National Board

Hello, my name is Maya “Asami” Takagi and I am a MD student at Central Michigan University College of Medicine. I serve as the 2023-24 APAMSA Bone Marrow Director. During medical school, I served as CMED’s APAMSA chapter president and a committee member on APAMSA’s hepatitis conference for two conferences. I have also been involved in various teaching and mentoring activities, as well as patient education research. Before medical school, I received a Bachelor’s in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Biochemistry, and a minor in K-12 STEM education. In addition, I worked as a junior specialist in a genomics lab at UCSF, where I utilized CRISPR/Cas9 screening techniques to investigate mammalian regulatory elements. In my free time, I enjoy arts and crafts, cooking, and creating digital art.

Hi everyone! My name is Victoria Cegielski and I am a fifth-year student in the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine six-year medical program. I am academically interested in ophthalmology, with concurrent research interests in ophthalmology and neurophysiology.
Outside of school, I have served on APAMSA National Board as Social Media Director, Region VI Director, and am super excited to work this coming year as Alumni Director!
Originally from Washington state, moving from Seattle to Kansas City was a difficult transition for me; I struggled with finding a true sense of belonging. Getting involved with APAMSA was my turning point, connecting me with local and national AANHPI community members who showed me my sense of purpose.
I would not be where I am today without the support of our alumni; for this, I am beyond grateful. Thus, I seek to facilitate mentorship for the upcoming generations of our APAMSA members in my role this next year!

Hey everyone! My name is Wendy, and I’m currently a MS2 at USC-Greenville SOM. I was primarily raised in South Carolina, but went to Brandeis University for undergrad, where I received a B.S. in chemical biology and minored in music. After college, I worked in a molecular pathology lab for two years, and then decided to move back to the South for medical school. Outside of school, I enjoy playing in a community orchestra, running, hot yoga, and exploring coffee shops and bakeries. I’m super excited to serve as one of the region IV directors and am looking forward to growing together with APAMSA in this coming year!

Hello! My name is Ethan Wen and I am an M2 at the Medical College of Wisconsin. I’ll be serving as one of your Region VI directors this year. I am born and raised in Wisconsin, obtaining my B.S. in Biochemistry and East Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Outside of school, I enjoy staying active (running, tennis, lifting), anime (please give recs), and cooking (@ethancookingthings on IG!!). I also adopted a cat during my first year and it was one of the best decisions of my life – well, besides going into medicine ;).

Hello, my name is Xueying (Ying) and I am a MS2 at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. I was born in Guangdong, China but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. I previously served as my chapter’s Co-President and on the National Leadership Committee. I am very excited to be your Editor Director to continue serving the APAMSA community. In my free time, I love to cook, create arts/crafts, watch movies, and listen to/play music.

Hi! My name is Erika Nguyen. I’m one of the Region V Directors, and I’m currently a third year at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, OH. Before coming to medical school, I got my B.S. from the University of Cincinnati, and was involved in the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of the Midwest. During medical school, I served as BSOM APAMSA Chapter President, and I really enjoyed the National APAMSA community. My interests include family medicine, mental health, and women’s health.Outside of school, I love to hangout with my dog, Bun, and lift weights at the gym. I’m also a big foodie and enjoy trying new restaurants!

Hello! My name is Rowena and I’m currently an OMS-II at ATSU-SOMA. I’m excited for this opportunity to advocate and serve the AANHPI community as a regional director! In my free time, I enjoy taking spin classes, traveling, and going for coffee runs.

Hi, my name is Jay Lee and I am a second-year at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU SOMA). I currently serve as our local APAMSA chapter Co-President and House of Delegate representative. I am originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey and went to undergrad at Rutgers University. At Rutgers I worked at the Asian American Cultural Center as a program planner and was a member of our undergrad APAMSA chapter. Hosting events for the AANHPI community was one of my favorite experiences from college and it deepened my passion for social advocacy. Thus, I am excited to continue this work through National APAMSA. After graduating, I went on to work as a researcher at the Rutgers Chinese Health, Aging, and Policy Program focusing on traditional Chinese medications/treatment modalities. Outside of school, I love playing guitar, working out, snowboarding, hiking, and just about anything in nature!

Growing up the daughter of Vietnamese refugees in Orange County, CA, I have felt the impact of and participated in advocacy for most of my life. As an undergraduate at UCLA, I pursued a double major in Human Biology and Asian American Studies to examine how histories from people like my parents could play a role in better medical care and health outcomes for underrepresented populations, especially AAPI communities. My love for working with AAPI peers was mobilized through student organizations such as Southeast Asian Admit Weekend and Vietnamese Culture Night. My desire to apply my studies and leadership toward addressing health inequities materialized in my work with non-profit community-based organizations like Asian Health Services and California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, where I phone-banked, created social media campaigns, and conduced policy advocacy to support AAPI women immigrant laborers. Now I am back at UCLA once again, pursuing my MD/MPH with an emphasis on health policy and management. As a medical student, I have had the privilege of co-chairing Health Disparities in our APAMSA chapter. I hope to continue my research in intergenerational trauma and women’s mental health in AAPI populations, ultimately supporting the community that raised me.

Hello! My name is Chris Doan, a third year medical student at the John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch. I am from Arlington, TX, and graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Biology degree. I was first introduced to the Hepatitis Initiative while in undergrad, and have carried that experience to this role.
Outside of medical school, I am involved in local community health projects and student government. Research-wise, I am interested in cancer epidemiology, preventative health, patient education, and disparities in the AANHPI population. I’m a football and basketball fanatic, and also enjoy gaming, bowling, catching up on shows, and taking my dog on walks.
I served this last year as our local chapter President, and now look forward to promoting AANHPI health issues at the national level!