Get to know us!
Meet the organizing committee members for HPS 2023.
Dua Hussain
Executive Co-director Dua-e-Fatima Hussain is a senior majoring in biology and criminology, with minors in chemistry and honors. In addition to participating in HPS, Dua is also the Biology Undergraduate Society President, Honors Pathmakers Events Coordinator, and Spirit Marching Band Clarinet Leader. In her free time, she loves reading, drinking coffee, and doing all things outdoors. Dua has been a part of the HPS committee for 3 years, and is excited to be co-directing the 7th Health Professions Symposium! |
Lorenzo silva
Executive co-director Lorenzo has a B.S. in biochemistry and is enrolled in UNM's Pre-Health Scholars Certificate program. His primary goal is to attend medical school with a focus in family medicine and community engagement. Outside of academia, Lorenzo enjoys CrossFit, hiking, and swing dancing. He also serves with the Native Health Initiative, where he’s found a passion for mentorship and positive youth development. He looks forward to a fun and engaging 2023 HPS event! |
SHivani Kapadia
facilities lead Shivani Kapadia is a third year student at UNM who is majoring in biochemistry and minoring in HMHV. Shivani is involved in AMSA, tutors math and science to middle and high schoolers, and is interested in becoming an internal medicine physician. |
AYSU nora caglar outreach (HS) Lead
Aysu Nora Caglar graduated from UNM with a BS in Biochemistry last semester. She was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and lived there until she moved to New Mexico in 2013. This year, she is the Co-Lead for the Outreach team on the HPS Committee. She is planning on attending medical school in the near future and is interested in pediatrics. She believes HPS is an amazing opportunity to gain knowledge about different healthcare careers and is really excited to see all of you there! |
muskan katoch
outreach (COllege) & volunteer lead Muskan is a third-year psychology major that aspires to be a future physician. Other than being a student and an the HPS team lead, she works as a research assistant at the Research Department of UNMH Emergency Department. She has had experience as a hotline worker at Agora Crisis Center and a hospice volunteer. She also worked as a Peer Learning facilitator for a Genetics course. Muskan was involved with HPS last year and looks forward contributing to a successful HPS 2023 event. |
Ahmad Soueidan
Program co-lead Ahmad Soueidan is a third-year student majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Health, Medicine, and Human Values. He aspires to attend medical school and become a physician in the future. Along with a lead role in HPS, Ahmad is an officer of the American Medical Student Association. He is also involved in a biochemistry lab at UNMHSC. |
Jonathan Armijo
Program co-lead Jonathan is majoring in Psychology, minoring in Chemistry and pursuing a designation in Honors. He will be graduating in May of 2023 and attending Dental School in the Fall of 2023. Jonathan is devoted to being a mentor for Pre-Dental students as the Pre-Dental Society Co-President. Outside of school and dentistry, Jonathan enjoys mountain biking, exercising and spending time with family and friends. |
NIsali Piyasena
Technology Lead Nisali is a senior at UNM pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Management. She plans on attending dental school upon graduation, with hopes of specializing in either endodontics or periodontics afterwards. Outside of HPS, she is Vice President of the UNM American Chemical Society, a Teaching Assistant for General Chemistry 2 labs, an Honors College Pathmakers mentor and a member of the UNM Pre-Dental Society. |
Mickenzie Chessman
Publicity lead Mikenzie is a junior majoring in Population Health with minors in Chemistry and Health, Medicine, and Human Values (HMHV). Upon graduation, she hopes to attend the UNM School of Medicine to pursue her MD/MPH in a dual degree program. She is incredibly interested in working in public health policy and pandemic preparedness. Outside of HPS, Mikenzie is an ASUNM Senator, the President of UNM Phi Eta Sigma, and a World-Qualifying Irish Dancer. |
audra nickel
Sponsorship lead Audra Nickel is a rising senior majoring in Medical Laboratory Sciences with minors in Biology and Chemistry. She is originally from South Dakota and attended the University of South Dakota for two years prior to becoming a lobo. Last year Audra was a member of the finance committee and this year serves as lead of Sponsorship. Audra is also involved in the Pre-Medical Society, Big Brother Big Sister of New Mexico, and spends her free time doing DIY's and spending time with friends. |
Morgan mackenzie
finance lead Morgan graduated in Spring 2022 with a BS in Biochemistry and a BA in French. She is currently a Health Sciences Research Tech working within UNM's Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology Division, and is preparing to apply to dual MD/PhD programs. This will be her second year working with HPS, and she is excited to collaborate with this next group of future medical professionals! |
cade chilcoat
Facilities team Cade is a sophomore, Pre-Med, Biochemistry major. He hopes to become more involved with the medical field during and after his time at UNM. |
Vincent thomas
facilities team Vincent is a senior undergraduate majoring in Music and Biology. He currently works as a Patient Care Technician at UNMH and eagerly anticipates applying to a physician assistant program within the upcoming year. Vincent enjoys performing as a lead violinist in the UNM Health Science Center Orchestra and is an active member of the UNM Biology Undergraduate Society. |
memas alkasasbeh
outreach team Memas Alkasasbeh is majoring in Biology with the hopes of going to UNM School of Medicine. This is her second year on the HPS committee, and she thinks it is going to be unforgettable. Being part of HPS is valuable as it helps her expand her knowledge, and it motivates her to achieve her goal. She hopes you utilize this opportunity and take advantage of HPS, as it provides many useful tools for you to succeed. She also hopes to see everyone at the Symposium this year! |
rama alkasasbeh
outreach team Rama Alkasasbeh is a junior majoring in Biology. This is her first year on the HPS committee. She volunteered for HPS last year and became interested to be on the committee this year. As for her goals, she wants to become a physician one day. She is really excited for the symposium this year and hopes you are too. |
Stephanie Dominguez
outreach & Volunteer teams Stephanie is a first-year student at the University of New Mexico, majoring in Population Health with the intention to matriculate into graduate school for a Masters in Public Health and an M.D. She hopes to one day be a women's healthcare provider and serve rural communities. She is a health apprentice at Casa de Salud and is involved in Kappa Kappa Gamma, Club Soccer, among other organizations. |
luke torres
outreach & Volunteer teams Luke Torres is a first year undergraduate student at the University of New Mexico. He is majoring in nursing with a minor in population health. He plans on attending Nurse Practitioner school after graduation. Luke works at UNM for the Center for Teaching and Learning (also known as CAPS). |
Aizza Rehman
outreach team Aizza Rehman is a sophomore majoring in Biology, and planning on minoring in Psychology. She hopes to become a PA. |
Leah trujillo
outreach team Leah is a sophomore at UNM majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. She hopes to apply to medical school and become a doctor to serve her community of Pojoaque, New Mexico. |
Kennedi Rey
program Team Kennedi Rey is a third year undergraduate at the University of New Mexico. She is pursuing a degree in Biology with minors in Psychology and Chemistry. She plans on going to dental school after graduating. She is apart of the pre-dental society, the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. |
alexandra jaquez
program team Alexandra Jaquez is currently attending the University of New Mexico pursuing a double major in Biology and Spanish with a minor in Chemistry. Her goal is to attend dental school with the interest of becoming an oral surgeon. She is bilingual and up to talk at any time, so if you ever have questions about anything, she will gladly help. Ale is excited to be part of the Health Professions Symposium and to be able to provide individuals with greater opportunities. |
heidy miguel parra
program team Heidy is a third year majoring in Nursing. Her goal is to become a pediatric practitioner and help increase access to quality care. She is currently an intern in the neonatal intensive care unit. Heidy is fluent in English, Spanish, and French, helping her to accommodate diverse populations. Her interests include hiking, dancing, and traveling. She is a part of the Pre-Medical Society, SECiH, Vax Scholars, and is ecstatic to now become a part of the 2023 Health Professions Symposium Committee. |
christian ojeda
program team Christian is currently a graduate student at UNM pursuing a Master's in Public Health, having graduated from UNM in May 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in both Biochemistry and Psychology. Along with his studies, he is a member of the Health Sciences Student Council (HSSC), the Public Health Students Association (PHSA), and works as a Project Assistant with Project ECHO. After graduate school, Christian plans to apply to medical school with interest in practicing FP, IM, OB/GYN, or Surgery! |
brian romo
program team Brian Romo is graduating in 2023 and his future goal is to get into medical school but will taking a gap year to live in Mexico with some family. Brian Romo is also involved with other clubs like AMP (association of minorities in pre-medicine), AMSA (American medical student association), and pre med society. When he isn’t at school he volunteers at the storehouse food pantry. |
bianca espinoza-cisneros
program team Bianca is currently a third year undergraduate at UNM. She is majoring in Biology, with a minor in Psychology and HMHV. Her plans are to further pursue a career as a healthcare provider in New Mexico. She loves to snowboard, run, and go rock climbing in her free time. She looks forward to helping the committee bring the best experience to the public in this upcoming HPS event! |
daniel feng
technology team Daniel is a freshman at UNM majoring in biochemistry and minoring in Health Medicine and Human Values (HMHV). He plans to complete his undergraduate degree and continue his education in medicine and healthcare through UNM School of Medicine. Outside of school, Daniel enjoys going on walks and playing his clarinet. He is looking forward to provide an exciting, engaging, and memorable experience for all participants for HPS 2023. |
edymar hernandez
technology team Edymar is a senior at UNM majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and psychology. She hopes to go to medical school and specialize in psychiatry. Outside of HPS, she works as a Peer Coach for TRIO, she is the Outreach Coordinator for Pre-Med Society, Treasurer for the Biology Undergraduate Society and a mentor for the Honors Pathmaker Leadership Program. |
madison marshall
publicity team Madison is a fourth year Biology major with a minor in Chemistry and Psychology. She is a member of the Premedical Society and the Biology Undergraduate Student Society. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school to pursue a future specialty in pediatric dermatology. |
angelina rodriguez
publicity team Angelina is a pre-nursing major with a minor in psychology projected to graduate in 2026. She hopes to return to her hometown of San Antonio, Texas after obtaining for BSN RN degree to start her career and become a travel nurse. Along with being on the publicity team for HPS, Angelina is involved in the Pre-Health Professions sector in the residential living on campus. A major focus for Angelina is to promote the latino community in the healthcare workforce and advocate for women’s healthcare. 
Anthony Tomaziefski
Finance team Anthony is a sophomore studying Biochemistry. He is a student who has a background in advocacy. Anthony's future goals include bringing medicine and health education to under-served communities. He believes that his work in HPS can provide a foundation in his future goal as well as teach him more about what it means to serve his community. |
sofie carrillo
sponsorship team Sofie Carrillo is a 3rd year majoring in Political Science and American Studies. Outside of HPS, Sofie is involved in ASUNM Senate, LoboTHON, NRHH, and is the Senior Resident Advisor for Coronado Hall. Sofie is interested in disability advocacy in her future career in politics, alongside access to public health resources for urban/low income communities. |
tara kuponiyi
sponsorship team Tara is a freshman at UNM studying biology. She wants to go on to medical school to be an orthopedic surgeon. She is from Dallas, TX and loves playing volleyball and watching movies. Tara works in the Department of Psychiatry as a Project Assistant. |
aRshia Chhabra
Sponsorship team Arshia is a sophomore majoring in Biology and minoring in Business and Chemistry. She aspires to be a family medicine physician and open her own clinic someday. Outside of HPS, she is a General Chemistry 2 Lab TA and involved with Pre Medical Society. |
