Allyzza Torres Raya
Allyzza Torres Raya is a student at the University of California, Merced, pursuing a double major in Biological Sciences B.S. and Management & Business Economics B.S. She comes from a small town in the Central Valley and has had a passion for medicine since a young age, a passion deeply influenced by the limited access to healthcare in her community. This experience sparked her commitment to becoming an anesthesiologist, a field that aligns with her dedication to patient care, precision, and critical thinking skills. Her journey has been shaped by involvement in biological research, community health outreach, and leadership in interdisciplinary settings. With a strong foundation in both science and business, she aims to tackle systemic healthcare challenges and expand access to quality care in underserved areas. Driven by a vision of equity in medicine, Allyzza aspires to be a compassionate and innovative leader in the field.
Alyssa Maldonado
Alyssa Maldonado, a rising third year Human Biology major at UC Merced, was inspired to pursuing medicine after observing the attentive care doctors provided her grandmother during her battle with cancer. In high school, she became more aware of healthcare issues facing the San Joaquin Valley after her hometown’s hospital, Madera Community, closed down in January of 2023. Through this, she realized that being a doctor isn’t just about treating patients, but also about prevention, education, and community empowerment. Alyssa is currently a research assistant at the Translational Research Center at UC Merced, where she learns more about and assists with research on health disparities in the San Joaquin Valley. She is also a member of Tiny Health Tales, an on-campus club that creates animated videos to improve children’s health literacy. Alyssa hopes to return to the Central Valley and give back to her community after receiving her MD.
Andrea Laine
Andrea Laine is a first-generation college student from a small town in Kern County, California. She relocated to Fresno to pursue a degree in Biology and is currently a junior at Fresno State. Andrea aspires to become a physician, a goal inspired by her high school courses in biology and introductory medicine, as well as her personal experience helping her father navigate medical challenges. Her passion for healthcare has been further fueled by hands-on experiences, including volunteering at her local hospital, participating in clinical research through the ARA program, and offering compassionate support to patients in hospice care. These opportunities have deepened her understanding of patient needs and strengthened her commitment to serving underserved communities through a career in medicine.
Armaan Batth
Armaan Batth is a second year biology major at California State University, Fresno. Having grown up in Fresno throughout his childhood, Armaan developed a passion for medicine at a young age through an early exposure to the healthcare field. Witnessing the positive impact healthcare professionals had on underserved communities inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare. This early exposure inspired his goal of becoming a physician and eventually opening up a clinic in Fresno to improve access to quality healthcare in his hometown. Armaan is currently involved in undergraduate research focused on bladderwort plants, and he also enjoys staying active in his community by volunteering at local hospitals.
Brianda Ruiz-Gomez
Brianda Ruiz-Gomez, a girl who was born and raised in Madera, California. She wasborn to Mexican parents who immigrated a few years before she was born. She is the oldest of four children and as of yet she is the only one who has entered higher education and soon her siblings will follow in her steps. Since she was young, she has continuously pursued a career in the medical field in hopes of becoming a doctor. This dream of hers began after becoming the unofficial translator for her mom during doctor’s appointments. These events pushed her to realize that a reason that people from her cultural background don’t visit doctors is because of fear, anxiety, and misunderstanding during important visits. To continue her education she began college at Fresno State as a transfer student and is now in her third academic year of college.
Emilio Ramos
Emilio Ramos is a first-generation college student currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Fresno State. He earned his Associate’s degree in Biology from Reedley College in 2024 while working full time as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a role he continues today at a hospital in Visalia Ca. As a proud member of Fresno State’s HCOP (Health Careers Opportunity Program) and HPP (Health Professions Pathway), Emilio is committed to a future in healthcare that goes beyond personal achievement. He aims to serve minority and underserved communities, not only in his hometown but across broader regions where healthcare access and equity remain critical issues. His identity as a first-generation college student and his experiences working on the front lines of patient care have shaped his determina
tion to become a compassionate and culturally aware healthcare provider. Emilio is
passionate about making healthcare more inclusive and equitable, and he sees his future in medicine as a path to uplift and empower the communities that need it most.
Evelyn Ruiz
Evelyn Ruiz is a fourth-year Biology major with a minor in Spanish at California State University, Fresno, with a strong commitment to pursuing a career in medicine. Originally from California’s Central Valley, she was among the first cohorts accepted into the UCSF Fresno
CMSP SJV-MedBridge and SJV-Mentoring to Medicine programs. Evelyn is also an active participant in the Health Career Opportunities Program (HCOP) and serves as a Peer Mentor in the Health Professional Pathways (HPP) program, where she supports fellow students pursuing careers in health. Her drive to become part of the medical field is rooted in witnessing healthcare disparities in the San Joaquin Valley and a desire to improve access to
care for underserved communities, particularly those who are Spanish-speaking. Through her academic dedication, leadership roles, and cultural competency, Evelyn is working toward her goal of becoming a compassionate and community-focused healthcare provider.
Felicia Sandoval
Felicia Sandoval is a fourth-year student at California State University, Fresno, majoring in Biology with a strong passion for medicine. Born in Gilroy, California, and raised in the small town of Woodlake, Felicia's journey has been shaped by personal adversity and resilience. Her career goal is to become a doctor, driven by a deep desire to support
women who have endured trauma similar to her own. Having overcome significant
challenges in her life, Felicia is committed to transforming pain into purpose by providing compassionate care and advocacy for underserved communities. Her lived experiences have not only inspired her academic path but have also fueled her dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others through medicine.
Jacob Pardo-Vera
Jacob Pardo-Vera is a third year undergraduate student at Fresno State pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biology. For three years he was a part
of the school’s biomedical pathway, which taught him extensively about medical interventions and mechanisms of the human body. He has participated in a triage simulation at his
local hospital and has been on an EMS ride-along, as part of an EMT training class at Fresno State. Through these experiences he has better understood the problems that the Central
Valley faces in healthcare, such as physician shortages and inaccessibility. He is also a member of Fresno State’s HCOP program which has allowed him to discover new opportunities to further his career and help his community. As of now he hopes to gain more experience
to further his aspiration to work in general surgery. Not only that, he hopes to one
day be a leading figure in reshaping his community and the healthcare system to reduce health disparities and improve the general health of each individual.
Lizette Jimenez
Lizette Jimenez is a senior at California State University, Fresno, majoring in Psychology. Originally from Visalia, California, Lizette is passionate about pursuing a career in psychiatry
to serve medically underserved and marginalized communities. Her journey into medicine has been shaped by her experiences balancing full-time work, education, and her involvement
in mentorship programs supporting at-risk and justice-involved youth. Through this work, Lizette witnessed the deep need for accessible mental health care, inspiring her to combine her psychology background with medical training. She is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered psychiatric care that addresses both emotional and social barriers to wellness. Her acceptance into the Aspiring Physicians Program marks an important
step toward achieving her goal of making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Luis Figueroa Hernández
Luis Alonso Figueroa Hernández is a first year at Fresno State University majoring in Biology and minoring in Deaf Studies. His inspiration to pursue medicine is deeply rooted in the
health disparities he witnessed. In addition to communication barriers that have motivated his passion to learn new languages.
At school, Luis is involved in various organizations such as the Student Union Board of Directors in the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Sustainability Club, and Students for Palestinian Liberation. As a fun fact, Luis enjoys trying new coffee places and dancing.
Palak Tohan
Palak Tohan is a first-year student at Fresno State with the Smittcamp Family Honors College. She grew up in the small town of Selma, California. Her passion for medicine continues to grow as she advances in courses while pursuing her degree in biochemistry and continues to volunteer for her local community. She currently works with Dr. Gousset
in her research lab, where she contributes to studies on host-pathogen interactions,
viral pathogenesis, and the role of tunneling nanotubes in disease. She aims to become a physician who can give back to the community that has given her so much.
Sabrina Olmedo
Sabrina Olmedo is a second-year biochemistry major at Fresno State with a minor in
Spanish. Born and raised in Southern California, her family moved to Fresno County for better educational opportunities. At Fresno State, she is a current member of HCOP, HPP, and the Smittcamp Family Honors College. Outside of school, she volunteers with
the Tzu Chi Mobile Clinic, specifically their See2Succeed Program, to provide medical and optometry services to underserved communities in the Central Valley. She also shadows physicians at Valley Children's Hospital and is in the process of being inducted into their volunteer program. She hopes to become a physician and someday serve underserved communities worldwide as a doctor with Doctors Without Borders.
Jazmin Lopez
Jazmin Lopez is a second-year Psychology major at UC Merced. She is originally from Modesto, CA and is pursuing a career in psychology to become a clinical therapist because she’s passionate about helping others through difficult times and supporting mental health. Jazmin has been involved in different service projects, helping with toy drives for low-income kids, volunteering at veterans’ events, supporting unhoused popula
tions, and promoting science education in local schools. They’re also part of Delta
Epsilon Mu, a pre-health fraternity, where they’re building leadership and learning
more about the healthcare field. She hopes to address disparities in mental health access and improving culturally competent care for Latinx and underserved communities.