Fellows
Aside from their internship obligations, the following students work with coordinators on managing the program.
Note: Records are presented in alphabetical order.
Aireen Agulto
University of California, Berkeley
Aireen Agulto graduated from UC Berkeley in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Education. Aireen was a proud and active member of the Pilipino Association of Student Services and the Youth Mentorship Program at Cal, dedicated to helping first-generation Filipino students in San Francisco grow academically and personally, and acclimate to life in America. She loved being a tangible and realistic role model and still continues that enthusiasm as a Sylvan Learning Center Tutor and Teacher today.
Aireen’s college journey in pursuing a medical career started in her first year as a Molecular and Cell Biology major, but her direction abruptly changed as the pre-med cutthroat environment became her demise. However, after her experience in many neurosurgery and sleep lab research opportunities during her last two years at Cal, Aireen realized she wanted clinical experience and her passion for a career in medicine had not died with her change in majors. Thus, Aireen has completed the pre-medical requirements at Solano Community College in Fairfield, CA as a post-baccalaureate student.
Beyond academics, Aireen volunteers for the American Red Cross at David Grant Medical Center on Travis Air Force Base. She enjoys an active lifestyle of snowboarding, rafting, motorcycle riding, and daily workouts. Aireen can often be found babysitting her two nephews and niece and spending time with her family, with whom she is very close.
Aireen will be applying to medical school this cycle. As an intern, this program gave her a more clear and realistic perspective on what a surgeon encounters on a daily basis, help strengthen her characteristics that are becoming of a physician and helped her identify and resolve any weaknesses, and widened her understanding of health care in America. Now, as one of the academic coordinators, she hopes to provide helpful feedback to the current interns and introduce new and enlightening material to aid them on their journey towards medicine.
Rachel Borthwell
University of California, Davis
Rachel Borthwell grew up in Valencia, California with her parents and one younger sister. She graduated from Saugus High School in 2008 with Honors before moving to Northern California to begin her undergraduate studies at UC Davis.
Rachel is currently a third year student at UC Davis double majoring in Art History and Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. As a freshman, she became part of the Biological Undergraduate Scholars Program where she developed an interest in undergraduate research. Rachel has spent most of her time working in the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology with Dr. Jonathan Widdicombe. Her research focuses on the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, specifically the development of primary pig tracheal gland cell cultures. With the recent advent of the transgenic pig model of cystic fibrosis, she hopes to develop a reliable method of obtaining well-differentiated gland cultures that may help further our knowledge of airway gland physiology and its alterations in cystic fibrosis.
Rachel’s future goals are to attend medical school in the fall of 2013 and to specialize in the surgical field. She is excited for this opportunity to gain clinical experience and to learn more about what it takes to be successful in the medical field. In her spare time she enjoys reading, sports, the outdoors, and spending time in art museums all over San Francisco.
Claire Brownfield
University of California, Davis
Claire Brownfield was born and raised in San Jose, California where she lived with her parents and three younger brothers. After graduating from Presentation High School, Claire attended San Jose City College to complete her transfer requirements. While at SJCC, she attained her EMT-B certification and began teaching as a volunteer instructor in the SJCC EMT Training Program. This fall, Claire will transfer to UC Davis to complete her B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology before applying to medical school in 2013.
As well as being a full-time student, Claire holds two part time jobs as a life guard and EMT-B. She also volunteers as an EMT-B at concerts throughout the Bay Area. In her free time, Claire enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction books, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family.
Jane YunCheong Chang
University of California, Berkeley
Jane is a graduating senior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Integrative Biology and minoring in Education with the intent of becoming a physician some day.
Being a very active student in school, she serves as a resident assistant in the residence halls during the semester. As a mentor and role model for her residents, she spends most of her time in the residence halls carrying out large-scaled programs or small activities with residents that are intended to aid them in transitioning to college life. On campus, Jane is Editor in Chief of a science, society, and law journal, The Triple Helix. Being in charge of production and publication, she attends annual leadership conferences with other chapters at different schools across the country. Aside from campus-related activities, Jane volunteers her time at the Epstein research lab at the Children’s Hospital of Oakland Research Institute, helping with the identification of the activation and suppression of genes that lead to skin cancer. She has also been heavily involved with a local YMCA after-school program for the past years, dedicating her time serving the underserved low income community.
Jane spends her leisure time studying photography and hanging out with friends and family as she greatly enjoys being in the company of others. Every weekend after volunteering at a local Kaiser Permanente she visits her father who lives close to Berkeley.
Victor Chew
University of California, Davis
Victor Chew was born in San Francisco, California. He was raised by two parents who immigrated from Canton, China and is the oldest son of two brothers. Growing up in the Mission district of San Francisco, known for gang related violence and homicides, Victor found it difficult to keep up with his academics. It was not until high school, however, did Victor discover his true potential. His teachers challenged him and helped cultivate his knowledge, love for learning, and self-confidence.
Victor soon found an interest in science and saw it as a way to reach out and give back to his community. It was his love for science and obsession for helping others that led him to pursue a career in the medical field. Aside from educational activities, Victor was a well known athlete. His participation in varsity basketball helped him avoid the constant violence surrounding his neighborhood. Victor constantly follows an expression to motivate himself to achieve his goals “Setting limits prevents oneself from reaching their fullest potential, setting goals allows oneself to go beyond their potential and become legendary.”
In 2008, Victor became the first person in his family to attend college. He was accepted to the University of College, Santa Cruz where he majored in molecular and cellular developmental biology during his freshman and sophomore year. In 2010 Victor decided to transfer to the University of California, Davis majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. Throughout his time at UC Davis, Victor has committed many hours to the Pre-Medical Surgical Internship and have gain a vast perspective on the field of medicine and surgery.
Elizabeth Constantz
University of California, Davis
Elizabeth Constantz grew up as only child in Mountain View, California. The daughter of two medical research librarians, she was exposed to medical terminology from an early age. She developed a passion for medicine early on, watching her older cousin begin her path to medical school. As time passed, and her experiences and knowledge increased, this passion only grew.
Elizabeth recently graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, emphasizing in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, as well as with a minor in French. She will be applying to medical school in June.
While at UC Davis, Elizabeth has participated in various campus organizations. In her second year she and a friend co-founded the UC Davis chapter of Team HBV, a collegiate branch of the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University. Team HBV is focused on spreading awareness about the Hepatitis B virus on both a national and global scale. Since founding the UC Davis chapter, they have raised money, raised awareness, and most impressively worked with the state of California to provide free HBV vaccines to the Paul Hom Asian clinic in Sacramento. In her third year, Elizabeth had the opportunity to study abroad in Grenoble, France. During her stay, she was able to work with a Ph.D. student conducting research on the differentiation pathway of epithelial cells. The experience left Elizabeth with a greater level of laboratory knowledge and an increased interest in research.
In her free time Elizabeth enjoys white water rafting, and is a certified guide for the UC Davis organization, Outdoor Adventures. She is also a member of UC Davis club field hockey team.
Elizabeth is currently working as both outreach and evaluations coordinator. She is grateful for the friendships and wonderful experiences she has through her work with this internship.
Muninder Dhaliwal
California State University, Stanislaus
Muninder Dhaliwal graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Stanislaus with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in chemistry.
During her time at Stanislaus, Muninder was an active member of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology students, and worked as a biology and chemistry tutor for both high school and college students. She was also heavily involved in chemistry research, which focused on applying x‐ray fluorescence technology to the field of archaeochemistry. Her research has been showcased at numerous poster and oral presentation events including Hayward, Los Angeles, Burbank, Arizona and Puerto Rico. Muninder’s dedication to her research has not only led to two first place finishes in research competitions, but has also led to her work being accepted for publication in the Journal of Archeological Science.
When not involved in research or volunteering, Muninder works as an emergency department scribe at two valley hospitals. Muninder believes that her work as a scribe not only provides her with a real example of how medicine is practiced, but also gives her an opportunity to learn medicine in a way that is not possible in a classroom setting.
Her future goals include trying to learn how to play the guitar, mastering how to do the scorpion position in yoga flawlessly, training for a marathon, and eventually attending a medical school of her choice. Muninder is excited about returning to the internship program as a fellow, and hopes to help further foster the program so that many other premedical students can be given this amazing opportunity.
Stefan Estrada
California State University, Sacramento
Stefan Estrada is in his third year studying Biological Sciences at CSUS. When he was thirteen years old, he suffered multiple fractures to his right forearm which required two surgeries and six months to correct. During this experience he learned firsthand how exciting, complex and dynamic bones can be. This is what started his interest in bone growth, remodeling and orthopedics.
He has a skull collection of 8 mammalian skulls, and hopes to expand his collection to include full skeletal models. He has been married for four wonderful years and is raising two boys, two dogs and two cats. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, listening to Lady Gaga, and playing Dance Dance Revolution on Playstation.
Marissa Hughbanks
University of California, Davis
Marissa Hughbanks was born in San Jose, California and raised by her two loving and supportive parents in Hollister, California. She is the middle child with an older brother and younger sister.
At a young age, Marissa Hughbanks had a passion for learning. She was an ambitious child who constantly pushed herself to achieve whatever she had set her mind to. Marissa first discovered her interest in the medical field while visiting her childhood pediatrician. In high school, Marissa further developed her interest in the human body and its workings in her biology and human anatomy classes. Her desire to help others, coupled with her fascination with the human body drove her to pursue a career in medicine.
Marissa is currently a junior at the University of California, Davis majoring in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and minoring in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies. She aspires to attend medical school in the fall of 2012 in hopes of becoming a pediatric surgeon.
Marissa currently works as a research assistant for a surgical research lab in the UC Davis Veterinary Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences. In her spare time she enjoys reading, running, riding horses, and spending time with friends and family. Marissa is an optimistic go-getter who enthusiastically looks forward to what the future has in store for her.
Christopher Khoury
Saint Mary’s College of California
Christopher was born in Redwood City California in 1989 during the memorable earthquake that shook the bay area. He was raised in Milpitas as the second child of four and spent his childhood immersed in sports as well as his academics. During the summer after Chris’ sophomore year at Milpitas High, his family moved to Pleasanton where he attended Foothill High. During High School, Chris participated on the soccer and varsity baseball teams.
Chris then chose to attend Saint Mary’s College of California to pursue his BS in Biochemistry with a minor in Theology and Religious Studies. It was here at Saint Mary’s where Chris made the dean’s list while he matured into an adult and found his passion for science as well as medicine, while also being a part of the making of the college’s first men’s club soccer team. Christopher is a TA in General Chemistry after receiving the CRC award for top student in his own General Chemistry class. Chris is also a Health Educator in Peer Health Exchange program at Saint Mary’s, traveling to High Schools in Oakland to teach an HIV and STIs workshop to teenage students. Also while at Saint Mary’s he has taken a prestigious leadership role on campus, becoming a Resident Advisor and being on the frontline of the student residents’ interaction with their college.
Christopher spends a majority of his time at his church, where he has helped establish one of the strongest youth groups in the diocese, participating in fund raisers, volunteer events and lifetime bonding activities. Christopher is the co-director of athletics for his church, managing and coaching two high school teams and one adult basketball team in the Orthodox Youth Athletic Association. It is Christopher’s dream to become a doctor and help those who are less fortunate than himself. Christopher is deeply honored to be a part of this once in a lifetime experience as a pre-medical surgical intern at the UC Davis Medical Center.
Christine Kwong
University of California, Davis
Christine Kwong is a 21-year-old Chinese American currently completing her last quarter at UC Davis as a Biological Sciences major with an emphasis in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. She was born and raised in Sacramento as a middle child with two brothers. Alongside being a full-time student, she also works at the UC Davis Lung Cancer Research Laboratory as an intern for Chris Mahaffey Ph.D, whom is a researcher studying the p53 gene within lung cancer patients. In addition, Christine is also a proud member of the LGBT community and actively participates in the LGBT activities and organizations on campus. For example, she is currently a mentor for the Queer Mentorship Program at UC Davis, with hopes to be able to provide support, advise, and friendship to queer individuals in need of guidance.
Christine enjoys staying active everyday and dedicates herself equally to all of her commitments. Although she is a full time student with two internships, she still tries her best to find time to help the smaller, more local fundraisers and community organizations within Davis. Christine also enjoys painting/drawing whenever she can and tries her very best to spend as much time as possible with her family.
Christine’s hero and mentor is her mother, Mary Lew, who gives her the motivation and encouragement to pursue her dreams no matter how many obstacles may arise. Christine plans to graduate in March of 2011 and hopes to continue her education through medical school in hopes of achieving a life career within the medical field.
Lee Lankford
California State University, Sacramento
Lee Lankford is a 25 year old recent graduate of CSU Sacramento as well as a full-time employee at the Java City corporate warehouse in Natomas. In his free time he enjoys playing guitar, reading, as well as spending time with friends and family. Lee was born in Sacramento and grew up in a town just south of there called Elk Grove, where he attended elementary school through high school before moving into Sacramento to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biology at CSU Sacramento. Growing up in Elk Grove helped shape Lee into the person he is today. During his elementary through high school years he spent most of his time playing various sports such as baseball, soccer, and football.
In 2006 Lee attended the International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Medicine in China, which was an educational trip throughout many areas of China where he was given basic classes on the Chinese health care system as well as various forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This trip not only sparked in Lee a great enjoyment of traveling, but also was his first step in deciding to dedicate his life to becoming a physician. Since this time Lee has steadily put forth great effort to continue to grow academically and as a full-time employee. He has also devoted over 120 hours as a volunteer at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento, as well as maintained an active role in the UC Davis Dept. of Surgery Pre-Medical Surgical Internship, both as an intern as well as a Student Outreach Coordinator among other activities.
Currently, he is pursing admission to a graduate program at CSU Sacramento and is hoping to continue his journey on to medical school once obtaining a Master’s degree.
Aaron Lee
University of California, Davis
Aaron attended UC Davis where he majored in Psychology with a bio emphasis. As an undergraduate he began working with Professor Nolan Zane on a study looking at the effects of sociocultural effects on problem gambling and other outcomes. Concurrently, he was able to get a taste of MRI research by being a pilot subject in fMRI and ERP studies looking at brain activation in decision-making tasks. In 2005, because of his strong interest in the brain and the underlying biological substrates of behavioral disorders Aaron made the jump over to the UCD MIND Institute where he worked as the manager for the Computational Neuroimaging Laboratory where he both helped to develop new protocols for the volumetric analysis of specific brain regions and trained individuals from various affiliated laboratories in established protocols. In 2009 he joined the Autism Phenome Project as a Junior Specialist on the MRI team searching for differences in brain structures between children with autism and their typically developing peers.
Outside of work, Aaron is an avid kendo (Japanese “fencing”) practitioner and is currently an assistant coach for the UC Davis Kendo Club. He also has had a lifelong affinity for art and design and occasionally finds the time to draw and paint.
Sean Maddox
Sierra College (Rocklin, CA)
Sean Maddox is a full time student at Sierra College in Rocklin. During Fall of 2011, he plans to transfer to UC Davis and receive a B.S. in Psychology. Afterwards, he plans to apply for medical school in the 2013 cycle. He currently maintains a part time job serving at the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant in downtown Sacramento. In his off time during school, he often spends his time tutoring other students in Human Anatomy and Physiology, his favorite subjects. Outside of work and school, he enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding, and golf.
Sean currently lives in Roseville, California. He has three step-brothers, one half-sister, and one biological sister, so he has a lot to keep track of sometimes. Sean has many of the same traits as someone with a “Type A” personality, and attributes that to his success in holding a job, school, tutoring, and this wonderful opportunity to see the hospital and its doctors first hand. Sean is a very optimistic person and always has a smile on his face, no matter how good or bad of a day he may be having.
Mikhail Melnik
American River College
Mikhail Melnik is a second year college student who is attending American River College. He was born in Novovolinsk, Ukraine. A year and a half later after his birth, he and his family moved to Sacramento, California and had stayed in the area ever since. Mikhail has two sisters, both born in Ukraine, and two brothers, both born in America.
While in High School, Mikhail volunteered at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. After a couple of shifts, Mikhail saw the way doctors performed their jobs and the kind nature they had for their patients. This inspired Mikhail to become a doctor and he has wanted to become one ever since. In June of 2009, Mikhail graduated from Casa Roble Fundamental High School and applied to American River College, which he subsequently began attending in the spring of 2009. He has been there ever since and has plans of attaining a baccalaureate in chemistry. After earning his baccalaureate, he wishes to apply to medical school and become a medical doctor who specializes in neurology.
Halfway into his first semester, Mikhail was introduced to AMSA ARC by a counselor after she learned he wanted to become a doctor. Initially, he simply paid the fee and did not involve himself in the club. But, after the second semester started, a friend of his persuaded him to go to one of the meetings, and he continued attending them ever since. Soon after, Mikhail applied to the premedical surgical internship program at UC Davis. He was excited at the prospect of shadowing surgeons since he has an interest in becoming a neurosurgeon. After the interview, Mikhail was excited to learn that he was accepted to the fall 2010 session of the program and has been waiting to start ever since.
Yelena Mikityanskaya
University of San Francisco
Yelena Mikityanskaya was born and raised in Kharkov, Ukraine. After moving to San Francisco with her loving parents and older brother Yelena began studying at the University High School of San Francisco. After high school Yelena went on to study at the University of San Francisco.
Yelena graduated from USF with honors in 2009 with a major in psychology and a minor in natural science and another in neuroscience. While attending USF, Yelena taught art history at the Berkeley Russian School during weekends. During the week Yelena split her time between volunteering at the California Pacific Medical Center labor and delivery department and doing sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research in the department of neuroscience at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute.
Yelena is currently working as a physiology, psychology and art history instructor at Heald College which primarily serves disadvantaged individuals. She is also finishing up a certification program in phlebotomy and electrocardiography at the Bay Area Medical Academy because she wants to work in hospitals in addition to volunteering there.
Yelena is very grateful to be part of the Pre-Medical Surgical Internship Program and is eagerly looking forward to learning more about the different types of medical staff involved in the surgical team as well as their unique responsibilities. Armed with the information that she will learn throughout this program, Yelena is sure that she can make a better informed decision about the opportunities that are available in the world of medicine and the path that she should take in the future to achieve her goal of providing excellent medical care to those in need of it.
Erica Neuhaus
University of California, Merced
Erica Neuhaus graduated from the University of California, Merced in 2010 as part of the second full graduating class. She graduated with honors and earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in History. By attending the university in only its second year of instruction, she was able to partake in the development and creation of the UC Merced community. As a member of the inaugural volleyball team, as well as the teams during her remaining years at UCM, Erica enjoyed being part of the dedicated group of athletes who were able to build up the sports department. Erica was also a Resident Assistant for three years, enjoying the opportunity to work with students from a wide range of backgrounds. Being part of such a new campus allowed Erica the opportunity to watch the university grow not only with the number of students, but in character and traditions.
Erica has always dreamed of a career within the medical field. After volunteering in the Emergency Department of Mercy Medical Center, Merced for two years, she knew that she wanted to enter another program to get her more exposed to medicine. Erica has enjoyed participating in this internship since Fall 2010, and is looking forward to the vast experiences she will encounter through another term. She is excited to be more involved with the program and its development. Erica is one of the Scheduling Coordinators for the program, and looks forward to working with a new group during this next cycle.
Thong Nguyen
Sacramento City College
Thong Nguyen was born and raised in Vietnam. He came to the United States in 2007 with his mother and the little sister. As the oldest son and only man in family, he has been the breadwinner of the family. Even though this role represents him to tremendous challenges, it teaches him to become mature, responsible, determined and strong minded so that he can overcome the language difficulties, cultural difference and other obstacles.
Thong is currently taking classes at Sacramento City College (SCC) to finish the pre-med prerequisites and preparing to transfer to U.C Davis in Fall 2011 with the major in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and minor in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. Inspired from previous teaching experience at his church, he works as math and organic chemistry tutor at SCC. Thong is also the student technical assistant at SCC’s Chemistry Stockroom where he helps prepare chemicals for each lab and conducts HPLC analysis of lavender, orange peel, etc.
His interest in medicine was fueled from his mother who had worked as a nurse for 28 year since he saw the humane aspect in her work when she was helping the patients. Also, the death of his grandpa due to brain cancer motivated him to pursue the field studying about cancer and become the Oncologist.
In the free time, Thong enjoys reading, jogging, and playing bowling with his sister. He is also the Lakers’ fan and has not been missing any of its games. He is very family-oriented and likes to spend time with his family. While waiting to volunteer at the U.C Davis Medical Center- Oncology Department, Thong is exciting and grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Pre-Med Surgical Internship as he hopes to gain insight about surgeon’s life and perspective.
Charleen Pfanner
California State University, Chico
California State University, Sacramento
Charleen graduated in ’02 from CSU, Chico with a BA in Studio Art and a minor in Business Administration. After realizing that she wanted to focus on a career in medicine, she began taking pre med courses at American River College. She then transferred to CSU, Sacramento and received a BS in Biology.
Currently, Charleen has applied to medical schools and is hoping to hear back from her choices soon. While waiting, she is going back to American River College to keep her brain sharp. She is taking various Psychology courses, expecting that they will help her better understand and relate to her patients. Attending school once more has allowed her to be a Beacon tutor again, tutoring Zoology as well as Anatomy & Physiology. During her down time, she volunteers at the AIDS Housing Alliance as a tutor for children who need a little extra help with their studies. She also acts as a Big Sister to one of the teens at the complex. One Saturday a month she hosts Girl’s Night at a local women’s shelter. Also, for the past five years at Shriner’s Hospital for Children, she has carried out orthopedic research and visited children as a certified Pet Partner with her guinea pig, Cliff.
As Outreach Coordinator for the Program, Charleen has been responsible for getting the word out about the internship, through talking with different campuses, working on promotions and providing information to students. She hopes to see many community college students apply for the next round! Good luck all!
Brianna Slatnick
University of California, Davis
Brianna Slatnick is a third-year Microbiology major at UC Davis. She began interning with the Pre-Medical Surgical Internship Program last spring. When it proved to be one of the most defining and rewarding experiences in her pre-medical career, she decided to continue as a Surgical Fellow to help afford other pre-medical students the same experience. Brianna now serves as the Evaluations Coordinator and works on the application committee to select new pre-medical students for the program.
In her free time Brianna enjoys traveling, scuba diving, crocheting, ceramics, eating sushi, and going on random adventures. She loves ice cream, and will eat it at any time of the day. This past summer she spent 7 weeks working at a clinic in Costa Rica, learning Spanish and living with a host family. Her clinic routines helped reveal the gaping disparities between medical care offered in the United States and abroad. She hopes to help bridge this gap by continuing to provide medical care abroad and building a medical career centered on giving service wherever she can to others in need. She loves being around people, and believes that medical care is most beneficial when paired with strong patient-doctor relationships. She is very dedicated to her schoolwork, and has known she wanted to become a doctor since her freshman year of high school. To her, medicine is like solving a puzzle; She loves the satisfaction she gets from figuring things out and craves the ability to ensure others that she is doing everything she can to help. She is not sure what medical specialty she wishes to pursue yet, but she is very interested in the field of surgery.
At UC Davis, Brianna is currently a physics tutor for the Student Academic Success Center. She is excited to continue expanding the Pre-Medical Surgical Internship Program and offer this wonderful opportunity to other enthusiastic pre-medical students.
Francisco Solorio
Sacramento City College
University of California, Berkeley
Francisco Solorio is a native of Sacramento, California. He was introduced to human anatomy, patient assessment and pathophysiology as an American River College (ARC) paramedic intern. The ARC paramedic program inspired Francisco to augment his medical education and serve his community as a physician. Soon after, he enrolled at Sacramento City College (SCC) as a Biochemistry major with the hopes of transferring to a university. At SCC Francisco distinguished himself as an exceptional chemistry, biology and math student. He used his abilities in math and science to tutor urban underserved Latino youth, and his fellow SCC students. From SCC Francisco transferred to the University of California, Berkeley.
At U.C. Berkeley, Francisco conducted research in biochemistry and structural biology as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biology Fellow. Along with undergraduate research, Francisco helped fellow transfer students host tours of the Berkeley campus and hold student panels for visiting community college students. After graduating from U.C. Berkeley in 2010, Francisco is the first in his family to receive a baccalaureate degree, and will hopefully also be the first to become a physician. Francisco is currently applying to medical school, tutors urban underserved youth in science and math, and is an Outreach Fellow with the U.C. Davis Department of Surgery Pre-medical Surgical Internship Program (SIP). As a SIP Fellow, Francisco hopes to introduce more community college students to the unparalleled opportunity of shadowing surgeons, and inspire those from disadvantaged and non-traditional backgrounds to pursue a career in medicine.
Randy Tigue
California State University, Sacramento
University of California, Berkeley
Randy Tigue left his hometown of Sacramento, California to attend UC Berkeley as an undergraduate. His most notable experiences come from his time spent with biomechanics researcher Dr. Shelia Patek, Ph.D. He also served as the Delta Omega Chapter President for the national honor fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi, and fulfilled leadership roles for various dance organizations like The Movement and TruElement.
After graduating with a B.A. in Integrative Biology, he was hired by Scientific Certification Systems, an environmental certification body in Emeryville, CA. During his field audits, in agricultural communities, he gained an appreciation for the severity of health care lacking in socioeconomically disadvantaged ethnic labor groups. This catalyzed his decision to pursue a career in medicine.
Randy is a current graduate/post-bac student in the Masters Program of Biological Sciences at CSU Sacramento. He is developing a research grant to investigate the molecular biology of osteosarcomas in canine models, under the guidance of his advisor, Dr. Hao Nguyen, Ph.D. He hopes that his future will involve working in translational medicine.
His non-academic commitments are spent at the Sutter General Hospital, in downtown Sacramento, as an Emergency Medicine Scribe. He also volunteers for UC Davis Hospice. Randy tries to balance his graduate studies, work, and volunteer hours by engaging in active and healthy activities.
Sebastian Torf
University of California, Santa Cruz
Sebastian is a post-baccalaureate studying Biology, Chemistry, Accounting and Welding at Cabrillo College. He currently calls Santa Cruz, California his home and grew up as the first-born in a family with 5 siblings.
He graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. After spending some time working to apply this knowledge, he is now back in school pursuing degree options in the life sciences.
He has spent equal time growing up in both European & American societies and has spent some time working abroad in Asia as well. Sebastian has studied a variety of foreign languages both formally and informally.
In his free time, Sebastian enjoys working on motorcycles & cars. His keen interest is the repair of machinery that was previously broken. He also enjoys staying active by playing soccer recreationally, doing weight training, running in one of the many parks or on the beaches in Santa Cruz and participating in his local community college’s dance programs.
He is hoping to gain experiences in the health care industry and exposure to the different opportunities and types of specialties available to students pursuing medical degrees and was honored to have been selected for the UCDHS surgical internship.
Chu Fang “Phoebe” Tseng
City College of San Francisco
Phoebe Tseng is currently a sophomore at City College of San Francisco, majoring in Biochemistry. She was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. After graduating from Taipei First Girls’ High School, she immigrated to the United States with her family and started taking classes to fulfill transfer requirements at City College of San Francisco. She will transfer to a UC in Fall 2011.
While in high school, Phoebe volunteered at Country Hospital in Taipei. Working with health care professionals and patients, she developed the longing to become a physician with the capability to provide health care. While at CCSF, she worked as a math tutor, a biology mentor and a chemistry study group leader. She also volunteered for the SHINE Project, assisting ESL instructors to help new immigrants. Besides academic-related jobs and volunteer work, she has volunteered at Chinese Hospital at several clinics. She translates doctors’ presentations from English to Mandarin, creates complete files for patients’ lab examination data regarding to Hepatitis B from 2009 to present, promotes San Francisco Hep B Free Program and helps set up the San Francisco Hep B Free Gala dinner event, assists the Health Fair Day in Daly City Clinic, including examinations, health counseling, translations, event set-up, and promotion of the event. She enjoyed doing various tasks and luckily had the chance to shadow primary care physicians.
Phoebe is enthusiastic about the surgical internship program and thankful for the opportunity.
