Meet the Conference Planning Committee

Hello! My name is Lady Liannie Abangan, and I am a first-year medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. My goal is to pursue dual fellowships in Cardiology and Critical Care. Currently, I serve as the Phase One Liaison Co-Chair and as the Class of 2028 Representative.

Joselyn Alanzalon is an OMS-III at Western University of Health Sciences, COMP in Pomona, CA, originally from San Francisco. She earned dual degrees in Economics and Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from UC Santa Cruz in 2019. Prior to medical school, she gained clinical experience as a medical assistant at a private practice ophthalmology clinic and served the Filipinx community through the Mabuhay Health Center. Passionate about fostering Filipinx representation in medicine, Joselyn joined CYFAM and the Conference Planning Committee to amplify voices and inspire future Filipinx leaders.

Dana is an OMS-III at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is currently completing rotations in Tucson, AZ. She loves sinigang, the San Diego Padres, and making her toddler laugh every day.

Hey everyone! I’m Charlize Amper, a freshman at UPenn studying biology on the premed track. I’m so thankful for the connections my culture gives me and I’m excited to help CYFAM to continue to thrive.

Kevin Ian Arendon is a student of Our Lady of Fatima University College of Medicine, and is hoping to apply into the 2025 residency matching program. An alumni of the University of California Irvine, he enjoys learning new things such as playing chess and cooking.

Bianca Barredo is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she manages clinical studies to support advancements in the hereditary hematology oncology space. A 2024 graduate of UW-Madison with a B.S. in Biology and a certificate in Southeast Asian Studies, she is currently taking gap years to gain experience before applying to medical school. During her undergraduate years, she served as the Cultural Chair and Co-President External for the UW-Madison Filipino American Student Organization, promoting cultural pride and community outreach. In her free time, she enjoys playing with their dog Mochi, going to the gym, and reading.

Allison is a third-year Psychobiology student at UCLA with a passion for advancing inclusive healthcare. She is dedicated to pursuing a career in medicine, aiming to provide more opportunities for quality care in underserved populations. In her free time, Allison enjoys exploring hiking trails and playing tennis.

Hey y'all! My name is Luis Caseñas, and I'm a third-year at Stony Brook University majoring in Psychology (B.S.) with minors in Biology and Philosophy. I hope to pursue an MD/PhD in the future, and am especially interested in Psychiatry and the neurosciences. As someone with no real role model in STEM growing up, I'm excited to help out CYFAM and be that for others in the future!

My name is Peter Fernandez (he/him), a fourth year biochemistry undergraduate at UCLA who was raised in Riverside, California. Throughout my time in undergrad, I grew deeply passionate about breaking down the barriers to allow underserved communities within Southern California to access the resources they deserve, especially concerning quality education and research. I am a huge advocate for using the privilege of an undergraduate education to return back to the communities that need our help most and to use our platforms to provide the highest quality care that is simply not being seen with the underserved. I am someone interested in pursuing a career in primary care as a physician, and CYFAM to me is an opportunity to inspire peers just like myself to find a purpose in healthcare that is rooted in uplifting our own communities and progressing our field to provide the highest quality, patient-centered care.

Katrina Gonzales is currently an MS2 at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. She is originally from Yuma, AZ and studied Public Health at UC Berkeley.

Cedric Lansangan is a 3rd-year Cancer Biology PhD student at Loma Linda University in California, where he is developing gold-nanoparticle-based delivery systems for mediating boron neutron capture therapy of malignant gliomas. His proud Pinoy roots means that although he has a deep love for anime and manga, he also has a deep appreciation and passion for his Filipino heritage and culture. So much so that Pinoy teleseryes and movies are a part of every day life for him.

Mariel Lansangan serves as the Ophthalmic Administrative Manager at a pediatric ophthalmologist office based in Santa Monica, California. Mariel earned her Bachelor's degree in neuroscience with minors in chemistry and psychology from Regis University in 2019, graduating with cum laude honors. Currently, she is en route to obtain a Master of Science in Health Systems at Cedars Sinai Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Kristina recently graduated from NYU majoring in psychology as well as minored in chemistry and medical humanities on the pre-medical track. In her free time, she likes going to concerts and thrifting. She's so excited to be working with CYFAM :)

Amanda Piring graduated from UCLA in 2024 with a BS in Human Biology and Society and minor in Public Health. She is currently in her gap year before applying to medical school, working as a medical assistant and clinical research associate. In her free time, she loves to try new restaurants, travel, and thrift.

Hi! My name is Jorell Lyle Quiriones, and I am a first-generation immigrant studying as a second-year pre-med student at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Sciences. I enjoy playing the bandurria and listening to artists like Niki and Beabadoobee. I am looking forward to meeting you all!

Chloe has a BS in Global Disease Biology with a minor in Music from UC Davis and a MSc in Medical Health Sciences from Touro University California. Currently in her gap year, she works as a scribe and a research assistant for parasitology research. Her interests include approaching diseases in human health with a One Health perspective. In her free time she enjoys playing badminton and practicing music.

Myka Salvacion is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania pursuing a BA in Molecular & Cell Biology with minors in Anthroplogy and Chemistry. She currently serves as the President of the Penn Philippine Association, for which she has been an active executive board member since her freshman year. She is also Co-Chairperson of FIND District 5, an intercollegiate organization comprised of 15 Filipino organizations at universities in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and southern New Jersey. As a student researcher and patient care volunteer at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, she is passionate about pediatric oncology and how to provide better, safer treatment options for children living with cancer.

Ritz Tolentino is a first-year international medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Portland, ME. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis. With his passion for health equity, he has led projects that aimed to increase Filipino representation in medicine, promote mental health awareness among LGBTQ+ individuals, and advocate for the unhoused population. Outside of medicine, Ritz loves hiking, running, traveling, playing the piano, and exploring new cities with friends and families.