Staff & Ambassadors

HPAC Staff

Graduate Student Staff

Stephanie Vassallo

Stephanie Vassallo, 1st Year Graduate Student, UCR, Higher Education Administration and Policy

Student Staff

Samantha Ly

Major: Business
Year: Third-Year
Hometown: Arcadia, CA

Saba Dilshad

Major: Business Administration
Year: Third Year
Hometown: Yucca Valley, CA

Neha Loganda

Major: Public Policy
Year: Fourth Year
Hometown: La Habra, CA

Verena Awadallah

Pre-Med

Major: Biology
Year: Third Year
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

HPAC Ambassadors:

Successful 3rd and 4th-year pre-health students who are enthusiastic about sharing their experiences with you! The HPAC ambassador cohort represents a wide range of health professions and is highly involved in campus organizations, community programs, and research. They provide guidance, support, and encouragement to help others become well-rounded students and competitive applicants. Ambassadors are available on a 'drop-in' basis throughout the week. If you have questions about health profession requirements, selecting major, on-campus organizations, clinical experiences, research, etc. "drop-in" to speak with an HPAC Ambassador (schedule below).

Nicholas Alegre

Nicholas Alegre, 4th Year, Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology

Contact: naleg002@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current Rotaract at UCR Treasurer

Current Mini-Medical School Project Leader- Asthma Awareness

Current COPE Health Scholar

Current BPSHI Mobile Clinic Member

Current University Honors

Current Dr. Le Roch Labs- Malaria Research

Former Dr. Reznick Labs- P. prolifica Research

Former Future Physician Leaders- Anxiety Among Homeless Adolescents

Former Shadowing Dr. Li-Mei Lin

Henna Bhakta

Henna Bhakta, 4th Year, Biology

Contact: hbhak006@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current National Board Certified Medical Assistant

Current President of American Medical Student Association

Current Director of Research – UCR SOM Mini-Medical School

Current BPSHI Mobile Clinic - Clinic Coordinator

Current San Bernardino Free Clinic Research Team Member

Current University Honors

Current Research with Dr. Weiwei Zhang - Cognitive Neuroscience

Current Shadower with Dr. Harold W. Jackson

Current Riverside Community Hospital Emergency Room/ Pediatric Volunteer

Former OB/GYN Medical Assistant at W2W Medical Group

Former Medical Assistant at Arrowhead Medical Evaluation Services

Former Volunteer at Saint Jude Medical Center Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

Audrey Lee

Audrey Lee, 3rd Year, Biology

Contact: alee217@ucr.edu

Pre-Physician Assistant

Current Dr. Van Norman Lab - Plant Mutations

Current Loma Linda University Health Volunteer

Current West Coast EMT Student

Former University Honors

Former Camp Brainy Bunch Counselor, Summer 2019

Former Kindling Intellectual Development Member

Former Shadowing Dr. David Shih

Anthony Bishay

Anthony Bishay, 4th Year, Neuroscience major and Math minor

Contact: abish002@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current - President of Students Against Sex/Human Trafficking (SASHT)

Current - MMS Director of Training

Current - EMT at Mission Ambulance

Abinanda Mukundan

Abinanda Mukundan, 4th Year, Biology

Contact: amuku001@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current Undergraduate Research Assistant in Dr. Stanley's Lab - Neuroscience

Current Medical Scribe at Cucamonga Valley Medical Group

Current COPE Health Scholar

Current American Medical Student Association Treasurer

Current BPSHI Free Clinic Volunteer

Current MMS Research Member

Current Camp Kesem Member

Former Research Assistant for UCLA's Breast Cancer Research Trial

Former Volunteer/Shadow at UCLA Emergency Department

Former Emergency Medicine Scribe at Hemet Valley Medical Center

Former Undergraduate Researcher in Dr. McCole's Lab- Crohn's Disease

Samuel Higuera

Samuel Higuera, 4th Year, Neuroscience

Contact: shigu005@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current COPE Health Scholar

Current Project Sunshine Volunteer

Current San Bernardino Free Clinic Volunteer

Current Supplemental Instruction Leader

Former Chicano Link Peer Mentor

Current American Red Cross Lifeguard/Swim Instructor

Former SHPEP Participant at Western University of Health Sciences

Former Volunteer at Miller Children's Hospital

2019-2020 Thomas Haider Early Assurance Program Applicant

Verena Awadallah

Verena Awadallah, 3rd Year, Biology

Contact: vawad001@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current Member Shadow MD

Current Member Unheard Cries Charity

Current Member Mini-Medical School -Weight Loss

Current Member Riverside Health Connect

Current HPAC Student Worker

Current COPE Health Scholar

Current Dr. Meng Chen Lab Undergraduate Assistant

Current Coptic Club Member

Former Scout Leader

Current Sunday School Teacher

Current Honors Student

Former Archangel Michael Free Clinic Volunteer

Marina Joseph

Marina Joseph, 4th Year, Biology

Contact: mjose003@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current President of Unheard Cries Charity

Current Researcher at Dr. Emma Wilson’s Toxoplasma gondii lab

Current COPE Health Scholar

Current Member of Shadow M.D.

Current Researcher with Dr. Samy Metyas on Fibromyalgia

Current Volunteer at Project Food

Current Sunday School Teacher

Current Director of External Affairs with Mini Medical School (MMS)

Former participant at Coptic Voice

Current Missionary with the Hawaiian Mission (summers only)

Current Member of Coptic Club

Current Choir Member

Current Supplemental Instructor

Current Research Assistant with Dr. Matthew Collin

Current Dental Assistant (summers only)

Current Mahragan Alkeraza coach (summers only)

Current Member of the Young Adults Committee

Claudia Hanna

Claudia Hanna, 4th Year, Biology

Contact: chann005@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current Hands on Healthcare Vice President

Current COPE Health Scholar @ RCH

Former Mini Medical School Member- Parkinson’s Awareness

Current MMS Gastrointestinal Health Project Leader

Current Children of Warfare Foundation Secretary

Current Health Science Partnership Mentor

Sommer Rowell

Sommer Rowell, 3rd Year, Biochemistry (Transfer Student)

Contact: srowe003@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current Dr. Larsen Lab- Biochemistry Research

Current University Honors Member

Current Volunteer and Team Lead at St. Mary's Medical Center

Current Research Team Volunteer for San Bernardino Free Clinic

Current Tau Sigma Member

Current Sunday School Teacher

Current Swim Instructor

Current Pediatrician Shadow

Current STEM Tutor

Former Future Physician Leader

Former ARMC Emergency Department Physician Shadow

Former RISE Research Scholar

Former Biology Research Assistant- Victor Valley College

Former HOSA Member

Samantha Perez

Samantha Maeve Perez, 3rd Year, Biochemistry

Contact: spere070@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current San Bernardino Free Clinic Secretary

Current Supplemental Instruction Leader

Current CNAS Science Ambassador

Current HOSA at UCR Treasurer

Current Delta Epsilon Mu Member

Current Crosstraining Ministry Volunteer

Licensed EMT

Gabriella Moussa

Gabriella Moussa, 3rd year, Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology

Contact: gmous003@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current University Honors Student

Current Undergraduate Researcher - Dr. Yamanaka Lab

Current Supplemental Instruction Leader

Current CNAS Science Ambassador

Current Mentor/Group Leader - UCR SOM Health Science Partnership

Current Board Member - American Medical Student Association at UCR

Current Cope Health Scholar

Current Women’s Health Clinic Intern - UCR Health Clinical and Administrative Program

Current UCR Orchestra Member

Current UCR Chamber Orchestra Member

Former Camp Counselor, Camp St. Nicholas Summers 2019 and 2020

Jessalyn Yam

Jessalyn Yam, 3rd Year, Biochemistry

Contact: jyam002@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current Supplemental Instruction Leader

Current UCR Health Clinical & Administrative Program (CAP) Project Management Intern

Current Delta Epsilon Mu Member

Current Licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Current San Bernardino Free Clinic Volunteer

Current COPE Health Scholars Projects

Coordinator Current COPE Health Scholar

Current Best Buddies Member

Current Vietnamese Student Association Member

Current Student Researcher in Dr. Katayoon Dehesh's Lab - Botany & Plant Sciences

Former Research in Science & Engineering Scholar

Caitlin Tong

Caitlin Tong, 4th Year, Biology

Contact: ctong010@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Former Research Assistant - Plant Pathogen Research

Former PCYC Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic Intern

Former PCYC Bio-Analysis Intern

Former Bio 5A Learning Assistant

Former COPE Health Scholar

Former MMS Member

Current Supplemental Instructor

Current CNAS Peer Mentor

Current CSA member

Daniel Woo

Daniel Woo, 4th Year, Biology

Contact: Swoo019@ucr.edu

Pre-Medicine

Current Dr. Nair Lab - Immunology/Parasitology Research

Current Mini Medical School Nutrition Project Leader

Current Phi Delta Epsilon Vice President of Finance

Current Health Coach

Current Riverside Free Clinic Volunteer

Current Academic Resource Center - Early Assist Peer Mentor

Current California Care Force Member

Former Project Sunshine Outreach Committee Leader

Current COPE Health Scholar

Jennifer Zhou

Jennifer Zhou, 4th Year, Biology

Contact: jzhou094@ucr.edu

Pre-Pharmacy

Current Riverside Free Clinic Pharmacy Volunteer

Current Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy Volunteer

Current Pomona Health Career Ladder Volunteer

Current P.I.L.L.S Club Member

Former Summer Health Professions Education Program Participant @ Western University

Former Keck Graduate Institute Pre-Pharmacy Enrichment Program Participant

Former Secretary of Vietnamese Student Association

Former Asian Pacific Student Program's Peer Mentor

Former Medical Shadow with Dr. Khin Khin Oo

Winter 2021 Ask An Ambassador

Zoom drop-ins are available for Health Professions Peer Ambassadors!! Click on the ambassador's name below to enter their virtual chat!

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
10-11 am	Caitlin Tong	Anthony Bishay	N/A	Anthony Bishay	Sommer Rowell
11 am-12 pm	Caitlin Tong	Claudia Hanna	Samantha Perez	Claudia Hanna	Sommer Rowell
12-1 pm	Samuel Higuera	Jennifer Zhou	Samantha Perez	Daniel Woo	Gabriella Moussa
1-2 pm	Samuel Higuera	Jennifer Zhou	Henna Bhakta	Daniel Woo	Gabriella Moussa
2-3 pm	N/A	Verena Awadallah	Abi Mukundan	Marina Joseph	Jessalyn Yam
3-4 pm	Nick Alegre	Henna Bhakta	Audrey Lee	Marina Joseph	Jessalyn Yam
4-5 pm	Nick Alegre	N/A	Audrey Lee	Verena Awadallah	Abi Mukundan

Want an Ambassador to attend your student organization meeting?

SUBMIT A REQUEST

Health Professions Advising Center

Location: Rivera Library, B03 (Lower Level) | Tel: (951)888-1290 | Email: hpac@ucr.edu

Student Engagement

Staff & Ambassadors

HPAC Staff

Amber Nicholson

Charles Scruggs

Graduate Student Staff

Stephanie Vassallo

Student Staff

Samantha Ly

Saba Dilshad

Neha Loganda

Verena Awadallah

HPAC Ambassadors:

Nicholas Alegre

Henna Bhakta

Audrey Lee

Anthony Bishay

Abinanda Mukundan

Samuel Higuera

Verena Awadallah

Marina Joseph

Claudia Hanna

Sommer Rowell

Samantha Perez

Gabriella Moussa

Jessalyn Yam

Caitlin Tong

Daniel Woo

Jennifer Zhou

Winter 2021 Ask An Ambassador

Health Professions Advising Center

Undergraduate Education