Leadership 2011-2012
Officers assume their leadership roles as of the end of Winter Quarter for the year, continuing through the end of Winter Quarter of the following year.
Executive Board
Action Committee Chairs
Project Directors
Community & Public Health Committee Projects
Global Health Committee Projects
Student Life Committee Projects
Dr. Isaac Yang, M.D.
, Physician Advisor
Executive Board
Vivy Tran
, President
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Major: Biology
Extracurricular Activities: Coordinator, Stroke Force; Researcher, Dept. of Neurobio.; APA HealthCare; Editor, Mental Note; Chair, Mortar Board
Hobbies: Reality TV, Shopping, Exploring LA
Favorite Quote: There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. - Beverly Sills
president@amsabruins.org Hometown: Arcadia, California
Major: Biology
Extracurricular Activities: Coordinator, Stroke Force; Researcher, Dept. of Neurobio.; APA HealthCare; Editor, Mental Note; Chair, Mortar Board
Hobbies: Reality TV, Shopping, Exploring LA
Favorite Quote: There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. - Beverly Sills
Avani Vachhani
, Vice President
Hometown: Rancho Mirage, California
Major:Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Instructor, SWC CPR/First Aid; Intern, ARC Medical Program; Chair, Mortar Board; Researcher, Head and Neck Surgery Lab; Assistant, Academic Publishing
Hobbies: Watching TV shows, Random food adventures, Baking goodies, Hanging out with friends
Favorite Quote: You know what you gotta do when life gets you down? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. -Dory from Finding Nemo
vicepresident@amsabruins.org Hometown: Rancho Mirage, California
Major:Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Instructor, SWC CPR/First Aid; Intern, ARC Medical Program; Chair, Mortar Board; Researcher, Head and Neck Surgery Lab; Assistant, Academic Publishing
Hobbies: Watching TV shows, Random food adventures, Baking goodies, Hanging out with friends
Favorite Quote: You know what you gotta do when life gets you down? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. -Dory from Finding Nemo
Hibah Mahmood, External Secretary/Finance Chair
Hometown: Palm Desert, California
Major: Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Volunteer, UMMA Clinic; Researcher, Semel Institute
Hobbies: Swimming, Traveling, Eating multi-cultural food, Finding good music, Meeting new people
Favorite Quote: Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. It is better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. - Marilyn Monroe
extsecretary@amsabruins.org Hometown: Palm Desert, California
Major: Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Volunteer, UMMA Clinic; Researcher, Semel Institute
Hobbies: Swimming, Traveling, Eating multi-cultural food, Finding good music, Meeting new people
Favorite Quote: Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. It is better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. - Marilyn Monroe
Stephanie Nguyen, Internal Secretary
Hometown: Corona, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities: Volunteer, MAPS at Ronald Reagan; Dancer, Samahang Modern; Member, VSU; Volunteer, OPICA Adult Day Care
Hobbies: Eating, Sleeping, Dancing, Yoga, Swimming, Photography, Dancing and singing to music, Being in good company
Favorite Quote: Compare where you are to where you want to be, and you’ll get nowhere. -Sara Bareilles
intsecretary@amsabruins.org Hometown: Corona, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities: Volunteer, MAPS at Ronald Reagan; Dancer, Samahang Modern; Member, VSU; Volunteer, OPICA Adult Day Care
Hobbies: Eating, Sleeping, Dancing, Yoga, Swimming, Photography, Dancing and singing to music, Being in good company
Favorite Quote: Compare where you are to where you want to be, and you’ll get nowhere. -Sara Bareilles
Christina Lee
, Membership/Historian Chair
Hometown: Bakersfield, California
Major: Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Bipolar and Schizoprenia studies; Volunteer, Ronald Reagan
Hobbies: Harry Potter, Eating, Playing piano, Keeping up with sports
Favorite Quote: Harry is the best hope we have. Trust him - Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
membership@amsabruins.orgHometown: Bakersfield, California
Major: Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Bipolar and Schizoprenia studies; Volunteer, Ronald Reagan
Hobbies: Harry Potter, Eating, Playing piano, Keeping up with sports
Favorite Quote: Harry is the best hope we have. Trust him - Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Nolan Ung
, Publicity Chair
Hometown: Riverside, California
Major: Biochemistry
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Neuro-Imaging Lab; Member, Badminton Team; Volunteer, UCLA Health System
Hobbies: Photography, Cars, Food
Favorite Quote: And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
publicity@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Riverside, California
Major: Biochemistry
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Neuro-Imaging Lab; Member, Badminton Team; Volunteer, UCLA Health System
Hobbies: Photography, Cars, Food
Favorite Quote: And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
Lawrance Chung
, Webmaster
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Major: Biology
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Volunteer, UCLA Care Extender; Webmaster, Happy Feet Clinic
Hobbies: Computers, Hiking and exploring, Photography, Piaying Piano
Favorite Quote: If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute to do. - Stock Sanford Corollary to Parkinson's Law
webmaster@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Major: Biology
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Volunteer, UCLA Care Extender; Webmaster, Happy Feet Clinic
Hobbies: Computers, Hiking and exploring, Photography, Piaying Piano
Favorite Quote: If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute to do. - Stock Sanford Corollary to Parkinson's Law
Action Committee Chairs
Kimberly Thill, Community & Public Health
Hometown: San Diego, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Dr. Yang's Lab; Tutor, Amigos de UCLA
Hobbies: Dancing, Watching TV, Long-boarding, Cooking, Eating, Live music
Favorite Quote: When I get sad I stop being sad and be AWESOME instead... true story. - Barney Stinson
cph@amsabruins.org
Hometown: San Diego, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Dr. Yang's Lab; Tutor, Amigos de UCLA
Hobbies: Dancing, Watching TV, Long-boarding, Cooking, Eating, Live music
Favorite Quote: When I get sad I stop being sad and be AWESOME instead... true story. - Barney Stinson
Andrew Shenoi, Global Health
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, California
Major: Bioengineering
Extracurricular Activities: Chair, MES; Family Head, UCLA Circle K; Volunteer, Ronald Reagan's Child Life Dept.; Researcher, Bioenginering Lab
Hobbies: Dancing, Hanging out with friends, Fishing, Hanging out at the beach, Reading, Playing music
Favorite Quote: Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. - John Wooden
globalhealth@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, California
Major: Bioengineering
Extracurricular Activities: Chair, MES; Family Head, UCLA Circle K; Volunteer, Ronald Reagan's Child Life Dept.; Researcher, Bioenginering Lab
Hobbies: Dancing, Hanging out with friends, Fishing, Hanging out at the beach, Reading, Playing music
Favorite Quote: Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. - John Wooden
Peter Nauka, Legislative Affairs
Hometown: Redwood City, California
Major: Chemical Engineering
Extracurricular Activities: Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Researcher
Hobbies: Watching soccer and football, Playing FIFA, Judging high school debates, Singing to Taylor Swift
Favorite Quote: Only Victory Remains, and a Fame Forever Secure - Francis A. Walker
legislativeaffairs@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Redwood City, California
Major: Chemical Engineering
Extracurricular Activities: Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Researcher
Hobbies: Watching soccer and football, Playing FIFA, Judging high school debates, Singing to Taylor Swift
Favorite Quote: Only Victory Remains, and a Fame Forever Secure - Francis A. Walker
Yara Badrakhan, Student Life
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major: Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Intern, Ronald Reagan Patient Affairs; Volunteer, OPICA Adult Day Care & Caregiver Support Ctr.
Hobbies: Photography, Hiking, Zumba
Favorite Quote: If you really want something, and really work hard, and take advantage of opportunities, and never give up, you will find a way. - Jane Goodall
studentlife@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major: Physiological Science
Extracurricular Activities: Intern, Ronald Reagan Patient Affairs; Volunteer, OPICA Adult Day Care & Caregiver Support Ctr.
Hobbies: Photography, Hiking, Zumba
Favorite Quote: If you really want something, and really work hard, and take advantage of opportunities, and never give up, you will find a way. - Jane Goodall
Project Directors
Community & Public Health Committee Projects
Taysa Bowers, Domestic Violence Co-Chair
Hometown: Alamo, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities:Member, The Clothesline Project; Member, BruinRunners; Facilitator, Sojourn Support Group
Hobbies: Running, Painting, Horses, Traveling, Eating.
Favorite Quote: Kampf für das leben. (Fight for Life)
domesticviolence@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Alamo, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities:Member, The Clothesline Project; Member, BruinRunners; Facilitator, Sojourn Support Group
Hobbies: Running, Painting, Horses, Traveling, Eating.
Favorite Quote: Kampf für das leben. (Fight for Life)
Michelle Dilley, Domestic Violence Co-Chair
Hometown: Poway, California
Major: Neuroscience
Extracurricular Activities: Gamma Phi Beta; Researcher. Neuronuclear Imaging; Coordinator, Brain Wellness Ctr.; Member, Peds. AIDS Coalition
Hobbies: Dancing, Bodysurfing, Baking
Favorite Quote: Make each day your masterpiece. - John Wooden
domesticviolence@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Poway, California
Major: Neuroscience
Extracurricular Activities: Gamma Phi Beta; Researcher. Neuronuclear Imaging; Coordinator, Brain Wellness Ctr.; Member, Peds. AIDS Coalition
Hobbies: Dancing, Bodysurfing, Baking
Favorite Quote: Make each day your masterpiece. - John Wooden
Janice Ma, Health Education Co-Chair
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Major: Biology Major
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Sch. of Public Health; Assistant, Ctr. for Comm. Learning; APA Health CARE; Motar Board
Hobbies: Watercolors, Cake decorating, Traveling, Hiking
Favorite Quote: Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at the distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand - Thomas Carlyle
nutritionandfitness@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Major: Biology Major
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Sch. of Public Health; Assistant, Ctr. for Comm. Learning; APA Health CARE; Motar Board
Hobbies: Watercolors, Cake decorating, Traveling, Hiking
Favorite Quote: Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at the distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand - Thomas Carlyle
Clarie Tu, Health Education Co-Chair
Hometown: Diamond Bar, California
Major: Neuroscience
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Neurosurg. Brain Tumor; Member, Soc. for Neuroscience; Volunteer, Ronald Reagan's Dept. of Neurosurg.
Hobbies: Shopping, Reviewing beauty products, Interior decorating, Following TV shows, Traveling
Favorite Quote: Success is most often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable. - Coco Chanel.
nutritionandfitness@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Diamond Bar, California
Major: Neuroscience
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Neurosurg. Brain Tumor; Member, Soc. for Neuroscience; Volunteer, Ronald Reagan's Dept. of Neurosurg.
Hobbies: Shopping, Reviewing beauty products, Interior decorating, Following TV shows, Traveling
Favorite Quote: Success is most often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable. - Coco Chanel.
Global Health Committee Projects
Regina Lee, International Outreach
Hometown: Danville, Kentucky and Irvine, California
Major: Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Pediatric Dept.; Supervisor, UCLA Biomedical Library; Volunteer, UCLA Care Extender
Hobbies: Cooking and baking, Eating, Running, Yoga, Music, Photography, Reading, Traveling, Finishing my bucket list
Favorite Quote: Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert
IOP@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Danville, Kentucky and Irvine, California
Major: Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Extracurricular Activities: Researcher, Pediatric Dept.; Supervisor, UCLA Biomedical Library; Volunteer, UCLA Care Extender
Hobbies: Cooking and baking, Eating, Running, Yoga, Music, Photography, Reading, Traveling, Finishing my bucket list
Favorite Quote: Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert
Student Life Committee Projects
Pasha Dabiri, Newsletter
Hometown: Irvine, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities: Coordinator, SCOPE; Tutor, Project BRITE; Chair, Mortar Board; DJ, UCLA Radio; Researcher, Semel Institute
Hobbies: Reading, Watching Movies, UCB Comedy, Photoshop, Playing basketball and tennis, Running
Favorite Quote: If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. - Carl Sagan
newsletter@amsabruins.org
Hometown: Irvine, California
Major: Psychobiology
Extracurricular Activities: Coordinator, SCOPE; Tutor, Project BRITE; Chair, Mortar Board; DJ, UCLA Radio; Researcher, Semel Institute
Hobbies: Reading, Watching Movies, UCB Comedy, Photoshop, Playing basketball and tennis, Running
Favorite Quote: If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. - Carl Sagan