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HSI Scholars Program Alumni

Hispanic Serving Institution Scholars: Making a difference and impacting the future of their communities

a group of AHA's Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars Program 2021 scholars

Class of 2022-23

California

Irma Escobar
Junior Health Science Major | Cal State Dominguez Hills | Los Angeles, CA

Jocelyn Pena
Senior Community Health & School Health Ed Major | Cal State Dominguez Hills | Los Angeles, CA

Judith Gutierrez
Junior Healthcare Management | Cal State Dominguez Hills | Los Angeles, CA

Florida

Antonella Rodriguez
Sophomore Biology Major | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL

Dario N. Ayala
Sophomore Biology/Behavioral Neuroscience Major | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL

Leah Daire
Senior Biology/Inter-disciplinary Studies Major | Florida Intl University | Miami, FL

Luisa Mendoza
Sophomore Biotechnology Major | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL

Nora Bitar
Sophomore Nutrition Science/Pre-dentistry Major | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL

Valeria Cohen
Sophomore Biology/Inter-disciplinary Studies Major | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL

Illinois

Alexis Aguayo
Sophomore Biology Major | Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL

Sara Velasco
Sophomore Biology Major | Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL

Yahaira Echeverria
Sophomore Health Sciences Major | Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL

New Jersey

Jeffrey Yumbla
Sophomore Biochemistry Major | Montclair St. University | Montclair, NJ

Kenneth Mosquera Reinoso
Senior Biochemistry Major | Montclair St. University | Montclair, NJ

Lizet Negrete
Junior Public Health Major | Montclair St. University | Montclair, NJ

Melissa Spigelman
Junior Molecular Biology Major | Montclair St. University | Montclair, NJ

Tyler Sanchez
Junior Biology/Pre-med Major | William Patterson | Wayne, NJ

Wendy Islas
Sophomore Molecular Biology Major | Montclair St. University | Montclair, NJ

Yaire Hernandez
Junior Public Health Major | Montclair St. University | Montclair, NJ

New York

Andrea Vasquez
Sophomore Nursing Major | Hostos (CUNY) | Bronx, NY

Elizabeth Soto
Sophomore Liberal Arts (A.A.) Major | CUNY | New York City, NY

Maria Jesus Vasquez Guillen
Sophomore Nursing Major | Hostos (CUNY) | Bronx, NY

Puerto Rico

Camila Calzada
Junior Cellular Molecular Biology Major | University of Puerto Rico | Rio Piedras, PR

Carlos Castillo
Junior Forensic Sciences Major | University of Puerto Rico | Carolina, PR

Dem Xavier Santiago
Senior Industrial Microbiology Major | University of Puerto Rico | Mayaguez, PR

Keilyann Cruz Rivera
Senior Biology Major | Inter Barranquitas Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico

Texas

Enrique Martinez
Junior Biochemistry Major | University of Houston | Houston, TX

Jose Guzman
Junior Biological & Physical Sciences Major | University of Houston-Downtown | Houston, TX

Yolanda Batz
Sophomore Nutrition/Pre-nursing Major | University of Houston | Houston, Texas

Class of 2021-22

California

Los Angeles

Alex Camarillo
Senior Clinical Science Major | California State University
Native of Los Angeles, CA

Samantha Bonilla
Senior Health Science/Community Health Major | California State University
Native of Los Angeles, CA

Florida

Miami

Andrea Milla
Sophomore Biology Pre-med Major | Miami Dade College
Native of Miami, FL

Angie Matute
Sophomore Biology Major | Miami Dade College
Native of Doral, FL

Grace Chaffins
Sophomore Pre-med | Miami Dade College
Native of Miami, FL

Juan Rached
Sophomore Civil Engineering Major | Miami Dade College
Native of Doral, FL

Valeria Rivas
Sophomore Biomedical Engineering | Miami Dade College
Native of Bay Harbor Islands, FL

Illinois

Chicago

Ailyn Cruz Arias
Junior General Studies/Sciences Major | Wilbur Wright College
Native of Chicago, IL

Myrna Avila
Sophomore Science/Nursing Major | Wilbur Wright College
Native of Chicago, IL

New York

New York

Jalen Crespo
Senior Biology Major | CUNY: The City College of New York
Native of Brooklyn, NY

Jancy Contreras Hernandez
Senior Biochemistry Major | CUNY: The City College of New York
Native of New York City, NY

Puerto Rico

Mayaguez

Carlos Forestier
Senior Biology Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Juana Diaz, PR

Diego Torres
Senior Biology Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Guaynabo, PR

Josue Pabon Maldonado
Senior Biology Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Yauco, PR

 

Rio Piedras

Ambrar Rodriguez
Senior Biology Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Toa Alta, PR

Andres Lopez Reyes
Senior Interdisciplinary Studies Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Bayamon, PR

Camila Febres Cruz
Junior Environmental Studies Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Rio Piedras, PR

Dem Joel Santiago
Sophomore Biotechnology Major | University Interamericana of Puerto Rico
Native of Juana Diaz, PR

Naiara Lebron
Junior Chemistry Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Gurabo, PR

Sara Ocasio
Senior Biology of Human Approach Major | University of Puerto Rico
Native of Guaynabo, PR

Texas

Houston


Angel Rodriguez Martinez
Sophomore Health/Pre-nursing Major | University of Houston
Native of Dallas, TX

Araceli Garza
Senior Biology Major | University of Houston
Native of Houston, TX

Bryan Medina
Junior Biochemistry & Biophysics Major | University of Houston
Native of Baytown, TX

Daisy Silvia
Senior Biology Major | University of Houston
Native of Houston, TX

Haley Garcia
Sophomore Biochemistry Major | University of Houston
Native of League City, TX

Irvin Solano Teran
Junior Biological & Physical Sciences Major/Sustainability Minor | University of Houston
Native of Channelview, TX

Maria Valeria Lozano
Senior Nutrition & Entrepreneurship Major | University of Houston
Native of Baytown, TX

Nicole Perez
Sophomore Public Health & Biology Major | University of Houston
Native of McAllen, TX

William Chavez
Junior Biology Major | University of Houston
Native of Houston, TX

Ximena Medina Romero
Junior Biomedical Engineering Major | University of Houston
Native of Mexico City, Mexico

young researcher working in a lab

Current HSI Scholars

The Class of 2023-24 is paving their road to success.

Teacher working with students

The “Heart” of the Program

Shaping the next generation of Hispanic biomedical science and health care professionals.

Quest Diagnostics logo
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated through the Quest Diagnostics Foundation provided the American Heart Association with financial and other support for the Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars Program.