Health Professions Advising

Hello everyone! My name is Khaylia Bullen, and I am a fourth-year Biology major on the pre-clinical track.

As a first-generation pre-medical student, I understand how confusing and difficult it can be to navigate the path to medicine on your own. I am happy to serve as your mentor and help guide you along your journey to medicine!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

Hello! My name is Sahrish Akhtar and I am a third-year Biology major with a pre-clinical concentration. I am part of the EY2026 JAMP cohort as a first-generation pre-medical student. In addition, I will start UTA’s Pre-Med Preceptorship Program in Fall 2026 and am currently part of the Honors College and UTA's inSTEM program. 

I understand building a well-rounded application and resume for medical school can be intimidating, especially as a first-generation student. However, I am here to be a mentor and help!  If you have questions about JAMP essays, interviews, applications, or anything else related to JAMP or pre-med in general please feel free to schedule an appointment with me! 

Hello! My name is Imani Johns, and I am a third-year Biology major on the pre-clinical track. I am also a member of the EY26 JAMP Cohort and a first-generation pre-medical student!

Having navigated both college and JAMP applications on my own, I know firsthand how overwhelming the process can be. I am here to help you with anything you need regarding JAMP applications (including application advice, interview tips, and personal statement guidance) as well as navigating the pre-med track in general.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. Please feel free to schedule an appointment if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to talk!

Hello! My name is Chim Ogbuagu, and I am a Biology major on the pre-med track. I am proud to be a member of the 2026 JAMP cohort and am passionate about pursuing a career in medicine.

I understand that the path to medical school can feel overwhelming, and I am here to help. Whether you have questions about JAMP, applications, interviews, coursework, or pre-med in general, I am happy to share my experiences and support you throughout your journey.

In my free time, I enjoy working out, playing soccer, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

Howdy! My name is Alejandro Nerio, and I am a fourth-year biology major/biochemistry minor pursuing a pre-PA track. I am excited to serve as one of your peer mentors for the Fall of '26 and I look forward to helping you navigate your pre-health journey! 

As a full-time pre-health student who also works full-time in a clinical role, I understand the challenge of balancing rigorous coursework with a demanding work schedule, all while trying to take care of your own needs. 

The pre-health life is tough, but it is also extremely rewarding and fun! You do not have to (and should not) tackle it alone. Reach out to me with any questions, comments, or concerns and I will be more than happy to help you. I look forward to working with you this semester!

Hi! My name is Vaidehi, and I am a junior majoring in Biology on the pre-med track. I know how overwhelming and uncertain the pre-health journey can feel at times, especially in the early years, and I’m excited to share my experiences to help support you in any way I can!

During my time as an undergrad so far, I’ve been fortunate to explore a variety of roles that have shaped my path such as working as a CNA, working as an SI Leader and Mentor, a UGTA for microbiology lab, volunteering and research. I am also very excited to be serving as the social chair for AFM and the external coordinator for HOSA this year. 

In my free time, I enjoy thrifting, hiking, and spending time with friends! If you’re looking for help finding clinical experiences, balancing your academic and extracurricular commitments, or just someone to talk to, I’m here for you! Feel free to reach out with any questions or just to chat. I can’t wait to meet you and be a part of your journey!

Hello! My name is Joshua Hambright. I'm a post-baccalaureate biology student at UTA on the pre-med track after earning my bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. As a non-traditional student, I've gained a unique perspective on balancing school, work and navigating this journey. 

I've worked in several healthcare roles and currently working as a Clinical Research Assistant at UT Southwestern. I understand how challenging it can be to find the right opportunities, so I'm excited to share what I've learned about studying efficiently, managing time, and getting involved in clinical and research experiences.

Hi! I’m Noor, a third-year Biology student on the pre-dental track! I’m involved in cardiovascular health research and have served as a Human Anatomy UGTA. On campus, I’ve held leadership roles in Mavericks for Medical Humanities, MEDLIFE, and the Refugee Empowerment Program, while also staying involved in volunteering and dental shadowing. Outside of school, I own a custom signage business and love trying new restaurants with friends and spending time with my family! 

 If you ever have questions, need advice, or just want to connect with someone who's been in your shoes, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to help however I can and look forward to meeting you!

Hi! I’m Uswa, a senior at UTA majoring in Public Health with a minor in Biology on the pre-dental track! I’m passionate about dentistry and have explored a variety of experiences that have shaped my path toward the field. I’ve served as an officer in UTA’s Pre-Dental Society, been a Biology Lab UGTA, and currently serve as a Human Anatomy Lab UGTA. I’ve also gained experience through working in various healthcare settings, dental shadowing, volunteering, research, and going through the application cycle.

I wanted to become a peer mentor so I can share my experiences, answer questions, and help other pre-health students navigate their own journey. If you ever have questions or just want to connect with someone who has been in your shoes, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m always happy to help and look forward to meeting you!

Hello!! My name is Katie Do, and I am a senior majoring in Biology on a pre-clinical track. I understand being conflicted about what path of medicine you want to pursue while in undergrad, and I'm here to give you information on the various careers and strategies for success in college.

Here at UTA, I am the president of the Pre-PA organization and a member of the Leadership Honors Program. Outside of school, I work as a medical technician at a cardiology clinic and as a server at a sushi restaurant. I am also a college professional volunteer at UTSW and a patient assistant volunteer at Open Arms Health Care Clinic. 

In my free time, I enjoy going to estate sales/thrift stores, attending concerts, and spending time with friends doing arts and crafts or playing video/board games!!

Hi everyone! My name is Adam Mahmoud, and I’m a senior biology major on the pre-med track, planning to apply in the coming cycle. I’m passionate about helping others navigate the pre-health path—whether it’s finding extracurricular opportunities, staying on top of classes, or learning how to manage everything without burning out.

Through my experiences in clinical work, research, and teaching, I’ve learned the value of balance, perspective, and staying connected to your goals. If you ever need guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Hi! My name is Noor, and I'm a pre-PA senior majoring in Exercise Science on the Motor Rehabilitation track and minoring in Biology. I participated in SURPINT this past summer and am involved in 2 kinesiology research labs on campus, one studying cardiovascular health and the other focusing on motor disabilities in young adults and children. I also volunteer weekly with some of those children through the Little Mavs Movement Academy on campus. I am also a part-time medical assistant at an urgent care clinic and integrative medicine clinic.

Outside of school, I enjoy trying new coffee shops and hanging out with my friends and family. I understand how difficult it is to be a pre-health student, and I am here to help in any way I can! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about research, clinical experience, or the pre-PA route!

Hi! My name is Isabelle, and I am a senior majoring in Biology on the pre-med track with a minor in Medical Humanities and Bioethics. I am a first-generation medical school applicant who discovered my interest in medicine after initially exploring literature and psychology early in college. I now have a strong interest in emergency medicine, clinical research, and the physician-scientist path.

During my undergraduate experience, I have been involved in research, clinical volunteering, leadership, and community service. I especially enjoy research because it allows me to ask questions, solve problems, and better understand how scientific discoveries can improve patient care. My experiences have also helped me develop a strong interest in the connection between medicine, science, and public health.

Outside of school and medicine, I love weightlifting, traveling, and reading, but I am happiest when I am spending quality time with my friends and family and making memories with the people I care about most.

Hello! My name is Madeleine, and I am a senior majoring in biological chemistry with a minor in medical humanities and bioethics, planning to apply in the 2027-2028 cycle. Navigating the path towards a career in healthcare can be daunting and is oftentimes full of trial-and-error, but I hope by sharing my experiences, I can help support you in any way possible, whether it's advice on coursework, finding extracurricular activities, or maintaining a work-life balance.

In the past fews years at UTA, I have had the privilege of finding a supportive community through participation in various pre-health organizations, studying abroad, serving as a TA, and joining a biochemistry research lab. Off campus, I work as a caregiver and volunteer with a variety of organizations whose missions I align with. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, photography, going to concerts, and rock climbing! 

I would not be where I am at without the support of mentors I've met along the way, and I hope I can reciprocate the favor! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out! I look forward to meeting with you!

Hi y'all! My name is Matthew Rasmussen, and I am a UTA alumnus with a B.S. in Biological Chemistry with a minor in Biology. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Medical Science at UNT Health Fort Worth. During my time at UTA, I was involved in a variety of organizations and experiences that shaped my journey toward medicine. I served as a Lead Pre-Health Peer Mentor, held multiple leadership positions in Global Medical Training, and worked as an undergraduate research assistant. 

As a peer mentor, I enjoy helping students navigate the pre-health journey and making the process feel a little less overwhelming. Whether you have questions about coursework, getting involved on campus, finding clinical experiences, leadership opportunities, research, or preparing for medical school, I'm always happy to share my experiences and help you find resources that fit your goals.

Please feel free to reach out to me at MatthewRasmussen@my.unthsc.edu.

Hi everyone! My name is Emma Lou, and I am a dental student at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. I graduated UTA in December 2024 with my Honors B.S. in Biology. As a first-generation student with a passion for dentistry, navigating college came with its challenges. Thankfully, the incredible support from the pre-health team helped guide me every step of the way. 

During my time at UTA, I was given the opportunity to serve as Vice President and President of the Pre-Dental Society, become a teaching assistant for Biology, and conduct research for the Honors College. These experiences allowed me to build meaningful connections with others who shaped and encouraged my growth. 

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, playing pickleball, and discovering new food spots!

I am excited to be able to give back and support you on your journey towards a career in healthcare! Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or if you just want to chat! You can email me at emmaloudds@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram @emmaloupes 

Howdy everyone.

My name is Ryan. I’m an old (no, really) non-traditional student doing a career change, and I graduated from UTA in May of ’22 with a second degree under the Academic Fresh Start Provision. More importantly, I just survived the 2022-2023 TMDSAS cycle, and will be attending Long School of Medicine (UT Health Science Center San Antonio) in July of 2023. I’m both relieved and ecstatic! I did full-time school while working full-time (24 hour shifts) as a firefighter/paramedic, and my wife and I had two kids during this period. We just had our 3rd in February of 2023 – thus my medical school years are guaranteed to be a circus.

Optimizing my efficiency was required to make all of this work, and it was not without some pain and sacrifice, but I did it and you can too! While your life no doubt looks different than mine, I am happy to answer questions about any of the pre-med stuff or just give pep talks if needed during this whole ordeal (and it is an ordeal). If I can make any of you feel better about the process, I will consider that a win. My email is gallagherr@livemail.uthscsa.edu. 

Keep your chin up and ask for help if you need it! AND LISTEN TO MS. HOBART!!! She will not steer you wrong. Good luck!

Hello everyone!! 

My name is Lyla Ve, and I graduated from UTA in the Fall of 2025 with my bachelor’s degree in biology. During my undergraduate years, I was heavily involved in the Pre-Optometry Professional Society, starting out as a general member and eventually serving as President for nearly two years!

Funny enough, it was actually my involvement in the organization, while I was still trying to figure out what I truly wanted to pursue, that solidified my passion for optometry. Being surrounded by motivated students, mentors, and opportunities really helped me find my direction. 

As a fellow pre-health student, I completely understand the stress and self doubt that can come with this path, constantly wondering if you are doing enough or making the right choices. Trust me, I was never the perfect all star student either. But through hard work, perseverance, and staying true to my goals, I have ended up exactly where I am meant to be, and I truly believe that you will too!! 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or even if you just need reassurance. You can contact me via email: velyla2003@gmail.com. I am more than happy to support you throughout your pre-health journey.

You’ve got this!!! 

Hi everyone, I’m Lydia and I will be attending USUHS starting this summer. I am a non-trad student, career changer, military veteran, and married with 2 kids and 4 pets. 

While at UTA, I was involved in different student orgs, volunteered at the free clinic at Mission Arlington, worked in a genetics research lab, and so many more things! I don’t think it’s necessary to “check every box” on your application but I think it is important to try new things because how else are you going to meet new people, gain experiences/perspective, and be more well-rounded? This journey has helped me grow as an individual and I have learned so much along the way.

I would like to mention that when I decided to quit my banking career and dive into the pre-med world full-time, I chose to do my post-bacc coursework at UTA because I saw how involved Sandy is as a pre-health advisor. I cannot stress this enough: take advantage of the pre-health advising office and all the other FREE opportunities and resources that UTA throws at you! Sandy, Dr. Gellman, and the rest of their team are here to help you achieve! Use them, use people you can trust to give you unbiased feedback on your application, and, of course, use us alumni mentors who have been in your shoes. Feel free to email me at lydia.luu@usuhs.edu - I would love to hear how things are going and try to help in any way I can. Good luck everyone and remember to have fun!

Hey, I’m Reggie! I’m an MS4 at UCSF (Class of 2027). I graduated from UTA in May 2022 with an Honors B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. I was a traditional applicant, four years at UTA followed by one gap year.

During undergrad, you could usually find me in the SEIR and ERB working on bench research, or in the MAC. Outside of campus, I spent my time gaining a variety of clinical experiences, volunteering, and making frequent trips to Whataburger (which I still miss).

I’m always happy to talk through questions about pre-med timeline, BME, and gap years. I have mentored a number of pre-med students who are now in medical school, reach out if you would like constructive feedback on personal statements and your application. My email is reginald.conley@ucsf.edu. And last but not least, apply for HPAC!

Hello everyone! My name is Christopher Dao, and I'm a student at Baylor College of Medicine. I went through this whole process from UTA just like y'all and would love to give any insights or answer any questions you may have. Some of my hobbies include video games and traveling and feel free to reach out to me via christopherdao34@gmail.com. Feel free to reach out!

Hey y’all! My name is Christina Nguyen and I am a medical student at Baylor College of Medicine. I graduated from UTA in Summer 2024 with a degree in General Biology and minor in French. During my time at UTA, I was fortunate to have opportunities working as a TA, leading in student organizations like SASE and Medical Humanities, conduct undergraduate research, study abroad and conduct research in France, work as a medical scribe, volunteer at Mission Arlington Medical Clinic, and so much more. I love reading, photography, bouldering, and playing volleyball in my free time. All of these experiences have shaped me to the person I am and set me on the path of medicine!

I would love to give back, and I am open to mentorship, whether that's helping you sort through classes to take, applying to scholarships, finding work-school-life balance, or writing up your application for medical school + interview practice! Looking forward to meeting more of y’all! 

Christina.nguyen@bcm.edu

My name is Jacob Litsey, and I am part of the 2026 graduating class at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Biochemistry, from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2021. After graduating from UTA, I took a year off from school and worked as a veterinary technician at a general practice clinic. During that time, I realized that veterinary medicine perfectly aligned with my personal interests and career goals and decided to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. 

While the journey of becoming a veterinarian demands an incredible level of dedication and mental fortitude, I cannot think of a more fulfilling career. I look forward to having the opportunity to help others along their journey through veterinary medicine. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions at jacobmlitsey@gmail.com.

Hi everyone! My name is Trung. I grew up in Arlington, TX. I went to UT Arlington and majored in biology. I was part of the life changing JAMP program while I was at UTA. What I learned during JAMP still sticks with me to this day. I'm interested in epilepsy, sports neurology and neuro ophthalmology. My hobbies include baking, working out and hiking. My passions are in medical education, nutrition and exercise, and physical and mental wellness in medical school. Since you're already reading this, here's one advice I would tell my younger self: plan efficiently (it's always good to plan ahead and be organized!!!!) and always seek advice from reliable, consistent people if you're not sure about career planning. You can email me at Trungnguyen.cloud@gmail.com for any questions. 

Good luck and don't sweat the small stuff! 

My name is Stephanie Elbanna and I'm a 1st year Internal Medicine resident at UTMB. Originally graduated from UTA in 2020 with B.S. in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Arabic Language and completed medical school at TCOM. I've spent almost my life in Fort Worth and am passionate about primary care and education. If you need tips, tricks, or help structuring a plan for how to boost your GPA, reach an MCAT target, LOR hunting, interview prepping or personal statement/other essay writing - I'm happy to help. Have extra life stuff that is causing more obstacles? I've been there and we'll get through it together. I'm here to make sure you have the best possible chance to reach your dream. You can reach me via phone: 682-564-2576 or email: stephanie.elbanna@gmail.com. Anytime. Can also meet in person or virtually. We'll make it work.

Hey y'all, my name is Caroline, and I'm currently a family medicine PGY-2 at Abrazo Health Network in Phoenix, Arizona! Going backward, I graduated from UTMB's John Sealy School of Medicine this past May 2025. I graduated from UTA in December 2020 with a BS in biology and minor in biochemistry. I was involved in MAPS (fundraising director), Academic Success Center (tutor), and biology dept (lecture TA, recitation leader).

My core values in my personal and professional life are purpose and authenticity. I'd love to talk about lifestyle balance and mental health within medical school if this resonates with you.

I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of numerous mentors, and I'd love to pay it forward. Please feel free to email me at caroline.nguyen@abrazohealth.com.

Please the time difference between Arizona and Texas.

Hello everyone, my name is Brendon, a UTA alum with a BS in chemistry. I'm a non-traditional applicant with 2 gap years and a first-gen student.  My premed journey started at community college in 2020, and I transferred to UTA in 2022. I am an EMT working for the city of Arlington, and I will be a paramedic in October 2025. I am also working towards becoming a firefighter for Dallas Fire Rescue. I'll be applying to medical school and the Army HPSP during the 2026 cycle. I did research for a while at UNT Health Science Center and UTA, with a publication on the way. If you have any questions about leadership, research, clinicals, volunteering, or just developing a timeline, please send me an email, and I will gladly assist you! This path is even more difficult alone, so utilize every resource you have here at UTA. Just remember, countless students were in your shoes once, including myself, so feel free to reach out! brendonhatfield123@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Katelin, and I am currently a post-baccalaureate student on the pre-dental track. Throughout my undergraduate journey, I’ve had the opportunity to take on a variety of roles, including working as a dental assistant, serving as a teaching assistant for Human Anatomy, secretary for the Pre-Dental Society, and a research assistant.

My path to dentistry has been a little nontraditional, but I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and hopefully be a source of support for others navigating their own pre-health journey!

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, need advice, want to share your experiences, or are simply looking for a friend. I’d love to get to know you, share any resources that may be helpful, and support you along the way. You can contact me at katelin.ho26@gmail.com. I’m looking forward to meeting you all! :)