HCOP 2004 :: Biosketch

Samuel Jimenez is a sophomore at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California and will transfer to San Diego State University in the Fall 2004. He is majoring in general biology with a minor in art. Samuel is a member of Artworks and former member of MESA at COS. Samuel would like to pursue a career in reconstructive surgery or in medical research after completing his undergraduate work. He hopes to attend medical school in California or Mexico. In his spare time, he enjoys bike riding, drawing, working with ceramics, playing video games, and spending time with his family.

College of the Sequoias

Yonathan Essaw is a sophomore at San Jose City College with a major in Biochemistry. After completing his undergraduate work, Yonathan would like to pursue a career as a physician. In his spare time he likes to play basketball, soccer and football; he also enjoys playing pool, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Yonathan is active in his school and is currently a member of BSU. Currently the President of the Ethiopian Student Union, Yonathan has managed his own radio station at his school where he plays Ethiopian music for the surrounding community.

San Jose City College

Lin Naing, was born in Burma (Myanmar) and he came to the U.S. in August, 2001. After his high school, he studied distance-learning Accountancy Cources from LCCI and ACCA . He received DA (Diploma in Accounting), DPM (Diploma in Principles of Management) and DMP (Diploma in Managerial Practice) from LCCIEB in 1998. Then he started to take ACCA CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exams for another two years.
After his high school, he immediately became a private high school student tutor. He really enjoyed it and worked for it for more than 3 years. From 1999 through 2001, he worked as a part-time assistant lecturer and lecturer for ACCA courses at MAT (Management & Accountancy Training, Yangon). In November 1999, he attended Institute of Medicine #1, Yangon with the support of his family and friends. In August 2001 during his 2nd year in medical school, he decided to come to the U.S. for his further education. He joined HCOP (Stanford School of Medicine) in summer 2004 to learn more about U.S. medical education system and how to get into medical school. He is currently going to Foothill College and trying to transfer to four-year university in Fall 2005, majoring in Neuroscience and minored in Business, Ecommerce and Web Design.

Beshoy Yanny is a sophomore at the University of California, Irvine and double majoring in Biology and Applied Ecology. Beshoy is very active at his school and around the community. He is an active member of three clubs recently at three different campuses UCI Coptic Club, Minorities for Medicine, and Pre-med Club. Beshoy also volunteers for two different hospitals in his community, Queen of the Valley and the Inner-community hospitals. He also volunteers time to tutor kids, distribute food and blankets to the homeless and needy, and in a CPR and first aid education for underserved communities. Beshoy also works a part-time job and work-study at the UCI School of Medicine and does research on a gene that causes congenital heart disease. Beshoy would like to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine and hopes to attend medical school in California where he has resided for a long time.
University of California, Irvine

Ana Cunanan is a sophomore at San Jose City College majoring in Biology. Ana inspires to become a Cardiologist and dreams of attending medical school in the Bay Area once her undergraduate requirements are accomplished. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, karaoke, eating sushi, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

San Jose City College

Amber Goodloe is a junior at the University of Hawaii at Hilo majoring Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Amber is very involved in serving her community with voluneer work. Her areas of interest include volunteering at a local clinic as a volunteer nurses assistant, and volunteering as a research assistant for various research projects. Amber would like to pursue a career in pathology once she completes her undergraduate work at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and graduate work in pursuing a master's degree in microbiology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Amber hopes to attend medical school in Hawaii where she can serve and give back to the community for others like herself pursuing a career in the health field. In her spare time, she lives surfing, mountain biking, running, Tahitian dance, and spending time with family and friends.
University of Hawaii, Hilo

Amanda Winthesier is a junior at the University of Arizona with a major in Molecular and Cellular Bioloty with a minor in Humanities. Currently, she is doing research with hypertension. Amanda is a member of the Alternative Spring Club and the Master Swim Team at the university. She would like to pursue a career in surgery upon completion of medical school. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, dancing, and playing the piano.

University of Arizona

Dang Lam
In a cold breezy morning four years ago, my family and I immigrated to the United States from South Vietnam. Currently a sophomore at American River College, I plan to transfer to a four-year university majoring in Biological Science or Biochemistry; my top three choices are Stanford, UCLA, and UC Davis. For the past two years, I have been actively involved in AMSA (American Medical Student Association) ARC chapter. WIth other officers in my club, I held the first-ever premed conference at a community college. Being a research assistant at UC Davis Medical Center has given me the "backstage pass" to see the real, exciting, and unpredicted world of medicine. After shadowing trauma surgeons and observing miraculous surgeries at UCDMC, I became really interested in pursuing a career in Surgery. I hope to attend medical school in California where my family and relatives currently reside. Every weekend, I enjoy playing basketball with my family at a nearby community park despite my miniature 5 6 frame. My other hobbies include soccer, swimming, drawing, playing chess and video games (Xbox rocks!!).
American River College (Sacramento)

Yasser Rodriguez is a sophomore at the University of Miami, Florida majoring in Neurobiology with a minor in Chemistry and English Literature. Yasser is very active at his school and is a national member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta (the Premed Honors Society). Yasser would like to pursue a career in trauma or plastic surgery once he completes his undergraduate work and hopes to attend the best medical school that accepts him. In his spare time he enjoys going to the gym, shadowing the family doctor, playing soccer, and spending time with family and friends.
University of Miami

Venus Swearingen is a third year Biology-major student at the University of California, Riverside. She is currently involved in Undergraduate Research in two different labs studying the effects of host-parasite relationships on various insects. In her free time she loves to paint, sketch, dance, sing, and sleep. In the future she plans to attend Stanford school of Medicine and become a surgeon.

University of California, Riverside

Wendy Lu
I am a junior at San Francisco State University, double majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. I am an active member of the Health Path Program and International Honor Society at my school. After I obtain my degree, I hope to attend medical school in the Bay Area to become a physician. I have been volunteering at the UCSF Children’s Hospital for over a year and enjoy every second of it. Although I am not very good at sports, I enjoy bowling, shooting pool, and ice-skating.

San Francisco State University

Raphael Tito Balbino is a 20 year old undergraduate student majoring in Biology (Pre-med). He has completed three years of work at Ohlone College in Fremont, CA and will transfer to the University of California. Raphael is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tito is a musician that regularly participates in his church under the supervision of his dad, the minister of music. In 2002, he released a music album and toured here and in Rio as well. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, tennis, soccer, volleyball, and traveling.

Ohlone College

Tamika Bailey is now a junior at Northwestern University majoring in Psychology. She hopes to apply her understanding of human behavior and motivation to a career in pediatric healthcare. Tamika has taken her commitment to HIV/AIDS education to the next level by founding HALO, HIV/AIDS Literacy Organization, a student group dedicated to community service and campus outreach. She is also a peer facilitator for general chemistry in the Gateway Science Workshop program. Tamika hopes to participate in the Teach for America program before beginning her medical school journey. In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, dancing, and talking to family and friends from her hometown, Miami .

Northwestern University

Shoshanna Maxwell is a junior at Wellesley College majoring in Anthropology. Her main interests include child welfare and health care inequalities in the presence of social injustice. Shoshana would like to become a family practice physician in an underserved community and possibly pursue health work in countries with limited medical professionals and resources. She loves to learn from and work with children, which she has the privilege to do each week by tutoring in an after school program and teaching basic science principles to elementary school students. Her spirituality has helped her maintain balance and peace in her life. Shoshana also keeps herself occupied with theater productions (she has a passion for acting!) and laboratory research activities exploring brain behavior through animal models. Her interests include meeting and getting to know people, writing letters, journaling, drawing, running, Chajang Myun noodles and Law and Order. Wellesley College

Setegn Nuru is originally from Ethiopia and is currently a sophomore at San Jose City College. He is enrolled in premedical prerequisite classes and hopes to transfer to a four-year college and major in biochemistry. Setegn is active in his community and his school. He is a member of the Bridges Program, which helps academically outstanding minority students transfer into a four-year college. Setegn is also active in the Habesha Students Club, a club for Ethiopian students at his school. He would like to pursue a career in medicine once he completes his undergraduate work. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his family and friends. He has a talent for table tennis (ping pong) and was the first runner-up in the HCOP 2004 ping-pong tournament!

San Jose City College

Rosemary Ojo is a junior at the University of North Texas majoring in Biology with a minor in Frence, Chemistry, and Psychology. Rosemary is twenty years old (her twentieth birthday was celebrated on the 23 rd of June, during her time at HCOP!!!). She is currently a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc., a University Program Council Coordinator for Recreation and Travel; she is also the secretary of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Rosemary would like to pursue a career in some area of internal medicine of which she is unsure at the moment. She would liket o attend medical school outside of Texas once she completes her undergraduate studies. Rosemary was born in Nigeria , and she currently resides in Grand Prairie , TX with her parents and five siblings. In her spare time she likes to read novels by various African American writers, enjoys shopping tremendously, and loves to be outdoors with her Australian shepherd, Jada.
University of North Texas

Monique Reyes currently attends Whittier College , a small private college in Southern California . She is currently a junior majoring in Biology. Monique's goal is to become a gynecologist/obstetrician and attend medical school close to home or perhaps in the Bay Area. In her spare time she enjoys helping her boyfriend work on cars, specifically classic cars. She also enjoys spending time with her immediate family, cousins, friends, and boyfriend.

Whittier College

Rafael Martinez is a sophomore at Santa Ana College majoring in Premed/Biology. Ralph is very active at school and is a member of MASE (Mexican American Engineers and Scientists) as well as the Vice President for PMSA (Premedical Student Association). Ralph would like to pursue a career in family medicine once he completes his undergraduate work and hopes to attend medical school in southern California . In his spare time, he enjoys soccer, movies, paintball, and spending time with friends and family.

Santa Ana Community College

Teng Yang is a junior at California State University, Chico. He is double majoring in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. He has been involved with various organizations like Golden Key International Honors Society, Psi Chi, and Community Action Volunteer. He has also worked as a camp counselor in various parts of the world including Hawaii and Seoul, South Korea. Teng is bilingual and speaks both English and Hmong (it's not Mongolian and the â€œHâ€ is silent.) He hopes to go to school somewhere on the East Coast or at the University of Hawaii. Teng hopes to become a general practitioner and wants to work with lower income and recent Hmong refugee patients. In his spare time Teng likes to draw, work out, and play basketball, football, or swim.

California State University, Chico

Rocio Reynaga
I attend the University of California Davis; I am a fourth year majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior with a minor in Chicano/a Studies. I am currently involved in Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education (CHE) and Clinica Tepati, a student run clinic. HCOP was by far the best summer experience I have had. I first heard about HCOP when Dr. Garcia talked about it at SUMMA. After his talk I scurried to find the Stanford Medical School both at lunchtime and took an application. I filled it out and was fortunate to be accepted. From the first day on I knew it was going to be quite an experience. HCOP from the first day provided me with a pre-health careers environment like no other. For the first time as a pre-med I saw people of various ethnicities, ages, and personalities that shared one thing in common, which is to become health care providers. From day one we, the participants, got along and talked to one another about ourselves without being intimidated by what schools people were from. I know that when I first read people's bio sketch I thought they were going to be bookworms that were unapproachable. However, this proved to be false. At times HCOP seemed like a television reality show with forty-five different pre-health providers from all over the nation with different ethnicities and personalities.

Gurnoor (Sunny) Bassi is a junior at Gavilan College majoring in Biology. Sunny is a lifetime member of the Alpha Gamma Honors Society and was the president of the International Club. He is also an active volunteer at Saint Louise Regional Hospital and works part-time as a mathematics tutor for the South County Cal-soap Program. Sunny would love to pursue a career in medicine practicing as a dermatologist, family physician, or surgeon. He hopes to attend medical school in California ; and as a future physician, Sunny envisions himself practicing in underserved communities. He enjoys reading, most recently completing Queen Noor's biography, Leap of Faith. He also loves traveling abroad. Sunny is a firm believer in integrity and sincerity. One piece of advice Sunny values from his family is, "Wish the happiness on others that you wish on yourself."
Gavilan College
University of California, Los Angeles

Shelly Rivas is a rising junior at Yale University majoring in Biology. Shelly is originally from Queens , New York , and is interested in pursuing a career in internal medicine or women's health. At school, Shelly is a student coordinator at La Casa, the Latino cultural center at Yale, and is a member of Alpha Psi Omega, a coed service fraternity. She is also the founder of Alianza, a pan-Latino student group and does tutoring at her school. After she graduates, Shelly hopes to attned medical school in New York so she can remain close to her family and friends. In her spare time Shelly enjoys going to the movies, sightseeing, and talking to friends online.

Yale University

Matt Kimbrough is a sophomore at South Carolina State University majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Matt is very active at his school and is secretary of Health Professions Society and president of the Ernest Everett Just Science Club. Matt would like to pursue a career in family medicine after he completes his undergraduate work. He plans to attend medical school in Georgia , perhaps the Medical College of Georgia or Mercer University , School of Medicine . During his spare time he enjoys baseball, fishing, rollerblading, and spending time with his family and friends.

South Carolina State University

Margaret Clotter is a junior majoring in Exercise Science at Towson University in Maryland . She is very active at her school as a SAGE mentor, Orientation Leader, Student Ambassador, Student Academic Advisor, and a member of the Latin American Student Organization. During summer and winter breaks over the past three years, she has worked on various cat genome projects in the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity at the National Cancer Institute ( Fort Detrick , Maryland ). She is currently deciding between attending graduate school to pursue a career in physical therapy or going to medical school to study physical medicine and rehabilitation (psychiatry). Eventually, she would like to open a rehabilitation clinic and establish a mentor/intern program for students interested in the health professions. In her spare time, Margaret enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.
Towson University

Marcos Pena was a junior from Ventura college who transferred to the University of California, Irvine with a major: Biomedical Engineering: Premedical. At Ventura College. Marcos was very involved at school by Serving as the President of the Pre-Med Society of Ventura College for two successful years. He was part of the student board supporting the students as the representative of the Pre-Med Club. Because of Marcos' strong interest in an Engineering Field, Marcos was an exceptionally active member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and now joins the UC Irvine Chapter as well. After completing undergraduate work Marcos would like an opportunity to further his education in medical school as well as purse a profession in orthopedics or cardiology where he hopes to serve in an improvement of human health.

Mara Bravo is a sophomore at Santa Clara University , majoring in Combined Science with a Sociology minor. Mara is involved in MEChA of Santa Clara and is member of CHE. She hopes to take a year off after graduation before going to medical school and pursuing a career in pediatrics. During her year off, she would like to travel and do volunteer work. Mara enjoys reading, painting, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Santa Clara University

Luana Griffin is a transfer student from Consumnes River College. She is on the non-traditional route and can help anyone who feels like an underdog going into this whole medical school thing. She has had many leadership positions as student coordinator of MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) and secretary of Health Career Association. She found that HCOP was a way for her to experience leadership with other people from similar backgrounds like hers. She is interested in psychology or emergency medicine; however, her mind will probably change by the time she is in medical school. She is now at UC Davis pursuing a degree in Animal Biology.

University of California, Davis

Luis Lozano Manzo is a junior at San Diego State University and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Mr. Manzo is a member of the Pre-professional Health Club, Vice President of Psi Beta, a national honors society in the field of Psychology, a member of LMSA (Latino Medical Student Association) premedical division, and an active volunteer at Hedenkamp Elementary School . Luis would like to attend medical school in California and specialize in cardiothoracic surgery with a sub-specialty in pediatric surgery. In his spare time, Luis enjoys talking to children and other premed students, offering advice and encouragement. Luis Lozano Manzo knows that anything is possible through hard work and dedication; he hopes to someday influence others the way his family has influenced him.
San Diego State University

Luis Cadena graduated from Allan Hancock Community College and transferred as a junior to California State University Northridge with a major in Biology and Kinesiology. Luis is an active member in Chicanos for Community Medicine, American Medical Student Association, Biology and Kinesiology Club. He would like to pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement and sports medicine. Luis' interests in medicine are osteoporosis, spinal chord injury, physical rehabilitation, and environmental health. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, kayaking, surfing, automotive restoration/customizing (classics, low riders, hot rods), collegiate/freestyle wrestling, and watching movies.

California State University, Northridge

Leticia Rubalcava is a nineteen-year-old sophomore at Ventura College . She is currently a Bioengineer major, and her future career goal is to become a physician. She will transfer to the University of California , Berkeley or the University of California , Santa Barbara in the fall of 2005. She is very active on campus and is currently a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society and SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science), of which she will serve as president next year. Leticia is uncertain about her passion for medicine. On weekends, she volunteers at a local hospital. In her spare time, she enjoys running, horseback riding, spending time at the beach, being with friends, and helping others.

Ventura College

Latifat Ali, a 19-year-old Nigerian native, is currently a sophomore at El Camino College majoring in Microbiology. She hopes to transfer to the University of California , Los Angeles or University of California , Irvine this fall. Once she completes her undergraduate work, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a surgeon or pediatrician. In her spare time, Latifat enjoys talking and helping others, reading, listening to music, watching television and basketball (since she is too short to play.) She also enjoys spending time with her family.

El Camino College

Khanh Le is a sophomore at the University of California , Davis majoring in Biology. She is active at her school and is a Publicity Officer at VN CARES (Vietnamese Cancer Awareness Research Education Society), an intern at Shifa Clinic in Sacramento , a member of premed AMSA and Davis Honors Challenge. Khanh would like to pursue a career as a family physician once she completes her undergraduate and hopes to attend medical school near Sacramento/Bay Area to be closer to home. In her spare time, she enjoys watching TV, playing tennis, spending time with family and close friends, and also singing at weddings.

University of California, Davis

Jorge Larez Heredia is a second-year student at the University of California , Los Angeles majoring in Organismic Biology with a minor in Spanish. Jorge plans on attending medical school after his undergraduate studies and hopes to devote his free time to serve underrepresented communities in the future. He has been a member of the premed health awareness group Chinanos/Latinos for Community Medicine (CCM) for two years, and will spend his third year as co-director. Jorge comes from a family of five, including a younger sister (15), and a brother (7) and his parents Jorge and Leticia who make their home in Corona , CA. His hobbies and passions include cars, movies, video games, and all things sports (especially boxing.)

University of California, Los Angeles

Jessica Rupert is a native of Macon , MS and a sophomore at Tennessee State University with a declared major in Biology/Premed. Jessica is very well round and involved on campus. She is an active member of the Biology Club, Sophomore Ambassadors, Helping Hands, NAACP, TSU Campus Radio, and Relay for Life. Jessica is also a devoted contributor to March of Dimes. She is also very interested in pursuing a career in neurological research and/or surgery. Upon completion of her undergraduate work, she plans to attend medical school on the East Coast. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing poetry, traveling, and devoting time to community service.

Tennessee State University

Jennifer Pham is a Human Biology major at the beautiful University of California, San Diego. She is currently enjoying the entire college experience and doing everything she possibly can do to maximize her time before entering into the real world of responsibilities. In life she has two simple goals: to be a pediatrician and a soccer mom. The loves in her life are: her family and friends, junk food, and the rarest of all, SLEEP! She enjoys cooking, watching TV, golf, planning events, swimming, eating, reading magazines, and relaxing. Jennifer was really excited about meeting everyone at HCOP!!! (Editor's Add-on: Well, you did and now you are missing all of us, aren't you?)

University of California, San Diego

Jason Ortiz transferred from Hartnell College in Salinas to the University of California, Santa Cruz in Fall 2004. He graduated with an AS in Chemistry and Biology in the Spring 2004 at Hartnell College. Jason is Hartnell College's outgoing student body president, and past senator of Math and Science. He is currently interning at the US Department of Agriculture Research Station in Salinas, CA, where he has spent the last two years working with Dr. McCreight. Jason would like to pursue a career in Psychiatry once he completes his undergraduate work and hopes to attend medical school in California. Jason enjoys being involved with student organizations, working out, running, and having fun. Jason is a person who maintains a positive attitude in doing whatever is needed of him and he likes to smile.

University of California, Santa Cruz

Hana Abuershaid, the eldest of four children, was born and raised in Southern California. As the eldest she has always experienced things first and enjoyed doing so. The challenge of not know what lies ahead is a thrill like no other. Hana is currently a junior at Mount St. Mary's College majoring in Biology with a minor in Philosophy. She has always had an active life and college has not changed that; as she is the Co-External Coordinator for her pre-health organization Women for Community Medicine, a swim instructor, a peer tutor, and a member of Pi Theta Mu a service sorority. Hana would like to pursue a career in cardiology upon completion of medical school. In her spare time she has been fortunate enough to have had many traveling opportunities to other countries experiencing different lifestyles has been all that more intriguing. Recently, she had the opportunity to travel to Palestine in which she joined the surgical team in their daily activities. She also enjoys swimming, working out at the gym, and spending time with family and friends.
Mount St. Mary's College
Women for Community Medicine

Gabriela Hernandez (GABBY) is a sophomore at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, where she was born and raised. She is majoring in Medicine with a minor in Music. At schol, the activities she participates in are MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science and Achievement), and LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens). Outside of school, she participates in St. George's Youth Group and helpts at Taft Community Center as a tutor to help elementary students with their homework. Gabby is interested in transferring to the University of the Pacific (UOP) or UCSF. Once accepted, she would like to enter the pharmacy program. Whenever she is not at school, she is working; she has worked at Happell's Pharmacy for the last two years and seven months. In her spare time, she likes to play the piano, play the violin, read, and enjoy playing with her one-year-old nephew Nicholas. Or she spends time with family, her boyfriend and friends.

San Joaquin Delta College

Esmeralda Merino is a student at San Jose City College majoring in Biology. She is very active in school and is a member of the Psychomedia Club. Esmeralda would like to pursue a career in Internal Medicine and hopes to attend medical school in Bay Area. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, surfing the web, and spending time with her family.

San Jose City College

Darya Tymoshenko (Dasha) moved from Ukraine to California with her parents four years ago. She is a student transferring from Ohlone College (Fremont, CA) to the University of California, San Diego. She is majoring in Biotechnology and minoring in Web Design. She was very active student at Ohlong College: she was the President of the Biology Club, and a tutor in Biology and Chemistry. After graduating from University of California, San Diego, she hopes to attend medical school in California and pursues a career in dermatology. In her spare time, she is fond of practicing aikido, playing the piano, throwing clay, developing web pages, and playing with her cat.

University of California, San Diego

Dariene Lazore is a junior at the State University of New York majoring in Psychology. Dariene is a member of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program and is also President of the Potsdam Association of Native Americans. She plans to attend medical school in North Dakota and one day be able to provide health care to the people living in the desolate Indian Reservations. In her spare time, seh enjoys reading, playing with her two dogs, and participating in outdoor activities.

State University of New York

Crystal Richardson is a junior at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, dual-majoring in Health Sciences and French. Crystal is highly involved in campus organizations and is a member of Honors Student Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, Resident Student Association, Hall Council, and Peer Leadership Council. Crystal would like to pursue a career in physical therapy and hopes to attend graduate school once she completes her undergraduate work. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, dancing, and watching gymastics and basketball.

Bowling Green State University (OHIO)

My name is Danielle Butler, and I am the youngest daughter of the loving and hardworking Michael and Mary Butler of Riverdale, Gorgia. Growing up a a child, my parents stressed the importance of receiving an education because they knew that with an education, I would have opportunities that they did not have. Because of my parents' strong aspirations to see me advance to a level beyond them, I made a commitment to excel academically in grad school. As a result of my grade school achievements, I am currently a junior biology/pre-med major at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. Moreover, I participate in both community and on campus activities that display my well-rounded personality. Im my community, I serve a both friend and mentor to the youths of Abundant Life Church. On campus, I am a Paine College Student ambassador, a member of the Paine College Band, a student tutor, and an active member of the Pre-Professional Science Alliance. It was through my Pre-Professional Science Alliance advisor that I learned of Stanford University's HCOP program. I was very impressed with what HCOP had to offer for students desiring to pursue a career in medicine. Therefore, I applied and became one of forty-five students to receive an opportunity of a lifetime. It was my tract of academic excellence and strong desire to serve in the medical field that won me such a prestigious opportunity.
Paine College (Georgia)

Cindy Nguyen is a feminist, a liberal, a dreamer, and eater, and a rather idiosyncratic individual. She prefers the weird to the normal, gray to black/white, and thinks that willpower can achieve (almost) anything. She is a sophomore at Harvard University, double majoring in Human Biology and Psychology. She is fascinated by the abnormal, which explains her strong interests in the medicinal areas of psychopathology and neurological disorders. She does not know where her future in medicine will take her, but she is sure that she will participate in the quest to bring sexual, socio-economic, and healthcare access equality to developing countries. She is dedicated to battling the monsters of ignorance and sexism. She is an active member of her school's American Chemical Society, Unite for Sight, and the Feminist Majority Alliance Leadership. She loves to read Classic Victorian Literature, watch Chinese movies, listen to alternative music, tutor, swim, play with her friends and family, and last but certainly never least, eat (esp. at the Cheesecake Factory).
Harvard University


The greatest sweetener of human life is Friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover. Joseph Addison