Amanda Fang

Co-President

4th year Neurobiology Major, Medical Anthropology Minor

Career Goals: Physician-Scientist

Hi! My name is Amanda, and I’ll be one of your Presidents this year. I joined SHIP my 1st year at UCI because of its commitment to healthcare accessibility and community. It’s an honor to be a part of a dedicated team that aims to expand healthcare to all. From working with volunteer providers of different specialties to collaborating with fellow SHIPmates in providing quality, free health services to underserved patients, we’re able to make a direct impact on our local communities and reduce barriers to healthcare. Outside of SHIP, I’m very involved in neuroscience research, have a passion for art and reading, and enjoy trying new cafes! Please feel free to reach out to me at amandasf@uci.edu with any questions, I’m happy to talk about SHIP or anything else :)

Mariam Mabrouk

Co-President

3rd year, Human Biology

Career Goals: Orthopedic Surgeon

Hi everyone! My name is Mariam, and I’m so excited to serve as one of SHIP’s presidents this year! I was honored to join SHIP during my first year and have since been grateful for the opportunity to contribute to health equity in our community. Being able to serve and support others’ health has been an incredibly fulfilling experience and a true privilege.Outside of SHIP, I conduct research in the Department of Anesthesiology at UCIMC and love taking hot yoga sculpt classes in my free time!Please feel free to reach out to me at mmabrouk@hs.uci.edu if you ever want to chat about SHIP or anything else!

Vulena Xiong

Co-Vice President

3rd Year, Public Health Sciences

Career Goals: Physician - Orthopedic Surgery

Helloooo! My name is Vulena and I’m excited to be one of your Vice Presidents this year :) I joined SHIP Fall of my first year after closely resonating with SHIP’s mission of “healthcare is a right, not a privilege.” Growing up Hmong American and struggling first-hand to access healthcare, my lived experiences have fueled my drive to expand access to care and build trust with communities that have been underserved or ignored. SHIP has allowed me to take an active role closing the gap in accessibility to care, and for communities that need it most. I am grateful to be a part of SHIP’s team of caring and compassionate volunteers that are motivated to close the gap in accessibility and promote health equity. Every interaction and shift has taught me something new that I will take with me as a future physician. Outside of SHIP, I am involved in immunoendicrinology research at the Nicholas Lab and enjoy thrifting + reselling clothes and collecting vintage watches! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions (or want my depop!) at vfxiong@uci.edu.

Tye Ross

Co-Vice President

4th Year, Biological Sciences

Career Goals: Anesthesiologist

Hi! My name is Tye, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Vice President this year. I first joined SHIP in the spring of my sophomore year, drawn to its mission of putting community first. Through volunteering at Lestonnac Free Clinic, OCEP, and the Southwest Community Center, I have seen firsthand how simply showing up with our time and care can make a real difference in the lives of patients. For me, SHIP is more than a place to build clinical skills—it is a chance to learn how to care for people with humility, compassion, and heart. I hope to encourage SHIPmates to feel confident in the clinic while also reminding us of our shared purpose: to serve those who may not always have access to the care they deserve. Outside of SHIP, I conduct clinical research in Anesthesiology at UCI Medical Center. I enjoy playing sports, spending time at the beach, and being with family and friends. Please feel free to reach out to me at tyer@hs.uci.edu if you have any questions about SHIP or my experience in medicine so far!

Hello everyone! My name is Thy (pronounced “tee”), and I am excited to be serving as SHIP’s Secretary this year! I joined SHIP during Spring Quarter of my 1st year at UCI because I was drawn to SHIP’s mission of improving healthcare accessibility to underserved communities. As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, I grew up hearing stories from my family about how challenging it was finding healthcare during wartime, and this inspired me to find ways to be a part of bridging care gaps for patients who need it the most. Being a part of an organization that produces such a direct positive impact on our community has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, and I love navigating these experiences alongside fellow SHIPmates! SHIP has taught me so much about what it takes to ensure patients receive the quality, compassionate healthcare they deserve. Outside of SHIP, I love to test out new matcha recipes, try new cafes and restaurants with friends, and collect ocean animal plushies and trinkets! Please feel free to reach out to me at voongta@uci.edu if you have any questions about SHIP!

Thy Voong

Secretary

3rd Year, Public Health Sciences

Career Goals: OB-GYN Physician

Hi everyone! My name is Miranda Cepkinian, and I have the pleasure of being one of the Medical Clinic Coordinators for SHIP this year! I joined SHIP in the winter quarter of my first year. I am passionate about healthcare and aspire to work in the medical field. I want to become a physician not only to help others, but to provide care to those who it is not readily accessible to. I hope that one day as a physician I am able to bridge the gap for accessibility of healthcare between those who may have access to complete and top of the line care and to those who do not. My time spent volunteering for SHIP has been such a fulfilling experience. It makes me happy to know that I work alongside others who are willing to go the extra mile in order to work toward the betterment of healthcare and who have the drive to serve the underserved. During my free time I enjoy playing volleyball, roller skating(and seasonally ice skating), listening to music, painting, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends.

Miranda Cepkinian

Medical Clinic Coordinator

4th Year, Biological Sciences

Career Goals: Physician

Hi everyone! My name is Leevi Symister, and I have the pleasure of being one of the Medical Clinic Coordinators for SHIP this year! I joined SHIP in the Spring Quarter of my sophomore year. I was really drawn to this fantastic organization because of its mission to assist in providing healthcare to the underserved community. I think it's really important as future healthcare workers that we push ourselves to serve all people in need of care regardless of their background or ability to pay for it. Unfortunately due to our current healthcare system this isn't always the case, but thankfully, due to organizations such as the Lestonnac Free Clinic, work is being done to address these inequities, and that is absolutely something I want to be a part of not only now but also in the future! Outside of SHIP I love to dance (particularly breaking and Hip-hop) and am a part of a freestyle dance club on campus called B-Boys Anonymous. In addition to this, I am also a part of a research lab on campus where we are working to develop a Magnetic Tweezer to study the kinetics of single molecules such as DNA and RNA. Finally, I love to spend time with my family and friends whether it be via studying, eating meals together, or going out! Please feel free to reach out to me (lsymiste@uci.edu) if you have questions about SHIP or anything else!

Leevi Symister

Medical Clinic Coordinator

4th Year, Biomedical Engineering: Premedical

Career Goals: Physician-Scientist

Dental Clinic Coordinator

4th Year, Biological Sciences

Career Goals: Dentistry

Hi everyone! My name is Valerie, and I am so excited to be this year’s Dental Clinic Coordinator! One of the reasons why I was originally drawn to dentistry is due to the fact that oral health is constantly overlooked due to dental care being not attainable for everyone because of the high costs that can accumulate over time. Being in SHIP has allowed me to help break the barriers of dentistry by granting access to dental services to individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford it and would, in turn, continue living their lives in constant pain within their oral cavity–a part of the human body that is involved in everyday activities (e.g., eating, talking, smiling). During my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball and pickleball, and I love spending time with my family and friends! I also like to sing and play the piano/ukulele! Please feel free to reach out to me at lavt1@uci.edu if you have any questions related to dentistry, SHIP, or anything else!

Valerie La

Hello everyone! I’m Ashreiy and I’m one of the co-chairs for the R&D Committees at SHIP. I joined SHIP in my first quarter of my first year at UCI, and it has been one of the best experiences I have had here so far. Growing up in India, I was directly exposed to the community health disparities and lack of healthcare access prevalent in many parts of the world. I decided to pursue a career in healthcare to combat this reality in whatever community I find myself in, and SHIP has allowed me to do just that. Through SHIP, I’ve been able to make a direct impact in local communities by helping LFC provide compassionate and much-needed care to underserved populations. SHIP is not only an organization with an amazing cause, but it’s also a community of inspiring, passionate, and caring pre-health students. It’s been a great pleasure to be a part of it so far.

Ashreiy Appajodu

Research & Development Committee Leader

3rd Year, Neurobiology

Career Goals: Physician

Kayla Nababan

Hai! I’m Kayla, and I’m one of the co-chairs for R&D! I grew up in Fontana, CA, and lived in the Inland Empire my entire life. I joined SHIP at the beginning of my 3rd year because of my interest in working with underserved communities. Coming from a background where I saw the effects of having no health insurance, I saw SHIP as an opportunity to directly address this issue as a undergraduate student. Through SHIP, I am able to immerse myself in a clinical environment with the guidance of other pre-health students and physicians. Interestingly, I learned a lot from interacting with other SHIPmates as well. Being in SHIP has made me extra motivated and prepared as a pre-med student! When I need to take a break, I love to watch my favorite streamer and UCI alumna Fuslie, and annoy my little sisters.

Research & Development Committee Leader

4th year, Biological Sciences Major, Psychology Minor

Career Goals: Physician

What’s up guys! My name is Marco and I’m excited to meet all of you interested in SHIP. I’ve been a part of the organization for 2 years, and I can certainly say that it’s been one of the most fulfilling parts of my UCI journey. There’s nowhere better to be a medical assistant than in a free clinic, working with some of the most grateful, yet underserved patients in Orange County. As the Patient Education and Resources Committee Leader, it’s my primary goal to work on the forefront of our patient’s healthcare by educating the clinic population on a range of health topics. I strive to work towards addressing how we can prevent chronic health conditions by using thoughtful and digestible content for our patients and shipmates to work towards a brighter, healthier future. Outside of SHIP, I am a part of the Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program, work in culinary medicine, and enjoy spending time with my 10-year-old dog. Please reach out to me with any questions at msesteba@hs.uci.edu. I’m always open to chatting with future applicants or those interested in anything mentioned above!

Marco Esteban

Patient Education & Resources (PEAR) Committee Leader

4th Year, Biological Sciences

Career Goals: Physician

Hi everyone! I'm Alyssa, and I currently serve as one of the co-chairs for the Patient Education and Resources committee. Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic community, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of accessible healthcare and creating a welcoming environment for patients. Joining SHIP my first quarter at UCI gave me the chance to do just that and help make healthcare more inclusive. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve and learn from the patients at LFC. Small acts of kindness and understanding can make a significant difference in their healthcare journey! Being part of SHIP has not only allowed me to give back, but also to build a sense of community with others who share similar goals. I’m always inspired by everyone’s passion and teamwork, and it’s really special to be part of a group that supports each other both inside and outside the clinic. Outside of SHIP, I’m in an Alzheimer’s research lab, love café hopping (let me know if you have any recs), and cheer on the Dodgers every season!

Alyssa Hernandez

Patient Education & Resources (PEAR) Committee Leader

3rd Year Biological Sciences

Career Goals: Physician

What’s up everyone! My name is Robert, and I’m truly honored to serve as a PEAR Co-Chair for SHIP this year. Having experienced firsthand the challenges that language barriers create in healthcare, SHIP has given me the opportunity to use my Spanish bilingualism to help underrepresented patients feel heard, understood, and comfortable. I believe it is these little humanities that separate healthcare from great healthcare. As a PEAR Co-Chair, I strive to advocate for patient health by providing bilingual resources and education on chronic conditions to empower patients in their health journeys. Surrounded by future providers, I know my fellow SHIPmates and I share the same passion to create more equitable and compassionate healthcare for all. Outside of SHIP you will probably catch me on a run, cooking up a homemade meal, or chilling with my French bulldogs Lilo & Stitch!

Roberto Lopez III

Patient Education & Resources (PEAR) Committee Leader

2nd year, Nursing Science

Career Goals: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Hey y’all! I’m Luke and it’s my pleasure to be one of your mentorship chairs this term! Growing up in Oakland, I’ve firsthand learned about the socioeconomic disparities within healthcare at a young age, creating compassion for helping the underserved with whatever I involved myself in. I joined SHIP in my first year and have truly felt like I have been able to make a difference in my community by volunteering at Lestonnac free clinic and organizing WHS mentorships. Every SHIPmate that I’ve met has only refined this passion that I feel and encouraged my pursuit of medicine. I look forward to upholding SHIP’s mission statement and hope to inspire others in the same way SHIP has inspired me.

Luke Chan

Mentorship Committee Leader

3rd Year, Biological Sciences

Career Goals: Family Medicine Physician

Hi everyone! I’m Steph, and I’m so excited to be one of your mentorship chairs this year! Growing up, I watched relatives avoid checkups and let small problems linger because they didn’t have insurance and feared the bills more than the symptoms. Finding myself interpreting at some of their visits, I saw how language and cost barriers could delay care, making the disparities feel personal. Collectively, those experiences - along with volunteering with patients in underserved communities at my local free clinic in high school shaped my commitment to a career in medicine devoted to improving access, strengthening language equity, and delivering culturally informed care. I joined SHIP in the winter quarter of my second year, and couldn’t be more grateful to be part of a supportive community of motivated, compassionate peers that share my values and aspirations, and the opportunity to mentor high school students from WHS! Outside of SHIP, I’m in a pediatric sleep lab, and enjoy dancing, cooking, and going on long walks! I also love my dog and matcha!!

Stephanie Wong

Mentorship Committee Leader

3rd year, Biological Sciences Major

Career Goals: Physician - Pediatrician or OBGYN

Hi! My name is Marissa Loya, and I am so excited to serve as one of your Community Outreach Chairs this year! I first joined SHIP in the spring of my second year, drawn to its mission of providing quality healthcare to communities that are often overlooked. Being a part of the Latine community, I have witnessed firsthand the disparities in healthcare access within my own family. SHIP has given me the opportunity to transform these shared experiences into action by helping break barriers to care and connecting underserved patients with healthcare services. During my free time, I love to listen to music, watch movies, hang out with friends, and try out new coffee shops! Please reach out to me with any possible questions at mmloya@uci.edu, I’d love to chat.

Marissa Loya

Community Outreach Committee Leader

4th Year, Neurobiology Major, Psychological Sciences Minor

Career Goals: Psychiatrist

Hi! My name is Lauryn Tran, and I am a third-year Human Biology student passionate about improving access to care and supporting patients and families through challenging moments. I first joined SHIP during the spring of my freshman year after being inspired by its mission to make healthcare a right, not a privilege. As a Vietnamese American, I have seen how language and financial barriers can prevent families from receiving proper care, and SHIP has given me the opportunity to help bridge that gap through community outreach at Lestonnac Free Clinic. I hope to help SHIPmates feel confident and supported in the clinic, while keeping in mind the heart of why we are here—to serve with empathy and purpose. Outside of school, you’ll probably find me hiking, thrifting for vinyl records, or running my small matcha pop-up, which blends my love for wellness and community. Please feel free to reach out to me at lauryntt@uci.edu if you have any questions, or want to chat!

Lauryn Tran

Hi everyone! I’m Briana, and joining SHIP during my first year at UCI has been one of the most rewarding decisions I've made. I’m deeply passionate about SHIP’s mission to expand healthcare access to all, and it's incredibly fulfilling to be a part of a dedicated team that provides quality, free health services to underserved communities. As the Finance and Fundraising Chair, I’m excited to support SHIP’s initiatives by organizing events like Ring Road fundraisers and restaurant socials to raise essential funds and spread awareness about our cause. I truly enjoy connecting with fellow SHIPmates and supporting their journey in healthcare. Outside of SHIP, I love spending time with family, staying active with morning runs and hikes, exploring new study spots, and watching scary movies. I hope to meet you all soon and feel free to reach out to me via email if you have any questions venegab1@uci.edu.

Community Outreach Committee Leader

3rd Year, Human Biology

Career Goals: Oncologist

Briana Venegas

Finance & Fundraising (F&F) Committee Leader

2nd year, Public Health Sciences

Career Goals: PA specializing in OBGYN

Hii, I’m Giselle and I’m serving as SHIP’s Marketing Director! I love giving back to our underserved communities and have been drawn to it for as long as I can remember: my high school greatly emphasized community service through our motto, serving the dear neighbor without distinction, which is something I still carry with me and am excited to continue living out as a member of SHIP. Being marketing director, I’m excited to further share all of the ways that SHIP reaches out to the underserved – whether it’s mentoring highschoolers, creating patient education materials that help prevent common medical conditions, or presenting researching findings at UROP, SHIP is made up of so many avenues that ultimately lead to serving our community! Outside of SHIP, I’m part of a research lab that studies ways to reduce chronic pain through integrative treatments. I love snowboarding, spin classes, reading, and spending time with my yorkiepoo, family & friends.

Giselle Tolentino

Marketing Director

3rd Year, Biological Sciences

Career Goals: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine