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AMWA 2021-22 Board
Co-President
My name is Emma Nguyen and I am the 2021-2022 AMWA Co-President! I am a fourth-year majoring in Human Biology and Society with a concentration in Bioethics and Public Science Policy and minoring in Global Health. I joined AMWA my freshman year at UCLA, because I wanted to find a supportive space to pursue my interests in health care and build collaborative relationships with passionate peers and local healthcare professionals. Throughout my time at UCLA, I have advocated to broaden the accessibility of reproductive health and justice by serving as the Research Director for the University of California Coalition for Reproductive Justice and interning for the Iris-Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Education and Research Center. Outside of AMWA, I enjoy reading at the beach, practicing hot yoga, and exploring Southern California!
Emma Nguyen | Human Biology & Society
Co-President
My name is Amy Pham and I am one of AMWA's 2021-2022 Co-Presidents! I am a 3rd year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major from Los Angeles, and I joined AMWA in my freshman year as a way to meet supportive peers with similar career interests and find useful pre-health resources. Since then, AMWA has been such a special place for me where ambitious and passionate women can come together to support each other professionally, academically, and socially. Outside of AMWA, I am also involved with brain cancer research with the Kornblum lab group, serve as Artistic Director for VSU Modern, a Committee Head for Vietnamese Community Health, an organic chemistry Learning Assistant with the UCLA LA program, and the Spotlights/Social Media Director for national AMWA's Dance, Theater, and Medicine Initiative. In my free time I love to dance, watch movies, drink milk tea, and explore LA with friends.
Amy Pham | Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Vice-President
My name is Rebekah Alfred and I’m the Vice President for AMWA! I’m a third year Human Biology and Society major, concentrating in medicine and public health. In my free time, I love trying out new recipes, spending time with my friends and family, and exploring places around Los Angeles. AMWA holds a special place in my heart because it was the first club that I joined. Thinking back to the first AMWA meeting I attended, I remember being unsure of what to expect, but this feeling quickly dissipated as I was greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces. After this, I have gotten to see how special this organization is. Our events are the perfect mix of educating members, while also being a forum for members to make genuine connections with each other. During my term, I’m excited to work with our wonderful board and interact more with our amazing members!
Rebekah Alfred | Human Biology & Society
Soriendo con el Corazon
Co-Director
On my free time I enjoy going to the beach and thrifting with my friends. I joined AMWA because it was a welcoming and uplifting environment for women in the medical field. Outside of AMWA I participate in the Healthy Tomorrows Park Project, creating a mindfulness curriculum for underserved students in East and South LA.
Gabriela Soto | Biology/Public Health
Soriendo con el Corazon
Co-Director
Hi, my name is Kavee Dodampahala and I am a third-year Neuroscience major and Statistics minor. Currently I am the Co-director for Sonriendo con el Corazón, a non-profit organization that works to aid communities in need in Tijuana, Mexico. As Co-director, I look forward to creating meaningful volunteer opportunities for our members to participate in. I joined AMWA my first quarter at UCLA because I was drawn to the emphasis this organization places on collaboration and community among women in STEM. Over the past two years, I have gained a lot of insight about pursuing a career in a variety of healthcare industries by interacting with other undergrads and healthcare professionals through AMWA. Outside of AMWA I am a Care Extender for UCLA Health and participate in undergraduate research. In my free time I enjoy running, painting, and exploring LA with my friends.
Kavee Dodampahala | Neuroscience, Statistics Minor
Publicity
Marketing Director
Hi! My name is Joy Lee, and I am excited to be one of your Publicity Marketing Directors for this year! I am a third year Psychobiology major and double minor in Disabilities Studies and Biomedical Research. Since joining AMWA my freshmen year, I found a group of supportive women who inspired me to pursue my growing interest in community health care. Along with AMWA, some of my other involvements include raising awareness for pediatric cancer with BFPC, mentoring kids in STEM with BEAM, and working as a pediatric cancer undergraduate research assistant. In my free time, you’ll catch me playing volleyball, exploring new music, or hanging out with friends and family! I'm excited to meet all of our new and returning members, and I hope to see everyone soon!
Joy Lee | Psychobiology, Disability Studies Minor, Biomedical Research Minor
Publicity
Media Director
Hello! My name is Eva Danesh and I am a second-year psychobiology major from Los Angeles! I am the 2021-2022 Publicity Media Director and am excited to be on AMWA’s board! I joined AMWA at the start of my freshmen year and found a group that was welcoming, encouraging, and fun. I was looking for a group that would both motivate me during my time as a pre-med and also inspire me to explore opportunities and careers in healthcare, and I was able to find that and more in AMWA! Outside of this club, I am a writer for Morning Sign Out and I am also a contributor to the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s newspaper, where I enjoy writing News and Quad blogging articles, in addition to producing videos and creating TikToks for our account. As a Publicity Director this year, I am thrilled to be able to share all the wonderful things we do in AMWA with the world!
Eva Danesh | Psychobiology
Social Director
My name is Sydney Vigil and I will be the AMWA Social Director for the 2021-2022 school year! I am a second year, planning to major in psychobiology, and I am from Los Angeles, California. I joined AMWA my first quarter at UCLA and I immediately felt welcomed in the warm, nontoxic pre-med environment that it offers. Later in my freshman year, I began interning for AMWA board, finding an efficient and tight knit group that I had hoped to one day be a part of! AMWA provides endless opportunities for its members that I believe will be crucial on my path to becoming a medical professional. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering at my local hospital, baking, cooking, singing, drawing, and I love animated shows/movies! I am excited to plan this year’s socials and hope to get to know everyone in person after such a long year!
Sydney Vigil | Psychobiology
Co-Professional Development Director
My name is Keerthana Sivathasan and I am one of the Professional Development Co-Directors for AMWA! I am a senior at UCLA pursuing a Psychobiology major in hopes of becoming a pediatrician. Outside of academics, I love spending time with my family and friends, hiking, and trying new foods! Even though I have lived in SoCal my entire life, I have definitely discovered several new fun places throughout my time in Los Angeles. I joined AMWA to learn more about women’s health because that is an area in medicine which needs more research and funding, as it has a tendency to be overlooked. Through AMWA, I have gained life-long friendships, stronger connections with my communities, and better guidance for my future career. Joining AMWA was the best decision I have made in my undergraduate experience, and as one of the Professional Development Co-Directors this year, I hope to make sure all of you love and cherish it as much as I do.
Keerthana Sivathasan | Psychobiology
Co-Professional Development Director
My name is Noelle Szczepanski and I am a third-year Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Major. I joined AMWA my first year at UCLA because I wanted to be a part of a community dedicated to supporting women in healthcare. AMWA has allowed me to take part in many eye-opening experiences, which include community service events, guest panels, and educational presentations. AMWA has truly helped me visualize my own career and life goals as someone pursuing a STEM career. Outside of AMWA, I am a writer for Bruin Medical Review. My hobbies include reading, running, camping and going on long car rides with friends.
Noelle Szczepanski | Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Community Service Director
I joined AMWA my freshman year with the intent of meeting fellow pre-health students. Throughout that time, I’ve met some of the most incredible and supportive women I know. I’m so excited to give back to a community that I look up to so highly, and I can’t wait to meet everyone this year! Apart from AMWA, I spend my time in miscellaneous volunteering and undergraduate research. I also like reading, thrifting, cooking, and sewing. I’m really excited for our new board, and I can’t wait to see what incredible things we do this year!
Katrina Winata | Physiological Science
Mentorship Director
My name is Sa and I am the Mentorship Director! I am a third year majoring in Physiological Science and minoring in Music Industry. I joined AMWA in my second year hoping to find new friends and guidance from other women who want to pursue medicine and I was delighted to find out that AMWA gave me just that! The club is so welcoming and feels almost like a second family to me. Along with AMWA, I volunteer at Ronald Reagan and as an athletic trainer for club sports. I am also extremely involved with UCLA Jumpstart as a Corps Member and spend lots of time with Jumpstart serving the underserved local communities by helping children build their educational foundation. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, songwriting, and cooking.
Sa Nguyen | Physiological Science, Music Industry Minor
Finance Director
My name is Bella Adorable and I am currently a third-year Biochemistry major. I am so excited to be AMWA’s Finance Director this 2021-2022 school year! I joined AMWA because I wanted to be part of a supportive, uplifting community of inspiring young women who have a passion for healthcare and helping those in need. I’m so glad to be connected with a welcoming group of women whose goals align with mine. AMWA has also given me countless resources and information that have been incredibly invaluable to me as I navigate my path to becoming a doctor. Outside of AMWA, I am involved in Advocating for Intersectional Medicine through their Finance Committee and I am also a member of Project Sunshine. In my free time, I love to watch movies, read, and go on adventures with my friends (whether it be sightseeing, traveling, hiking, etc!)
Bella Adorable | Biochemistry
Secretary
My name is Brittany Tran, and I am the AMWA Secretary. I joined AMWA as a way to engage with a supportive community of women who are equally as passionate about healthcare. AMWA has helped me explore my interests in healthcare, further my passion for the advancement of women in medicine, and provided opportunities for me to give back to my community. Outside of AMWA, I am involved in Asian Pacific Health Corps, Medical Experience through Service in Healthcare, and Care Extenders at Ronald Reagan Medical Center. I also participate in cancer research as a member of the Lili Yang Engineering Immunity Lab and Dr. Radu's Molecular and Medical Pharmacology Lab. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing piano, and playing tennis with my friends.
Brittany Tran | Physiological Sciences
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