Public Health Research Assistant, Center for Community Learning Frontiers of Human Aging Course Service Learning Coordinating Assistant, Resnick Immunonutrition & Metabolic Research Laboratory, UCLA Geriatrics Research, AHMC Clinical Assistant, Cakes We Bake Hobbies: spending quality time with family and friends, museums, traveling, cake decorating, watercolors, sports, interior design, hiking, art history, adventures Greatest Accomplishment: Winning the Pick 'n Save coloring contest as a kid :) Career Goals: Public health and medicine Favorite Quote: “The secret of life…is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” - Paulo Coelho |
























