ULMSP STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Role of Alumni and student Leadership
ULMSP alumni are integral to the day to day running of the program, its design, and its successful outcomes. Alumni are involved in the screening and selection process of each year’s cohort and are also encouraged to apply for the summer residential counseling positions as well as the Associate Director position. The Associate Director is selected each year based on demonstrated leadership, academic standing, and commitment and understanding of ULMSP.
2023 LEADERSHIP
Fernanda Pacheco | UCSD SOM Medical Student Associate Director |
Fernanda Pacheco is currently a fourth year medical student at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a UCSD Program in Medical Education Health Equity (PRIME-HEq) candidate. Fernanda earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University with a major in Neuroscience and Behavior. During her time at UCSD SOM, she has served as co-president of the Latinx Medical Student Association (LMSA), PRIME cohort representative, manager of the Women's Clinic at UCSD's Free Clinic, Kaplan MCAT course instructor, and academic coach. She is currently completing a master’s in Advanced Studies in Clinical Research at UCSD and is conducting research on operating room efficiency and cybersecurity with the UCSD anesthesiology department. She is applying into anesthesiology residency this year. She hopes to use her teaching and research skills to mentor underrepresented minorities during her medical career.
When she’s not working, you can find her crocheting, reading, exercising, or hanging out with her beloved schnauzer, Sebastian.
Fernanda Pacheco is currently a fourth year medical student at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a UCSD Program in Medical Education Health Equity (PRIME-HEq) candidate. Fernanda earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University with a major in Neuroscience and Behavior. During her time at UCSD SOM, she has served as co-president of the Latinx Medical Student Association (LMSA), PRIME cohort representative, manager of the Women's Clinic at UCSD's Free Clinic, Kaplan MCAT course instructor, and academic coach. She is currently completing a master’s in Advanced Studies in Clinical Research at UCSD and is conducting research on operating room efficiency and cybersecurity with the UCSD anesthesiology department. She is applying into anesthesiology residency this year. She hopes to use her teaching and research skills to mentor underrepresented minorities during her medical career.
When she’s not working, you can find her crocheting, reading, exercising, or hanging out with her beloved schnauzer, Sebastian.
Charles Sawaya | Associate Director, ULMSP Alum 2021|
Charles Sawaya is a 2021 University Link Medical Science Program Alumni and pre-med student at the University of California San Diego majoring in Global Health. He moved to the United States in 2018 and earned his associate degree from Cuyamaca College in 2021. Charles returned to ULMSP for the summer 2023 session as the program's Associate Director.
Since his admission to UCSD, he has been participating in two research projects aligning with his Global Health lens. The first research focuses on Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MISC) in relation to the social determinant of health in the latin american population. The second research is an ethnographic study tracing asylum seekers from the US-Mexico Border, and their Trajectory post-immigration, documenting their experiences and stories.
Charles has experience as an anatomy and chemistry tutor and as a teaching assistant. He also received training and volunteered as a hospital medical intern, and then as a Spanish medical interpreter at Palomar Health. Upon his arrival to the United States, he identified the need to know Spanish to better serve the community and earned an associate degree in Spanish from his community college and put it to use. He is currently volunteering at the UCSD Student Run Free Clinic as a medical interpreter. Charles also took part in the binational initiative providing care to the underserved population of Tijuana, Mexico with the Health Frontier in Tijuana.
Charles is an aspiring medical doctor with an interest in Obstetrics and Gynecology. His goal is to learn many languages to serve the various underserved populations of the world with Doctors Without Borders.
Charles Sawaya is a 2021 University Link Medical Science Program Alumni and pre-med student at the University of California San Diego majoring in Global Health. He moved to the United States in 2018 and earned his associate degree from Cuyamaca College in 2021. Charles returned to ULMSP for the summer 2023 session as the program's Associate Director.
Since his admission to UCSD, he has been participating in two research projects aligning with his Global Health lens. The first research focuses on Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MISC) in relation to the social determinant of health in the latin american population. The second research is an ethnographic study tracing asylum seekers from the US-Mexico Border, and their Trajectory post-immigration, documenting their experiences and stories.
Charles has experience as an anatomy and chemistry tutor and as a teaching assistant. He also received training and volunteered as a hospital medical intern, and then as a Spanish medical interpreter at Palomar Health. Upon his arrival to the United States, he identified the need to know Spanish to better serve the community and earned an associate degree in Spanish from his community college and put it to use. He is currently volunteering at the UCSD Student Run Free Clinic as a medical interpreter. Charles also took part in the binational initiative providing care to the underserved population of Tijuana, Mexico with the Health Frontier in Tijuana.
Charles is an aspiring medical doctor with an interest in Obstetrics and Gynecology. His goal is to learn many languages to serve the various underserved populations of the world with Doctors Without Borders.
Valeria Montemayor | Counselor, ULMSP Alum 2022 |
My name is Valeria Montemayor. I'm a transfer student from San Diego City College finishing up my first year at UCSD. I'm an incoming fourth year majoring in biochemistry and was a part of the 2022 ULMSP cohort. When I'm not focusing on my school work I enjoy many hobbies, the most interesting of which include woodcarving, magic, and training my dogs.
My name is Valeria Montemayor. I'm a transfer student from San Diego City College finishing up my first year at UCSD. I'm an incoming fourth year majoring in biochemistry and was a part of the 2022 ULMSP cohort. When I'm not focusing on my school work I enjoy many hobbies, the most interesting of which include woodcarving, magic, and training my dogs.
Carmen Simon | Counselor, ULMSP Alum 2020|
I am a 2023 UC San Diego pre-pharmacy graduate with a bachelor's degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. I transferred from Grossmont College where I studied Psychological Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences, and I was part of the 2020 ULMSP cohort. While at UC San Diego, I was also the Transfers in Science vice president and the Pre-Research Committee chair where I have helped foster a community for transfer students in STEM, whether they plan to go into the health field, graduate school, or industry, or simply want tools to navigate the professional world. I have also been a student researcher at Sanford Burnham Prebys since April of 2022 where I'm involved in the drug development and discovery field. I love helping students through their academic journey, so I'm proud to once again be part of ULMSP.
I am a 2023 UC San Diego pre-pharmacy graduate with a bachelor's degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. I transferred from Grossmont College where I studied Psychological Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences, and I was part of the 2020 ULMSP cohort. While at UC San Diego, I was also the Transfers in Science vice president and the Pre-Research Committee chair where I have helped foster a community for transfer students in STEM, whether they plan to go into the health field, graduate school, or industry, or simply want tools to navigate the professional world. I have also been a student researcher at Sanford Burnham Prebys since April of 2022 where I'm involved in the drug development and discovery field. I love helping students through their academic journey, so I'm proud to once again be part of ULMSP.
David Velazquez | Counselor, ULMSP Alum 2019 |
David Velazquez is a first-generation college student. He was born in Sonora, Mexico and migrated to the United States in 2010, specifically Imperial County. He attended Imperial Valley College from 2017 to 2021. He was part of the 2019 University Link Medical Science Program (ULMSP) and transferred to University of California San Diego for the fall of 2021 as a Global Health Major. David was the Imperial Valley ULMSP Representative and helped with ULMSP recruiting for the summer of 2020.
He has participated in multiple organizations at his community college and at the University of California, San Diego. At his community college, he founded and was President of the Imperial Valley Healthcare Professions Society and volunteered for the Imperial County’s Public health Department in their efforts to reduce tobacco product use, being part of their Tobacco Coalition. At University of California, San Diego, he received the Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship (CASP), he was part of Transfer Link as both the Imperial Valley College Liaison, and Vice-President. In addition, he continues to volunteer at the Student Run Free Clinic UCSD as an Interpreter.
David Velazquez is a first-generation college student. He was born in Sonora, Mexico and migrated to the United States in 2010, specifically Imperial County. He attended Imperial Valley College from 2017 to 2021. He was part of the 2019 University Link Medical Science Program (ULMSP) and transferred to University of California San Diego for the fall of 2021 as a Global Health Major. David was the Imperial Valley ULMSP Representative and helped with ULMSP recruiting for the summer of 2020.
He has participated in multiple organizations at his community college and at the University of California, San Diego. At his community college, he founded and was President of the Imperial Valley Healthcare Professions Society and volunteered for the Imperial County’s Public health Department in their efforts to reduce tobacco product use, being part of their Tobacco Coalition. At University of California, San Diego, he received the Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship (CASP), he was part of Transfer Link as both the Imperial Valley College Liaison, and Vice-President. In addition, he continues to volunteer at the Student Run Free Clinic UCSD as an Interpreter.
2022 Leadership
*Kevin 'Sebastian' Gonzalez | Associate Director, University Link Medical Science Program 2021 & 2022| Pronouns: He, Him, His
Kevin ‘Sebastian’ Gonzalez is a first-generation college student from a family of Mexican-American immigrants. He attended Southwestern College from 2016 to 2019. He was chosen as one of the eleven members of the 2019 UniversityLink Medical Science Program (ULMSP) participants and transferred into the University of California at San Diego for the Fall of 2019. Kevin graduated in the Spring of 2022 majoring in Pharmacological Chemistry and minoring in Psychology. Kevin returned to ULMSP for the Summer 2020 session as one of the three program counselors and was chosen as the ULMSP Associate Director for the 2021 and 2022 cohorts.
Kevin participated in undergraduate research on “Exploring the Binding and Recognition of Food Allergens on a Molecular Level and Implications to Gene Editing” during his second year at Southwestern College and presented his findings at the 18th Annual HTCC Honors Research Conference at University of California Irvine. He was one of the founding members of Southwestern College’s first Public Health Club and served as the Vice-President during the Fall of 2018 and as the President during the Spring of 2019. Kevin was also one of the founding members and Co-President of Transfer Link, a student organization at UC San Diego that provides access to resources and guidance to students at community college. Kevin is currently employed as a Pathology Laboratory Assistant and Grosser at Pacific Pathology and has previous experience as a Medical Technician at AvantGarde Senior Living and Academic Tutor with the Sweetwater Union High School District.
Kevin aspires to attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a physician, with interests in psychiatry and neurology. He also plans on giving back to the communities of Chula Vista and San Diego through his work as a physician and in academia.
Kevin ‘Sebastian’ Gonzalez is a first-generation college student from a family of Mexican-American immigrants. He attended Southwestern College from 2016 to 2019. He was chosen as one of the eleven members of the 2019 UniversityLink Medical Science Program (ULMSP) participants and transferred into the University of California at San Diego for the Fall of 2019. Kevin graduated in the Spring of 2022 majoring in Pharmacological Chemistry and minoring in Psychology. Kevin returned to ULMSP for the Summer 2020 session as one of the three program counselors and was chosen as the ULMSP Associate Director for the 2021 and 2022 cohorts.
Kevin participated in undergraduate research on “Exploring the Binding and Recognition of Food Allergens on a Molecular Level and Implications to Gene Editing” during his second year at Southwestern College and presented his findings at the 18th Annual HTCC Honors Research Conference at University of California Irvine. He was one of the founding members of Southwestern College’s first Public Health Club and served as the Vice-President during the Fall of 2018 and as the President during the Spring of 2019. Kevin was also one of the founding members and Co-President of Transfer Link, a student organization at UC San Diego that provides access to resources and guidance to students at community college. Kevin is currently employed as a Pathology Laboratory Assistant and Grosser at Pacific Pathology and has previous experience as a Medical Technician at AvantGarde Senior Living and Academic Tutor with the Sweetwater Union High School District.
Kevin aspires to attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a physician, with interests in psychiatry and neurology. He also plans on giving back to the communities of Chula Vista and San Diego through his work as a physician and in academia.
Brayan Fernando Chavez | Counselor, University Link Medical Science program 2021| Pronouns: He, Him, His
Brayan F. Chavez is a first-generation college student who migrated to the United States in 2013. He was raised and born in a rural area of Mexico. He attended Imperial Valley College from 2017 to 2020. He was part of the 2020 University Link Medical Science Program (ULMSP) and transferred to University of California San Diego for the fall of 2020 as a Human Biology major. Brayan came back to ULMSP for the summer 2021 session as the Summer Program Coordinator and in 2022 as a counselor.
He has participated in multiple organizations at his community college and at the University of California, San Diego. At his community college, he was part of the STEM, Chemistry club and a tutor. At University of California, San Diego he received the Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship (CASP), he was part of the Emerging Leaders Program at Revelle, SACNAS, and a founding member and Vice-President of Transfer Link. In addition, he continues to volunteer at the Student Run Free Clinic UCSD. Brayan is currently a medical scribe at San Ysidro health and getting ready to apply to medical school.
Brayan aspires to attend UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a neurologist and plans to serve underrepresented communities in Imperial Valley.
Brayan F. Chavez is a first-generation college student who migrated to the United States in 2013. He was raised and born in a rural area of Mexico. He attended Imperial Valley College from 2017 to 2020. He was part of the 2020 University Link Medical Science Program (ULMSP) and transferred to University of California San Diego for the fall of 2020 as a Human Biology major. Brayan came back to ULMSP for the summer 2021 session as the Summer Program Coordinator and in 2022 as a counselor.
He has participated in multiple organizations at his community college and at the University of California, San Diego. At his community college, he was part of the STEM, Chemistry club and a tutor. At University of California, San Diego he received the Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship (CASP), he was part of the Emerging Leaders Program at Revelle, SACNAS, and a founding member and Vice-President of Transfer Link. In addition, he continues to volunteer at the Student Run Free Clinic UCSD. Brayan is currently a medical scribe at San Ysidro health and getting ready to apply to medical school.
Brayan aspires to attend UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a neurologist and plans to serve underrepresented communities in Imperial Valley.
Pamela De Leon | Counselor, UniversityLink Medical Science Program 2021 & 2022 | Pronouns: She, Her(s)
Pamela is a first-generation college student who transferred to UCSD Fall 2020 as a Human Biology major from San Diego City College. She is a 2020 UniversityLink Medical Science Program alumni and was selected to participate in ULMSP 2022 as a counselor. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2022 with a bachelor's in Human Biology.
While in undergraduate, Pamela’s campus involvement consisted of being the Undergraduate President for the Society of Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) - an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of college students to professionals and a MADURA scholar in the Desplats lab where her work focused on Alzheimer’s disease. Through ULMSP she started interpreting at the UCSD Student Run Free Clinic and now is an interpreter and floor manager at different clinic sites.
The UniversityLink Medical Science Program and the Student Run Free Clinic have reinforced Pamela’s interest in pursuing medicine. She will be applying to medical school during her gap year and her goal is to attend UC San Diego School of Medicine and use patient advocacy to serve the uninsured and underinsured population in her community.
Pamela is a first-generation college student who transferred to UCSD Fall 2020 as a Human Biology major from San Diego City College. She is a 2020 UniversityLink Medical Science Program alumni and was selected to participate in ULMSP 2022 as a counselor. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2022 with a bachelor's in Human Biology.
While in undergraduate, Pamela’s campus involvement consisted of being the Undergraduate President for the Society of Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) - an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of college students to professionals and a MADURA scholar in the Desplats lab where her work focused on Alzheimer’s disease. Through ULMSP she started interpreting at the UCSD Student Run Free Clinic and now is an interpreter and floor manager at different clinic sites.
The UniversityLink Medical Science Program and the Student Run Free Clinic have reinforced Pamela’s interest in pursuing medicine. She will be applying to medical school during her gap year and her goal is to attend UC San Diego School of Medicine and use patient advocacy to serve the uninsured and underinsured population in her community.
Ayesha Mukhtar | Counselor, UniversityLink Medical Science Program 2021 & 2022 | Pronouns: She, Her(s)
Ayesha Mukhtar is a first-generation college graduate from Riverside County. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2019 with a degree in Human Biology and has also attended Norco College. She joined ULMSP in 2021 as a counselor under Dr. Hernandez through the Health Career Connection (HCC) internship program, and took on that role once again for the 2022 summer program.
While at UC San Diego, Ayesha participated in the OASIS (Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services) Summer Bridge Program and the 2Excel Program. She continued with OASIS as a Language Arts and Tutorial Services Facilitator, where she worked with disadvantaged and underrepresented students to improve their handling of the English language and to help them succeed in their writing-based classes. Additionally, she worked with Saltman Quarterly’s Under the Scope magazine to publish a piece about undergraduate research on Alzheimer's Disease. In her free time, she volunteered with UCSD Health's Moores Cancer Center to assist patients by offering support, finding resources, and providing comfort items for treatment.
This past year, Ayesha worked on a literature review and case study with Dr. Hernandez that explores the pathway from community college to medical school, in support of the development of the California Medicine pilot program. Ayesha has also participated in workshop curriculum design for California Medicine students. Currently, Ayesha is working with UCSD School of Medicine on a research project related to behavioral health workforce development and mental health resource access, in order to help strengthen the behavioral health pipeline within ULMSP and eventually, California Medicine.
In the future, Ayesha hopes to pursue a career in medicine and public health. Her interests are aligned with improving access to healthcare among low-income, underrepresented, refugee, and immigrant communities within Southern California. In her career, she hopes to provide high-quality, individualized care for patients and while also advocating for broader positive change in healthcare.
Ayesha Mukhtar is a first-generation college graduate from Riverside County. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2019 with a degree in Human Biology and has also attended Norco College. She joined ULMSP in 2021 as a counselor under Dr. Hernandez through the Health Career Connection (HCC) internship program, and took on that role once again for the 2022 summer program.
While at UC San Diego, Ayesha participated in the OASIS (Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services) Summer Bridge Program and the 2Excel Program. She continued with OASIS as a Language Arts and Tutorial Services Facilitator, where she worked with disadvantaged and underrepresented students to improve their handling of the English language and to help them succeed in their writing-based classes. Additionally, she worked with Saltman Quarterly’s Under the Scope magazine to publish a piece about undergraduate research on Alzheimer's Disease. In her free time, she volunteered with UCSD Health's Moores Cancer Center to assist patients by offering support, finding resources, and providing comfort items for treatment.
This past year, Ayesha worked on a literature review and case study with Dr. Hernandez that explores the pathway from community college to medical school, in support of the development of the California Medicine pilot program. Ayesha has also participated in workshop curriculum design for California Medicine students. Currently, Ayesha is working with UCSD School of Medicine on a research project related to behavioral health workforce development and mental health resource access, in order to help strengthen the behavioral health pipeline within ULMSP and eventually, California Medicine.
In the future, Ayesha hopes to pursue a career in medicine and public health. Her interests are aligned with improving access to healthcare among low-income, underrepresented, refugee, and immigrant communities within Southern California. In her career, she hopes to provide high-quality, individualized care for patients and while also advocating for broader positive change in healthcare.
2021 Leadership
Alejandro Dauguet | Research Coordinator, UniversityLink Medical Science Program 2021 | Pronouns: He, Him, His
Alejandro Dauguet is a 2021 alumnus of the University of California, San Diego, having double majored in Neurobiology and Linguistics after transferring to UCSD in the Fall of 2018 from De Anza College in Cupertino, California. He joined the ULMSP staff in Summer 2021 as a Health Career Connections (HCC) intern under Dr. Ramon Hernandez, serving as ULMSP’s Research Coordinator.
At UCSD, Alejandro served as a staff member (Research Editor) for Saltman Quarterly, an undergraduate student-run publication dedicated to communicating the cutting edge in the biological sciences to the university community. As part of Health Medical Professionals Preparation Program (HMP3), UCSD’s largest pre-health oriented student organization, he also served as a co-chair for the Healthcare Opportunities Preparation and Empowerment (HOPE) committee, dedicated to promoting healthcare within underserved communities and towards providing underrepresented minority, first-generation and/or financially disadvantaged UCSD students with tools invaluable for promoting a future career in healthcare, culminating in the annual two-day URiM Conference.
Alejandro aims to attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a physician with a focus on neurology and global health. In that light, as an Argentine immigrant, a Medical Interpreter for Palomar Hospital and a Teaching Assistant for UCSD SOM’s Medical Spanish elective, his ultimate purpose is to practice as a cultural ambassador for the burgeoning Hispanic community in California and the United States, helping to dismantle socioeconomic and linguistic barriers impeding healthcare access to this population.
Alejandro Dauguet is a 2021 alumnus of the University of California, San Diego, having double majored in Neurobiology and Linguistics after transferring to UCSD in the Fall of 2018 from De Anza College in Cupertino, California. He joined the ULMSP staff in Summer 2021 as a Health Career Connections (HCC) intern under Dr. Ramon Hernandez, serving as ULMSP’s Research Coordinator.
At UCSD, Alejandro served as a staff member (Research Editor) for Saltman Quarterly, an undergraduate student-run publication dedicated to communicating the cutting edge in the biological sciences to the university community. As part of Health Medical Professionals Preparation Program (HMP3), UCSD’s largest pre-health oriented student organization, he also served as a co-chair for the Healthcare Opportunities Preparation and Empowerment (HOPE) committee, dedicated to promoting healthcare within underserved communities and towards providing underrepresented minority, first-generation and/or financially disadvantaged UCSD students with tools invaluable for promoting a future career in healthcare, culminating in the annual two-day URiM Conference.
Alejandro aims to attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a physician with a focus on neurology and global health. In that light, as an Argentine immigrant, a Medical Interpreter for Palomar Hospital and a Teaching Assistant for UCSD SOM’s Medical Spanish elective, his ultimate purpose is to practice as a cultural ambassador for the burgeoning Hispanic community in California and the United States, helping to dismantle socioeconomic and linguistic barriers impeding healthcare access to this population.
Sultan Al Azzawi | Counselor, University Link Medical Science Program 2021, Pronouns: He, Him, His,
Sultan Al Azzawi was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. He comes from an Iraqi background and household. Him and his family immigrated to the United States in 2013. Transferring from Grossmont Community College to UCSD in 2019, he graduated from UCSD in 2021 with a major in Human Biology and a minor in Education Studies. He joined ULMSP in 2019 and was selected as a counselor for the 2021 ULMSP cohort.
During his time at community college, Sultan joined a research associate program at the emergency department of UCSD Medical Center, Hillcrest, and he continued to do so during his first year at UCSD. In 2020, Sultan also joined the Program for Underrepresented Medical Applicants (PUMA) Initiative at UCSD and served as an ambassador for the program.
Sultan is in the process of applying to medical school, and he hopes to attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine. During his gap year, he will be working as an Emergency Medical Technician to further develop his communication skills and gain valuable experience with patients.
Sultan Al Azzawi was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates. He comes from an Iraqi background and household. Him and his family immigrated to the United States in 2013. Transferring from Grossmont Community College to UCSD in 2019, he graduated from UCSD in 2021 with a major in Human Biology and a minor in Education Studies. He joined ULMSP in 2019 and was selected as a counselor for the 2021 ULMSP cohort.
During his time at community college, Sultan joined a research associate program at the emergency department of UCSD Medical Center, Hillcrest, and he continued to do so during his first year at UCSD. In 2020, Sultan also joined the Program for Underrepresented Medical Applicants (PUMA) Initiative at UCSD and served as an ambassador for the program.
Sultan is in the process of applying to medical school, and he hopes to attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine. During his gap year, he will be working as an Emergency Medical Technician to further develop his communication skills and gain valuable experience with patients.
2020 Leadership
Cheyenne N. Mercer is a first generation college transfer student (San Diego Mesa College 16' alumna) and was a participant in the 2015 UniversityLink Medical Science Program (ULMSP), a counselor for the 2019 cohort, and the 2020 Associate Director. She graduated from UCSD Revelle College with a BS degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and an MS Biology degree in 2020. She participated in UCSD's Division of Biological Sciences BS/MS Program from 2018-2020 working in the Dr. Stanley Lo Lab with a research focus on transfer student science identity formation. During her time at UCSD, Cheyenne was named a 2017-2018 UCSD Town and Gown Scholar and was awarded the 2019-2020 UCSD BS/MS BrightSpinnaker Fellowship.
Cheyenne is a founding member, 2017-2020 Executive Director, and co-chair on the board of directors for the UCSD nonprofit, Homeless HEAL: Health and Empowerment Across Learning. Homeless HEAL's mission is to bridge the health knowledge gap experienced by the homeless communities of San Diego and empower community members to advocate for and improve their health outcomes. She has mentored college transfer students as a ULMSP counselor, as well as high school juniors in the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences at her alma mater, Clairemont High School. Her passion for helping those from marginalized backgrounds has inspired her to become a physician leader and educator equipped to serve underrepresented communities. Cheyenne is currently a first year medical student at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
Cheyenne is a founding member, 2017-2020 Executive Director, and co-chair on the board of directors for the UCSD nonprofit, Homeless HEAL: Health and Empowerment Across Learning. Homeless HEAL's mission is to bridge the health knowledge gap experienced by the homeless communities of San Diego and empower community members to advocate for and improve their health outcomes. She has mentored college transfer students as a ULMSP counselor, as well as high school juniors in the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences at her alma mater, Clairemont High School. Her passion for helping those from marginalized backgrounds has inspired her to become a physician leader and educator equipped to serve underrepresented communities. Cheyenne is currently a first year medical student at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
Bethlehem (Betty) Wolkeba is a first-generation college student from San Diego, California, and received her BS degree in Human Biology and Society with a minor in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She joined the ULMSP staff Summer 2020 as a Health Career Connection (HCC) intern under Dr. Ramon Hernandez. She currently serves as one of three counselors during the 2020-2021 academic year.
At UCLA, Betty served on the executive board on her campus’s Black Pre-Health Organization where she works to help uplift and guide BIPOC pre-health students on their respective career paths in healthcare. Betty was also a Resident Assistant for three years and part of the Mobile Clinic Project at UCLA where she worked as a caseworker and now a member of their Law Initiative. On top of her commitments, she is also a HIGH AIMS scholar and is currently doing research around the accessibility of federal and state disability services for Black people with disabilities. Betty hopes to one day attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a physician with a dual degree in Public Health or Public Policy. Although her interests are still open, she is interested in pursuing Obstetrics and Gynecology or Family Medicine. She aspires to help address systemic and institutional barriers that people face within the healthcare system and also continue being a mentor to other URiM students.
At UCLA, Betty served on the executive board on her campus’s Black Pre-Health Organization where she works to help uplift and guide BIPOC pre-health students on their respective career paths in healthcare. Betty was also a Resident Assistant for three years and part of the Mobile Clinic Project at UCLA where she worked as a caseworker and now a member of their Law Initiative. On top of her commitments, she is also a HIGH AIMS scholar and is currently doing research around the accessibility of federal and state disability services for Black people with disabilities. Betty hopes to one day attend the UC San Diego School of Medicine and become a physician with a dual degree in Public Health or Public Policy. Although her interests are still open, she is interested in pursuing Obstetrics and Gynecology or Family Medicine. She aspires to help address systemic and institutional barriers that people face within the healthcare system and also continue being a mentor to other URiM students.
2019 Leadership
- Kevin Gilbert is currently a third year medical student at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and is also a UCSD PRIME Health Equity Candidate. Kevin went to community college at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California, before transferring to UC San Diego. Kevin is a 2017 UCSD graduate majoring in Pharmacological Chemistry. Kevin was selected as the Assistant Director of ULMSP in 2019.
- Adan Arteaga was one of the 2019 counselors for the UC San Diego UniversityLink Medical Science Program (ULMSP). Adan graduated from Warren College at UC San Diego in 2019. Adan received a Bachelor's in Science in Physics with a specialization in Earth Sciences.
- He is currency working full-time as Map Production Engineer at Tusimple, an Autonomous Freighting Technology startup. Adan is working towards getting a Master’s degree in GeoEngineering or Geophysics within the next 5 years.
