2024 GAPPA Board

Katy is a third-year public health sciences major at UC Irvine. Some of her current commitments on campus include mentoring and volunteering for the pre-PA and global medical training clubs and working as a research assistant in epidemiology and pediatric exercise research labs. Katy plans to graduate early in the spring of 2024 and continue working as a medical assistant during her gap year. She enjoys weightlifting, trying new restaurants/cafes to review on Instagram, and being outdoors during her free time. Katy is looking forward to meeting more people within the PA community!

Jaclyn (Jackie) graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2023 as a Molecular and Cellular Biology Major. The most impactful part of her undergraduate experience was founding UC Berkeley's first Pre-PA Club. Jackie is extremely passionate about the PA profession so being able to foster that community was so meaningful and she can't wait to do the same with GAPPA. Currently, she works as a medical assistant at a Dermatology clinic in Del Mar and is planning to apply to PA school in 2024. Outside of the PA world, she loves to work out, cook/bake, and read. Jackie is looking forward to creating exciting events and opportunities for members and continue growing the GAPPA community this year!

Trevor graduated from UCSD in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in human biology! Currently, he works as an MA at a family clinic in Orange County. For PA school, he'll be applying in the upcoming cycle in 2024. Some of his hobbies include hiking, watching and playing basketball, and attending concerts. Trevor looks forward to spending more time with GAPPA members at our events!

Safa will be graduating California State University, Fullerton this Spring 2024. She is a Public Health major and works as a medical scribe in the oncology department at City of Hope. She is also actively involved in CSUF’s PA-Club and the ‘Eta Sigma Gamma’ Public Health Honor Society. Her plan is to apply to the 2026 cycle of PA school and hope to fulfill her dream as a PA in either dermatology or pediatrics! Aside from school, Safa loves to travel to different places around the world and cook/create new recipes. She wishes everyone a great year ahead!

Sierra recently graduated from UCSD in 2023 with a major in Psychology specializing in human health and a minor in general biology! She has experience working in integrative and functional medicine and orthopaedics. She is considering applying to PA school this year or in 2025. She aims to one day work in emergency medicine and work with underserved communities. In her free time, Sierra loves to read books, get boba, and play video games. She looks forward to meeting everyone at future events!

Katie graduated UCSD in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in General Biology. Since then, she was able to gain invaluable experiences volunteering with organizations that promote mental health to LGBT+ youth as well as working with disadvantaged students through tutoring programs. She now works as a medical assistant, hoping to start applying to PA school this upcoming cycle. In her spare time, she loves to create small DIY projects, and most recently, she built her own desk! But more than anything else, she likes to be with her dog and go on long walks! 

Erica graduated in 2021 with a B.S. in Neuroscience from UC Riverside. She has experience as an Ophthalmology Technician and EMT for her PCE hours. Currently, Erica is taking more pre-reqs and volunteering at an elementary school. She loves making pizzas and learning to play the harp. Her daily dose of serotonin comes from playing with her two fur babies. She is excited to work alongside everyone to become future PAs!

 Quang is a UCSD 2023 graduate who majored in general bio and is now working fulltime as a pediatric MA in Newport Beach. His plan for PA school is to apply across the country in 2025 once he takes some remaining prerequisite classes, racks up more PCE and volunteer hours. Quang likes going out to do things like thrifting, exploring new restaurants with friends, and being active through sports or working out. But with that, Quang feels like he always needs the next day to socially recover by chilling at home to sleep, watch anime, or cook. A fun fact is that he has been walking around with a torn ACL a little over a year now and didn't find out until a month ago.

Vinh is an alumni from UC San Diego who graduated with a bachelors in general biology in Spring 2023. Currently, he is working at a clinic that involves pulmonology, sleep, and family care. His goals for PA school is to apply within the next couple of years and looking to specialize in urgent care. However, he still needs to get a couple more classes and hours in before moving any further! Vinh always loves to try new things, but some of his hobbies right now are gymming, basketball, jump rope, reading, and cooking new dishes. If there is anything you would like to ask, whether it's related to the PA field or outside of it, he would be more than happy to answer!   

Anika is a third year at UC Irvine majoring in Public Health Sciences and minoring in Psychology, and she will graduate in June 2024. Currently, she is a Medical Assistant and was previously a Physical Therapy Aide. She is involved in leadership positions in the pre-PA club at UCI and also a skincare interest club. On campus, Anika is an undergraduate researcher and mentors undeclared first year students. She is involved with volunteering and mentoring young children off campus as well. Anika plans on applying to PA school in 2025 after taking a gap year. She hopes to work with underserved communities as a PA. Her hobbies include cooking and working out.

Isabella is a recent Public Health graduate from UC Berkeley. Throughout college, she co-facilitated a student-led course teaching students about the PT, NP, and PA fields and mentored first-generation students on STEM pathways through the Educational Opportunity Program. Isabella’s patient care experience includes working as a medical assistant at an urgent care clinic and as a PT aide at a private practice. She plans to move to Los Angeles for her gap year, where she will work as a medical assistant and hopes to serve Hispanic populations. Besides her PA aspirations, her hobbies include watching reality TV shows, thrifting, and reading. Isabella is super excited to get to know everyone and be a part of the GAPPA team!

Sandra graduated in 2023 with a major in Public Health. Currently working as a Medical Assistant. During undergrad she served as the President of the CSULA Pre-PA Association. Sandra plans to apply for PA school in the 2025 cycle. In her free time, she enjoys exploring different restaurants and traveling. She is excited about the opportunities and experiences that GAPPA has in store for the members!

Laura graduated from UCSD in June 2023 as a Human Biology Major. She has experience working as a CNA at a SNF and currently works as an MA at an integrative medicine clinic. Outside of work, she is actively involved at her local community college's Allied Health Club and volunteers at food banks. Laura is planning to apply to PA school in 2025. In her free time she enjoys surfing, reading, and hiking with her dog. Laura is excited to join GAPPA where she can connect with fellow pre-PA students and support others in our journey towards PA school!

Brooke graduated from UC Davis in 2022 with a major in Global Disease Biology and a minor in Exercise Science. Currently, Brooke works as a rehab aide at a hospital and as a medical assistant/scribe at a regenerative health clinic. In addition to these roles, Brooke dedicates time to volunteer pet therapy with her dog Dante, at a local hospital.

Brooke plans to apply to PA school in April 2025. Outside of healthcare commitments, Brooke enjoys backpacking, camping, running, and karaoke. Brooke is excited about joining GAPPA to help others prepare for PA school and to connect with people who share similar goals and passions.