Alicia Betancourt
As a first-generation college student, Alicia Betancourt has achieved an associates degree in Business Administration and is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is a member of Fresno State’s LSAMP, HCOP, and HPP programs. She is also one of the first members of Fresno State’s Alpha Alpha Alpha honors society for first-generation college scholars. She is also studying with the Nursing Assistant Training Academy in Fresno to achieve a certificate as a nursing assistant to gain direct health and patient care skills, experience, and knowledge, and to serve the Central Valley’s healthcare needs. In her free time, she volunteers with Hinds Hospice as a patient care volunteer to provide companionship to persons on hospice. She also volunteers with PowerCA Action to help the Fresno community utilize their political voices by helping them get registered to vote and also by helping them get their voices heard on issues that directly impact them. With a passion and drive for learning, knowledge, care, and promoting healthcare and representation for underserved and underrepresented communities, Alicia is aspiring to become a phy- sician to help meet the Central Valley’s critical need for healthcare physicians, while aiming to bring a well- rounded perspective to healthcare to promote equitable care to the diverse Central Valley community.
Daniela Ceja
Daniela Ceja is a first-generation college student at Fresno State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a minor in Public Health. She is native to the Central Valley, growing up in the small agricultural town of Coalinga. She attended West Hills Community College (WHCC) before transferring to Fresno State. Daniela worked under the MESA program as a chemistry tutor and lab assistant for the chemistry department at West Hills. She participated in WHCC's 1st Annual NSF STEM CHORUS Forum and worked closely with faculty to advocate for the expansion of their STEM curriculum. Daniela is also involved in the Health Careers Opportunity Program and Health Professions Pathway at Fresno State. When she doesn't have her head in a book, she works as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at a neurorestorative facility in Fresno and volunteers at Valley Children’s Hospital as a Patient Pal. After witnessing various family members face health disparities, she became increasingly motivated to pursue a career as a physician. Working as a CNA for the better part of two years has only continued to solidify her passion for the medical field. She hopes to one day return to the Central Valley and serve underrepresented communities by being a physician who provides their patients with the accessible healthcare services they need.
Fabiola Corona
Fabiola Corona is a first-generation Mexican-American student at California State University, Fresno. She is going into her senior year as a Biology major with minors in Psychology and Spanish. Fabiola has worked as a peer mentor through the Health Professions Pathway Program on her college campus. Through this opportunity, she has been able to mentor freshman and incoming transfer students as they pursue a pre- professional career. She has also volunteered in the emergency department at her local hospital, Community Regional Medical Center. During her time volunteering, she has been able to contextualize the physician shortage in the Central Valley. Therefore, Fabiola took it upon herself to enroll in a Spanish Medical Interpreting course, with the intent to become a Spanish interpreter. Upon graduation, she plans to work as a Spanish interpreter in a hospital to help serve the Spanish-speaking community of the Central Valley. She also recently obtained her EMT certification and plans to continue to work as a patient care technician until she graduates. Both of these certifications were completed to give back to her community as there is a large need for healthcare workers in the Central Valley, specifically bilingual providers. Her long-term goal is to become a surgeon and help serve medically underserved communities.
Jasmin Neri Sanchez
Jasmin Neri Sanchez is a third-year biology student with a passion for medicine. She earned her Associate of Science and Mathematics from College of the Sequoias in the spring of 2023, and is now finishing her undergraduate studies at Fresno State University. Jasmin is incredibly grateful for my supportive community, who has helped her navigate the challenges of pursuing higher education as a first-generation student. Her goal is to become a competent physician who can provide high-quality care for those she will serve. She believes that this is the best way to give back just a small fraction of all that her community has given her.
Lina Rodriguez
Lina Rodriguez was born and raised by two hard-working parents in the small town of Visalia California. She is a proud first-generation Mexican-American, full-time college student and the first aspiring doctor ever in her family. As the oldest child in her family, Lina developed a fondness for wanting to help and educate others. Her interest in medicine began from her involvement in the Academy of Health Sciences at Mount Whitney High school. In high school she learned the impact of the advancements in biotechnology and was exposed to global health. As she studies Biology at Fresno State, Lina strives to attend medical school to become a Pediatrician. She takes great pride in having the opportunity her parents have given her and aspires to serve her community to the best of her ability.
Samantha Ruiz
Samantha Ruiz is an undergraduate student at Fresno State. As a dedicated college student majoring in biology, her passion for science continues to grow with each course and laboratory experience. Samantha’s interest in medicine is deeply rooted with a commitment to serving underserved communities. Having grown up with an immigrant parent and grandparents, she has witnessed firsthand the barriers that many individuals face in accessing quality healthcare, whether due to language barriers, socioeconomic factors, or cultural differences. For her, being a doctor is more than just a profession. it's a calling rooted in a profound sense of empathy. She is dedicated to using her skills, knowledge, and empathy to serve others, advocate for health equity, and contribute to building healthier, more inclusive communities.
Francine Soliz
Francine Soliz is a passionate student working toward her Bachelor’s in Psychology and taking pre-medical courses to pursue her dream of becoming a psychiatrist. Her passions reside in ensuring that health disparities diminish and that the voices of the community are heard. Francine has been involved in research sur- rounding prenatal care at the Central Valley Health Policy (CVHPI) on the EMBRACE study. She is part of the Fresno State team, a recruiter and retention specialist (RRS) researching which prenatal care leads to better health outcomes. Since working on the study, her fueled for eliminating inequalities and barriers that prevent quality care has grown. Joining the Aspiring Physicians Program she knows she will be a step closer to caring for her community. Her most recent community work involved leading a booth where she welcomed and encouraged students to create friendship bracelets with new members of the club.
Ivan Soto
Ivan Soto is a third year undergraduate student at California State University, Fresno. Ivan is a first- generation college student that was raised in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently a NIH-RISE scholar with an added interest in neuroscience research. His goal is to become a physician-scientist involved in health policy to allow access to healthcare for underserved communities. Ivan is an experienced and passionate person, wanting to become a physician involved in health policy to allow access to healthcare for underserved communities.
Alexa Valdez
Alexa Valdez is a full-time student at Fresno State pursuing a BA in Biology. She is a proud and driven Latina woman who was born and raised in the Central Valley. Alexa is passionately pursuing a career in medicine to champion diversity and inclusivity in healthcare. She thoroughly understands the unique health challenges faced by underserved communities, particularly within the Latinx community. Alexa is determined to bridge healthcare gaps because of her firsthand experiences witnessing family members navigate the obstacles of accessing medical care due to paperwork hurdles, work commitments, and financial con- straints. She is committed to advocating for systemic change to ensure equitable healthcare access for all. With a dedication to breaking gender barriers and inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals, Alexa aspires to become a role model for other young Latinas from underserved backgrounds. Through collaboration, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, I am confident I will achieve my dream of serving as a compassionate physician in the Central Valley.
Angel Zamora
Angel Zamora is third-year Biology major and Chemistry minor. He is originally from Tucson, Arizona, but now spends more of his life in Fresno. Being a first-generation student, he takes immense pride in being able to pursue education, constantly seeking avenues to give back to his community. Angel tries and extends his commitment to the community beyond the classroom, as he’s dedicated a lot of his time toward full-time laboratory positions throughout the valley to support his education. Beyond labs, he recently become an SI tutor so he can try to assist his peers at Fresno State through some difficult courses, especially as a Premed student. His aspirations in medicine are rooted in a childhood surrounded by healthcare professionals whose dedication inspired him. Providing healthcare to underserved communities holds a special place in his heart, embodying his belief in accessible healthcare for all.
Melanie Zepeda-Esquivel
Melanie Zepeda-Esquivel is a first-generation college student attending Fresno State, pursuing a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology. Melanie was raised in Parlier by her hard-working immigrant parents. She attended Parlier High School, where she developed a passion for medicine. She currently works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a residential care facility, providing patient care to those in need. Outside of school and work, she volunteers at a homeless shelter in Fresno, providing support to individuals undergoing homelessness. Melanie’s ultimate goal is to return to the San Joaquin Valley, where she intends to pursue her aspiration of working as a doctor of General Surgery. She aims to serve as an inspiration within underrepresented communities by encouraging people to pursue a professional career
Khin May May Lwin
Khin May May Lwin is a first-year undergraduate at UC Merced. She is from the Bay Area and is a second-generation Burmese student studying Biology with a human emphasis. As the youngest in the family, Khin aspires to give back to her immigrant parents who worked incredibly hard to support her and her siblings. She is looking forward to the rest of her years at UC Merced where she plans to engage in research and to seek out opportunies to help underserved communies. Her interest in medicine was founded when she learned about various surgical tools during a STEM career conference at Skyline College—where her fascination with medicine and science led her deciding to become a surgeon.
Diya Vakil
Diya Vakil is a second-year UC Merced student pursuing a degree in biological sciences with an emphasis on Human Biology. She is committed to addressing the multifaceted issues contributing to health disparities. Specifically, she aims to contribute to improving healthcare infrastructure, advocating for the accessibility of healthy food in food deserts, and actively participating in community health initiatives. As a future healthcare provider, she aspires to bridge the gap in equitable access to healthcare by cultivating cultural competence, engaging with the community, and adopting a holistic approach to patient care. Her goal is to not only treat illnesses but to actively contribute to the creation of a healthier, more equitable future for the Central Valley.
Ariana Vasquez
Ariana Vasquez is a second-year Human Biology major at UC Merced. With her degree, she wants to pursue a career in medicine. Born and raised in San Francisco, she is passionate about bringing more diverse and inclusive aspects into healthcare, inspired by the multicultural environment of her hometown.