Grace Jones is a rising senior at Northwestern University, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Anthropology and hoping to attend medical school. She has been involved in a longitudinal research opportunity at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in the Neurological Surgery Department, focusing on a recent project harnessing her lab's novel B-cell based immunotherapy to modulate metastatic potential in varying cancer forms, extending its relevance beyond glioblastoma treatment. Aside from research, she pursues her interest in the medical humanities, as she has been working as a Medical Administrator of the EPEC (Education of Palliative and End-of-Life Care) Program within Northwestern's Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. This opportunity has allowed Grace to delve into ethical discussions and the exploration of literature and the arts in medical education, which these interests are rooted in her intrinsic appreciation for drawing, dance, and creative writing.

Catherine Wu is an undergraduate student at Stanford University interested in biology and the humanities. On campus, she enjoys writing for The Stanford Daily and other ways to learn and share stories of members in her community. She hopes to pursue a graduate or medical degree on a pre-med track.

Margarita Margaryan is currently a senior at the University of Southern California studying Human Biology with a minor in Health Innovation and a specialization in Web Development. She was drawn to this program for its unique opportunity to explore the intersection of medicine and humanities, which they have explored on their own through their undergraduate studies, but have never had the chance to delve into deeper. She is excited to get started on a project of her own and hear from the amazing physician faculty throughout the program, as they continue their personal exploration of what humanities in medicine means to them.

Hello! My name is Riya Anand, and I’m a sophomore at Stanford studying Bioengineering on the pre-med track. After taking some medical humanities-related classes at Stanford, I’ve become really interested in how stories can address public health and anything to do with the brain! In my free time, I love to read, play tennis, and go on hikes with my friends.

Josephine Crosthwait I am a rising junior and premedical student at the University of Southern California majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Science, Health and Aging. I study cognitive and physiological disorders of the brain, and work in research on brain development as well as emotion regulation. I am also passionate about health literacy and education, in addition to the rising field of neurotechnology. In my free time I love to read and explore bookstores in Los Angeles.

Meghan Stemp is a designer, researcher, and educator whose work bridges visual culture and reproductive justice. She uses a critical design lens to explore how cultural narratives shape access to reproductive care, using narrative itself as a method to challenge assumptions. She is a current PhD student at the School of Design at the Royal College of Art and was a Fulbright Scholar at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She co-produced Likely Story—a digital game about romantic relationships, consent, and coercion—that received over $500,000 in funding and recognition from the Anthem and Webby Awards. Storytelling has always been central to her practice: her first internship was at National Geographic, and in 2012, she organized the first-ever TEDx event in Kabul.

Hannah Hoang is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, born and raised in the Inland Empire. She is a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned her degree in Biology with a minor in Film, Television, & Digital Media. She is currently pursuing graduate school at the Claremont Colleges, studying biotechnology and translational medicine. Outside of school, Hannah is a filmmaker, primarily on-set as a camera assistant or as part of the lighting and grip department. Her recent projects have premiered at Festival de Cannes, Tribeca, HollyShorts, and LA Shorts, with features on Variety and Panavision. While her primary focus is in cinematography, with aspirations of becoming a Director of Photography, she hopes to eventually direct her own project in the future. She is especially interested in telling stories rooted in Vietnamese heritage, coming of age, and the human condition. She believes that storytelling offers a meaningful pathway in medicine, one that fosters empathy and centers the patient care experience. She hopes to integrate narrative medicine into her future practice as a physician. She is currently a Creative Team Member at WDA Entertainment and 2025 Activate Impact Initiative grant recipient at Women in Media. Hannah plans on applying to medical school.

Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, Hang Thi Thu Phi holds an MA in Children’s Literature, Media, and Culture from universities in the UK and Europe. Deeply passionate about children’s books, she aspires to explore how stories can serve as powerful tools to connect children, parents, and doctors - fostering empathy and easing the emotional journey of medical treatment. She brings stories to life through interactive sessions with children and is committed to helping them make sense of their world through literature. Hang’s ultimate dream is to write books that speak to children’s hearts and experiences.

Chelsea Gamboa Lingao I am a senior at San Jose State University studying Public Health with a concentration in population data science. I also work as a research assistant in the Department of Public Health and Recreation at SJSU, studying the impacts of discrimination on mental health. After graduation, I plan on attending law school, pursing a career in health law and policy. Outside of work and school, I have a devout love for visual arts (comics, embroidery, and animatics are my current favorites) and am passionate about expressing creativity and one's self for fun, healing, or just for the sake of doing so.

Afua Nyantakyi is a medical student at UVA School of Medicine (SMD '28) from Alexandria, Virginia. In her free time she enjoys writing, music, and the fiber arts. She is looking forward to weaving creativity and compassion into as many aspects of her career in medicine as possible.

Shreya Gunda is a rising senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Public Health. She has been actively involved in community work through her participation in Suitcase Clinic, which has motivated her to pursue a career in healthcare and non-profit organizations. Her research interests focus on analyzing disparities within Asian health and global health. In her free time, Shreya enjoys hiking, running, and playing volleyball.

Jasmine Saroa is a rising senior at UCLA majoring in Human Biology and Society. She is passionate about researching and addressing invisible disabilities and the systemic gaps that affect women’s healthcare, with a strong commitment to reproductive health justice and public health equity. She believes storytelling is a powerful tool in amplifying marginalized voices, cultivating dialogue shaped by lived experiences, and driving meaningful change in clinical care. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, writing poetry, and attending live concerts.

Shadelia Quailey is a Human Biology and Psychology major at Hunter College. She aspires to obtain a master's degree in global health, applied ethics, neuroscience, and the history of science. Medical humanities is a compassionate approach that has the potential to unify patients creatively, broaden our perspective, and bridge a divide when we get lost in translation.

Adrien Quant is a critical care paramedic and currently works as the Clinical Educator for Harris Health EMS in Houston, TX. His educational approach emphasizes critical thinking, interprofessional collaboration, and commitment to continuous quality improvement. He is particularly interested in simulation-based learning, and he enjoys integrating scientific literature and medical humanities into EMS clinical training. Adrien is an alumnus of Rice University in Houston, TX and plans to attend medical school.