Trinity Terlaje
Co-President
Hey everyone! My name is Trinity Terlaje, and I’m on of the MAPS Co-Presidents for the 2024-25 board. I was born and raised on the island of Guam and am in my fourth year majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Bioethics & Humanities. Outside of school, I lead EEG and speech development research sessions with a lab team under the Department of Otolaryngology at UW Medicine. I also love to go to the beach or watch k-dramas on Netflix! Since joining MAPS as a freshman, several healthcare mentors have encouraged me to pursue my career ambitions and to uplift minority communities. It’s inspired me to lead new members and to create the same opportunities that fueled my passions for the healthcare field and for advocacy of its equitable future. (edited)
Emily Ramirez
Co-President
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Hi! My name is Emily Ramirez, and I am one of your MAPS Co-Presidents for this year! I am a Senior double majoring in Physiology and Public Health-Global Health, and I am also on the pre-MD/PhD track. I joined MAPS during my first year at UW and loved it so much that I decided to become part of the leadership team! As the daughter of immigrants and a multiracial individual, I felt that MAPS was the most inclusive and supportive community at UW. Over the past three years in MAPS, I have learned how to approach patients holistically, about the medical school application process, and how to pursue a career working with underserved communities. Outside of MAPS, I conduct research in multiple disciplines, mentor middle school students, work on education reform policy, and play tennis! I look forward to meeting all of you and working towards building a more equitable healthcare system in which everyone can thrive!!
Ben Ackmann
Co-Conference Chair
Hi everyone! I’m Ben and I am one of the Co-Conference Chairs this year! I’m from the Twin Cities area in Minnesota, and I’m planning on double-majoring in MCD biology and neuroscience. In my free time, I love to hang out with friends outdoors, cook, and go thrifting! I joined MAPS last year looking to find a community of individuals with similar academic interests as me, with a passion for embracing diversity. I’m incredibly grateful to have not only found that, but also to have learned so much about the healthcare field and its marginalized communities. I’m looking forward to another year with MAPS and to see all of you at our next meeting! :)
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Nidhi Ashani
Co-Conference Chair
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Hi! My name is Nidhi Ashani and I am one of the Co-Conference Chairs this year! I am from Sacramento CA, and will be a junior at the University of Washington. I am majoring in MCD Biology on a pre-medical track, and I am currently involved in pediatric cardiology research at Seattle Children’s, volunteering at Harborview Medical Center, and part of Project Link, another global health RSO at UW! In my free time, I love to bake, work out, and play the piano, as well as spend time with friends and family! I joined MAPS because of the diverse pre-health community it fosters, as well as the valuable insights and resources this RSO provides to its members, so we can all work together to become more socially conscious healthcare professionals! I am so grateful for the opportunities to learn from various guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and volunteering events, specifically learning more about underrepresented populations in medicine and how we can be part of the change. I am so excited to serve as a Co-Conference Chair this year and meet all of you :) (edited)
Shubham Bansal
Treasurer
Hello! My name is Shubham Bansal, and I’m the Treasurer for MAPS for the 2024-2025 year! I was born in Detroit but spent most of my life in Mukilteo, WA. I’m currently a junior studying medical anthropology, with plans to attend medical school. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, going to the gym, reading, and cooking! MAPS offers a truly unique experience, providing members with invalluable educational resources and connections. Not only do you gain essential skills and knowledge about healthcare, but you also learn about the challenges faced by underserved communities in medicine. MAPS is an incredible opportunity, so be sure to join us at our meetings!
Annika Samra
Community Service & Philanthropy Chair
Hello! My name is Annika Samra, and I am thrilled to serve as the Community Service and Philanthropy Chair for MAPS this year! I am from a smaller town in eastern Washington named Tri-Cities, and I am a second-year student planning on majoring in public health global health. I am currently involved in the UW nonprofit Narcare and am also a research assistant at Harborview. In my free time, I love to go on runs, shop with my friends, or watch any reality TV show. MAPS has grown my devotion towards diversity in healthcare by providing me with a community of like-minded individuals passionate about representing the underrepresented. I am so excited to learn more about all of you, and cannot wait to show you what we have planned this year! :)
Michelle Echeverria
Director of Communications
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Hi everyone!! I’m Michelle and I’ll be the director of communications for this upcoming school year. I have actually been a part of MAPS since my freshman year! Now I am a junior studying both mcd biology and public health-global health. Being a part of MAPS has allowed me to gain so many new perspectives and outlooks in both healthcare and beyond the field. I have been given the opportunity to learn from so many peers and professionals which has given me the chance to grow my passion for medicine even more. I have found a community within MAPS that has given me so many lasting relationships and professional opportunities. Outside of MAPS, I am also a part of the honors program, PhiDE, Latin Student Union, and I’m currently working in the Arnold Lab where I’m focusing on proteomics specifically that of newly developed enteroids!
Leya Dereje
Public Relations Chair
Hey everyone! My name is Leya and I'm so excited to be your Public Relations Chair for the 2024-2025 school year!! I am a sophomore this year from Lynnwood, WA, and am majoring in Public Health-Global Health. Outside of MAPS, I am involved in PhiDE, UW’s Pure Gold Step Team, and work at a local tutoring center. I am also an RA on campus, and intend on working as a Certified Nursing Assistant this year. In my free time, I love to read, cook, vlog, and travel. I joined maps my first quarter in UW and immediately fell in love wit the community that is fostered through this RSO. MAPS provided me the opportunity to connect with peers and professionals while expanding my awareness on various topics within healthcare. I can't wait to meet you all!
Tristan Jafari
Fundraising Chair
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Hello! My name is Tristan, the Fundraising Chair for MAPS for the 2024-2025 year! I grew up in Mukilteo, WA for most of my life. I’m currently a senior studying biochemistry with the goal of going to medical school. In my free time I like to play soccer, run, read, or play mindless games on my phone. There is really no other RSO like MAPS that provides its members with such unique experiences and educational opportunities. And it's not just about learning and growing as individuals; it's about understanding the specific needs of underserved populations to be able to effectively address them as future healthcare providers. Come check us out!
Angelique Nguyen
Community Liaison
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Hi!! My name is Angelique, and I am so excited to be the MAPS Community Liaison this year. I’m a junior from Mukilteo, Washington double majoring in public health and biology. At UW, I’m also involved in research at UW IHDD and am a part of other RSOs such as Surgery Interest Association. I love hanging out with friends, spending time in nature, and listening to music in my free time. I’ve been a part of MAPS since freshman year and was also on the board last year. MAPS has been such a wonderful experience for me because it has introduced me to a community of like-minded students, as well as taught me the value of diversity and equity in healthcare. I’m so excited to meet all of you and show you what MAPS has planned for you guys this year :)
Pragnya Gudipati
Secretary
Hey guys! My name is Pragnya and I am your Secretary for this school year! I am a sophomore at the University of Washington and intend to major in Public Health-Global Health and minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. I am also a student in UW's Interdisciplinary Honors Program. I currently volunteer at Swedish Medical Center and hope to get involved in research. In my free time, I love to bake, explore cafes, and embroider! I joined MAPS during my freshman year to connect with other pre-health students looking to gain a holistic foundation for their healthcare journey. I'm so grateful to have found a community that shares similar passions while engaging in meaningful dialogue and activities regarding underrecognized healthcare topics across the board. I look forward to meeting you all!