- The Health Careers Peer Advisors are part of Brown's Health Careers Advising team particularly available to First-Year and Sophomore students during the academic year. This affords you the opportunity to consult with a Brown undergraduate with experience as a health careers student. The Peer Advisors also coordinate highly-informative and engaging events each semester.
The HCPAs run drop-in Zoom hours on:
- Tuesdays 10am- 12pm AND 1pm- 3pm
- Wednesdays 10am- 12pm AND 1pm- 3pm
The Zoom link is: https://brown.zoom.us/j/7570899465
Abby Perelman 
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Concentration: Sc.B. Cognitive Neuroscience, Data Fluency Certificate
Email: [email protected]
Activities:
- Student coordinator for Brown’s Dance Extension
- Co-director for Brown’s What’s on Tap?
- Director of Body&Sole
- TA for CLPS10, CLPS950, TAPS310, TAPS1330
- Social outreach chair for Chaboard @ Brown
- Data Science Fellow
- CLPS Mentor
Research:
- Brown University Aging and Cognition Lab Research Assistant -- collect and analyze data from elderly individuals to identify possible indicators of neurodegenerative diseases.
- 3D: A Deeper Dive into Dappers (Dance for All People) Research Assistant -- review literature, develop questionnaires, and dance with older individuals to explore music and dance as an intervention for neurodegeneration in the aging population.
- Brown University Parkinson’s Disease Apple Watch App Development -- building an IOS app that will collect data from Parkinson’s Disease patients and share this with their healthcare provider.
Fun tidbit: My middle name is Bean (as in the food)!
A piece of advice you would give to a pre-health student: Take part in activities, classes and co-curricular activities you enjoy rather than just add to your resume! These activities are what make you unique and exciting, and it’s always important to take care of yourself by doing what you love!
Alyscia Batista
Hometown: Long Beach, NY
Activities:
- Literary section editor of The College Hill Independent
- CHEM0100 and PHP0310 TA
- Class Liaison for Brown’s Infectious Disease Society
- eBoard member of Planned Parenthood Advocates @ Brown
- Member of the Financial Aid Advisory Board
- Medical Interpreter at the Rhode Island Free Clinic
- Swearer Center Tutoring Enrichment in Math and Science
- Member of the Steering Committee for the Sidney E. Frank Scholar Program
Research:
- Lefort Lab at Rhode Island Hospital: Derived mature human neutrophils from progenitors and induced CYBB and OLFM4 knock-outs in order to analyze neutrophil activity against S. aureus and S. pneumoniae.
Fun tidbit: When I got scuba certified, I had the opportunity to be face to face with a sea turtle as it chomped on some sea grass.
A piece of advice you would give to a pre-health student: Though being pre-med at Brown can be overwhelming, it isn’t your whole world. Make sure to step out of your comfort zone and explore your interests, even if they don't fall within the scope of your pre-med requirements.
Sojas Wagle
Hometown: Springdale, AK
Concentration: Psychiatric Epidemiology, Sc.B. (Independent Concentration)
Email: [email protected]
Activities:
- Journal Editor-in-Chief of International Youth Neuroscience Association
- Board Member of Production Workshop
- BWell Wellness Peer Educator
- SAPE Facilitator & SHAPE Sex Ed Volunteer
- CHEM 0100, CHEM 0330 TA
- Campus Tour Guide
- Meiklejohn Peer Advisor
- Member of Brown-RISD Slam Poetry Team
- Junior Representative of Brown Pre-Med AMSA
- Crisis Hotline Volunteer for Samaritans of Rhode Island
- Behavioral Health Technician at Crisis Stabilization Unit & Therapeutic Day Treatment (in Arkansas)
Research:
- Operario Lab at the School of Public Health, Behavioral and Social Sciences: Conducting literature reviews on barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake in transgender women & cyberviolence
- Proulx Lab at the Mindfulness Center, Behavioral and Social Sciences & Psychiatry and Human Behavior: Adapting Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to Narragansett adult and adolescent populations
Fun tidbit: I recently found out that my name was supposed to be spelled “saujas” and comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “strong or powerful.”
A piece of advice you would give to a pre-health student: It’s not the end of the world if you get a B in Orgo. Know that you are imperfect and that your humanity lies in your imperfections.
Tiffany Lin
Hometown: Queens, NY
Concentration: English (with Honors)
Activities:
- Editor-in-Chief of Catalyst Journal
- Co-head of Brown Pen Pals
- Member of First Gens @ Brown
- Connect for Health advocate
- SEADD (Self-Expression for Adults with Developmental Disabilities) volunteer
Research:
- During the pandemic, I spent a gap year as a research assistant at The New York Academy of Medicine. I contributed to research on food and nutrition access in New York City, and helped co-facilitate public deliberations to hear people's opinions on the initial distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine back in December 2020.
- Worked with Professor Li-Qiong Wang (Department of Chemistry) since sophomore year, helping create and refine undergraduate chemistry labs.
Fun fact: I'm learning to speak Chinese this year! I really wanted to take a language course in my senior year, and though it's definitely a lot of work, I've loved having this new connection to my culture. (Hoping to surprise my family with my ~new linguistic capabilities~ when I next see them!)
A piece of advice you would give to a pre-health student: It can sometimes seem that you’re the only one who doesn’t understand something in a class, doesn’t already have research experience, doesn’t have two internships lined up for the summer — but whatever you’re feeling, you’re not alone. No one likes to admit they’re struggling with things, but a lot of people are — and you have a community around you that can help, if you just let them know.
Manuella Talla
Home country: Cameroon (Central Africa)
Concentration: Immunology Sc.B.
Email: [email protected]
Activities:
- Vice President of African Students’ Association
- Connect for Health Desk and Triage Advocate
- OJA! Modern African Dance Team member
- BIOL 0200 and BIOL 0530 TA
- Meiklejohn Peer Advisor
- WiSE Mentor
- International Mentoring Program Mentor
- Department of Biology Peer Advisor
- Campus Life Leadership Development Student Coordinator
- Brown Miriam Volunteer
Research:
- Jamieson Lab in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology: conducting an analysis on the effects of S. pneumoniae coinfection on the differential expression of the Influenza A Virus transcriptome
Fun tidbit: I’ve lived in 4 different countries growing up: The US (Maryland), Italy (twice! and high-key my fav), Madagascar (I miss the vibes), and Zimbabwe (currently!)
A piece of advice you would give to a pre-health student: Own your path and remember to always do what feels the most right for you and your circumstances. Navigating the pre-health journey can be daunting and extremely overwhelming and it can sometimes feel like there is only one way of going about it, but there are an infinite number of trajectories that you can pursue. Take the time to reflect on your vision, mission, and goals in regards to your health career and act accordingly.
Victoria Cao
Hometown: Westport, CT
Concentration: Public Health, Sc.B. Biology
Email: [email protected]
Activities:
- President of Brown Cooking Club
- E-Board Member of Food Recovery Network
- E-Board Member of Branch Christian Fellowship
- Treasurer of American Women’s Medical Association
- Duty Officer for the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team
- Rhode Island Free Clinic Scribe + Medical Assistant
- TA for Chem 0330, Chem 0350
- WiSE Mentor
Research:
- Brown University: Adherence to Behavioral Obesity Treatment through Actigraph with Dr. Stephanie Goldstein (Spring 2021 - continuing)
- Brown University: cGas and its role in Cell Senescence with Dr. Nicola Neretti (Fall 2021- continuing)
- Site Coordinator for PEDIG research with Dr. Galvin (Fall 2020 - continuing)
Fun tidbit: I love journaling and stationery!! Give me the cute Post-it notes.
A piece of advice you would give to a pre-health student: Do the things you love!! “Life is a marathon and not a sprint” - my dad.
