Health Advocates for the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Abigail Krenz
Pomona College 2026 Abigail Krenz is a junior at Pomona who hopes to study public policy or international relations. She is passionate about increasing health equity and connecting people to resources across language barriers. In the future, she is interested in working for a non-profit or in the government to support vulnerable communities. In her free time, she enjoys learning languages, cooking, and all things outdoors. |

Adriana Apana
Pomona College 2027
Adriana Apana is a sophomore, Class of 2027, at Pomona College. She is currently on the Pre-Health Track and thinking of majoring in something related to STEM and possibly a dance major or minor. On the side, she loves to continue her passions in dance, which she has trained in the styles of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, etc. for the past decade. Born and raised in Hawai’i, she also is a major foodie. She is currently missing Hawaiian Food, Zippy’s Chili, Poke Bowls, and is obsessed with boba drinks. Her future career goal is to become a pediatrician, as she loves working with children through teaching dance and volunteering at her local Children’s Museum back in Oahu.
Pomona College 2027
Adriana Apana is a sophomore, Class of 2027, at Pomona College. She is currently on the Pre-Health Track and thinking of majoring in something related to STEM and possibly a dance major or minor. On the side, she loves to continue her passions in dance, which she has trained in the styles of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, etc. for the past decade. Born and raised in Hawai’i, she also is a major foodie. She is currently missing Hawaiian Food, Zippy’s Chili, Poke Bowls, and is obsessed with boba drinks. Her future career goal is to become a pediatrician, as she loves working with children through teaching dance and volunteering at her local Children’s Museum back in Oahu.

Amid Louis
Pomona College 2026
Amid is in their third year at Pomona College, majoring in Psychological Science on the pre-PA track, with a Chemistry minor. They aspire to work in the healthcare sector and hope to pursue a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies or School Psychology as they wish to focus on adolescence mental health, education, and service. Outside of school, they love reading, being terrible at art, spending time with friends, and playing ukulele and guitar. As a first-gen and low-income immigrant themself, Amid joined Health Bridges as they felt that Health Bridges’ mission and values align very well with their own, and wished to work with underserved communities as a way of giving back
Pomona College 2026
Amid is in their third year at Pomona College, majoring in Psychological Science on the pre-PA track, with a Chemistry minor. They aspire to work in the healthcare sector and hope to pursue a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies or School Psychology as they wish to focus on adolescence mental health, education, and service. Outside of school, they love reading, being terrible at art, spending time with friends, and playing ukulele and guitar. As a first-gen and low-income immigrant themself, Amid joined Health Bridges as they felt that Health Bridges’ mission and values align very well with their own, and wished to work with underserved communities as a way of giving back

Ananya Vinay
Pomona College 2027
Ananya Vinay (she/her) is a sophomore at Pomona College majoring in neuroscience. She is an Arts and Culture features writer for The Student Life, a volunteer at local elementary schools, and conducts chemistry research. In her free time, she enjoys reading and dance. In the future, Ananya aspires to be a physician.
Pomona College 2027
Ananya Vinay (she/her) is a sophomore at Pomona College majoring in neuroscience. She is an Arts and Culture features writer for The Student Life, a volunteer at local elementary schools, and conducts chemistry research. In her free time, she enjoys reading and dance. In the future, Ananya aspires to be a physician.
Andy Butler
Pomona College 2026 Andy is a junior chemistry major at Pomona College on the Pre-Health track. Originally from Boston, he is a member of the Pomona-Pitzer football team and enjoys watching movies. On campus, he is involved in chemistry research and several mentorship programs for the Chemistry and Pre-Health departments. In the future, he intends to go to medical school or continue chemistry research for a graduate program. |
Annabelle Thun
Claremont McKenna College 2028 Annabelle Thun (she/her) is a freshman at CMC, and is from Los Angeles. She is majoring in Integrated Sciences, and discovered her interest in medical equity while volunteering in downtown Los Angeles during high school. While working there she learned more about the local community, and found a passion for increasing health equity. In the future, she is interested in going further into the field of public health and medicine. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends. |
Ari Taubenfeld
Pomona College 2026 Use he/him pronouns , From Eugene Oregon, Majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in chemistry, In the future I want to pursue an MD supporting patients with a sense of cultural competency, Hobbies are going exploring out in the woods, playing board games and card games with friends, and completing escape rooms |

Belén Lina Padilla
Scripps College 2025
Belén (She/They) is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Psychology & Spanish on the Pre-Medical track. Her hobbies involve dance, badminton, anime, and video games. Her career goals are to become an OB/GYN along the United States-Mexico border providing OB/GYN healthcare to crossing migrants.
Scripps College 2025
Belén (She/They) is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Psychology & Spanish on the Pre-Medical track. Her hobbies involve dance, badminton, anime, and video games. Her career goals are to become an OB/GYN along the United States-Mexico border providing OB/GYN healthcare to crossing migrants.

Betsaida Quevedo
Claremont McKenna College 2027
Betsaida (Saida) is a second year at Claremont Mckenna College from Los Angeles, California hoping to major in Neuroscience or Psychology with a dual in Chicanx/Latinx studies. She joined Health Bridges in hopes to accomplish her goal of helping people like those in her community who suffer from health disparities and barriers. Coming from Los Angeles, she hopes to work closely with those in her community through Healthbridges. She hopes to one day attend Medical school or PA school after undergrad in order to help the Los Angeles community as a healthcare professional who grew up in the same area.
Claremont McKenna College 2027
Betsaida (Saida) is a second year at Claremont Mckenna College from Los Angeles, California hoping to major in Neuroscience or Psychology with a dual in Chicanx/Latinx studies. She joined Health Bridges in hopes to accomplish her goal of helping people like those in her community who suffer from health disparities and barriers. Coming from Los Angeles, she hopes to work closely with those in her community through Healthbridges. She hopes to one day attend Medical school or PA school after undergrad in order to help the Los Angeles community as a healthcare professional who grew up in the same area.
Camila Arzate
Claremont McKenna College 2026 Camila Arzate (she/her) is a junior at Claremont McKenna College, majoring in Human Biology and on the Pre-PA track. From San Diego, Camila is passionate about healthcare and community service, serving as a Spanish medical translator for Healing Hearts Across Borders. She is involved in various organizations on campus, including teaching flute through Music Mentors, 5C Health Link board member, Music Mania, and the Claremont Gerontology Club. In her free time, Camila enjoys photography, reading, and spending time in nature. |
Chisato Kamakura
Claremont McKenna College 2027 Chisato (she/her) is a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College studying neuroscience on the pre-med/PhD track. She hopes to leverage her interests in biological research, linguistics, and education to contribute to Health Bridges' mission of equitable healthcare. In her free time, Chisato enjoys reading, playing the violin, baking, and taking long naps! |

Dicle Acu
Pomona College 2027
Dicle Acu (she/her) is a first-year student at Pomona College, from Eskisehir, Turkey. She intends to major in Neuroscience and Chemistry. She hopes to pursue an MD/PhD degree. She loves sailing, playing volleyball (either beach or court!), listening to music, and baking. She also loves spending time with her friends and tasting coffee!
Pomona College 2027
Dicle Acu (she/her) is a first-year student at Pomona College, from Eskisehir, Turkey. She intends to major in Neuroscience and Chemistry. She hopes to pursue an MD/PhD degree. She loves sailing, playing volleyball (either beach or court!), listening to music, and baking. She also loves spending time with her friends and tasting coffee!

Erlin Lopez Rodas
Scripps College 2025
Erlin is a first generation, daughter of two hardworking immigrant parents in hopes of achieving a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is currently a junior at Scripps College pursing a degree in Human Biology and Chicanx/Latinx Studies.
She was first interested in Health Bridges when she heard about the opportunity to help her community of Latino/a/x and be able to create connections between doctor and patient through helping break the language barrier present. Seeing her parents be discriminated against when they were visibly sick is what initially drew her to healthcare and to have the opportunity and ability to close the inequity gap in the healthcare system in any way is why she chose to do Health Bridges. She hopes to help as many families or people as possible through this opportunity. Lastly, she loves to play soccer on her free time and read a lot of books!!
Scripps College 2025
Erlin is a first generation, daughter of two hardworking immigrant parents in hopes of achieving a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is currently a junior at Scripps College pursing a degree in Human Biology and Chicanx/Latinx Studies.
She was first interested in Health Bridges when she heard about the opportunity to help her community of Latino/a/x and be able to create connections between doctor and patient through helping break the language barrier present. Seeing her parents be discriminated against when they were visibly sick is what initially drew her to healthcare and to have the opportunity and ability to close the inequity gap in the healthcare system in any way is why she chose to do Health Bridges. She hopes to help as many families or people as possible through this opportunity. Lastly, she loves to play soccer on her free time and read a lot of books!!

Eva Chen
Pomona College 2027
Eva is a student from Pomona College in the Class of 2027 who intends to major in chemistry and minor in music. Originally from Orange County, she enjoys playing the violin in the Pomona College Orchestra and engaging in badminton or table tennis during her free time. A dedicated volunteer, Eva actively contributes to teaching children music and STEM subjects. She aspires to become a medical doctor and continue research in a chemistry lab.
Pomona College 2027
Eva is a student from Pomona College in the Class of 2027 who intends to major in chemistry and minor in music. Originally from Orange County, she enjoys playing the violin in the Pomona College Orchestra and engaging in badminton or table tennis during her free time. A dedicated volunteer, Eva actively contributes to teaching children music and STEM subjects. She aspires to become a medical doctor and continue research in a chemistry lab.
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Jade Saunders
Claremont McKenna College 2025
Jade Saunders is a senior who is dual majoring in Biology and Chinese. She is from Vancouver, Canada but grew up in Hong Kong. Jade swims for CMS, is a co-founder of the 5C Triathlon Club and loves hiking/skiing in her spare time. Jade is on the Pre-Med track and plans to pursue a career as a physician (she is particularly interested in Emergency Medicine).
Claremont McKenna College 2025
Jade Saunders is a senior who is dual majoring in Biology and Chinese. She is from Vancouver, Canada but grew up in Hong Kong. Jade swims for CMS, is a co-founder of the 5C Triathlon Club and loves hiking/skiing in her spare time. Jade is on the Pre-Med track and plans to pursue a career as a physician (she is particularly interested in Emergency Medicine).

Jason Xu
Pomona College 2026
Jason Xu is a Pomona College neuroscience major. He finds joy in meeting and forming bonds with others and wishes to apply the skills and knowledge he has learned to something meaningful. Outside of class, he enjoys playing the guitar and traveling.
Pomona College 2026
Jason Xu is a Pomona College neuroscience major. He finds joy in meeting and forming bonds with others and wishes to apply the skills and knowledge he has learned to something meaningful. Outside of class, he enjoys playing the guitar and traveling.

JJ Hoffman
Pomona College 2026
JJ Hoffman is a junior from Los Angeles, majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Biology. Although he is interested in pursuing an MD degree after Pomona, he is also interested in public health issues and how they affect certain communities. In addition to being a Health Advocate for Health Bridges, JJ is a Prehealth Liaison, a mentor for the Asian American Mentorship Program, and runs in the Claremont Running Club. He also enjoys playing board games with his friends.
Pomona College 2026
JJ Hoffman is a junior from Los Angeles, majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Biology. Although he is interested in pursuing an MD degree after Pomona, he is also interested in public health issues and how they affect certain communities. In addition to being a Health Advocate for Health Bridges, JJ is a Prehealth Liaison, a mentor for the Asian American Mentorship Program, and runs in the Claremont Running Club. He also enjoys playing board games with his friends.
Joana Antonio
Pomona College 2025 Joana Antonio (she/her) is a Pomona senior majoring in Linguistics with an intended minor in Biology, while on the pre-medical track. As a Mexican-Salvadoran FLGI student, she has a passion for bringing mental health awareness, breaking language barriers and uplifting her communities through service. Having experienced health disparities first-hand and its impact on the people she loves, she joined Health Bridges in the efforts to provide more accessible health resources. In the future, she hopes to be a practicing physician providing accessible, cultural-competent care to her communities in South Central LA. Currently, if she isn't spends her time doing work for Health Bridges, you can find her dancing, trying new foods, and learning new languages. |
Katie Huh
Claremont McKenna College 2026 Katie is a Junior at CMC majoring in neuroscience on the cell and molecular track. She is drawn to Health Bridges as it intersects her passion for health equity and mental health advocacy. In her free time, she loves to crochet, be outdoors, and discover new coffee shops with friends! Katie hopes to work with a diverse range of people to learn how to effectively build trust with patients and become a more empathetic physician in the future. |
Kayleen Sorto
Scripps College 2025 Originally from Dallas, Kayleen is a senior at Scripps College majoring in Human Biology. As someone who is passionate about addressing inequalities associated with language barrier and healthcare access, she was drawn to Health Bridges and their mission to make healthcare more accessible and equitable to all. After graduation, she would like to pursue a career in medicine by becoming a physician and earning a masters in public health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting, and listening to music. |
Kelley Delgadillo
Pomona College 2025 Meet Kelley (she/her)! Kelley is a senior at Pomona majoring in Biology!! She loves crunchy peanut butter, outdoor runs on gloomy days, and is interested in public health. She is looking forward to being a part of the Community Partnerships pod and taking on projects focused on addressing health discrepancies in nearby underserved communities. |

Kendrick Cua
Pomona College 2025
This is Kendrick Cua (he/him/his). He's a junior at Pomona majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a Bio Concentration. A few of his hobbies including napping, spending time with friends, journaling, and late-night drives. He also enjoys following gymnastics and swimming. He's excited to work this year on PCCEC Workshop Series as well as the MALO Youth Grant Workshops. He isn't sure about his career goals specifically, but is interested in pursuing an MPH, as well as work in the healthcare field in the future.
Pomona College 2025
This is Kendrick Cua (he/him/his). He's a junior at Pomona majoring in Public Policy Analysis with a Bio Concentration. A few of his hobbies including napping, spending time with friends, journaling, and late-night drives. He also enjoys following gymnastics and swimming. He's excited to work this year on PCCEC Workshop Series as well as the MALO Youth Grant Workshops. He isn't sure about his career goals specifically, but is interested in pursuing an MPH, as well as work in the healthcare field in the future.

Kira Apodaca
Pomona College 2026
Kira (she/her) is a junior at Pomona College majoring in chemistry from Seattle, WA. She enjoys hiking/backpacking, playing soccer, and listening/playing music with her friends. On campus Kira is also an intern at the Asian American Resource Center where she is a co-director of the Saturday Tongan Education Program. She is also a coach for the 5C Girls in Lifting and Fitness club. Kira is hoping to pursue a career in medicine as an MD.
Pomona College 2026
Kira (she/her) is a junior at Pomona College majoring in chemistry from Seattle, WA. She enjoys hiking/backpacking, playing soccer, and listening/playing music with her friends. On campus Kira is also an intern at the Asian American Resource Center where she is a co-director of the Saturday Tongan Education Program. She is also a coach for the 5C Girls in Lifting and Fitness club. Kira is hoping to pursue a career in medicine as an MD.
Mame Baffour-Awuah
Pomona College 2026 My name is Mame Baffour-Awuah, a Pomona junior studying Psychology on the Pre-Med track. I hope to pursue a career in the healthcare field, aspiring to become a psychiatrist. I am passionate about health equity, culturally competent health care and dismantling stigmas surrounding mental especially in POC communities. In my free time, I love to curate playlists, read, and watch crime tv shows :) |
Marina Saffold
Pomona College 2026 Marina is a Pomona junior on the pre-med track. She aspires to attend medical school and possibly pursue an MD-PhD as she is passionate about service, education, and working with patients. She felt inspired by Health Bridges' mission to meet communities where they are and make healthcare more accessible. As a first-generation college student herself, she works with PAYS students as a college advisor, tutor, and now health advocate in Health Bridge's educational outreach pod. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and learning to play piano. |
Ivyer Qu
Pomona College 2026 Ivyer is a junior at Pomona College studying neuroscience with a concentration in computational neuroscience. Originally from Kansas City, Ivyer is interested in using computational tools to better understand the brain. She is passionate about health equity and accessibility for ESL communities, especially for the elderly. Outside of class, Ivyer enjoys journaling, lifting at the gym, and trying new cafe drink recipes. |
Natalia Alameda
Scripps College 2025 Natalia Alameda (she/her/ella) is a senior at Scripps majoring in Human Biology, on the pre-med track. She is from the border city of Progreso, Texas, and she witnessed the inaccessibility to healthcare within her community. As a result, Natalia is determined to serving her community and contributing to dismantling language barriers in healthcare. After her gap years, she intends to go to medical school and develop in a specialization to further contribute to her community’s needs. In her free time, she loves reading books, going to the gym, and exploring coffee shops with friends. |
Natalie Velázquez
Pomona College 2026 Natalie (she/her) is a first-generation/low-income student majoring in Psychological Science at Pomona. She is from Chicago and is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. Natalie intends on attending graduate school for public health and possibly, developmental psychology, with a specific interest on the mental health of youth of color. She is passionate about community based efforts and practices, addressing healthcare inequities, and culturally competent care. Her goal is to someday be able to open a community mental health center in the city. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside in nature, reading, and spending time with loved ones. |
Nathalie Alexandra Espinoza
Pitzer College 2026 Nathalie Alexandra Espinoza (she/her) is a junior at Pitzer College majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in English on the pre-med track. Growing up as a Mexican & Nicaraguan on the south side of Chicago, she hopes to give back to the community that raised her to work hard and help those in need by becoming a pediatric cardiologist. She’s a Medical Assistant for a podiatric clinic back home, on the Pomona-Pitzer Track & Field team as a high jumper, is the president and founder of Claremont Medical Brigades, and has published a fantasy novel with Open Books Publishing. In her free time, she loves to go to the gym, read, write, play the violin, and hang out with her friends! |

Ryan Mooney
Pomona College 2027
This is Ryan Mooney. He is a second-year at Pomona College from outside Denver, Colorado. He intends to major in Molecular Biology and minor in Spanish. He aspires to go to medical school, either pursuing an MD or MD/PhD program. He likes to read, crochet, learn languages, and play piano! Ryan learned about Health Bridges and found an intersection of many of the things he is passionate about, and he is excited to use his Spanish fluency and passion to work for the cause of Health Bridges for many years to come.
Pomona College 2027
This is Ryan Mooney. He is a second-year at Pomona College from outside Denver, Colorado. He intends to major in Molecular Biology and minor in Spanish. He aspires to go to medical school, either pursuing an MD or MD/PhD program. He likes to read, crochet, learn languages, and play piano! Ryan learned about Health Bridges and found an intersection of many of the things he is passionate about, and he is excited to use his Spanish fluency and passion to work for the cause of Health Bridges for many years to come.
Simone Pradhan
Scripps College 2028 Simone is a freshman from San Diego, CA at Scripps College, majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. Simone is passionate about being able to serve her community, and is especially passionate about health equity, and ensuring medical care is accessible to all. Some of her hobbies include going to the beach, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. |
Sophia Wen
Scripps College 2028 Sophia Wen is a first-year student at Scripps College and from Irvine in Orange County, California. She is majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Music on the pre-med track. Passionate about medicine, education, and social justice, she is eager to lead projects that reduce issues of socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare, and is excited to uplift communities through service to build towards a more equitable future. In her free time, she enjoys photography, food, boba, cooking & baking, playing & listening to music, and traveling. |

Trisha Gongalore
Pomona College 2025
Trisha Gongalore is a sophomore at Pomona College interested in pursuing a major in Neuroscience. Witnessing several family members suffer from illnesses inspired Trisha to join Health Bridges, and she hopes to continue serving their mission of making health care more easily available and equitable for patients and their families, especially for those who don’t speak English fluently. After college, Trisha intends to pursue a career in the medical field by both working directly with patients and contributing to biomedical research. Lastly, she hopes to always find time for hobbies like making music, yoga, trying new foods, and traveling!
Pomona College 2025
Trisha Gongalore is a sophomore at Pomona College interested in pursuing a major in Neuroscience. Witnessing several family members suffer from illnesses inspired Trisha to join Health Bridges, and she hopes to continue serving their mission of making health care more easily available and equitable for patients and their families, especially for those who don’t speak English fluently. After college, Trisha intends to pursue a career in the medical field by both working directly with patients and contributing to biomedical research. Lastly, she hopes to always find time for hobbies like making music, yoga, trying new foods, and traveling!
Vicki Cao
Pomona College 2027 Vicki (she/her) is a sophomore at Pomona College intending to major in neuroscience. She is originally from the Bay Area. During her free time, she enjoys watching anime, thrifting, and going to coffee shops. In the future, she plans to pursue an MD-PhD in neuro-nutrition in hopes of driving nutritional approaches to combat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. |
Zofia Ingram
Scripps College 2027 Zofia Ingram (she/her) is a Scripps College sophomore majoring in Molecular Biology and Economics. Her passion for public health and education inspired her to join Health Bridges to collaborate on designing workshops centered around improving accessibility to information about wellness and nutrition for high school students. In her previous school, Zofia co-created and led a health curriculum for high school freshman. She is currently on the premed track and hopes to become a physician. |