Class of 2027
Preston Phan
Hometown: West Covina, California
Undergraduate Education: University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Molecular Biology
Medical School: Touro University Nevada - COM
Hidden Talents: Saying the alphabet backwards
Favorite Hobbies: Basketball, video games, golf, family, friends
Interesting Fact: I was working towards a career in aerospace engineering before I decided on medicine.
Sean Couchois
Hometown: Chino Hills, California
Undergraduate education: UC San Diego
Major: Human Biology
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences COMP
Hidden Talents: finding the will to continue watching a soccer team that hurts my soul
Favorite Hobbies: video games, playing music, watching soccer, skateboarding
Interesting Fact: I’ve built 3 computers and 2 broke
Sara Alsouqi
Hometown: Moreno Valley, California
Undergraduate education: University of California, Riverside
Major: Psychology
Medical school: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM)
Hidden Talents: Being a full-time mommy on top of being a full-time resident
Favorite Hobbies: Cooking, reading to my daughter, trying new coffee spots
Interesting Fact: My first language is Arabic because my parents didn’t speak English growing up. I learned English mostly from TV and radio!
Emily Curtin
Hometown: Lake Arrowhead, California
Undergraduate education: The Master’s University
Major: Biology
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences COMP
Hidden Talents: collecting hobbies I’m mediocre at
Favorite Hobbies: anything that involves being outside
Interesting Fact: My high school graduating class was 12 people
Shawn Devitt
Hometown: San Diego, California
Undergraduate education: UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry
Major: Chemical Biology
Medical school: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hidden Talents: Learning new recipes, opening beers with random objects
Favorite Hobbies: Basketball, volleyball, basically any game, going to concerts, and cooking for my friends and family
Interesting Fact: I’ve had dinner with a Nobel Prize winner, but my sisters are still the coolest people I know
Francisco Lee
Hometown: Upland, California
Undergraduate education: University of California, Irvine
Major: Biological Science
Medical school: Touro University California
Hidden Talents: I can sleep all day
Favorite Hobbies: Outdoorsy stuff, Indoorsy stuff, I have many hobbies
Interesting Fact: Forgot all my Spanish when I moved to California from Buenas Aires at age 5
Jonathan Palacios
Hometown: Westminster, California
Undergraduate education: University of California, Riverside
Major: Biology
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences COMP
Hidden Talents: Being victorious against any opponent in Super Smash Bros. and scoring half-court baskets in NB2K
Favorite Hobbies: Basketball, Video Games, Collecting Pokemon Cards and being an Elite Trainer in Pokemon Go! with my Son
Interesting Fact: During kindergarten, when called upon, I only responded in Spanish. Little did my parents know that they had forgotten to teach me English.
Taj Rai
Hometown: Ontario, California
Undergraduate education: CSU San Bernardino
Major: Biochemistry
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences COMP
Hidden Talents: One liner jokes
Favorite Hobbies: Comedy, Running, Podcasts, and Football
Interesting Fact: Eagles football fan
Nvard Sisliyan
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Undergraduate education: UCLA
Major: Psychology
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences COMP
Hidden Talents: Making dorky puns/dad jokes in any given situation
Favorite Hobbies: Pool, beating my dad at our weekly Backgammon tournaments, Lagree Pilates, watching stand-up comedy, traveling
Interesting Fact: I was professionally trained in Armenian, Ballet, and Latin American Ballroom dance styles
Klara Zakery
Hometown: San Diego, California
Undergraduate education: UC Irvine
Major: Biology
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences COMP
Hidden Talents: Keeping up with my 8 siblings and 13 nieces and nephews
Favorite Hobbies: All things nature, playing pool, cards and backgammon with friends and family
Interesting Fact: I speak Aramaic (ancient language spoken by Jesus and His disciples)
Maria Goggins
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Undergraduate education: University College of Dublin
Medical school: University College of Dublin
Favorite Hobbies: Singing/songwriting, hiking, hot yoga/pilates, travel, fostering animals
Interesting Fact: I’ve traveled to 25 countries so far