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 2024-2025 Chair is Gabriella Salazar.
ZEEYAD ANWAR
Hey y’all! My name is Zeeyad Anwar, and I am a sophomore neuroscience major from Plano, TX on the pre-med track. Within HSS, I serve on the Special Projects Committee. Outside of HSS, I am a writer for the Daily Texan, Co-Leadership Chair of Recruitment and Retention for the Senate of College Councils, and a member of Delta Epsilon Meu (a pre-health honors society). I am also a volunteer for Baylor Scott and White Hospital, and am a current research fellow for my FRI lab, Behavioral Neuroscience. In my free time, I love listening to music and exploring Austin!
CHANDNI BHAGTANEY
Hi! My name is Chandni Bhagtaney, and I am a senior public health major on the pre-med track. Within the HSS Council, I work on the Community Engagement Committee (CEC). I am a huge mental health advocate and am currently part of the Longhorn SHARE Project at UT. I also am passionate about health care policy, which I pursue through Partners in Health (PIH) Engage. I am researching Type II diabetes within the Stone Lab and am on a dance team called Texas Dhoom. My hobbies include cooking, going on walks, and exploring the aisles of Trader Joe’s!
JEREMIAH CANO
Hey y’all! My name is Jeremiah Cano and my hometown is Harlingen, Texas. I am a third-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 Texas Brain Exercise Initiative (BEI) 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!
ELENA DELGADO
Hey there! I’m Elena and I’m a rising junior 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 part of the Aptamer lab as a part of the Freshman Research Initiative and am working over the summer on my independent project. I am also a member of Dell Medical School Pre-Health Diversity Scholars which is a great way I meet peers outside of HSS. In my free time my friends say I’m a grandma - I love to knit, crochet, and needlepoint. I also love watching TV, with Succession and Formula One being my current watches. I am also a big music lover!! I’m into everything but right now mostly Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Mac Demarco, Father John Misty, and David Bowie!!
HEATHER GAN
Hi everyone! My name is Heather Gan and I’m a rising junior from Houston, Texas on the Special Projects Committee on HSS Council. I’m a pre-med majoring in Biology with a minor in Health Communications. Outside of HSS, I’m involved in UNICEF, the Health Careers Mentorship Program (HCMP), the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), and Entropy, the dance program within it. Additionally, I do biochemical research in the Lu Lab at UT and am a violin tutor in Music United. In my free time, I love reading, going to concerts, and exploring Austin with my friends!
CAROLYN HERMAN
Hi everyone! My name is Carolyn Herman, and I am a third-year neuroscience major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Within HSS, I am chair of the Campus Communication Committee. Outside of HSS, I am an Instructor for Texas Ballet, Director of Social Awareness for Delta Gamma Sorority, and member of the student organizations Women in Medicine and Longhorn Dance Company. I also love to serve the community through volunteering at Dell Children’s Medical Center and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This past year, I was an RA at Scottish Rite Dormitory and peer mentor for the FRI stream BioProspecting, and this upcoming year, I am so excited to be serving as a UGCA! In my free time, I like to explore restaurants around Austin, kayak on Lady Bird Lake, dance, and read!
NAYON LEE
Hi! My name is Nayon Lee, and I am a second year Public Health Major. I am from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in TX. I serve on the Campus Communication Committee in the HSS Council. Apart from HSS, I am involved in the org Brain Exercise Initiative (BEI), Student Health Advisory Committee, volunteering at Dell Seton, and the DIY Diagnostics FRI Stream. I am also in a volunteer ensemble where I enjoy playing the cello for hospital patients. In my free time, I love to listen to music, play the cello, try new cafes, thrift, and do any type of art!
YUNI LEE
Hi! My name is Yuni Lee, and I am a third-year pre-medical student serving on the Community Engagement Committee within HSS Council. I’m majoring in Neuroscience and pursuing a certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling. 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 FRI stream. In my free time, I love playing piano, working towards running goals, and eating good food!
MINDY LI
Hello! My name is Mindy, and I’m a third-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.
INAYA MOMIN
Hey y’all! My name is Inaya Momin, and I’m a third-year public health major pursuing a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. 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 Hearts for the Homeless, Crisis Text Line, Miracle Messages, and Ascension Seton. 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). In my free time, I love to read, draw, crochet, and listen to music!
ANDREA MONTENEGRO POLANCO
Hey! My name is Andrea Montenegro Polanco, and I am a second-year pre-med Biology major pursuing a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. Within HSS Council, I serve on the Volunteering Committee, which works to provide students with enriching service opportunities around Austin. On campus I am a part of the American Medical Student Association, Students Expanding Austin Literacy (SEAL), the LWC’s Wellness Peer Educator Program. I also work as a Vision Therapist at the Optometry for Vision Therapy and as an English tutor for international students. 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 going on hikes, attending concerts, and reading.
CHANDI MULCHAND
Hi! My name is Chandi Mulchand, and I am a Senior Biology major on the pre-medical track. On the HSS council, I serve on the Special Projects Committee (SPC). Outside of HSS, I am involved in the FRI Glow Worms stream and conduct research at the Ascension Abdominal Transplant Center. In my free time, I enjoy baking and cooking, traveling, going to concerts, playing card games, going on runs, and exploring!
ZINNE NJOKU
Hi y’all! My name is Zinne and I am a Biochemistry and Public Health double major with a Pre-Health Professionals certification. Within HSS, I am a part of the Community Engagement Committee. Outside of HSS, I am involved with the Student Health Advisory Committee and the Black Honors Student Association. I volunteer with Lirios Pediatric Clinic and work as a patient care technician at a cardiology hospital. I serve as a research intern with the Center for Resiliency at Dell Children's Hospital, where we study physician burnout and implement resiliency training for healthcare professionals. In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, reading booktok recommendations, and becoming alarmingly invested in TV dramas.
ADVITI PILLA
Hi! My name is Adviti Pilla and I am a junior Neuroscience major with a minor in Business Healthcare Reform & Innovation and Social Behavioral Sciences. Within HSS council, I serve on the Social Committee. Outside of HSS, I am a part of the American Student Medical Association and Women in Medicine. I currently work as a PCT at a children’s hospital and tutor children on the autism spectrum. I am also involved in the Aptamer FRI lab where I am working on my independent project about Alzheimer’s. In my free time, I love reading, going to concerts, and being outdoors by going swimming or hiking!
GABRIELLA SALAZAR
Hello! My name is Gabriella Salazar, and I am a fourth-year Biology major with a minor in Healthcare Reform and Innovation. I currently serve as chair off the Health Science Scholars Council. Outside of HSS, I conduct research in the Kim Lab. My research focuses on the genetic and molecular basis of signaling pathways that contribute to the development of neural tube defects during embryogenesis. I am also involved in the Dell Med Health Leadership Apprentice program and serve as a CVLP leader at Dell Seton. I’ve always loved gardening, so I help maintain the university gardens as a UT Farmstand volunteer. In my downtime, I work as a PCT and explore Austin with my friends. My hobbies include painting, dancing, going on hikes, and more recently, crocheting!
JOY TING
Hi! My name is Joy Ting, and I am a third year Biology major with an Applied Statistical Modeling Certificate on the pre-medical track from Dallas, TX. On the HSS council, I serve on the Special Projects Committee. Outside of HSS, I am involved with Music United, Longhorn EMS, and StudentsCare through volunteering at Dell Children’s. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, making arts and crafts, listening to music, and spending time with my friends!
ANANYA TIRUMALA
Hi! My name is Ananya Tirumala and I am a sophomore Neuroscience major pursuing a Healthcare Reform and Innovation 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 (pre-health honor society), the Student Health Advisory Committee, and am part of the Research and Development committee within the Mental Health Initiative for South Asians where I investigate mental health barriers in cultural populations. Additionally, I perform independent research in the BioBricks FRI stream. I am also passionate about volunteering within the community through 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 TREJO
Hey y’all! My name is Alejandro (Alex) Trejo, and I am a second-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 Diversity Scholars, I write for local papers/magazines, and play in my local wind symphony as a percussionist. I am also a volunteer within the University Health System, and am a current research fellow within my FRI lab, the Aptamer Stream, where I am working toward a therapeutic against hepatic steatosis. In my free time, I love listening to, playing, and creating all types of music, as well as running and trying out new brunch spots in Austin!