My name is Chiara, and I was born and raised in Germany. I met my husband seven years ago and moved to Orlando, Florida, three years ago, where he works as a pilot. Before coming to the U.S., I worked as a police officer in Germany, which sparked my interest in understanding how trauma and social factors influence behavior. I’m graduating this May with my bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCF, and I currently conduct research on deviance with a focus on childhood trauma. While psychology helped me understand why people struggle, I want to be more directly involved in healing, which is why I’m pursuing medicine. Outside of school, I love hiking with my husband and our two cocker spaniels, and I enjoy reading, cooking, and baking.

Hi guys! My name is Cathy Charles, and I am from Chapel Hill, NC. I recently graduated from UCLA in June last year, where I studied Cognitive Science and French. Outside of school, I really enjoy going to concerts, traveling, learning languages, and exercising. Over the past 7 months, I have been working at a dental clinic and an oral surgeon's office, and I have truly enjoyed all of my patient interactions and learning about delivering quality health care to all patients. I look forward to meeting all of you and continuing my dental journey at the UVA!!!

Hi! My name is Isabella, and I’m an incoming student in UVA’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program. I’m originally from Connecticut and am currently a senior at Cornell University, where I study Biology & Society in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. During my time at Cornell, I’ve developed a strong interest in medicine through both academic and research experiences. After spending time working in hospital settings, observing surgeries, and shadowing physicians, I became especially drawn to the hands-on, patient-centered role of a physician. These experiences solidified my interest in pursuing medicine over a broader public health path. I’m particularly interested in surgical fields, including orthopedics and potentially reconstructive surgery, and I’m excited to continue exploring these interests. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing tennis and reading. I’m really looking forward to starting at UVA, meeting all of you!

 Hello! My name is Annika Allan-Burke and I grew up in a small rural town outside of the Everglades in South Florida. I have spent the last four years in Wyoming at a small outdoors college, Wyoming Catholic College, where freshman orientation is a 21-day backpacking trip! In May I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, with a focus on Philosophy and Humanities. In my free time, I love to find all kinds of outdoor adventures such as rock climbing, white water rafting or kayaking, and I have recently begun learning how to mountain bike. Working with special needs children has also always been a love of mine, especially because two of my younger siblings have Down Syndrome, and they are two of my favorite people! I am excited to begin this journey towards a medical degree and look forward to meeting you all! 

Hi! My name is Sarah Graham. I graduated with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science in 2023, and I have worked as a personal trainer since I was eighteen. I am passionate about all things health, wellness, and fitness, and I’m an avid weightlifter. I recently got into running and completed my first marathon a couple of weeks ago!  When I’m not in the gym, I enjoy reading, hiking, watching anime, or spending time with my adorable two-year-old daughter. When she was born, we went through a major health crisis together, and that experience ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in medicine.  I’m originally from North Carolina, but I currently live in Richmond, VA. I look forward to meeting you all and taking this journey together!

Hi everyone! I'm Meagan Tse, born and raised in Southern California and moving from San Diego. I graduated with a BS Degree in Business Marketing, and have been working with all different kinds of brands over the past 3 years. I come from a medical family, so medicine was always in the background for me, but it wasn't until I volunteered during the LA fires in 2025 that I started making the transition to healthcare. Since then, I volunteered at a pediatric cardiology clinic, and am super excited to continue my education at UVA! In my free time, I love hiking, coffee (going out or making specialty coffee), workout classes and hanging out with friends. Excited to meet you all and looking forward to the next year!

Hey everyone, I am Robert Frazier from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Management Information Systems in 2023. Since then, I have been working as a software implementation consultant, focusing on financial accounting. I have always had an interest in health and science so this past year I solidified the decision to pursue that dream. I can’t wait to start this program with you all. I am into reading, fitness, movies and the outdoors. In my spare time, you can find me running, biking, playing golf, or joking with friends. Can’t wait to meet everyone!

Hello everyone! My name is Saba Alfred and I am from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. I graduated from Georgetown University in 2025 with a degree in Science, Technology and International Affairs and minors in Spanish and Biology. I am currently on the Fulbright grant in the Canary Islands teaching English in a primary school. In undergrad, I developed a strong interest in public health and in my senior year I interned with a Cancer Prevention Center that solidified my passion for the clinical side of healthcare. I am especially interested in addressing social determinants of health in the context of chronic disease, and I am excited to pursue a career in medicine that prioritizes patient-centered care. In my free time, I love reading, practicing yoga, traveling, NYT crosswords, and exploring new cafes! I am looking forward to meeting everyone in Charlottesville soon!

Hello everyone, my name is Jalen White. I’m originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and come from a close-knit family that has played a major role in shaping who I am today. I graduated from Trinity University, where I studied International Business, and have since worked in finance and strategy roles at companies like Amazon and in Deloitte.

Over time, my experiences, both personal and professional led me to develop a strong interest in medicine, particularly after seeing the impact of healthcare disparities in communities like my own. I’m excited to begin the University of Virginia Premedical Post-Baccalaureate Program in June 2026 and fully commit to this next chapter. I’m currently interested in fields like neurology, clinical informatics, and emergency medicine, especially at the intersection of medicine and technology. 

In my free time, I enjoy working out, spending time with my dog, reading, and being involved in community service. Looking forward to connecting with everyone. Feel free to reach out!! 

My name is Kristin Day, and I am a career-changer from Nashville, Tennessee. I graduated from Florida State University in 2023 with a degree in business and spent the past two and a half years working in IT audit. As I am someone who has always been relatively active, it is not surprising how fast I grew to be unfulfilled in an everyday desk job. I realized very quickly that I would never be satisfied. In early 2025, after months of talking about my interest in science, my roommates challenged me to take a science class as part of our new years goals. I enrolled in General Chemistry I - and something clicked. I volunteered at the hospital, realized that I want to pursue medicine, and here I am now. In my free time, I enjoy remembering that I have "free will" to explore the world, from going on a run to wandering with friends in downtown Nashville on a random Tuesday evening. Above all, I am driven by a desire to better understand the world around me, and I am excited to continue pursuing that curiosity through a career in science and healthcare.

Hi everyone! My name is James and I am from Brooklyn, NY. I graduated from Juilliard in 2023 and 2025, where I studied the French horn. In my last year of school, I performed a concert series in hospitals around NYC, which first sparked my interest in healthcare. After graduation I volunteered in hospice care and shadowed a surgeon, finally deciding to pursue a career in medicine. I am so excited to start this on new path, and to be among a cohort of fellow career changers at UVA! In my free time I love to read, go to the movies, and play my guitar.

Hey everyone, my name is Tarun Ganesh. I’m originally from Richmond, Virginia and attended the University of Virginia, where I studied statistics. After graduating, I worked in translational research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and then in healthcare strategy at Duke University Health System. Having explored different paths in healthcare, I realized I ultimately wanted to pursue a career in medicine. I recently got married and live in North Carolina with my wife and our dog, Farrah. In my free time, I’m drawn to a mix of travel, the outdoors, fitness, creativity, and food, whether that’s exploring new places, snowboarding or Brazilian jiu jitsu, photography and painting, trying new coffee spots or cooking and baking at home. I’m excited to be back on Grounds and looking forward to getting to know you all!

Hi everyone! My name is Jack Presti, and I’m originally from Fair Haven, NJ. I graduated from Boston College in 2022, where I studied finance and computer science, and have been working in investment banking in Boston since. My volunteer work in the ER on weekends helped me develop an interest in healthcare and ultimately led me to pursue medicine. In my free time, I enjoy weightlifting, running, classic movies, and live music. Looking forward to getting started!

Hello! My name is Darya Mason, and I grew up in Virginia. During my undergraduate years, I decided to attend school out of state in Queens, New York, at St. John’s University. I recently graduated in January, with a bachelor's degree in finance and a minor in cybersecurity. During my undergraduate years, I was a sports coach for various sports such as boxing, track, hockey, basketball, rugby, and soccer. I also worked on several consulting projects for many firms based in NYC. During my six months off from being a student, I am currently working as a substitute teacher and pursuing research – which is really fun! In my free time I enjoy running, strength training, painting, and exploring cities. I am very excited to be part of this cohort, and I look forward to meeting my fellow cohort members and the staff!  

My name is Hunter von Zelowitz, and I will be joining the cohort immediately after graduating from Roanoke College with a bachelor's degree in Health and Exercise Science and a bachelor's degree in Spanish. I am originally from Hopewell, New Jersey, a small town near Princeton University. While at Roanoke, I played baseball and was active in campus ministries. I am also a certified personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, and I enjoy working remotely with a few clients. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering, going to the gym, running, hiking, and reading.

Hi! My name is Gabby, and I’m an incoming student in UVA’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program. I’m originally from Richmond, Virginia, and previously attended the University of Virginia for my undergraduate studies, where I graduated from the School of Nursing. I currently work as a registered nurse in Colorado and am excited to return to UVA as I continue building on my academic and clinical experiences while working toward my goal of becoming a dentist. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, snowboarding, and exploring new restaurants around town.

My name I is Mike Nickles. I grew up in Stafford, VA. I played baseball at Randolph-Macon college and graduated with degrees in Finance and economics. Since then I have lived in George, Arizona, North Carolina and Louisiana where I worked as an Intelligence Officer in the Army. Personally, I am married with no kids, but two dogs!  In my free time I enjoy sports, Brazilian jiu jitsu, hiking, the beach, the outdoors, water sports, fitness, listening to live music, and spending time with family/friends. I am looking forward to meeting everyone!

Hi everyone! My name is Connor Gunn, and I’m from Long Island, New York. I graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2023 with a degree in psychology. Since graduating, I have been working in a pediatric emergency department doing research in suicide prevention while pursuing a master of public health at Johns Hopkins, where I was also a member of the football team. In my spare time, I enjoy running, reading, and playing chess, but most of all spending time with my dog, Tucker. I’m really excited to meet you all and begin this new journey together!"

Mia Gonzalgo is graduating from Columbia University in May 2026 with a major in music and minor in computer science. Through music production, she became interested in programming and eventually worked as a data analyst in a paleobiology lab. She later participated in tropical biology field research in Kenya to study animal behavior and deepen her interest in biology. She also conducted ethnomusicology research on EDM’s role in Asian American culture and is currently writing an autoethnography. After volunteering at hospitals, facilitating health promotion workshops as a peer educator, and shadowing, she became drawn to medicine, as it encompasses everything that she values—the hard sciences, human connection, and service.

Hi all, my name is Claire Jiang, and I am from Los Angeles, California. I graduated from UCLA with a degree in statistics in 2022, and for the past three years, I have been working as a management consultant based in NYC. Outside of work, I volunteer at New York-Presbyterian, with the Girl Scouts, and at a family shelter. I also have a lovely 14-year-old cat named Geo! In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, rock climbing, and reading. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone here at UVA!

Kevin Pham was born and raised in Olney, Maryland. He graduated from Vassar College where he majored in International Studies. After graduating, Kevin worked in community outreach for the DC government. He then accepted an academic fellowship where he spent a year living and studying in Vietnam. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys playing volleyball, backpacking, and reading.

My name is Daniella Deis and I’m from Westfield, New Jersey. I graduated from the University of Rochester in 2023, where I earned a B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and a B.A. in Psychology. Over the past couple of years, I lived in Brooklyn and worked as a behavior technician, providing ABA therapy to kids with autism. Now, I’m back in NJ working as a clinical research coordinator in an outpatient neurology office. I’ve been able to get involved in some groundbreaking clinical trials for epilepsy, and working with the patients in these trials is what really pushed me to pursue medicine. In my free time, you can find me playing soccer, crocheting, listening to music, going to concerts/shows, and spending time with friends. I’m super excited to get started and meet everyone in June! 

My name is Sara Mittleberg. I am originally from Long Island and attended Ohio State University for my undergraduate degree in International Development Studies and Spanish. Following graduation, I volunteered in the Dominican Republic with the Peace Corps for two years, which is where my passion for healthcare began to develop. Upon returning to the US, I took prerequisite courses for nursing school while working as a ski instructor, and ultimately became an RN in 2021. The last few years, I have been working as an RN in NYC in a Cardiac Surgical ICU (CSICU), where my desire to become a physician has solidified. I am so excited to get to know my classmates with diverse backgrounds and embark on this journey of learning together. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors - skiing, hiking, or playing tennis.

Hi everyone! My name is Savannah James, and I was born and raised in Florida. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2024, where I triple majored in Chinese, Economics, and Marketing. After spending the past couple of years working in technology consulting in Tampa, I felt a lack of impact on my community. Through volunteering in the Emergency Department, I discovered how much I value patient-centered, empathetic care, which ultimately led me to pursue medicine. Since then, I have spent time shadowing physicians across a variety of specialties to continue exploring the field. When I’m not working or exploring medicine, you’ll likely find me running, rock climbing, playing pickup sports, reading, or hiking. I am really excited to meet everyone and start this next chapter together!

Hello everyone! My name is Miae Bushra, with a background in social and political psychology. Excited to pursue a career in medicine, where I hope to combine my understanding of human motivation with patient centered care! Looking forward to learning with all of you throughout this year.

Hi everyone! My name is Elizabeth Laub. I graduated from Colgate University in 2022, where I studied psychology and was also a member of the tennis team. After graduating, I spent several years working in healthcare consulting and later at an AI startup focused on improving patient access to medications. Through those experiences, along with earlier clinical roles as an EMT and in an orthopedic surgery center, I realized how much I’m drawn to the direct patient impact of medicine. Outside of work, I love running, traveling, and trying new coffee and ice cream spots, and I’m excited to get to know everyone and start the year together at UVA!

Hello everyone! My name is David Campbell, and I am from San Jose, California. I graduated from the University of Portland in 2021 with a degree in Computer Science and a Chemistry minor. During undergrad, I also volunteered in the Providence Medical Center Emergency Department as I was really interested in medicine. Since then, I have been working as a software engineer, and I also obtained a Master’s in Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine. After working in the software industry for five years, I decided to change careers and pursue my original passion of becoming a physician. Personally, I’m an avid cinephile, and I love tennis and specialty coffee. I am excited to begin this journey with all of you!

Hello everyone! My name is Sophia Spaner and I'm from Northern Virginia. Throughout my life I've also lived in California, Florida, Michigan, and Massachusetts. I'm graduating from UVA this year with a degree in computer science and physics. During most of college I worked at Starbucks as a shift supervisor, but last year I transitioned jobs to an emergency department technician role at SMJH. I have a deep love for problem solving and understanding how things work, and I find that I derive the most meaning in doing so when I apply those  interests to helping people feel better. This realization lead me to want to pursue a career in medicine. Outside of work and academics I'm also involved with various research projects and I volunteer with a local rescue squad. In my free time I enjoy hiking, fly fishing, and snowboarding. I'm really looking forward to starting this program and getting to know you all soon!

 My name is Tawonga and I am originally from Lilongwe, Malawi in southeast Africa. I moved to the United States when I was 18 years old to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. Growing up in a community where access to medical care was limited, I saw first hand the need for greater healthcare access which ultimately led me to my educational interests and passions. To ease my way into the path of obtaining a medical degree, I pursued a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree, and since August 2022 I have been working as a registered nurse. Outside of medicine and nursing, I enjoy cooking, exercising, watching the English Premier League (soccer) , attending church, and putting together stylish, functional outfits. Moving to the United States at such a young age taught me that adaptability, empathy, and community support are essential for positive and healthy living. These qualities, along with my experience coming from an underserved population, will serve as a catalyst to help make me an effective physician. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to begin my medical school journey through the University of Virginia’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program. 

Hello! My name is Caroline. I grew up in NYC and went to Carleton College where I majored in English. I worked as an English teacher before moving to London to pursue an MA in 16th century literature. Having watched my sister go through medical school, I was interested in her studies and inspired by the impact she has had as a doctor. With time and self-reflection, I have realized medicine is the right path for me too. I currently volunteer as a helpline specialist answering calls to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and I recently worked at a school for young people with a primary diagnosis autism. In my free time, I love to read, paint, and go for runs. I also love history and going on cultural excursions. I'm so excited to take this step together and look forward to meeting you all!

Hi everyone! My name is Aidan, and I'm excited to join the cohort in June! I'm from the Boston area originally, and I will be graduating from Haverford College in May with a degree in Neuroscience. At Haverford, I play baseball, am involved in the campus ministry, and work in a cognitive neuroscience lab where I conduct EEG recordings for a series of studies on childhood adversity and emotion regulation. I've worked for a few years as a substitute and summer school teacher at home, and I also had a great experience volunteering at Boston Children's Hospital over winter break. I've pursued my interest in medicine in Philadelphia this semester by assisting indiviudals with Parkinson's in an adapted tango class, and I've had a great time learning to dance and helping participants do the same! I love being outdoors, exercising, reading, eating, and traveling, and I'm excited to do these things in Virginia! I'm looking forward to spending the upcoming year with you all

Hi everyone! My name is Michelle Des Rivières and I’m currently a senior at James Madison University studying psychology, where I serve as a Student Ambassador, and a member of Psi Chi, the international honor society for psychology. I am also a member of Alpha Delta Pi, where I serve our philanthropy Ronald McDonald House Charities. My decision to pursue a career in medicine comes from personal experience witnessing my family’s health challenges, which showed me firsthand how physical and mental health are deeply connected. Volunteering with the A Moment of Magic Foundation, which supports children and families affected by pediatric cancer, allowed me to contribute through targeted fundraising efforts and personalized visits with patients. These experiences highlighted the tangible impact of consistent, compassionate engagement during times of uncertainty. In parallel, my work at my university’s counseling center has involved facilitating student access to mental health services and supporting outreach efforts aimed at reducing barriers to care. These experiences solidified my commitment to becoming a psychiatrist and helping patients navigate uncertainty with the same steadiness, persistence, and hope I saw impact so many lives. Outside of school I enjoy reading, especially Jane Austen novels, as well as embroidery, hiking, and traveling (I studied abroad twice!). I am looking forward to getting to know you all!

Howdy friends! My name is Nik Silva and I am from Durham, NC. I completed nursing school in 2020 and have worked for several years as a nurse in the Air Force and at Duke University Hospital. As an ICU float pool nurse at Duke, I have worked on 8 different ICUs and have traveled to Gaum as an Air Force nurse. I am a lifelong learner and will have completed a masters in public health by the time we are starting our program. I am a passionate triathlete and enjoy spending my free time trail running or road cycling. I cannot wait to get to know all of you and take on this challenge with such an outstanding group of folks

Hello world.  My name is Miles Gabrielson, and I am joining the UVA Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program. A Connecticut native, I graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where I studied economics and French. I spent the vast majority of my time in the Army overseas, primarily in Europe and Asia.

I am pursuing medicine to build a stable career for my family while continuing a lifelong commitment to service. I am particularly interested in psychiatry while remaining open to other specialties.

My hobbies include classical piano, golf, and language learning.  Looking forward to meeting the rest of the cohort!