Current Scholars
Cohort 8
Brianna Rizo-Martinez
Major: Human Biology
Fun Fact: I love studying in cafes in Koreatown!
Other SC Involvements: LSM, LSA
Aamirah Day
Major: Biological Sciences
Fun Fact: My name means Princess in Arabic.
Other SC Involvements: USG General Member of Affordability and Basic Needs, USG BSA Special Events Chair
Adriana Garcia
Major: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Minor: Business
Fun Fact: Fun twist: I graduated high school with not one, but two associate’s degrees already under my belt
Other SC Involvements: I am also involved in the Med life and currently working towards obtaining my EMT certification.
Valeria Ruiz
Major: Health and Human Sciences
Minor: Spanish
Fun Fact: I am a big runner and camper. So much so that I've ran more than 10 miles at almost all national parks in California!
Other SC Involvements: Flying Samaritans member, CURAM Magazine writer, and Latino students in Medicine Member.
Ashley Ham
Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish
Fun Fact: I love baking and going hiking around LA
Other SC Involvements: American Red Cross Club @ USC, AED Associates
Alex Zi Qiang Li
Major: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Studies
Fun Fact: My favorite place to get milk tea is from Molly Tea, tasting its sweet, but not too sweet and nice aroma of Jasmine Tea.
Other SC Involvements: American Red Cross Club @ USC, AED Associates
Luis Penate
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
Fun Fact: Everything hospital related I have done at Cedars Sinai, and I got accepted for mechanical engineering I guess, hopefully will be a MA soon
Other SC Involvements: Mobile Clinic at USC, KECK Lab Research
Tselot Hailu
Major: Biological Sciences
Fun Fact: I used to be a competitive figure skater!
Other SC Involvements: USC Pan-African Student Association (PASA), Global Medical Brigades (GMB), African Americans In Health (AAIH)
*Adrian Nevarez *Alian Argueta *Alijah Stokes *Ashley McKenzie *Asia Martin *Caleb Crider *Cielo Trigo Castellanos Palacios *Cristobal Marquez *Dayana Campos *Joanna Segundo *Liam Garcia *Nicholas Val *Nonoka Kubota *Terrence Glaudin *Yenilyn Rodriguez Arroyo
Cohort 7
*Genesis Bulux
Chizitere Jessica Alozie
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Keck PREP Moment: Meeting new people
Fun Fact: I love to experiment with food, listening to Gospel and, Afrobeats
Other SC Involvements: NSA, PASA, BSA
Chelsea Larios Medina
Major: Biological Sciences
Fun Fact: I don’t like chocolate or anything spicy which is very surprising to everyone.
Jacqueline Guzman
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Presentation from Mrs. Richie!!! And our last class together when we did our vision boards.
Fun Fact: I have a twin brother and I am one minute younger and I also once recited 300 digits of pi just to get extra credit.
Other SC Involvements: Women’s volleyball club and Troy Camp.
Andrew Paresa
Major: Biochemistry
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: The blindfold and sitting on chair game while trying to organize by birthdays. It was so funny.
Fun Fact: I know a lot about running shoes. (Ask me for advice!)
Braden Dawson
Major: Health and Human Sciences
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: My favorite KECK PREP memory was probably when I got the chance of hear what motivated others within KECK PREP to pursue medicine. It was quite eye opening and exciting to hear what pushes everyone else. Being around so many passionate people is an incredible feeling.
Fun Fact: A fun fact about myself is I lived on a farm for six years but still couldn't tell you the difference between a cow, a steer, bulls, and cattle.
Other SC Involvements: Daily Trojan Photographer, USC Viterbi Photographer, USC Troy Camp Counselor
Madison Omega
Major: Global Health
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: The unspoken rule game during one of the Keck Prep classes!
Fun Fact: I have 12k followers on tiktok with my most famous video getting almost 1 million views.
Other SC Involvements:
Troyphi - Filipino cultural organization
AMWA - American Medical Women's Association
APAA - USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
Natalie Arredondo
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: My favorite Keck PREP Memory was participating in Med Student for a Day. I learned so much valuable information about what medical school is really like, and it gave me a better understanding of what to expect in the future. I also really enjoyed exploring the Keck campus!
Fun Fact: I taught myself how to sew, and now it's one of my favorite hobbies!
Other SC Involvements: Latino Students in Medicine, MedLife, American Medical Women’s Association, Latino Alumni Association, Norman Topping, American Red Cross at USC,
Brandon Rodriguez Silva
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Health Care Studies
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Med Student for a Day.
Fun Fact: I used to drive a manual car.
Other SC Involvements: Trojan Health Interpretation Services, Spanish Undergraduate Student Association, Alpha Phi Omega, QuestBridge Scholars, Latinos in Medicine, Trojan Barbell Club
Kimberly Sandoval
Major: Psychology
Minor: Neuroscience
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Playing Bingo after the Med Student for a Day event.
Fun Fact: When I was younger I was into fashion so I would design and make my own clothes using old fabric, a needle, and some thread.
Other SC Involvements:
- I’m a member of the Trojan Health Interpreting Services club
- I’m also part of the Pre-OT club
Dylan Cuevas
Major: Health and Human Sciences
Minor: Computer Science
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Med Student for a Day
Fun Fact: I can recite the alphabet backwards.
Other SC Involvements: I'm in Break On 2 (salsa dance team).
Febie Tarpley
Major: Biological Sciences
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Med Student for a Day! I got to get to know my cohort better and share many laughs!
Fun Fact: I'm a singer-songwriter who is obsessed with my cat, Jambalaya.
Madison Ward
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Health Care Studies
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Being a Med Student for a day!
Fun Fact: I have about 350 books.
Other SC Involvements: Trojan honor society, African Americans In Health member
Isaiah Johnson
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Photography
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Med Student for a Day.
Fun Fact: I have a clothing brand. (@brand.dieu.merci)
Other SC Involvements: African Americans In Health (PR CHAIR), Bridge Builders Ambassador
Selam Aklilu
Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Going to HSC for Med Student for a Day. It was insightful and inspiring day, as I got to hear from the admissions committee and med students, all of which had valuable advice that helped me better understand what it takes to pursue a career in medicine.
Fun Fact : I like to go on hikes and listen to music.
Other SC Involvements: SCOUT, CURAM Magazine, AAIH
Mishael Earley
Major: Global Health
Fun Fact: I am the youngest of 5 siblings!
Other SC Involvements: African Americans in Health (E-Board), USC COMPASS, USC Athletic Medicine Student Intern
Janet Kim
Major: Health and Human Sciences
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Med Student for a Day!
Fun Fact: I can gainer off a diving board
Other SC Involvements: Flying Sams, WRISE
Khorie Jenkins
Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Fun Fact: I love baking
Other SC Involvements: BSA, African Americans in Health
Ash Kim
Major: Game Development and Interactive Design
Fun Fact: I collected roly-polies as a kid ( and let them go after one night at my house)
Other SC Involvements: Project Lux, Trojan Shelter, Open Alpha
Matthew Wade
Major: B.S. Biological Sciences (Biotechnology)
Minor: Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
Fun Fact: I really enjoy music and poetry. I play the bass guitar and own a vinyl collection w/ over 100 records (and counting).
Other SC Involvements: Morton RNA Lab, USC Musicians Club, Capoeira SC, African Americans in Health
Annie Perez
Major: Human Biology
Fun Fact: I've been to Hawaii twice but don't remember either trips.
Alyza Macalinao
Major: Health and Human Sciences
Minor: AI Applications
Fun Fact: I love skiing!
Other SC Involvements: MED-Core, Flying Samaritans, Alpha Delta Pi
Cohort 6
Melissa Peruch
Major: Health & Human Sciences
Favorite Keck PREP Moment: My favorite Keck PREP memory was just always being able to go to class (MEDS-120) and unwind with everyone else. It was always so therapeutic to come together and talk about how we were feeling. Something that does come back to me was when we watched the movie, "Wit," in class and a couple of us were crying together by the end of the movie. I think that was a bonding moment (lol).
Fun Fact: I love horror/thriller movies and I am always down to watch a good one regardless of the time of year!
Other SC Involvements:
RA for McCarthy Honors College (MHC)
General Member at Flight Samaritans (FS)
Treasurer for Rotaract 'SC
Joany Martinez
Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Minor: Health Care Studies
Favorite Keck PREP Moment: When my cohort received our Keck Prep shirts and got Christmas sugar cookies.
Fun Fact: I work as a part-time security guard at concerts ;)
Other SC Involvements:
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc.
Flying Samaritans
Latino Students in Medicine (LSM)
Trojan Health Volunteers (THV)
Sanabria Lab Research Student Worker
Amirah Joseph
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Watching and discussing Wit with Kamber, Samantha, and Melissa.
Fun Fact: I’ve had the chance to grow up across various cultures, picking up a bit of Spanish, Korean, and Chinese along the way—so I’m always interested in connecting with people wherever I go!
Other SC Involvements: I am currently involved with MEDLIFE, Peaks & Professors, EMClubUSC, Sisters in Solidarity, Curly Vision SC, and Girls in Games.
Kamber Puebla
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Drawing animal crackers in Meds 120 and seeing how interested we were in seeing how people would eat them.
Fun Fact: I am a dinosaur and card game enthusiast at heart!
Other SC Involvements: Latino Students in Medicine, USC Athletics Sports Medicine Student Worker, Trojan Scholar Society, USC Pre-Physical Therapy Club
Samantha Chaidez
Major: Human Biology
Minor: Psychology and Law
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Meeting other students that were also struggling. It helped me cope with my imposter syndrome because I knew I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, I had people there for me.
Fun Fact: I am a Emergency Medical Technician.
Shad Bello
Major: Neuroscience
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Med student for a day.
Fun Fact: I can do a backflip.
Other SC Involvements: USC Concert Committee
Yolitza Godinez
Major: Biological Sciences
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Reuniting with everyone after MEDS-120 class ended.
Fun Fact: 7 is my lucky number! I was born 7 minutes away from 07/07/2005. I have 7 toes (I'm kidding). I'm my dad's 7th child.
Other SC Involvements: KDSAP, Swim Club, LSM, USC Transportation, and JEP:826 LA
Vianca Lopez Molina
Major: Biological Sciences (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology)
Minor: Health Care Studies
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: My favorite Keck PREP memory was when we received our T-shirts and Christmas cookies! It was a fun experience picking which cookie shape we wanted and then asking each other how we would take the first bite.
Fun Fact: I met FouseyTube at LAX. He saw that I recognized him and was streaming when he came up to me and pointed the camera at my face. I walked away awkwardly after greeting him and he stared me down for a couple seconds after LOL.
Other SC Involvements:
LSM, KDSAP, AMWA, SCOUT, BEAD lab research assistant, Keck Shadow, Goran Lab research assistant, CHLA ED Volunteer
Riley Ramirez
Major: Biological Sciences (Marine Biology)
Minor: Health Care Studies
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Visiting Keck for the first time!
Fun Fact: I love to scuba dive and have been diving with sharks before.
Other SC Involvements: AED, Society of Cosmetic Chemists, SCout
Karla Villanueva
Major: Biopharmaceutical Sciences
Minor: Neuroscience
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Border Angels outreach day
Fun Fact: I'm a triplet
Other SC Involvements: Christian Challenge at USC, pre-pharmacy society, Flying Samaritans, Research at HSC
*Brandon Aguirre
*Rosannys Almanzar
*Zen-mara Duruissea
*Nicole Prieto
*Christian Sanchez
*Noah Vega
Cohort 5
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Amal Roble
Major: Health Promotion Disease Prevention
Progressive Degree: Healthcare Administration
Favorite Keck PREP Moment: All the laughs during class, love my keck prep community <3.
Fun Fact: I am an RA :)
Other SC Involvements:
- Emergency Responder Project
- BlackGen Capital
- SC Healthcare Consulting Group
- African Americans in Health
- MLT
- Take on College Mentor
Isaac Villarreal
Major: Neuroscience
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: My favorite memory is participating in Keck PREP's Alternative Spring Break where we volunteered at the Weingart YMCA Food Drive. It was pouring rain, but it was an extremely rewarding experience. We got to help the community of East LA and were also treated with a tour of USC's Health Science Campus.
Fun Fact: I love building legos! My favorite sets were Lego World Racers.
Other SC Involvements: USC NPA Club Social Media Coordinator, Treasurer of the PRE-PA Club at USC, and Violence Intervention Program Volunteer
Nathalia Ortiz
Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Doing the alternative spring break and going to Tijuana with Kamber, Jaime, and Maite!
Fun Fact: I can sing!
Other SC Involvements: Mariachi Los Troyanos De USC
Rahinatou Sawadogo
Major: Biopharmaceutical Science
Minor: Applied Analytics
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Meds 120
Fun Fact: I can ride my scooter with one hand while balancing something else in the other, multitasking pro on wheels! I have been swimming since the age of 8.
Other SC Involvements:
Nexus
Fernanda Mata
Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Catching up every Friday at MEDS 120.
Fun Fact: I've had purple hair.
Other SC Involvements: Latino Students in Medicine (LSM), Medical Counseling, Organizing, and Recruiting program (Med-COR) Tutor/Facilitator, Camp Kesem, Clinical Research Assistant at USC Multiple Sclerosis Center, KSOM Medical Spanish Instructor, Trojan Health Interpretation Services (THIS)
Ashley Nunez
Major: Human Biology
Minor: Spanish
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Alternative Spring Break!
Fun Fact: I'm the oldest of 5 siblings.
Other SC Involvements: Planned Parenthood Generation Action, Pre-Physical Therapy Club, JEP Anatomy Mini-course, Resident Assistant
Eduardo Vences
Major: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: During my freshman year, my cohort toured the USC Keck campus, where we had to opportunity to meet the dean. She was incredibly inspirational and made me even more excited to pursue a career in medicine.
Fun Fact: I can play three instruments-piano, drums, and voice.I'm also part of a national choir and perform a few times a year.
Other SC Involvements:
- Acapella Group
- Norman Topping Scholar
Maliek Redmond
Major: Biological Sciences (Biotechnology)
Minor: Health Care Studies
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Getting my first research/shadow experience through Keck Prep called Bridging the Gaps!
Fun Fact: I ran a half marathon in Agora Hills (yes the doja cat song) and will be training for the LA marathon.
Other SC Involvements: BPX - Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Honor Society, Global Medical Brigade, & USC Health Science Education Program
Jamie Perez
Major: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Minor: Cultural Competence in Medicine
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Summer medical volunteering experience in Tijuana, Mexico!
Fun Fact: Lover is my favorite Taylor Swift album!
Other SC Involvements: Thrive in Joy, USC Trojan Health Interpretation Services, CHLA TREND Lab, USC Questbridge, USC Latino Alumni Association, Latino Students in Medicine (LSM)
Yingyan Xie
Major: Human Biology
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: My favorite Keck Prep Memory was the Keck-community volunteering event at East LA.
Fun Fact: I don’t like carrots.
Other SC Involvements: Research assistant, JEP Mini-Course
Oswald Guerra
Major: Human Biology
Minor: Real Estate Finance
Favorite Keck PREP Memory: Med Student for a day!
Fun Fact: I still use the blanket I was gifted when I was born.
Other SC Involvements: USC Beta Rho Chi, La CASA Staff, Snow Club, Trojan Boxing