We invite you to send any questions you have about the application process or the program to the Health Science Scholars listed below.All serve as CNS Honors Ambassadors.

SABRINA BENITEZ
sabrinaabenitez99@gmail.com

 "My name is Sabrina Benitez and I’m a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Anthropology. I’m a Health Science Scholar and I plan on pursuing a degree in medicine after I graduate. I’m a member of the BioProspecting stream as part of the Freshman Research Initiative and I’m involved with various volunteer organizations on campus. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Austin and trying out new places to eat. Being in the Health Science Scholars Program has been an influential part of my college career so far, giving me amazing opportunities for learning and enrichment.

JANELLE CHAVEZ
janellechavez@utexas.edu 

"I am from the small coastal town of Port Isabel, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. I am a Health Science Scholar majoring in Biology with a Spanish minor and pre-health professional certificate. Outside of classes, I am involved with the Forty Acres Scholars Program, Texas Orange Jackets, and Global Medical Training, with whom I have volunteered in Peru and the Dominican Republic. Throughout my undergraduate career, I served as a health policy intern at the Texas State Capitol with Senator Eddie Lucio and conducted cancer prevention research with the MD Anderson Cancer Center. I am so grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to explore my passions at UT while being immersed in the intelligent, inspiring, and supportive community of the College of Natural Sciences Honors Programs."

GIOVANNA DELA TEJERA
giovanna.dela.tejera@utexas.edu

 "Hi! My name is Giovanna Dela Tejera, and I am currently a 3rd-year pre-med student majoring in Human Development and Family Science. My Hispanic roots have played a major role in making me the person I am today. I have the most fun when I am speaking, socializing, or dancing … or all three. I really love getting to know people, and I can’t wait to help you get to know UT."

BRETT DOLOTINA
brett.dolotina@utexas.edu

 "I'm a second-year double major in Public Health and Biochemistry also pursuing a certificate in Children & Society. Within the HSS council, I'm a part of the Volunteer Committee. I'm also involved in Camp Texas and the UT Saxophone Choir, and I volunteer as an Interpersonal Violence Peer Supporter with the Counseling and Mental Health Center. When I have time, I like partaking in Austin’s diverse food and music scene, hanging out with friends, and reading."

DEEPANJLI DONTHULA
deepanjli.donthula@utexas.edu

 "I am an HSS junior at UT, pursuing a major in Neuroscience and a minor in History.  I am from Dallas and frequently visit to volunteer at the animal shelter and at Texas Oncology. I am also the student lab manager for the Dell Medical School Comprehensive Care Research Team and a research assistant for the UT Clinical Neuroscience Lab. In my free time, I enjoy window shopping and watching Netflix with friends."

LAVENDER HACKMAN
lavenderhackman@utexas.edu

 "My name is Lavender Hackman and I’m a senior nutrition/dietetics student in the Health Science Scholars Honors Program as well as the Honors in Advanced Nutritional Sciences Program. I’m the youngest of six and the first in my family to go to college, and I’ve been a personal trainer and tennis coach in Austin for nearly three years. In the past, I did research in a plant biology lab studying metabolic stress in plants, and I currently work in a metabolomics lab researching treatments for acute myeloid leukemia. In my free time, I walk fluffy pups with Wag! and take indoor cycling classes with my friends. I look forward to hearing from you!"

MARCO HERNANDEZ
marco.hernandez732@gmail.com

 "I'm a second-year student from Weslaco, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, and I'm majoring in Biochemistry. I'm an active member in the Freshman Research Initiative where I conduct research in the antibiotics stream. I'm also a member of TIP Scholars and the University Leadership Network. I embrace diversity and inclusion throughout the university and hope to improve diversity in programs within the College of Natural Sciences. I plan to pursue a career in medicine and research."

ANH NGOC LY
anhngocly@utexas.edu

 "I'm a fourth-year chemistry major from Austin, Texas. In addition to my major, I plan to pursue the Social Inequality, Health & Policy Certificate. Outside of HSS, I am involved with the Natural Sciences Council and conduct bio-inorganic chemistry research in the Rose Research Group. During my free time, I enjoy volunteering, gardening, and spending time with my family. After college, I hope to pursue a Master of Public Health degree, focusing on health disparities."

CHLOE NGUYEN
chloemkn@utexas.edu

 "My name is Chloe Nguyen, and I am a junior biology major from Brownsville, Texas. I am in the Health Science Scholars honors program and am on the pre-dental track. I am also pursuing certificates in Forensic Science and Creative Writing, specifically poetry. My hobbies include art, singing, reading, writing, tennis, and ukulele. To me, curiosity didn't kill the cat; curiosity cured it."

JAMIL OKADA
jamil.okada@gmail.com

 "My name is Jamil Okada and I am currently a freshman neuroscience major in the Health Science Honors program. I am premedical and have an interest in orthopedics or neurology. I hope to someday own my own clinic. In my free time, I love playing soccer and listening to Kpop. I’m just getting started but I already see the exciting opportunities and interesting experiences the honors CNS community and UT has to offer."

LAUREN RAHMAN
laurenrahman97@gmail.com 

 "Hello! My name is Lauren Rahman and I am a junior Biochemistry major and Sociology minor from Plano, Texas. As part of the social committee in the Health Science Scholars program, I enjoy planning socials and events for the HSS community such as campout, karaoke, and more! For my thesis, I am planning to focus on the effects of different cultures on children with Autism. I am also currently doing research involving embryonic neural tube defects. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Austin, baking, and watching movies!"

TARIKA SRINIVASAN
tarikand8@gmail.com

"I am a senior dual degree candidate pursuing a BSA in Biochemistry and BA in Philosophy, along with a BDP certificate in Ethics and Leadership in Healthcare. I am currently completing my thesis project on physician disclosure patterns amongst international medical graduates. My other areas of research include Hindu biomedical ethics and cultural concepts of palliative and end-of-life care. I have served on the Health Science Scholars Council since my freshman year. Finally, as a 2018 rider with Texas 4000 for Cancer, I completed the longest annual charity bike ride in the world from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK."

MILAN STOKES
mlstokes11@utexas.edu

 "My name is Milan Stokes. I'm a third-year Neuroscience major in Health Science Scholars from Atlanta, GA. I'm also a Pre-Dental student hoping to one day become a Public Health Dentist. I'm working to complete the Business of Healthcare certificate to round out my BSA degree. My passions include dentistry, community service (especially in minority communities), neuroscience, mentoring students of all ages, and diversity outreach in academic settings. I am a member of Texas Pre-Dental Society, Global Medical Training, and the Black Honors Student Association. I also am a mentor in my FRI Lab (Sarah Simmons Cell Signaling), an ambassador in HSS, a mentor to elementary school students at Magnolia Montessori in Austin, and a volunteer at the Manos de Cristo Dental Clinic also in Austin. Feel free to ask any questions you may have; I will work as hard as possible to answer any and all of them. I'm excited to hear from you!"

 
MEENA TADROS
meenatadros@gmail.com

 "I’m Meena Tadros.  I am originally from Denver, CO but later moved to Plano, TX.  I am in the Health Science Scholars Program, studying biochemistry and hoping to attend medical school.  I enjoy cycling with the Texas Cycling club, running, and working in the Antibiotics Discovery and Function FRI stream.  I am particularly interested in microbiology research and hope to continue research in that field during my undergraduate career. I also enjoy volunteering with a group on campus known as Refugee Student Mentoring Program (RSMP) through the Middle Eastern Studies department that has allowed me to serve as an Arabic-to-English translator and mentor to students from the Middle East."

SHUDA XIA
shuda.2425@gmail.com

 "Hey everyone! My name is Shuda Xia and I am from Plano, Texas, but I grew up in Qingdao, China. I graduated from Plano Senior High School and I am currently pursuing a biochemistry degree as part of the Health Science Scholars program. Over the past few summers I have done research in a cardiology lab at UT Southwestern and was a coauthor in a published paper. I intend to go to medical school after my undergraduate degree. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and trying out new food!"

DANIEL ZAMORA
danielosvaldozamoralara@utexas.edu

 "I am originally from Coahuila, Mexico but was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. I am a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry in the Health Science Scholars program. With a strong interest in research for applications in the medical world I hope to be admitted into a MD-PhD program after graduation."