KGI Student Government

Rebecca Herrera

President

Degree Program:MS '25
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

At KGI: I am excited to continue fostering relationships with my peers, KGI professors, and the KGI administration this school year. I plan to keep working with the Women in STEM Club to organize events like the self-defense seminar we previously collaborated on. I am also committed to enhancing our inclusive and diverse campus culture by celebrating heritage events, which we all love and value.

Post KGI: After KGI, I aim to pursue a Medical Degree and ultimately become an OB-GYN. My goal is to work with underserved individuals in my community. I hope to help close the significant gap in healthcare access and medical research among people of color.

Arman Aloyan

Vice President

Degree Program: MS '25
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

At KGI: Last year, I was the Ethics and Judicial Chair for Student Government. This year, I will work as an Admissions Ambassador to foster more outreach within KGI and serve as Vice President for KEY Club. I plan to utilize what I have learned and continue collaborating with students, faculty, and clubs to provide the ultimate experience for all KGI members.

Post KGI: After KGI, I aspire to be a Physician Associate and ultimately work with underserved communities. I hope to be able to provide quality healthcare as a pediatric PA.

Kaitlyn Murphy

Treasurer

Degree Program: MS '25
Hometown: San Diego, CA

At KGI: I am currently a second-year MS student, and I spend most of my time on campus either in class or in Professor Ray’s COVID Lab! Last year, I was the Professional Development Chair for Student Government, and I am excited to continue working alongside the school to facilitate a welcoming and organized campus!

Post KGI: Once I graduate with my Master's, I hope to attend medical school and ultimately become a surgeon. Since I was young, I have dreamed of becoming a Neurosurgeon, but as I get older and more realistic, I now wish to pursue trauma surgery or pediatrics!

Vi Nguyen

Second Year Pharmacy Representative

Degree Program: PharmD '27
Hometown: Born in Viet Nam | Raised in Pomona, CA

At KGI: I am a 2nd year pharmacy student, an intern pharmacist at CVS and Kaiser, and an active member of several clubs and events at KGI. I am most excited about the opportunity to advocate for my peers and contribute meaningful changes within our program. I look forward to collaborating with other programs on campus to foster interdisciplinary connections.

Post KGI: As of now, I aspire to achieve a residency post-graduation and become an ambulatory pharmacist one day. As a first-generation immigrant student, I recognize the value of having guidance and resources – I hope to mentor aspiring pharmacy students and guide them on the right path.

Alexander Marnoff

Fourth Year Pharmacy Representative

Degree Program: PharmD '25

Joseph Jacinto

Occupational Therapy Representative

Degree Program: OTD '26
Hometown: Fontana, CA

At KGI: I am a second-year Occupational Therapy Doctorate student. In addition to Student Government, I am a member of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) on campus. I am looking forward to raising awareness about occupational therapy and its role in healthcare with the other programs on campus.

Post-KGI: I aspire to work as a neurorehabilitation occupational therapist, with a particular interest in vision rehabilitation. I am passionate about working with neurological clients, such as those with stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and Parkinson's disease (PD). My goal is to help these individuals recover and enhance their functional abilities through skilled, evidence-based OT interventions.

Sydney Kasner

Physician Associate Representative

Degree Program: MSPA ‘25 
Hometown: Lincoln City, Oregon

At KGI: I am a second-year Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPA) student. Last year, I served as the MSPA Rep for KGI and the AAPA Student Representative in the PA Student Society. Looking ahead, I am eager to begin clinical rotations, attend the CAPA Conference in October, celebrate PA Week, and collaborate on interdisciplinary activities among KGI colleagues!

Post-KGI: I intend to return to my rural, medically underserved community. I am currently most interested in family medicine or internal medicine. My long-term professional goals include obtaining my Doctor of Medical Science (DCMs), serving on the Oregon Medical Board, and working as adjunct faculty for a PA program.

Ijeoma Chikezie

Cross-Cultural Global and Diversity Chair

Degree Program: MS '25
Hometown: Ontario, CA

At KGI: I am a second-year MS student with a concentration in Translational Research. KGI and I share a common interest in diversifying STEM education and research among underrepresented students. I currently serve as the Black Student Union President and am a student representative for the Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JDEI) committee. I look forward to serving as a liaison for diverse organizations and clubs at KGI. 

Post-KGI: After KGI, I plan to pursue my doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences. Over the years, I recognize the gap in STEM and humanitarianism and as an aspiring biomedical scientist, my long-term goal is to provide mentorship and support for the next generation of underrepresented minorities in scientific research. 

Jenifer Ngoc Ngo

Health and Wellness Chair

Degree Program: MS '25
Hometown: Reseda, CA

At KGI: I am a second year MS student with a concentration on translational research. Here at KGI,  I am currently serving as the Health and Wellness Chair, KGI Care president, and KEY Club administrative director. I am committed to advocating and fostering a healthier environment for students.

Post KGI: I am an aspiring physician, potentially specializing in oncology or pediatric. Growing up in a low-income family has really taught me the value of giving back to the community and opened my eyes to the social disparities in healthcare. My hope is to be the change that is needed in these under-resourced communities.

Harmanpreet Kaur Ghotra

Social Chair

Degree Program: MS '25
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

At KGI: I am a second-year MS student excited to continue my journey at KGI. I hope to continue to foster an inclusive environment and raise cultural awareness as president of the South Asian Association (SAA). I am also looking forward to further raising mental health awareness as vice president of KGI Cares. As social chair, I hope to organize events that bring the KGI community together.

Post KGI: My time at KGI has further reaffirmed my decision to pursue medicine and to become a physician. Being a part of a community that is facing healthcare inequalities, I aspire to foster a future that reduces the gap between quality of care and these disparities.

Zhané Ochoa

Professional Development Chair

Degree Program: MS '25
Hometown: Born in Oxnard, CA | Raised in St. Louis, MO

At KGI: I am a second-year MS student who devotes her free time to volunteering at a mobile clinic focused on reproductive health and tutoring children experiencing homelessness. I am excited to implement new ways to define and discuss what professionalism should look like while providing a new outlet for advocacy and mentorship as we all prepare to enter the healthcare and biotech industry community.

Post KGI: Pursuing higher education at KGI has helped me appreciate the value I place on academia. It is almost impossible for me to imagine my professional career without some time dedicated to serving as a teacher of science or clinical medicine. I plan to utilize the interpersonal skills and scientific foundation gained at KGI to make a positive impact on my future students and patients alike. While my medical specialty remains unclear, the role of being a leader, teacher, and volunteer remain very clear in my future.

Izzy Reilly

Occupational Therapy 3rd Year Representative

Degree Program: OTD '25
Hometown: Waukesha, Wisconsin

At KGI: I am in my third and final year of the OTD program, in which I will complete my two level II fieldwork rotations in Early Intervention and Outpatient Adult settings. This year, I will also complete my Capstone Experience, which focuses on supporting occupational therapy practitioners who have experienced sexual violence in the workplace. I am excited to continue refining my skills and connecting with other students prior to graduation in May.

Post-KGI: I am excited to start working in the field and the settings I am most interested in are early intervention, pediatric inpatient, or adult inpatient. I am committed to furthering my advocacy efforts post-KGI by working with various organizations to ensure practitioners are supported to provide the best possible care to their clients.

Jaylan Brown

Ethics and Judicial Chair

Degree Program: MS '25
Hometown: Ontario, California

At KGI: I am a second-year MS student with a concentration in infectious disease. Raised in a spiritually grounded household, I learned the value of human interaction. This upbringing inspired me to make it my life's goal to be a voice for the underrepresented. I am grateful to KGI for the opportunity to serve as the ethics and judicial chair, where I hope to foster open dialogue and ensure that our by-laws represent the interests of the students and my fellow colleagues.

Post-KGI: I plan to pursue a doctorate degree in Cell & Molecular biology, where I plan to focus on gaining knowledge that will hopefully allow me to provide personalized therapies for minority and underrepresented communities.