Academic Research Associates

Jacob Dotson is an ARA student studying Biology and Chemistry at California State University, Fresno. During his free time, Jacob loves to spend time with friends and family, explore the outdoors, cook, and travel. He is interested in improving patient care in the central valley by his participation with the ARA program. While in the program, Jacob has managed to work within different departments with the guidance of Dr. Ganti in his research study, “Birth Control use Among Women in Child-Bearing Age at CRMC.” From his research, Jacob hopes to help identify potential barriers that limit women from accessing contraceptive services. After his undergraduate years, Jacob plans on attending medical school, then return to serve the central valley as a physician.

Kelly Meehan, Alumni

Kelly is an ARA student who received an Associate in Arts in Psychology from Clovis Community College and is now attending California State University, Fresno, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in communicative disorders and a certificate in conversational American Sign Language. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys traveling, learning about Deaf culture, and attending any concert she can get tickets to. Through her time spent in the ED, she hopes to improve her communication skills with patients and staff as well as researching how to better serve the Deaf members of our community in the hospital setting. While in the program, Kelly has worked closely with Dr. Armenian on her research study, “Investigating the Impacts of Communication Barriers on Care in the Emergency Department for Deaf Patients Versus Hearing Patients.” The goal of this study is to be able to improve communication with Deaf patients in our ED and provide more access to interpreting services. Kelly plans to attend medical school and a surgical residency program after her undergraduate education.

Ansley Furtado, Alumni

Ansley Furtado is a third-year student at Fresno State. Her major is Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She moved to California from Kuwait when she was 13 years old. In her free time, she enjoys painting, watching Netflix, and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys traveling. She is also looking forward to working with patients and improving her communication skills. During her time in the program, Ansley has worked closely with Dr. Chinnock in the following study “A Satisfaction Survey Investigating the Benefits of an Academic Research Program in the Emergency Department.” She was able to present her abstract in the 5th Annual UCSF Fresno Education Symposium and was accepted to the Central California Research Symposium. This program serves as an excellent learning experience in her pathway to medicine.

Aaron is an ARA student attending California State University Fresno majoring in Biochemistry. Aaron was born in Hanford, California and grew up in Corcoran. When he is not studying, he enjoys hiking, wrestling, and spending time with family. His research interests include hospital and medical disease innovation to improve the San Joaquin Valley patient care. During his time in the program, Aaron has worked closely with Dr. Vohra in the following study “Emergency Department Healthcare Staff Knowledge on Opioids.” He was able to present his abstract in the 5th Annual UCSF Fresno Education Symposium and was accepted to the Central California Research Symposium. After graduating from Fresno State, he plans on pursuing a career in the medical field.

Jacob Hopalian, Chief

Jacob is an ARA student who is at Fresno State University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and spending time outdoors. After graduating from Fresno State, he plans on going to medical school, where he hopes to become an Emergency Physician and come back to practice in the Central Valley. His research interests include cancer/oncology, trauma, and toxicology. Jacob is currently working on a research study with Dr. Chinnock. He hopes to gain more patient interaction and clinical research experience. This program provides excellent exposure for anyone on the pathway to medicine.

Hana Hussein, Chief

Hana is an ARA student attending California State University, Fresno. Her interests in living things and how they apply to everyday life led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biology and minor in Physical Science. In her spare time, she enjoys creating a wide range of DIY projects, redesigning interior aspects, using quiet leisure time to relax, and spending time with family and friends. Her interests in research consist of expanding an understanding of emergency medical care and communicating with patients and health care providers. This program has given her the opportunity to expand in clinical research and interact with healthcare providers to improve patient care. Hana is currently working on a research study with Dr. Chinnock. She plans to attend a PA program to further study fields of medicine and ultimately dedicate a career toward improving human health care.

Nicole Phillips is an ARA student at California State University Fresno pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology while minoring in Women’s Studies. Nicole has brought her passion forward in Women’s Studies by being the founder of Fresno State’s chapter of the Women in Science Society. Outside of Academics, Nicole is an avid traveler and has visited 8 countries in the past 3 years. She also enjoys exploring the outdoors, painting, and spending time with family and friends. Nicole’s research interest is focused on cardiovascular disease patients and the differences in typical and atypical symptoms between men and women. In her current semester as an ARA  student, Nicole is working alongside Dr. Chinnock to develop a research study focused around cardiovascular disease and the unusual symptoms women can present. Being a part of the ARA program has allowed Nicole to confirm her passion in medicine, while gaining valuable experience conducting clinical research. The program has also taught Nicole about the importance of research, and that there is always room for questions in medicine. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Nicole plans on attending medical school and returning to Fresno to serve the Central Valley.

Bagieng Keophimphone, Lead

Bagieng is an ARA student who is currently a fourth year at California State University of Fresno pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. During his free time, he enjoys basketball, drawing, and spending quality time with family and friends. At Fresno State, he researches in an organic synthesis lab and wants to experience the interdisciplinary aspects of both research and medicine as a pre-med student interested in research. Bagieng is interested in conducting research to assess the importance of mobile clinics in underserved communities. Bagieng plans on pursuing a higher education in medical school to become a primary care physician and return to the Central Valley to provide quality care for the underserved populations.

Lizette Castillo, Lead

Lizette is currently working on obtaining her CNA license to begin patient-care hours. She is currently at Fresno State earning her bachelor’s and plans on applying for the UC Davis PA program. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, reading romance novels, and spending as much time possible with my family. She hopes to contribute to research which works towards the improvement of health care. I also hope to play a role in research that will impact time efficiency and patient care.

Eman Ibrahim, Investigator

Eman is an ARA second year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Physical Science at California State University, Fresno. During her free time she loves to spend time with her family and friends, traveling and exploring the outdoors, as well as watching TV. Eman is fluent in both Arabic and English. She was born here in Fresno, however, moved to Kuwait when she was 7 years old until the age of 11. She plans to attend medical school and hopefully pursue a career in anesthesiology after her undergraduate education.

Clarissa Marquez, Investigator

Clarissa is a Fresno State student majoring in Biology with a minor in Mass Communication and Journalism. She has enjoyed dancing since the age of 5, creating and editing videos, going to get In N Out with friends and family, and collecting pins and stickers. She would like to look more into research either based on COPD, Asthma, or mental health. Her future plans consist of using the skills acquired through the program and life experiences to become an M.D. In addition, she would like to use her media background to spread awareness on the status of health in the Central Valley community.

Linda Yang, Investigator

Linda is a fifth-year Psychology major with a Pre-Medical emphasis. After graduating from Fresno State, Linda plans to become a physician to bridge the health disparity between the Hmong community and Western medicine in the Central Valley. In addition to currently being a ER scribe at CRMC, she is excited to become an ARA and make a difference in patient care through clinical research. She is interested in researching how to improve patient care through health literacy and social advocacy. In her spare time, she likes to travel to new places, cook, and do photography.

Yesenia Ramirez, Investigator

I am a Kinesiology major with an emphasis in Exercise Science and a minor in Deaf Studies. I enjoy the outdoors, especially going on camping trips and on hikes. A fun fact is that I know three languages: Spanish, English, and American Sign Language. My interest in research was sparked by my desire to better understand the root of certain diseases/illnesses and through clinical research I believe we can discover better ways to prevent and/or educate on the problem. After graduating Fresno State, I hope to be accepted into medical school and return to the Central Valley to serve my community as a physician.

Manharsh Sekhon, Investigator

Manharsh Sekhon graduated from California State University, Fresno with a B.S. in Biology and Minors in Chemistry. He moved to California from India when he was 16 years old. He is currently working as a medical scribe in Emergency Department at Community Regional Medical Center. Manharsh aspires to go to medical school in order to become an EM physician and serve the Central Valley. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, hiking, traveling, gardening and spending time with family. As an academic research associate, he hopes to gain clinical research experience and improve healthcare. Fun fact: Manharsh speaks four languages fluently, which include English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.

Maram Kiran, Research Associate

Maram Kiran is an Academic Research Associate and a third-year biochemistry undergraduate at California State University, Fresno. As an aspiring physician and a Fresno native who is bilingual in Arabic and English, Maram is passionate in leading culturally competent healthcare to the underserved communities of the Central Valley. She is especially interested in the communities who face both language and cultural barriers when accessing healthcare. Maram is also a coffee enthusiast and likes to bake and travel.

Michael DeHaeseleer, Research Associate

Michael DeHaeseleer is a third year student majoring in Biology and minoring in Aerospace Studies at California State University, Fresno. He enjoys reading and hanging out with friends. His research interests include emergency medicine. He is interested in commissioning as a physician in the United States Air Force.

Dilpreet Sekhon, Research Associate

Dilpreet Sekhon is a third year student pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Child and Family Science at California State University, Fresno. She enjoys drawing, playing basketball, and spending time with her family and friends during her free time. Her research interests include oncology, immunology, and pulmonology. After graduating from Fresno State, she plans on attending medical school in the hopes of becoming a Pediatrician or Pediatric Oncologist. She plans on coming back to serve in the Central Valley to ensure underserved populations receive the medical care they need.

Hayley Shah, Research Associate

Haley Shah is an ARA student attending California State University, Fresno. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a premedical emphasis and a minor in Spanish. When she is free, she enjoys cooking, bicycle riding, and hiking with her family and friends. Another hobby of hers is website design; in fact, she designed and currently runs LifeinQuarantine, a website that is dedicated towards bringing individuals together during social/physical distancing. Haley’s research interests include female reproductive health, oncology, with a particular emphasis on breast cancer, and pediatrics. In the near future, Haley aspires to attend medical school and return to the Central Valley as a physician to serve her community. She hopes to specialize as an obstetrician-gynecologist. As an ARA Associate, Haley looks forward to engaging in clinical research, meeting like-minded individuals, and learning about the field of medicine!

Hayley Willow, Research Associate

Hayley Willow is an ARA student attending California State University, Fresno. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology. When she is not working or studying, she enjoys exercising, spending time with family and friends, shopping and watching horror films. Her research interests include oncology, pediatrics, and female reproductive health. In the future, she plans to complete a Physician’s Assistant program and specialize in either emergency medicine or obstetrics/gynecology. 

Mackenzie Saephanh, Research Associate

Mackenzie Saephanh is an ARA student studying at California State University, Fresno. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a premedical emphasis and a double minor in Physical Science and Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and hiking,  She also enjoys photography, programming, and reading. Her research interests include different medical practices that will improve healthcare in the Central Valley. She is also interested in researching COVID-19 impacts on the Central Valley community as a whole.  She plans to attend medical school and return as a physician and social advocate to serve the Central Valley and Iu-Mien community.  

Jessica Valdez, Research Associate

Jessica Valdez is an Academic Research Associate and a third year student at California State University, Fresno. She is majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology. She enjoys mentoring other students who come from a similar background and is currently volunteering as a mentor/tutor for high school students from rural communities impacted by Covid-19 along with being a Peer Mentor for the MASS CSM program at Fresno State. She is interested in researching new biomedical practices used in trauma situations. Jessica plans to attend medical school after graduating from Fresno State and hopefully become an emergency physician. 

Quynh Nguyen, Research Associate

Quynh Nguyen is an Academic Research Associate attending Fresno State University where she pursues a B.S. Biology degree with a Chemistry minor. Quynh enjoys reading, singing, dancing, and gardening. She volunteers to teach Vietnamese to American Vietnamese children at a local Vietnamese community. She also enjoys helping other students at Fresno State through their courses as a Supplemental Instruction Leader. Her research interests include women health, radiology, and genetics. Quynh plans to attend medical school after completing her bachelor degree at Fresno State and helps her community overcome the language barrier in medicine.