National Board Bio

Pauline Tran is a third-year medical student at California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She was born and raised in Orange County, CA, and completed her B.S. in Human Biology at UC San Diego. She has been an active member of APAMSA for years, previously serving as a Social Media Committee member and as VP of her local APAMSA chapter. Outside of medical school, she enjoys playing video games, review new restaurants on Yelp/Beli, and brewing espresso, pourovers, and matcha, After medical school, Pauline plans to pursue a career as a pathologist.

Sarah Kim, BS is currently a third-year MD/MBA student at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She was born in South Korea and immigrated to South Bay in California when she was 12-years-old. She then attended Emory University where she double-majored in Chemistry and Psychology and worked in a biopsychosocial research lab studying peripartum maternal experiences and the associated intergenerational effects in African American/Black population. She completed an Honors Thesis and continued to work as a research coordinator in a sister lab at Emory in her gap year, contributing to a nation-wide consortium study examining biological and psychological factors in moms and how they shape mother-child interactions. Sarah joined her local APAMSA chapter as a general member in the first year of medical school, served as a treasurer the following year, and now one of the National Conference Directors. Her academic interests are diversity representation in research, reducing the gap in underserved populations, and skin cancer awareness. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, making cafe drinks, and taking walks. After medical school, Sarah wants to pursue a career in dermatology.

Laura Zhang is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She is originally from Southern California and grew up in Walnut, California. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego in three years with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. Before medical school, Laura worked as the Lead Neuropsychology Technician at a neurology practice in Carlsbad and later as a Medical Assistant in Chino Hills, gaining clinical experience in patient care. During medical school, she has been actively involved with APAMSA, first serving as an Events Coordinator and currently as the Vice President of her local chapter. She plans to pursue a career in general surgery following medical school. In her free time, Laura enjoys playing board games, playing piano, and exploring new places in the city, especially in search of good food.

Iris Hyun-A Kim is a second-generation Korean American born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with majors in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, & Society. During her time at Vanderbilt, she served as President of the Asian American Student Association and led the successful effort to establish the Asian American Studies major and minor in 2021 in response to the Atlanta spa shootings.

Following graduation, Iris was awarded a Fulbright Research Scholarship and spent a year in South Korea studying the Korean diaspora and ethnic return migration. She is currently a medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and will begin training as a Medical Research Scholar at the National Institutes of Health in June 2026. In her free time, Iris enjoys doodling comics, searching for manatees, and training for her first HYROX competition.

Yuming Wu is a third-year medical student at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine.

Raised in West Virginia and rural Missouri, she was often one of the few Asian Americans in her community, an experience that shaped her commitment to AANHPI representation and advocacy. As a medical student, she is dedicated to advocating for AANHPI patients by addressing health disparities such as language barriers and limited access to culturally sensitive care.

She joined APAMSA in 2023 as a local chapter board member and has served as the National Fundraising & Events Director since 2025. Through organizing health fairs, teaching Medical Mandarin, and leading nationwide fundraising projects, her work has further solidified her passion for AANHPI health.

Beyond medicine, she enjoys playing guitar, dancing, listening to music, and exploring new restaurants in Kansas City.

Elizabeth Tran is a Maryland native and a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences, specializing in physiology and neurobiology, and completed a minor in Asian American Studies. During her gap year, she served as an outreach intern with OCA-DC, the local chapter of a national AANHPI advocacy nonprofit organization. In this role, she built relationships with local AANHPI businesses and community organizations to support a health needs assessment.

Her academic interests are closely tied to her commitment to advocacy, community empowerment, and increasing representation in medicine. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys swimming, playing mobile gacha games (especially Honkai: Star Rail), and spending time with her friends and family.

Stephen Lin is a medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM). Born in New York City and raised in Wisconsin, he completed his undergraduate studies at St. Norbert College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Growing up in a non-diverse community and witnessing his family navigate the complexities of the healthcare system while facing a language barrier inspired him to seek a supportive community. He found that sense of belonging in APAMSA during his first year of medical school, where he was able to embrace his identity and celebrate his culture. These experiences motivated him to become more involved with National APAMSA, serving as the Region 1 Director and Membership Vice President these past few years.

As Membership Vice President, Stephen is committed to supporting local APAMSA chapter members by strengthening communication, expanding access to resources, and creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration. He aims to find impactful and sustainable ways to recognize and uplift the important work local chapters are doing within their communities, ensuring their efforts are valued, supported, and amplified at the national level.

Outside of his studies, Stephen enjoys playing volleyball, playing board games, trying new recipes, making music, and spending time with family and friends. He also loves spending time with his cat, Martin (@martin_the_sheriff). He is excited to continue serving as one of the Membership Vice Presidents this year and looks forward to continuing to advocate for AANHPI communities.

Stephanie Ngo is currently a third-year medical student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2018 with dual bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology in Human Health. She has served on the National Board as a Region VI director for the last two years. She is very excited for the opportunity to work alongside her peers to uphold APAMSA values and build community. Outside of medicine, she loves learning how to sew, cooking Vietnamese foods, immersing herself in video games and cuddling with her @pupperino.pals!

Brandon Park is a medical student in the 6-year BA/MD Program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine. He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and he is currently serving as the National APAMSA Sponsorship Co-Director. He also was the Sponsorship Co-Director for the past 2 years and served his local APAMSA chapter for the last 6 years. As a member of APAMSA, he eagerly anticipates the upcoming year including expanding APAMSA’s impact, collaborating with various organizations to advocate for the needs of the community, and addressing healthcare disparities. During his free time, he enjoys playing sports, especially soccer, hanging out with friends, and listening to pop and hip-hop music.

Thy Nguyen is an OMS-III at A.T. Still University – School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)! She did her undergraduate degree in Physiology and Medical Sciences at the University of Arizona, but also has ties with the Midwest, having been born and raised in Minnesota where she lived until the age of 16.

In the past, Thy has had the pleasure of serving on the executive board of UA Pre-Health APAMSA and ATSU-SOMA APAMSA, on top of serving as Region 7 Director and Membership VP (R5/6/7) with National APAMSA. The people she has met in APAMSA have been her “heart and soul for many years of her life.” They have given her grace to grow, and love to thrive – and she will forever cherish the memories she has made with people she regards as second family.

Giving back the love she has received is important to her. As Membership Vice President, Thy aims to honor the AANHPI community by being proactive in building the success of APAMSA’s chapters and supporting different chapters’ members on a personal level. She is excited to work with more people in different parts of our country and learn more about herself along the way. With growth comes new ideas, and hopefully she is able to help nourish these goals with the Membership Branch.

Outside of school and work, she enjoys dancing, going to the gym, hiking, trying new food, listening to music, traveling, playing with her cat Leo, and being with friends and family!