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Student Ambassadors

Office of Admissions UTRGV School of Medicine

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SOM Office of Admissions
UTRGV School of Medicine
Email: MDadmissions@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-296-1600

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Student Ambassador Program

Our student ambassadors, who came from near and far, represent the UTRGV School of Medicine, providing applicants with an inside look at our medical school and community. They provide assistance to prospective students in a number of ways, including arranging medical school tours for interviewees, assist in public relations events, and communicating one-on-one with prospective students.

Meet Our Ambassadors

Click on our ambassadors' names below to learn more about them.

Lauren Herrera, Class of 2023

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin
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Lauren Herrera, Class of 2023

Hello everyone! My name is Lauren Herrera, and I am a medical student in the class of 2023 from San Benito, Texas. I attended the University of Texas at Austin where I received my BSA in Biology and continued on to earn a Master's degree in Biology Medical Sciences from Mississippi College. I chose UTRGV SOM because, after 7 years of living out of the Rio Grande Valley, I felt a need to return and give back to the community that helped inspire my medical journey. I hope during my time here I can share the mission of the SOM and continue the positive impact it has had on healthcare in this region.

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin

Asbiel Hasbum, Class of 2023

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin
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Asbiel Hasbum, Class of 2023

Hi! My name is Asbiel Hasbum, and I am a medical student in the class of 2023 from Sullivan City, TX. I attended The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX, where I received my B.S. in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. I chose to attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine because I want to make an impact in the community I grew up in. During my time here, I hope to promote health in our local communities.

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin

Ashley Ikwuezunma, Class of 2023

Undergrad: Lamar University
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Ashley Ikwuezunma, Class of 2023

Hello! My name is Ashley Ikwuezunma and I am a medical student in the class of 2023 from Houston, Texas. I attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. After four years, I graduated and received my B.S. in Kinesiology. Before starting medical school, I had two gap years where I worked at a home health care company in Houston. The culture and curriculum were the two main factors that led me to attend UTRGV SOM. I am very excited to continue my education at UTRGV SOM and look forward to the continued impact of not only the school, but the Rio Grande Valley region as well.

Undergrad: Lamar University

Kevin Orellana, Class of 2023

Undergrad: Saint Edward’s University
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Kevin Orellana, Class of 2023

Hey guys! My name is Kevin Orellana and I am in the class of 2023! I was originally born in Guatemala but grew up in Austin, Texas where I attended Saint Edward’s University and got my BS in biology. I chose UTRGV because the attention from the faculty is exceptional. At UTRGV you feel welcomed into a family and everyone will do everything they can to help you succeed and reach your goals. Additionally, I have a strong passion for serving the underserved and I thought what better place to do so than The Valley where the need is so great. I have already learned a lot in my short time here and hope to continue to grow both personally and academically to be the best physician I can be for my patients!

Undergrad: Saint Edward’s University

Alexis Garza, Class of 2023

Undergrad: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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Alexis Garza, Class of 2023

Hey! My name is Alexis Garza, and I am currently a medical student from the class of 2023. I am an Edinburg native and attended UTPA/UTRGV for my undergraduate studies, where I received a B.S. in Chemistry. After graduation, I worked for two years as a high school Physics teacher and football/basketball coach at Robert Vela High School in Edinburg. I choose UTRGV SOM because as a valley native, I wanted to contribute to the establishment of a school whose sole mission is to provide a steady supply of quality healthcare to those underserved residing in the area. I look forward to my future as a physician and being able to give back the area that I call home.

Undergrad: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Mauricio Burbano, Class of 2023

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin
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Mauricio Burbano, Class of 2023

Hello! My name is Mauricio Burbano and I am a medical student in the class of 2023. I was born in Colombia but spent most of my childhood growing up in the Rio Grande Valley. I studied at the University of Texas at Austin, where I graduated with a B.S.A. in Biochemistry and a minor in Latin American Studies. I attended The University of North Texas Health Science Center where I received my master’s in Medical Sciences and spent the following year doing research involving neglected tropical diseases at the UT Health School of Public Health in Brownsville. I decided to attend UTRGV SOM because it gave me an opportunity to learn medicine in an inclusive and diverse environment, while at the same time making a positive impact on my childhood communities in the Rio Grande Valley. I am excited to be a part of a school like UTRGV SOM that places a great emphasis on the health of its community and finds innovative ways to bring change to underserved regions in South Texas.

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin

Niti Dharwadkar, Class of 2023

Undergrad: University of Maryland
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Niti Dharwadkar, Class of 2023

Hi! My name is Niti Dharwadkar. I’m a medical student from the Class of 2023. I currently live in Houston, TX but was raised up north in Maryland. I attended the University of Maryland - College Park (go Terps!) where I majored in Neurobiology and Physiology. During this time I was also part of a competitive A Cappella team that performed all over the country. After graduating, I did a post-bac in California and worked as a medical scribe in the Emergency Room. What drew me to UTRGV SOM was its mission, close-knit community feel, and the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges to medicine faced in the Valley. So far I’ve really enjoyed my experience here and I can’t wait to watch the school continue to grow!

Undergrad: University of Maryland

Roman Silva, Class of 2023

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin
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Roman Silva, Class of 2023

Hello! My name is Roman Silva, and I am a medical student in the class of 2023. I am a valley native and grew up in McAllen, TX. I attended UT Austin, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in consulting management from the McCombs School of Business. After graduating, I worked for a startup tech company called PaidUp, which was a payment management platform for traveling youth sports organizations.  I chose to attend UTRGV SOM because I want to give back to the community I grew up in. My family has experienced the difficulties of receiving quality healthcare due to the lack of physicians in the RGV, which motivated me to attend a school established to alleviate that disparity. During my medical school career and beyond, I want to provide quality healthcare for the underserved and make a difference in the Rio Grande Valley.

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin

Mattie Lastovica, Class of 2022

Undergrad: Vanderbilt University
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Mattie Lastovica, Class of 2022

Hello! My name is Mattie Lastovica, and I am a medical student in the class of 2022 from Fredericksburg, Texas. I attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I received my B.S. in child development. After graduating early, I worked for a year as a toddler teacher at The Rise School of Austin, which is an inclusion preschool (half of the students have special needs). I chose UTRGV SOM because of its strong culture of community and collaboration. During my time here, I hope to gain valuable experience and insight from the diversity of the Rio Grande Valley while making a positive impact in any way that I can!

Undergrad: Vanderbilt University

Alexander Abraham, Class of 2022

Undergrad: Ball State University
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Alexander Abraham, Class of 2022

Hi there! My name is Alexander Abraham, but I usually go by Alex. I am in the class of 2022 here at the UTRGV School of Medicine. I am originally from the United Kingdom. However, I moved to the Chicago area in 2009. I received my undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Ball State University. I chose the UTRGV School of Medicine because I wanted to get hands-on experience with patients and the community from the start of my medical career. I also liked the idea of being part of something so new and being able to leave my mark on the school. When I first visited the RGV, I saw how much potential there is here. Yet, the area has little access to healthcare. During my time here at UTRGV SOM, I hope to be able to be a part of the effort to increase healthcare access and give back to the community that has allowed me the chance to pursue a medical education.

Undergrad: Ball State University

Sahar Panjwani, Class of 2022

Undergrad: Emory University
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Sahar Panjwani, Class of 2022

Hi y'all! My name is Sahar Panjwani, and I'm part of the Class of 2022. I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona but now live in Sugar Land, Texas. I attended Emory University for my undergraduate education, where I majored in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and minored in Economics. I've always been passionate about serving underserved communities and not only do I get to do that at UTRGV SOM, but I also get to be part of a diverse and driven community of students that is equally as passionate about serving the community and improving health care globally. During my time here, I hope to be able to improve access to health care within the local community as well as contribute to the growth of the school.

Undergrad: Emory University

Adriana Saavedra-Simmons, Class of 2022

Undergrad: Brown University
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Adriana Saavedra-Simmons, Class of 2022

My name is Adriana Saavedra-Simmons, and I am a medical student in the Class of 2022. The Rio Grande Valley is my home. I ventured to the East Coast where I completed my B.A. in Health & Human Biology at Brown University. I am thrilled to have a medical school in my hometown and grateful for the health care advances that are mitigating health disparities in the RGV. My medical education has been supportive, eye-opening, and stimulating. I hope to continue the work of UTRGV SOM as a physician by delivering care to those most in need.

Undergrad: Brown University

Jewel Udenwagu, Class of 2022

Undergrad: Baylor University
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Jewel Udenwagu, Class of 2022

Hi everyone! My name is Jewel Udenwagu, and I am a proud member of the Class of 2022. I am from the great city of Houston, Texas and received my undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 2015. I am extremely blessed to call UTRGV SOM my medical school. This is a place where words are not just spoken but also put into action. From day one, I have had the opportunity to serve the community for which this school was built. This helps me stay focused on the end goal of my medical education, which is service! In my free time, I like to sing and watch Houston Rockets basketball.

Undergrad: Baylor University

Nelson Gonzalez, Class of 2022

Undergrad: The University of Texas at Austin
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Nelson Gonzalez, Class of 2022

My name is Nelson Gonzalez, and I am part of the class of 2022 at UTRGV School of Medicine. I grew up in different parts of the RGV but I call Edinburg, Texas home. I earned my B.S. in Public Health at The University of Texas at Austin. I completed my Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the UTHealth School of Public Health Brownsville Regional Campus. Being from the Valley, choosing UTRGV SOM was an easy choice for me. This school provides the perfect setting to learn and practice medicine in underserved communities that truly benefit from our help. I hope to give back to the community where I grew up by providing quality healthcare.

Undergrad: The University of Texas at Austin

Rebisi Owhonda, Class of 2022

Undergrad: University of Florida
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Rebisi Owhonda, Class of 2022

Hi, my name is Rebisi Owhonda, and I am a student in the Class of 2022 from Fort Worth, Texas. I earned my undergrad in biology at University of Florida and then received a Master’s in Medical Sciences from Drexel University. I chose UTRGV SOM because of how welcoming the environment was and because the opportunity to learn directly from practicing physicians in a young and largely underserved health care system called to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and look forward to making an impact with my classmates in the Valley community at large and hope to inspire the next generation of Valley Born Physicians with our efforts.

Undergrad: University of Florida

Madeline Huff, Class of 2022

Undergrad: Texas State University
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Madeline Huff, Class of 2022

My name is Madeline Huff, and I am a part of the Class of 2022. I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas State University in Biology and Biochemistry, respectively. I was raised in the Rio Grande Valley and am very excited to be back home for my medical school education. I chose to be a part of UTRGV SOM because of the welcoming, supportive, and familial environment I experienced during my initial visit to the school by both the students and faculty. I was also attracted to the numerous opportunities the school provides for interaction with the community from day one. During my time here at UTRGV SOM, I hope to make a meaningful difference in people's lives and help give back to the community that raised me.

Undergrad: Texas State University

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