Carlos Leopoldo Gonzalez Ordaz

 Hello! My name is Carlos Leopoldo Gonzalez Ordaz, but I like to go by Leo. I’m from Sunnyvale, California, and I graduated from San Jose State University with a B.A. in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. In my free time, I love playing the drums, listening to music, spending time at coffee shops, going to the beach, running, and traveling!

Growing up, I’ve always had a deep passion for helping others and I knew medicine was the most meaningful way I could make a difference. I witnessed firsthand the health disparities that exist in underserved communities, from language barriers to limited access to care and resources. These experiences, along with those within my own family, motivate me to become a physician who can truly relate to and empathize with people from similar backgrounds. I volunteered at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center where each day brought a new opportunity to support and connect with people coming in for care. I helped escort patients and visitors to the appropriate departments and often assisted Spanish-speaking patients which quickly became one of my favorite parts of the job. I am currently shadowing a pediatric PCP at Valley Health Center East Valley, which is the area I hope to specialize in one day. There, I observed the daily challenges that families and children face, learned how to address their needs, and even assist in performing parts of the physical exam on newborns and month-old babies. It became more evident that pediatrics offers the chance to make a positive difference in children’s lives and a profound impact on their families and communities. That’s why I’m passionate about a future in pediatrics — to help support kids and their families through all the ups and downs of their health.

I’m truly excited to be part of the 2025–2026 Fall cohort! I look forward to connecting with my fellow peers, learning from and working alongside Stanford Health Care professionals, and gaining valuable experiences that will help me grow on my path to medical school and becoming a physician!

Iliyan Valani

Hello! My name is Iliyan Valani, and I recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a double major in Biology and Data Science, and a specialization in Artificial Intelligence.

I aspire to a career as a physician-scientist at the intersection of AI and health. My interest in health technology was strengthened during my time at a longevity startup, where I applied data science to real-world health challenges and saw how innovation can improve patient outcomes. At USC, I co-founded and served as Co-President of Biokind Analytics, a student organization that offers pro bono data science support to healthcare nonprofits.

Clinically, I served as a COPE Health Scholar at Adventist Health Glendale, where I especially enjoyed my time in the Emergency Department and cardiac catheterization lab. These experiences gave me meaningful exposure to patient care and fueled my motivation to combine clinical practice with research that can drive progress in medicine.

In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, exploring new music, reading books, and tutoring refugee students, which I find deeply rewarding.

I am grateful for the opportunity to join the COMET Class of 2025–2026 and look forward to contributing to the Stanford Medicine community.

Jackson Oxner

Hello! I’m Jackson Oxner. I grew up in Orinda, California, and graduated from UC Berkeley in 2024 with a B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology.

From a young age, I have been fascinated by the intersection of science and service, driven by my belief that diligent research and innovative problem-solving can enhance both our planet and people’s health. As Scientific Lead at Levitree, a climate-resilience startup, I researched the long-term stability of biomass underground, studied soil biogeochemistry, and conducted key literature reviews. This experience demonstrated how careful inquiry can lead to practical solutions for global challenges.

Even while working in climate technology, my childhood desire to improve the lives of those around me never faded, always pulling me toward a career in medicine. During my undergraduate years, I became a licensed EMT and taught PreMed101, a 200-student course guiding undergraduates toward healthcare careers. Living for years with undiagnosed ADHD has further strengthened my empathy for patients whose struggles may be unseen. Today, I continue to blend science and care through orthopedic research with the Scientific Collaborative for Orthopedic Research and Education. These experiences have reinforced my goal to become a physician who applies the same problem-solving mindset to patient care that I once applied to climate resilience.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy producing and DJing electronic music, strength training, golfing, and watching baseball. I’m excited to join the COMET Class of 2025–26, expand my clinical experience, and grow into a physician who unites research, innovation, and empathy.

Shoaib Valani

Hi, my name is Shoaib Valani, and I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a double major in Biology and Data Science, specializing in AI. At USC, I co-founded Biokind Analytics, a student nonprofit that helps healthcare organizations use data to improve care for underserved populations, and completed projects applying machine learning to clinical datasets.

My path to medicine began at a small onco-pharmaceuticals startup, where I grew passionate about data-driven care. At the same time, my experiences shadowing physicians showed me how much healing depends on empathy, trust, and human presence.

I previously served as a COPE Health Scholar at Adventist Health Glendale, assisting care teams in NTU, Orthopedic Surgery, Radiology, Emergency, and the Cath Lab. I also recently joined the AIMS Lab at Mount Sinai, where I’m exploring deep learning models for object detection in cardiac catheterization videos.

I’m excited to join the COMET Fellowship to support Stanford clinicians in patient care and develop stronger skills in clinical documentation and communication. I’m also looking forward to contributing to COMET’s research efforts and building meaningful mentorship in medicine.

In my free time, I love singing Hindustani Classical Music, playing instruments, going to the gym, watching TV, and spending time with my family and my Ismaili Muslim community