Get to know us.
Meet the organizing committee members for HPS 2019.
Michael Miller
Executive Co-Director Hi, I’m Michael, and I’m one of the Co-Directors for this year's conference. I’ve been a part of HPS since it was maiden voyage back in 2017 and I’m honored to work with the dedicated individuals who have grown this conference into what it is today. I’m currently a senior (woo), and I double majored in Chemistry and Psychology. I grew up in the Rio Rancho/Bernalillo area and truthfully never experienced the health disparities that NM has. Which is how I know that this is much more than a typical health conference. It’s an opportunity to gain insight regarding the status of healthcare in our state and the information needed to guide you into a position where you can help to improve it. There are certain things in life that we take for granted without ever realizing those things may be a privilege, but that doesn't mean we can't fight to give others that same privilege. Throughout all of my experiences in college, HPS has been the one to show me that I want to be a fighter for that cause. |
Desna Ghatalia
Executive Co-Director Hello, my name is Desna Ghatalia and I am serving as the Co-Director for the third annual Health Professions Symposium. I am a Pre-med student and I graduated in May 2018 with a BS in Biology and Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. I was born and raised in Mumbai, India and moved to Albuquerque shortly before I started high school. Fettuccine Alfredo with green chile from Saggios is my ultimate comfort food. The opportunity to be a part of the organizing committee for the UNM Health Professions Symposium has been extremely invaluable in my decision to pursue medicine. I hope that this year's event is just as meaningful to all participants! |
Mueez Rehman
Program Lead Outreach Co-Lead Volunteer Co-Lead Hi, my name's Mueez! I am currently majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Psychology. I hope to attend medical school in the future. This is my third year being a part of the UNM Health Professions Symposium, and it has been an invaluable experience that has taught me so much. Growing up in Albuquerque I would often read and hear about the problems that we faced as a state in terms of healthcare, but I never really experienced those issues firsthand. The Health Professions Symposium and amazing presenters taught me so much and really reinforced my commitment towards healthcare and hopefully, one day helping to address some of these issues. In my free time, I like to snowboard, play basketball, workout, and read at different coffee shops throughout the city. I can't wait to meet everyone at the conference this year! |
Justin Ludwig
Technology Lead Outreach Co-Lead Volunteer Co-Lead Hi! My name is Justin, and I am a senior at UNM graduating this May with a BS in Biochemistry, Minors in Psychology and Spanish, and a Designation in Honors. Next year I hope to attend dental school and one day bring brighter smiles to my future patients. My other array of occupations include President of Something Major A Cappella (@smacunm), vocalist/servant at Calvary Church, and assistant track & field coach at Albuquerque Academy. I’m also a health nut and you can probably find me at the gym after class. Serving on the HPS committee is a huge privilege and I hope to help students like me find their dream career! |
AnaLisa Ortiz
Facilities Lead Technology Team I am a sophomore majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry and Honors. I am currently hoping to continue on to medical school after completing my undergraduate degree and move on to a career as a pediatrician, but there is still a lot of time left, so we'll see what happens! I was born here is Albuquerque, but grew up in Mesa, Arizona, which is a suburb of Phoenix. I am extremely glad to be back in Albuquerque for college and intend to make the most of it! I am currently the Vice-President of the Pre-Medical Society on campus as well. |
Kami Bratzel
Treasury Lead Hello! My name is Kami Bratzel and I am the Director of Treasury and Sponsorship for HPS 2019. Additionally, I am the Co-President of the UNM Pre-Physician Assistant Society. I am a senior at UNM majoring in biology with a minor in psychology graduating this upcoming May. I plan to attend a Physician Assistant program and then work in Family Medicine in NM. I attended HPS last year and gained so much insight about healthcare options, various resources, and navigating the admissions process. This is why I decided to join the HPS committee as a way to help ensure other students had this same opportunity. See you all at HPS 2019! |
Jarod Yun
Technology Team Hi! My name is Jarod Yun and I am part of the Tech Committee for HPS 2019. I am currently a sophomore working towards a B.S. in Biology, with hopes of becoming a surgeon. I am originally from San Diego, but I decided to come here to attend UNM. I hope you all have a great experience at HPS 2019! |
Luke Chao
Program Team Biochemistry undergraduate in my junior year. I am highly interested in medicine, and I plan on applying to medical school in the future. If I were to call studying a hobby, I would be lying, although I do enjoy learning about topics I am interested in. Other activities I dedicate most of my time to outside of school are powerlifting and snowboarding, but I also enjoy hanging out with friends and doing new things. |
Natasha Dark
Outreach Team Treasury Team This is my first year working with HPS. I am a junior at UNM majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Psychology. I am a pre-medical student and hope to apply to medical school for the 2020 admittance cycle. I am also a member of the UNM Women’s Swimming and Diving team as a springboard diver. |
Talia Passarelli
Program Team Hi! I am from Colorado, and I am attending university here at UNM. Currently, my major is biochemistry and I plan to apply to Medical School. I’m very excited about HPS and hope that everyone enjoys it! |
Nola Amburgey
Outreach Team My name is Nola Amburgey, and I am on the Registration and Recruitment team. I am a sophomore at UNM and I am pursuing a degree in Biology. As a pre-medical student, my goal is to attend medical school following graduation. I would love to become a surgeon one day! When I’m not studying, I love to go hiking and rock climbing. |
Brittney Love
Facilities Team My name is Brittney Love and I am a sophomore at UNM majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Psychology. I am Pre-Med with an interest in Internal Medicine with my career goal to specialize in Cardiology. I am on the HPS outreach and facilities committees. |
Callie Crespin
Outreach Team I am a first generation Native American student at the University of New Mexico majoring in BioChemistry. I am in my third year of college and in the coming years hope to continue my education in Medical school. In addition to being on the HPS committee I work passionately as Main Campus President for Native Health Initiative and Pre-Medical Society volunteer coordinator. |
Special thanks to Dr. James V. McKinnell for his service towards HPS and his commitment to the success of pre-health students.