The Health Science Scholars (HSS) Council aims to enhance the HSS student experience. Our four committees host social events, a mentorship program, Friday Lunch speakers, the Distinguished Lecture Series, and volunteer opportunities. We help connect HSS members to clinical and non-clinical activities, health professionals, and our alumni network to guide our students through their pre-health years in college. It is HSS Council’s goal to create a welcoming, supportive, and educational environment for our members. Elected officers are chosen by each class to represent their interests on our Council. The 2025-2026 Chair is Andrea Montenegro Polanco.
ANDREA MONTENEGRO POLANCO
Hi! My name is Andrea Montenegro Polanco, and I am a fourth-year pre-med Biology major with a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. As Council Chair, I act as a liaison between our Council and Honors Center Admin, preside over our Committees, and steer our program based on our shared HSS values. On campus, I am a Longhorn Wellness Peer Educator and member of Student Expanding American Literacy (SEAL). I also work as a Vision Therapist at the Optometry for Vision Therapy and as an English tutor for international students and professionals. I am a part of the Biobricks FRI stream, where I have conducted independent research as a fellowship recipient and where I currently mentor. In my free time, I love lifting/running, attending concerts, and serving as the Volunteer Recruitment & Training Coordinator at Lirios Pediatrics.
CAROLYN HERMAN
Hi everyone! My name is Carolyn Herman, and I am a fourth-year Neuroscience major and Patients, Practitioners, and Cultures of Care minor from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Within HSS, I am co-chair of the Campus Communication Committee, which serves to connect and inform previous, current, and future students. Outside of HSS, I am the President for Texas Ballet, Director of Alumnae Relations for Delta Gamma Sorority, and Founder/Volunteer Coordinator for the Power for Parkinson’s Student Chapter at UT. I am also currently an undergraduate research assistant for the TechANS lab at Dell Medical School and a teaching assistant for Neural Systems II. I love to serve the community through volunteering at the nonprofit Power for Parkinson’s, Dell Children’s Medical Center, and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired as well. Previously, I was an RA at Scottish Rite Dormitory, peer mentor for the FRI stream BioProspecting, and UGCA for Neural Systems I! In my free time, I like to spend time with family and friends, explore restaurants around Austin, kayak on Lady Bird Lake, dance, and read!
YUNI LEE
Hello! My name is Yuni Lee, and I am a fourth-year pre-medical student serving on the Career Engagement Committee within HSS Council, helping to create opportunities for professional development and connections. I’m majoring in Neuroscience and pursuing a minor in Statistics and Data Sciences. Outside of HSS, I enjoy working with the Austin community as a volunteer for the Garza Independence High School tutoring program and as an officer for Music United, a student organization providing free music lessons to kids with disabilities and financial needs. I’m also involved with research in the Fenno Lab at Dell Medical School and the Biodiversity Discovery Freshman Research Initiative stream, with an interest in the genetic underpinnings of various psychiatric disorders, as well as convergent evolution, respectively. In my free time, I enjoy playing piano, working towards running goals, and eating good food!
INAYA MOMIN
Hey y’all! My name is Inaya Momin, and I’m a fourth-year public health major pursuing a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions and Business Spanish as well as a minor in Health Communications. Within HSS council, I’m on the Campus Communications Committee (CCC), helping to build networks within and beyond HSS. Outside of HSS, I volunteer with Crisis Text Line and as an online tutor. I’m also involved in peer mentoring with the Bioactive Molecules FRI stream, conducting research on health disparities at the Ascension Seton emergency department, and leading initiatives as part of the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC). I also work part-time as a health communication student assistant at the Longhorn Wellness Center (LWC) and as an EMT. In my free time, I love to read, draw, crochet, and listen to music!
ELENA DELGADO
Hey there! I’m Elena and I’m a senior from Houston Texas!! I am a biology major on the pre med track and hope to specialize in some sort of internal medicine specialty. I serve on the Social Council for HSS. I am a mentor in the Aptamer lab as a part of the Freshman Research Initiative, and a tutor at Garza Highschool!! Outside of class, I enjoy watching TV, going out to eat with friends, and crafts! I love live music and I listen to all different genres of music.
ADVITI PILLA
Hi! My name is Adviti Pilla and I am a fourth-year Pre-Med Neuroscience major with a minor in Business Healthcare Reform & Innovation and Statistics & Data Science. Within HSS council, I serve as Chair of the Social Committee. Outside of HSS, I am involved with the American Student Medical Association and Women in Medicine. I currently work as a PCT at an Internal Medicine practice and as a swim coach. I am also a mentor in the Aptamer Research lab where I am working on my independent project about Alzheimer’s. In my free time, I love reading, going to concerts, and exploring Austin!
HEATHER GAN
Hi everyone! My name is Heather Gan and I’m a rising senior from Houston, Texas, serving on the Special Projects Committee of HSS Council. I’m a pre-med student majoring in Biology with a minor in Health Communications. Outside of HSS, I’m involved in UNICEF, the Health Careers Mentorship Program (HCMP), and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), where I also dance with Entropy. I conduct research in the Lu Lab at UT, where I work on aptamer selection for biosensors that detect antipsychotic drugs used in treating schizophrenia. I’m a volunteer with Suncrest Hospice and tutor violin through Music United. In my free time, I love reading, going to concerts, and exploring Austin’s food and music scene with friends!
JOY TING
Hi! My name is Joy Ting, and I’m a fourth-year Biology major with a Statistics minor on the pre-medical track from Dallas, TX. On the HSS Council, I serve on the Special Projects Committee. Outside of HSS, I’m involved with Music United and StudentsCare through my volunteer work at Dell Children’s, where I also conduct pediatric cardiology research. Additionally, I work as a UGCA for General Chemistry 301 and 302. In my free time, I enjoy joining different IM sports teams, making arts and crafts, listening to music, exploring new coffee shops around Austin, and spending time with friends!
NAYON LEE
Hi, my name is Nayon Lee, and I am a third-year Public Health Major pursuing the Spanish for Medical Professions Certificate, and currently on the Pre-PA track. I am from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in TX. I serve on the Campus Communication Committee in the HSS Council with three other members. Apart from HSS, I am involved in the org Brain Exercise Initiative (BEI), Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and serve as co-president of the Texas Design in Health (DIH) org in partnership with the DIH masters program at UT. I also enjoy playing the cello with a volunteer orchestra where we play for patients and healthcare workers at a hospital. In my free time, I love exploring new music, learning new instruments, trying new cafes, thrifting, and doing any type of art!
ANANYA TIRUMALA
Hi! My name is Ananya Tirumala, and I am a third-year Neuroscience major from Austin, TX, pursuing a Social and Behavioral Sciences minor on the pre-med track. Within HSS council, I serve on the Campus Communication Committee. Outside of HSS, I am involved with Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) and Texas Design in Health. As part of Research and Development at the Mental Health Initiative for South Asians, I investigate mental health barriers within cultural populations in partnership with the Counseling and Mental Health Center & University Health Services. Additionally, I am a mentor for the BioBricks FRI stream. I am also passionate about volunteering with Dells Children's Medical Center. In my free time, I love to paint, make all sorts of crafts, go for runs, and explore the Austin outdoors!
ALEJANDRO (ALEX) TREJO
Hey y’all! My name is Alejandro (Alex) Trejo, and I am a third-year Biology major from Laredo, TX, double majoring in Sociology and pursuing a Spanish for Medical Professionals certificate. Within HSS, I serve on the Social Committee. Outside of HSS, I am a member of the Dell Medical School Pre-Health Distinguished Scholars, an Organic Chemistry I & II tutor at UT, and a volunteer at both the Dell Med Transplant Center and Garza High School, where I tutor local students. I also conduct independent research in the Aptamer Stream of the Freshman Research Initiative, focusing on developing a therapeutic against hepatic steatosis. In my free time, I love listening to, playing, and creating all types of music, working with the local news station, and exploring Austin and checking out new brunch spots!
MINDY LI
Hello! My name is Mindy, and I’m a fourth-year Biology major with a minor in business originally from Plano, TX. In the HSS Council, I am part of the Volunteer Committee. Besides HSS, I am also part of Music United, Crochet 4 a Cause, Students Care, and volunteer at Lirios Pediatrics. In my free time, I love to crochet, do other arts and crafts, and spend time with friends.
JEREMIAH CANO
Hey y’all! My name is Jeremiah Cano and my hometown is Harlingen, Texas. I am a fourth-year pre-med student majoring in Biology with a minor in Health Communications. Currently, I serve on the Special Projects Committee within the HSS Council. Beyond my council duties, I am involved with the Natural Science Council (NSC) and participate in the Urban Ecosystems FRI Stream. In my free time, I enjoy keeping up with all things UT sports and spending quality time with friends!
VEDANSH PATEL
Hi everyone! My name is Vedansh Patel, and I am a Sophomore Biology major from Houston, Texas. Within HSS, I am on the Volunteer Committee. Outside of HSS, I am a member of Longhorn EMS and Alpha Phi Sigma (APS). I also participate in the Glow Worms FRI research stream and volunteer at the Heart Hospital of Austin. In my free time, I love to go on hikes, play cricket and badminton, and learn the electric guitar.
NATALIE DAM
Hello everyone! My name is Natalie Dam, and I am a second-year Biology major with a minor in Healthcare Reform and Innovation, from Houston, Texas. Within the HSS council, I serve on the social committee, where I get to make awesome reel! Outside of council, I am involved in Global Medical Training (GMT), the Filipino Student Association (FSA), and the Biobricks FRI research stream! In my free time, I love dancing, listening to music, hanging out with my friends, and trying new food!
BRINA PATEL
Hi y’all! My name is Brina Patel, and I am a second year Biology and Rhetoric & Writing major from Houston, Texas. On the HSS Council, I’m part of the Career Community Engagement Committee (CEC). Outside of HSS, I’m involved in the Natural Sciences Council, Texas Taekwondo, Last Writers, HCMP, and I volunteer at St. David’s Hospital. In my free time, I love writing, listening to music, going to concerts, and reading!
ELIZABETH WU
Hey everyone! My name is Elizabeth Wu, and I am a fourth-year Biology major with a Healthcare Reform and Innovation Minor on the pre-med track. On the HSS Council, I’m part of the Community Engagement Committee (CEC). Outside of HSS, I am involved in the Eberhart Lab, Camp Kesem, Austin Speech Labs, and Dell Med HLA. I am also the Co-Founder and Co-President of Austin STEM Buddies. I absolutely love eating food, baking, playing all the NYT games, and shopping + couponing. Catch me trying new Austin restaurants, playing pickleball, and crocheting amigurumi animals in my free time!
YUNSEO CHOI
Hi! My name is Yunseo Choi and I am a third year pre-med student from Cypress, Texas, serving on the Special Projects Committee of HSS. I am a biology major pursuing certificates in Pre-Health Professions and Spanish for Medical Professions. Apart from HSS, I am a Student Engineers Educating Kids mentor, Gen Chem Lab LA, Austin Speech Labs volunteer, HCA Houston Healthcare volunteer and CNS honors student worker. In my free time, I love watching kdramas and thrillers, hanging out with my friends, playing piano, taking pics, and exploring cute places around Austin!