Diversity and Outreach Efforts Committee

Co-Chairs:  Christian Corrales, Mildred Galvez

Mission Statement:

The committee aims to support current students within the program and to increase recruitment of students who identify and/or belong to groups that are considered underrepresented in both medicine and science. The committee’s current goal is to serve and aid students belonging to the following groups: disadvantaged backgrounds, racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, and gender minorities.

Sponsored Events:

1. Second Look/Revisit Day diversity event
2. Diversity-centered talks
3. Mentorship opportunities
4. Outreach efforts to local high schools, community colleges, and undergraduate institutions
5. Specific group events

Education Committee

Co-Chairs:  Katherine Sheu, Minsoo Kim

Mission Statement:

The committee supports several student-organized initiatives to promote the research and educational mission of the MSTP, such as theme-based journal clubs, MSTP Student Guidebooks, and invitation of speaker panels.

Sponsored Events:

1. Organize the annual MSTP Research Conference
2. Organize the weekly MSTP Tutorial Seminar Series
3. Networking events with local biotech leaders and entrepreneurs

Mentorship Committee

Co-Chairs: Maani Archang, Rachel Parks, Sean Pianka, Maneesha Thaker

Mission Statement:

Enhance the learning environment and help launch students on a successful career path, by:

1. Facilitating faculty and alumni mentorship, especially for black and other underrepresented student groups.
2. Encouraging interactions among students at different stages of training in the program.
3. Coordinating events with PTSP residency program directors at UCLA, and
4. Providing general, emotional, and logistical support for students.

Sponsored Events:

1. MSTP Big Sib/Little Sib Program
2. MS4 Residency/Re-entry Panel
3. PhD 2 Research Panel

Social Committee

Co-Chairs:  Anna Afasizheva, Elisa Fazzari, Nicole Wilkinson

Mission Statement:

The Social Committee aims to foster community within the UCLA MSTP. In this capacity, we are responsible for organizing MSTP-wide social events including the annual welcome BBQ and the biennial academic retreat. Additionally, we have latitude and funding to implement more informal student initiated social events such as happy hours, journal clubs, and more.

Sponsored Events:

1. Happy hours with current students

Former Chairs:

1. Yonathan Cooper ’23
2. Julia Gensheimer ’27

Student Admissions and Recruitment Committee

Co-Chairs: Jay Gill, Kristofer Gonzalez-DeWhitt, Daniel Kennedy (Social Sciences Track), Alex Winnett (Caltech)

Mission Statement:

Collaborate with MSTP leadership to coordinate admission, recruitment and revisit events showcasing the UCLA-Caltech MSTP community.

Facilitate student involvement in the admissions process to further promote the selection and recruitment of a diverse student body who are passionate about enhancing human health through clinically-impactful research and leadership as physician-scientists.

Sponsored Events:

1. Prospective Student – Current Student Coordinator Matching
2. Interview Welcome Dinner
3. Campus Escorts
4. Post-Interview Dinner
5. Campus and Housing Tour
6. Affinity Group Events
7. Social events during Second Look/Revisit

Womxn in MSTP (WiMSTP) Committee

Chair: LeeAnn Li

Mission Statement:

To support the women (female-identifying, or womxn, for inclusivity) members in our program, in recognition of the unique considerations and challenges of being a womxn on the physician-scientist track.

To increase broader awareness and dialogue on relevant issues for womxn and allies in equality.

To foster our community within a community of current MSTP students, encompassing also our MSTP alumnae and alumnae of other MD-PhD programs who have since joined UCLA/Caltech.

Sponsored Events:

1. Trivia nights, wine nights, Holiday Potluck, virtual get-togethers
2. Alumnae Dinners – connecting current trainees with graduates who can share advice and perspective from further down the career path
3. Book Club on relevant issues (2020-21: Unfinished Business, by Anne-Marie Slaughter)

MSTP Medical Education Committee (MEC) Representative

Shivani Thaker

Mission Statement:

As the MSTP MEC representative, I aim to ensure that the interests of MSTP students across all years are fairly represented and accounted for in the DGSOM curriculum.

Sponsored Events:

Ensure that MSTP students have flexibility to transition between their MD and PhD within the new curriculum, advocate for MSTP interests during MEC meetings, facilitate resources and faculty support as PhD students transition back to the last part of their clinical training.

MSTP Medical Student Council (MSC) Representative

Prashant Bhat

Mission Statement:

The MSC strives to positively influence student life through advocacy, policy, open communication, and leadership. The elected MSTP MSC representative serves the unified interests of MSTP students for DGSOM.

Sponsored Events:

Council members are involved in organizing orientation, Med Games, Ethics Symposium, All School Formal, Talent Show, and other events to improve the wellbeing of the DGSOM community.