James “Jameson” Chua, MS is a third-year medical student at Touro University Nevada, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2027. Born to Chinese-Filipino immigrants, James grew up in San Diego, California, where he spent much of his life immersed in the vibrant San Diego hip-hop dance scene. This passion eventually led him to the University of San Diego, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology while embracing a dynamic campus life. As a proud brother of the Sigma Pi fraternity, he also found a sense of family in the Filipino American Student Organization and the LGBTQIA+ Student Organization, PRIDE, where he cultivated lifelong friendships and a deep appreciation for diversity and inclusion.

After graduating in 2019, James channeled his passion for science into infectious disease research, working at The Scripps Research Institute and UC San Diego School of Medicine. His work on SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies was published in journals such as Science and Nature Communications, marking a significant contribution to the global fight against COVID-19. After two years of research—and experiencing burnout—he reminded himself of the importance of pursuing his dream of medical school and decided to strengthen his application through a post-baccalaureate program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By 2022, he earned his Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Drexel University College of Medicine, where he also discovered a love for aimless walks, cheesesteaks, and uncovering Philadelphia’s hidden gems.

Following his time in Philly, James began his journey to becoming an osteopathic physician—or, as he fondly calls it, a “bone wizard”—at Touro University Nevada in 2023. Since then, he has immersed himself in the medical school community, becoming an active member of his local APAMSA chapter, as well as the volleyball club and culinary medicine club. When he’s not cramming for exams in the library, you can often find him whipping up delicious meals in his kitchen, tackling escape rooms with his partner (with a flawless 100% success rate over 100+ rooms), or binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race with his best friend, a Shiba Inu-Beagle mix doge.

By the end of his first year, James joined the National Board of APAMSA as the Fundraising Director under the External Affairs branch. Some of his proudest accomplishments to date is raising thousands of dollars through creative initiatives like Valorant tournaments, as well as uniting over 40 APAMSA chapters and 500 members during Community Impact Week. Now, as the incoming National President, James is committed to fostering a stronger sense of camaraderie and connection between National APAMSA and its local chapters, driven by a shared mission of service and advocacy for the AANHPI community. He hopes to inspire future healthcare leaders to embrace the power of collaboration, compassion, and cultural pride as they work together to create a healthier, more equitable world.