Premedical Student Division Leaders
2025 – 2026 Premedical Executive Committee
Dana Shuaibi
President
Premedical President
Dana Shuaibi (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Diversity.
Dana was previously AMWA’s Premedical Division Region 7 Director, the Premedical Division Awards Chair, a Global Health Subcommittee Chair, a Premedical Division intern, and an intern for the Physicians Against the Trafficking of Humans Initiative. She currently serves as a member of AMWA’s Awards & Fellowships Committee and as a Co-Board of Directors Liaison for the Sex & Gender Health Collaborative. Dana is very thankful to be a part of the AMWA community and to have met so many amazing women and mentors to guide her on her premedical journey!
Alivia Hardman
President-Elect
Premedical President-Elect 2025-2026
Alivia Hardman (she/her) is a junior at Southwestern University (SU). She is majoring in pre-medial biochemistry with a minor in music. She started the first high school-division AMWA chapter during her junior year of high school and has been involved ever since. She previously served as the Region 8 Director and Program Chair, where she began eight new pre-medical branches and started a podcast, Prelude to Practitioner.
She has interned at Baylor Scott and White, Medical City Alliance, Texas Health Resources, and Wise Surgical Hospital. She also serves as the SU AMWA president, where she pairs with Walgreens to fundraise feminine hygiene products for Austin, TX women’s shelters. She has lead volunteer initiatives, such as Relay for Life, Be the Match, and San Gabriel River Trail environmental clean-ups. Alivia also find joy in volunteering as an exercise coordinator for Power for Parkinson’s and as a baby cuddler at Texas Women’s Hospital in Georgetown. She is now shadowing at an surgical otolaryngology clinic and is a Cook’s Children’s Hospital-Fort Worth pediatric camp counselor during the summer.
In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and composing music on the piano as well. She is the vocalist and keyboardist for the SU Jazz Ensemble, and loves to perform jazz standards!
Alivia plans to attend medical school and eventually specialize in urogynecology or pediatric neurology. She hopes to advocate for women and other minorities by giving them a voice in the medical field. She is grateful for the experiences AMWA has provided her and is looking forward to building a more inclusive and positive environment with other pre-medical members!
Sophia Hai
Immediate Past President
Ananya Bommakanti
Vice President of Recruitment
Premedical Division Vice President of Recruitment
Ananya Bommakanti is a student with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas. She was involved with multiple organizations on campus, ranging from research to promoting women’s welfare in the DFW area. She is interested in neurodegenerative diseases and hopes to conduct her own research lab on them one day. She is very excited to work alongside other students within the premedical division and get to know everyone. She enjoys reading, dancing, watching movies, and finding new music during her free time.
Emma Krebs
Secretary
Premedical Division Secretary
Emma Krebs is a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University. She will be graduating in the spring of 2024 with a B.S. in Health Sciences and a double minor in Human Anatomy and Spanish. She plans on taking two gap years after graduation to gain more extensive clinical and community service experiences before starting medical school. Emma hopes to go into pediatrics, as she has realized her passion for working with this population through her job as a PCA at a children’s hospital and as the Co-Founder of a student organization at Ohio State for kids and young adults with disabilities.
Emma has served on the National AMWA Premedical Leadership Board for the past 2 years. She started her journey with AMWA as Region 7 Director from 2022-2023, and then served as Secretary for the 2023-2024 term. She is so excited to remain Secretary for the team, and she is looking forward to another great year!
Bhumika Mellachervu
Treasurer
Premedical Treasurer
Bhumika Mellachervu is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a Junior pursuing a BS in Biology with a minor in Healthcare Management. She plans on taking a gap year after graduating in Spring 2025 and is interested in becoming an endocrinologist. Bhumika currently is a medical assistant at primary care clinic, a research assistant for cancer research lab at her university, and volunteer at her local hospital. Some of her other passions are in the environment and sustainability and is currently the Vice President for the Environment Conservation Organization chapter at her university. In her free time, she liked to paint, read, and watch tv shows.
2025- 2026, Premedical National Committee Chairs
Sneha Magesh
Awards Chair
Premedical Division Awards Chair
Sneha Magesh is a recent Ohio State University graduate with a degree in Health Sciences on a pre-med track. Now in her gap year, she is gaining clinical experience while teaching Indian classical music, blending her passion for healthcare and the arts. During undergrad, Sneha conducted research at OSU’s College of Public Health and The James Cancer Hospital, focusing on healthcare challenges. She also volunteered at The James on the ER and Chemotherapy Floor, where she loved interacting with patients from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing her passion for culturally competent care. Dedicated to community and global health, Sneha co-founded Tamil Sangam at OSU, a cultural organization celebrating Tamil heritage, and Global Medical Brigades at OSU, a nonprofit providing clinical care in underserved communities worldwide. Beyond healthcare, she is committed to education and social impact. As a teaching aide at Graham Elementary School, she supports young students, and she volunteers at local food banks, advocating for nutrition and food security. With a strong foundation in medicine, research, education, and advocacy, Sneha is preparing for medical school with the goal of improving healthcare accessibility and equity. Outside of academics, she is an accomplished singer, believing in the power of music and culture to connect people. Balancing her interests in healthcare, education, and the arts, Sneha is determined to make a lasting impact in global and community health through medicine and service.
Pooja Manapat
Co-Conference Chair
Premedical Division Co-Conference Chair
Pooja Manapat is a current sophomore at UC Berkeley majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology with an emphasis in Molecular Therapeutics. She has been involved with AMWA since her freshman year. She has been involved with the AMWA Berkeley chapter since her freshman year and she has been a part of the National AMWA organization since this past fall semester. She is currently Treasurer and on the board of AMWA Berkeley but she has been a part of the Cancer and Women’s Health committee at AMWA Berkeley in the past.
Outside of school and AMWA, Pooja works at the Cognitive Neuroanatomy Lab (CNL) at UC Berkeley where she analyzes patient brain MRI scans to see if there is a relationship between the brain structures and Alzheimer’s Disease. She volunteers at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in the NICU department. She is currently shadowing a thoracic surgeon at Stanford Healthcare. In her free time, Pooja enjoys reading (usually romance novels), driving to see sunsets wherever she can find a good view of them, and making digital illustrations for her friends and family. She also loves to crochet stuffed animals or just anything cute in general. She cannot wait to be a part of National AMWA at a larger scale and help pre-medical students go on their journeys through being conference co-chair!
Maya Beesley
Co-Conference Chair
Premedical Division Co-Conference Chair
Maya Beesley is a highly motivated research assistant and dedicated leader with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Denver, graduating in March 2024. With a passion for pharmacological research, racial and ethnic disparities in disease models, and sex-and-gender-based health interventions, Maya actively pursues opportunities to advance medical knowledge and improve patient care. Currently, she works as a Research Assistant at Dell Medical School’s Department of Population Health, contributing to groundbreaking studies on asthma phenotypes and environmental exposures. Maya also supports leadership development as a Program Assistant for the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), facilitating the EVOLVE and ELEVATE programs, and collaborates on creating educational resources about sex and gender differences in health care through AMWA’s Graphics and Factsheet Committee. Her commitment to community engagement is evident in her weekly volunteer work at the Austin Public Library. Maya aims to integrate her passions for research, education, and leadership as she applies to physician-scientist training programs in 2026. She is driven by a desire to make impactful contributions to medicine and public health while continuing to explore combatting sex and gender biases in medicine and research.
Natalia Maya
External Relations
Premedical Division External Relations Chair
Natalia Maya is a third-year pre-medical student at the University of Florida majoring in Health Science with a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. She is passionate about advancing women in STEM and improving healthcare access for underserved communities. Within AMWA, she has served as the Outreach Director for her undergraduate chapter, actively seeking collaborations with healthcare professionals to enhance professional development opportunities for members. Prior to this role, she served as Conference Chair for two consecutive years, successfully planning and executing the annual UF AMWA Women Rising in Medicine Conference. She is also the Founding President of the Children’s Future Association, an organization dedicated to providing mentorship and educational resources to underserved youth. Natalia is excited for a great year for AMWA and looks forward to contributing to the
organization’s continued success.
Cathleen Rabideau
Global Health Chair
Premedical Division Global Health Chair
Cathleen attends the University of Florida where she majors in Health Science as a part of the Honors Program and is minoring in chemistry. She has been part of her uAMWA chapter since her freshman year and it has allowed her to find her passion for advocacy and serving vulnerable populations within medicine. She shows her dedication to these passions throughout her extensive volunteer work with the child life department at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and as a Guardian ad Litem within the foster care system. She is also the founder and president of IfYou’reReadingThis at UF which helps create a tangible mental health support network on campus. Aside from advocacy work, she is a research assistant in the Adam Michael Rosen Neuro-Oncology lab where she helps develop a novel immunotherapy treatment for pediatric cancers. Overall, Cathleen is very excited to be a part of such an amazing organization that empowers women to become impactful and successful physicians.
Shanell Rollon
Social Media Chair
Premedical Division Social Media Chair
Shanell Rollon is a dynamic and multidisciplinary professional passionate about healthcare, design, and community engagement. Currently pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and Media/Art/Culture, with a minor in Digital Arts at Stony Brook University, she excels at blending scientific research with creative communication.As an Undergraduate Marketing Assistant & Graphic Designer for Stony Brook University’s Dean’s Office of Student Life, Shanell has produced 150+ graphics, ensuring brand consistency across eight university departments and engaging over 10,000 students through digital marketing initiatives. Her role as Marketing Director for the Undergraduate Student Government Student Activities Board further highlights her expertise, where she creates high-impact promotional materials and event branding for university-wide events with over 3,000 attendees.
Shanell’s dedication extends into healthcare, where she was selected as one of 30 participants from over 1,000 applicants (<3% acceptance rate) for the Pathways to Healthcare Program at Stony Brook Hospital. Through this program, she gains hands-on experience in emergency medicine, patient assessment, suturing, and medical simulations. As the National Premedical Division Region 2 Director for the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), she advocates for women’s empowerment in medicine, representing her region at the 79th UN General Assembly.
Her research experience is equally impressive. As an Undergraduate Researcher in Sustainability Studies Earthworm Ecotoxicology Lab, she leads projects investigating antioxidant properties of Ipomoea and the effects of nutrient deficiency in Azolla caroliniana, contributing to publications that aid in environmental diagnostics. She was also awarded the Edward Guiliano Global Fellowship, allowing her to conduct historical herbal medicine research in London, UK at Oxford University Botanical Garden and the Royal College of Physicians.
Beyond academics and research, Shanell is a dedicated volunteer and advocate for social impact. As the Graphic Design Chair for Wolfiethon, she supports the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation’s mission to fight childhood cancer through compelling visual storytelling and fundraising campaigns. Additionally, her content creation expertise has led her to collaborate with 20+ global brands, including Valentino Beauty, Sol de Janeiro, and Viktor&Rolf, and she is recognized as a top-performing brand ambassador for JOYBA Del Monte and Nestlé Stouffer’s.
As the Founder and President of Adobe Creatives at Stony Brook University, Shanell empowers students by providing leadership opportunities in digital design. Recognized as one of 11 Campus Leader Ambassadors in Adobe’s Campus Leaders Program, she continues to inspire her peers through education and innovation. Fluent in Tagalog and Bisaya, and proficient in English, Shanell thrives in multicultural environments. Her skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, social media strategy, and scientific research methodologies make her an invaluable asset in both STEM and creative industries.
With aspirations of becoming a plastic surgeon specializing in burn reconstruction or a dermatologist, Shanell is committed to bridging the gap between medicine, digital media, and patient care, ensuring that her impact extends beyond the laboratory and into the lives of those who need it most.
Iris Dupanovic
Program Chair
Premedical Division Program Chair
Iris is a premedical student with a BS in Biopsychology and a MS in Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University. Her engagement with AMWA began as a student, driven by her passion for fostering connections and mutual support among women in the medical field. She is currently a student leader on AMWA’s SGHC Committee. Iris has previously held various leadership roles within AMWA, including Premedical Vice President of Recruitment, Program Chair, Region 1 Director, and WWI Traveling Exhibit Co-Coordinator. Notably, she initiated AMWA’s first National Mentorship Program and spearheaded the development of the AMWA Wellness Programming toolkit. Beyond her involvement in AMWA, Iris volunteers as a medical advocate and a tutor. In her leisure time, Iris enjoys spin classes, cooking/baking, listening to podcasts, and finding new coffee shops to try.
Soumya Rai
Mentorship Chair
Premedical Mentorship Chair
Soumya Rai is a third-year double majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Neurobiology) and Public Health at UC Berkeley. She has been a part of AMWA since her freshman year, previously serving as the Community Projects Subcommittee Head for her school’s chapter and interning with National AMWA’s social media team. Outside of AWMA, Soumya is passionate about mentorship and research. She serves as a mentor within the Undergraduate Laboratory where she is leading a research project regarding cognition and the environment. She also volunteers as a Health Advocate with the Alameda Health System where she works with patients to connect them with critical resources such as food and housing. She also works as an L&S Peer Advisor, guiding students through academic policies. In her free time, Soumya enjoys oil painting, quilling, and reading. She is excited to be serving on the National AMWA leadership team and looks forward to giving back to this supportive community for women in medicine.
Isabella Lassalle
High School Liaison
Premedical High School Liaison
Isabella Lassalle (she/her/hers) is currently a second year at the University of California, Berkeley majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a concentration in Neurobiology, and minoring in Data Science. She joined the Berkeley branch of AMWA her second semester of college, and has come to love the supportive community of women. Originally joining the Childhood Nutrition Committee, she now serves as Program Director of the chapter. Outside of AMWA, she is involved in research in a lab that studies the origin of sleep in the jellyfish Cassiopea Xamachana and previously analyzed EEG waveforms at an Alzheimer’s Disease lab. She is a mentor for ULAB, an undergraduate laboratory group in Public Health working on writing a paper and data analysis between the correlation of sleep quality and dementia. She is passionate about the intersection between technology and medicine, and hopes to pursue an MD-PhD after graduation. As a passionate advocate for equality in medicine, as High School Liaison she aims to bridge the gap between college and high school for students who aspire to go to medical school, fostering an inclusive environment from the beginning for all female-identifying students.
2025 – 2026, Premedical Regional Directors
Shivani Patel
Region 1 Director
Premedical Division Region 1 Director
Shivani Patel is a third-year premedical student at Barnard College, Columbia University, and her second year on AMWA’s premedical leadership team. She is pursuing a degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She has always been interested in exploring the intersection between medicine and society and has engaged in activities that allow her to be immersed in this interest. Her research at Columbia University’s Medical Center, investigating mechanisms of the immune system, reflects her deep commitment to unraveling the intricacies of human health. Volunteering with patients has allowed her to see the direct results of scientific research and advancements, simultaneously allowing her to engage in compassionate clinical care. This dynamic blend of laboratory investigation and direct patient interaction has fueled Shivani’s appreciation for the holistic impact of healthcare on individuals and community. It is this unique synergy that drew her to AMWA, recognizing it as the perfect amalgamation of medicine and societal engagement. As a premedical member currently involved in AMWA’s Advocacy Committee and Preventive Medicine Task Force, Shivani is eager to contribute her multifaceted experiences to further the organization’s mission. Her desire to bridge the gap between medical research and public understanding aligns seamlessly with AMWA’s commitment to advancing women’s health and transforming healthcare narratives at the societal level.
Omofolarin Debellotte
Region 2 Director
Premedical Division Region 2 Director
Omofolarin “Folarin” Debellotte is a premedical student, registered nurse, mentor, and advocate with over 14 years of experience in healthcare, leadership, and mentorship. She is a graduate of NYU Tandon School of Engineering and Long Island University and made history as the first African American valedictorian of the Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Hospital—a testament to her academic excellence and commitment to breaking barriers in medicine. She is also a PHEP Scholar at New York Medical College and a Plummer Scholar at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, furthering her dedication to medical education, research, and healthcare innovation.
Folarin has extensive experience in internal medicine, hospice and palliative care, nursing leadership, and patient advocacy. She has worked in diverse clinical settings, providing compassionate care to underserved populations while addressing social determinants of health.
As the Founder of the Partum Project, she has led initiatives that provide essential resources, including bill assistance, free mammograms, and low-cost medications, to individuals in need.
A passionate advocate for mentorship and diversity in medicine, Folarin serves in multiple leadership roles within SNMA, where she has helped organize panels and admissions workshops to support underrepresented pre-medical and medical students. Her dedication to
fostering mentorship extends beyond SNMA, as she continuously works to create opportunities that uplift and empower aspiring physicians.
Through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to mentorship, Folarin strives to create systemic change in medicine, ensuring that all individuals—regardless of background—have the support and opportunities needed to succeed. Her vision is to integrate innovation, policy, and education to improve healthcare access, equity, and patient outcomes, making a lasting impact on both the medical profession and the communities she serves.
Jasmine Max
Premedical Division Region 3 Director
Jasmine Max is a senior majoring in Exercise Physiology at Florida State University, set to graduate in Fall 2025. She aspires to attend medical school and pursue a career as a gynecologic oncologist, with a strong passion for improving women’s healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
Jasmine has been actively involved in AMWA throughout her undergraduate career. As a freshman, she was honored with the Most Involved Freshman award by the AMWA Undergraduate Chapter at FSU. She later served as the 2023-2024 Vice President and is
currently the 2024-2025 President of the chapter, leading initiatives to expand mentorship, service, and professional development opportunities for aspiring medical professionals. Beyond AMWA, Jasmine is dedicated to advocacy and leadership in various organizations.
She is the 2024-2025 Women’s History Month Co-Coordinator for the Women’s Student Union at FSU and the PR/Marketing Chair for STEMental Health. Additionally, she works as a Learning Assistant for Biology 2 and a Sonography Assistant at Tallahassee Memorial
Healthcare. Her research interests lie in maternal health, and she serves as a research assistant in the Flynn Lab at the FSU College of Medicine, focusing on perinatal maternal mental health.
In her free time, Jasmine enjoys playing volleyball with her best friends and going to the beach!
Kathleen Glass
Region 4 Director
Premedical Division Region 4 Director
Kathleen Glass (she/her) is a third-year premedical student at the University of Florida studying Anthropology with minors in International Studies and Health Disparities. She joined the University of Florida branch of AMWA in Fall 2022 and is currently serving as the Conference Chair. In addition to AMWA, Kathleen is the Director of Socials and Involvement for the Florida Anthropology Student Association, as well as a member of Gators for Project Downtown. Kathleen works as a Learning Assistant for the Biology labs, teaching 2 sections a semester, and is currently researching pain care practices across various settings in Tanzania after studying abroad there this past summer. Her hobbies include reading, practicing yoga, spending time in nature, and water-coloring.
Aanchal Jain
Region 5 Director
Premedical Division Region 5 Director
Aanchal Jain is a graduating senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and minoring in statistics on the premedical track. She is thrilled to be a part of the National Premedical AMWA team this year. She has been involved with UMich AMWA since her freshman year and has loved the experience so far. She currently serves as a Co-President and was the prior External Relations Chair. In addition to AMWA, she is involved in cell migration research, volunteers at Michigan Medicine, and dances. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants, and crocheting. AMWA has been a significant part of her undergraduate journey, and she’s eager to expand her involvement at the national level!
Jessica John
Region 6 Director
Premedical Region 6 Director
Jessica John is a third-year at Case Western Reserve University. She is hoping to major in Biology with a minor in Public Health. She joined AMWA in the fall of 2022, and was part of AMWA’s Zita’s Healthy Beginnings, and Menstrual Equity subcommittees. Aside from AMWA, she is part of the Chopra Lab at CWRU. She is passionate about advocacy. She loves the ability PR has to bring awareness to organizations that she is passionate about. She is excited to use that medium to aid AMWA’s mission to inform and inspire tomorrow’s physicians.
Aabha Shrestha
Region 7 Director
Premedical Division Region 7 Director
As a first generation Nepalese American, Aabha has witnessed the struggle her immigrant parents had in order for her and her brother to grasp an overall better education and life. The United States, as they say, is the home of the free and the land of the brave. This is a country full of opportunities and resources in order to help you find your purpose. Aabha was 6 years old when she found hers. She reminisces walking through the big doors into a building with hot pink walls, mickey mouse playing in the background, and toys surrounded in the lobby. You might be wondering, where is 6 year old Aabha? Disney World? The candy store? and to that she answers… the doctor’s office. Dr. Anne welcomes her to the room and speaks to her not as someone lower but as an equal. As she makes her do funny dance moves to test her heart beat, bend down so she can show off that she indeed could touch her toes (actually looking for signs of scoliosis), and lets her pick one of the millions of stickers to choose from on her way out, it was at that moment Aabha had realized she wanted to work in the world of pediatrics. This aspiration has led her to major in Biology at Southwestern University as a first year pre med student where she is on the executive council for Southwestern’s AMWA chapter. Going into college, she already had an interest in continuing her membership with AMWA as she was the Vice President of the first high school chapter. This experience led her to contribute to raising over 4,000 feminine products for local shelters and played a key role in planning workshops to educate her peers on the importance of women in medicine and healthcare. Outside of AMWA, she established a non-profit organization, “Address Teen Stress”, revolving around another of her passions; Mental Health. By hosting interviews, presenting speeches, and working on starting a podcast through this platform, it has deepened her understanding of the topic and has led her to double minor in Psychology and Communications. With the power of collaboration, Aabha is excited to work as a Region 7 Director to inspire and empower students to pursue their dreams in medicine, while promoting mental health awareness and advocating for greater access to opportunities.
Rebecca Stephenson
Premedical Division Region 8 Director
Rebecca Stephenson is a sophomore at Baylor University studying Biochemistry and Mathematics. She was the Treasurer for Baylor’s AMWA chapter from 2023-2024, and she is currently the President. In addition to her involvement in AMWA, Rebecca volunteers at clinics in Waco and is involved in cancer research. She hopes to pursue a cardiology speciality and provide healthcare to underserved communities. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys reading classics and playing the piano.
Kaliece Carter
Region 9 Director
Premedical Division Region 9 Director
Kaliece Carter was born and raised in Connecticut and grew up training in classical ballet. At 17 she moved to attend the University of Utah for ballet, and there she decided she was interested in a career in medicine as a forensic pathologist. Since then, she has worked as a TA for biology, anatomy, and molecular DNA lab, conducted research on the genetics of Suicide, and worked as a dermatology medical assistant. She has volunteered at Maliheh Free Clinic, the Salt Lake City Library, and at The Sharing Place, a grief support group for children. In 2024 she was on the Premedical Program committee and founded AMWA’s first national book club, and she looks forward to continuing this work as a board member.