Students

UCLA’s first medical informatics PhD, Samir Akre, pictured with his family on the day of his dissertation defense.
Research & Labs, Spotlight, Students

Meet UCLA’s First Medical Informatics PhD

Samir Akre is getting a PhD in medical informatics at UCLA. He studies how consumer wearable devices can inform mental health interventions.

5 min read
First-year medical students received their white coats during a ceremony Sept. 6 at UCLA's Royce Hall.
Students

Three medical students driven by social justice

First-year medical students received their white coats during a ceremony Sept. 6 at UCLA's Royce Hall.

3 min read
PhD Student Rochelle Lai in the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology program
Research & Labs, Students

Clinical Dietitian Pursues Basic Science Research to Help Patients

UCLA PhD student Rochelle Lai investigates ways for treating metabolic diseases at the cellular level.

5 min read
Medical student Shannon Richardson, pictured here in front of Geffen Hall, shares her story of becoming a doctor.
Students

From Aspiring Olympian to Future Urological Surgeon-Scientist

UCLA medical student Shannon Richardson is becoming a doctor committed to improving global health equity.

5 min read
Medical student Mikayla Mefford, pictured here completing training in the operating room, shares her story of becoming a doctor
Students

Future Physician Looks Forward to Being Vulnerable with Patients

UCLA medical student Mikayla Mefford is becoming a doctor who values being compassionate and vulnerable with patients.

4 min read
Medical student Antony Alvarado, pictured here speaking at an event, shares his story of becoming a doctor.
Students

Multiple Cancer Diagnoses Inspire Antony Alvarado’s Medical Career Dreams

UCLA medical student Antony Alvarado is becoming a doctor who hopes to serve his medically marginalized Latinx community.

7 min read
Medical student Joy Xu, pictured in front of the DGSOM sign, shares her story of becoming a doctor.
Students

Future Physician Values Thinking Critically and Helping Others

UCLA medical student Joy Xu is becoming a doctor who values critical thinking and helping others.

4 min read
Medical student Samuel Edwards posing in his white coat
Students

Helping people in underserved areas live their healthiest lives

UCLA medical student Samuel Edwards is becoming a doctor dedicated to serving marginalized or underserved communities.

6 min read
Medical student Clara Đỗ Trần Nguyễn, pictured in her white coat along with her two physician sisters, shares her story of becoming a doctor
Students

Healing Immigrant Communities Through Mental Health Advocacy

UCLA medical student Clara Đỗ Trần Nguyễn is becoming a doctor to increase mental health care in Asian American and immigrant communities.

5 min read
Dean Dubinett speaks to the 2024 graduates of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Students

UCLA medical students celebrate commencement and the journey that got them there

Meet some of the graduating doctors from the David Geffen School of Medicine

4 min read
Tereza Vitkovska, pictured during her White Coat Ceremony, shares her story of becoming a doctor
Students

Leaving Ukraine Made Her Medical Training More Challenging—and More Significant

UCLA medical student Tereza Vitkovska is becoming a doctor who hopes to serve patients in Ukraine and the United States.

5 min read
Medical student Eric Smith, pictured wearing his white coat, shares his story of becoming a doctor
Students

A Novel Allergy Treatment Turned His Medical Fears into Career Goals

UCLA medical student Eric Smith is becoming a doctor who wants to change patients’ lives through head and neck surgery.

4 min read
Rigoberto Perez Hernandez, pictured here with fellow UCLA resident and the Bruin mascots, shares his story of becoming a doctor
Students

From Childhood Interpreter to Physician—Med Student Honors Family and Community

Medical student Rigoberto Perez Hernandez is becoming a doctor dedicated to serving California communities.

5 min read
Medical student Chelsea Pan, pictured on the roof of a hospital, shares her story of becoming a doctor
Students

Chinese Medicine and Art History Inform One Student’s Approach to Care

UCLA medical student Chelsea Pan is becoming a doctor attuned to her patients’ values, backgrounds, and preference.

4 min read
UCLA medical student Kirandeep Kaur, pictured with her mother, talks about matching into residency.
Students

Matching Into Residency: Kirandeep Kaur’s Story

Medical student Kirandeep Kaur talks about matching into residency and leaving her second home.

6 min read