DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Hi! I'm Ashita, a third-year studying Neuroscience and Data Science. Upon joining VHIO as a freshman with a passion for increasing healthcare accessibility, I’ve come to love the community we’ve built here and am grateful to serve as the External Director this year. I grew up in Japan as an Indian-American, and navigating health challenges invited some language barriers. Inspired by my hard-working parents, and the healthcare professionals who helped my family, I hope to provide that same support to others. In my free time, I love cooking, running, and reading/listening to podcasts. So excited to meet you all!

DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Hey everyone! I'm Kevin, a third-year majoring in MCB. I joined VHIO as a freshman looking to make an impact by bridging language barriers in healthcare, and quickly had many pleasant and rewarding experiences working with our local LEP community. I loved our organization so much that I found myself teaching the DeCal the following year, and now, as the Internal Director, I'll be in charge of improving the member experience for everyone! VHIO duties aside, I enjoy reading quality prose and poetry, as well as playing music (and watching football). Can't wait to meet all of you!

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL AFFAIRS

Hi! I’m Matthew, a fourth-year student studying MCB and Data Science. I joined VHIO during the Fall semester of my sophomore year because I am deeply passionate about breaking language barriers in healthcare. Through VHIO, not only was I able to utilize my language skills to help provide interpretation services to the Limited-English Proficiency population in a medical setting, I was also able to form many amazing memories with the people in this organization! Outside of academics, I enjoy playing table tennis, cooking, and watching shows. Feel free to reach out to me!

CHINESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi!!! My name is Katie and I'm from Hong Kong and San Francisco. I joined VHIO with the goal of serving the LEP community, and ended up finding some of my closest friends in the organization. My interests include healthcare consulting, biotech, neuroscience, and psychology. In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, trying new foods, travelling, and shopping. I also love fashion, photography, art, reading, and nature! hmu I'm always down to do something!

CHINESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hello, my name is Mo and I'm a fourth year major in MCB and anthropolgy! I grew up in Beijing and moved to Spring field, MA when I was in middle school. I enjoy being part of VHIO as I like to connect/spend time with people who share similar passion and background as me. Feel free to catch me around campus/after VHIO events/ Weill hall for quick chat if you have any questions! Email also works (and it works better than slack/messenger)!

SPANISH DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hello! My name's Eduardo, and I'm a second-year Nutritional Sciences major from the I.E. area in SoCal. I joined VHIO because I grew up often translating and interpreting for my parents who do not speak English. My experiences have led me to greatly enjoy speaking Spanish as well as helping others, and through VHIO, I have been able to help individuals just like my parents within the LEP community to ensure language barriers and miscommunication are the last thing they have to worry about. Feel free to ask me any questions—or recommend me good places to eat!

SPANISH DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi! My name is Sofia. I'm fourth year majoring in psychology. I'm from the bay area and have roots in Jalisco and Oaxaca, Mexico! I joined VHIO to become a part of a community that works towards minimizing healthcare disparities and giving back to the community by ensuring that information doesn't get "lost in translation." I have made so many valuable memories while volunteering and will never forget the people we have helped. Outside of VHIO, I love spending time with family and friends, watching movies, and listening to music! Please don't hesistate to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chit chat!

VIETNAMESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi everyone, my name is Malinda! I'm a fourth year majoring in Microbial Biology and minoring in Psychology. I enjoy drawing, dancing, running, and binging movies. Feel free to reach out to me to hang or just to talk! I love yapping and socializing >.<
I initally joined VHIO ever since I saw a flyer in the VLSB bathroom and thought it was a pre-med org my freshmen year (lol). I ended up joining and staying in VHIO because I wanted to make a positive change in my community and our mission aligns with my personal goals of being able to help others around me. As a senior, I've made a lot of amazing memories in the past few years I've been in VHIO. I can confidently say that everybody I've met in VHIO are a few of the most passionate and empathetic people I've met here in Berkeley. I'm so thankful to have found such a supportive and positive community while trying to pursue my career aspirations. VHIO has and always will be a core memory of my time spent here at UC Berkeley. <3

VIETNAMESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi! My name is Nhi and I'm a 3rd year majoring in MCB from Vietnam and SoCal. Joining VHIO my sophomore year has truly shaped my time at Cal and view about healthcare. As an immigrant, I can see myself in the shoes of the LEP community members and this inspires me to continue carrying out VHIO mission with everyone in this club. I'm also really grateful for the people I meet in VHIO, creating a very supportive environment for each other. In my free time, I love playing badminton and trying out new boba/food places with friends^^

KOREAN DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi! My name is Emily, a senior majoring in MEB. I'm from Korea and San Diego and also have lived in Canada for a few years. I joined VHIO to meet people that share the same identity as me as well as those who are interested in pre-health related fields! Also I wanted to help my community, using my ability to communicate both in Korean and English 🙂

KOREAN DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR & LANGUAGE COORDINATOR

Hi, my name is Eugene and I am a third year MCB major at Cal from Korea and SoCal. I've been a part of VHIO since freshmen year and it's been a great time! I love meeting new people and volunteering for the causes I feel passionate about, and VHIO was exactly the combination of those two things. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

TAGALOG DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hey! I'm Chesca, a third-year Microbial Biology major, and a pre-med student. I'm from SoCal and the Philippines (Mabuhay!). I joined VHIO to connect with the Pilipinx community in the Bay Area, and because I love VHIO's mission of breaking language barriers in healthcare. Being part of VHIO has been such a fun and fulfilling experience—I've made close friends and met others who share the same passion as me. Outside of that, I enjoy going to museums and gardens, and I'm a huge foodie. So if you're down for a food trip, let me know!

TAGALOG DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi I'm Frances (or Celine if abroad)! I'm a 3rd majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology. I spent half of my life in the Philippines and the rest in the US! I joined VHIO because I wanted to not only maintain my language fluency but to also serve my community. This year, I'm one of the Tagalog Deptartment coordinators and I'm excited to continue providing translation/interpretation services with my wonderful team! Fun fact: I'm currently learning Russian & Chinese because I like the challenge 😀

JAPANESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hello! I'm Ayami, a junior studying cog sci/data science and this is my third year in VHIO! The experience has allowed me to help out the community I resonate a lot with and I'm so excited to be welcoming the new Japanese department members to be a part of this amazing community. I love anything outdoors and finding good food place in my free time, reach out for any questions!

JAPANESE DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hello! My name is Karen, and I am a junior studying MCB and CS. I grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and joined VHIO to connect with the Bay Area Japanese community and help bridge the language barrier for health equity. I love the small but tight-knit Japanese department and the supportive environment of VHIO with people who share the same passion! In my free time, I love baking, cooking, and going to art museums 🙂

HINDI-URDU DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR

Hi! My name is Aanya and I'm a second year majoring in MCB and Business. I grew up in Nebraska and joined VHIO to help interpret for the same community I grew up in! I love thrifting and reading and would love to tak to you about what your interests are!

OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Hi! I’m Charlotte, a second-year Microbial Biology major. Growing up in Shanghai, China, I found a culturally inclusive community at VHIO, where I can use my language skills to support the LEP community. This year, I’ll be part of the Mandarin and Japanese departments. I will also work hard to establish partnerships for VHIO. I’m really excited to meet new friends and go to VHIO's socials. I love cats, so please send me cute cat pics! 😀

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Hi everyone! My name is Lizbeth Garcia; I am a 4th year studying public health. I am from the Bay Area with roots from Zacatecas, Mexico. I joined VHIO my first year because I wanted to help bridge the gap between limited-English proficient communities and the medical field. One of my favorite VHIO memories was volunteering with Operation Access, interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients and noticing their sense of relief when they received care in their native language. Apart from VHIO, I love coffee, baking and Spanish music! <3

EDUCATION COORDINATOR & LANGUAGE COORDINATOR

Ello! I'm Rachel, a third year studying Microbial Biology. I joined VHIO as a first year because I was intrigued by VHIO’s mission to bridge the language and cultural barriers between LEP populations and their access to healthcare. Here, aside from meeting a great group of people with similar passions for helping LEP populations, I’ve been able to deepen my understanding of the obstacles LEP populations face as they attempt to receive healthcare. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, playing percussion, and playing volleyball. Please feel free to reach out — I sometimes feel lonely…

SOCIALS COORDINATOR

Hello! My name is Cristal Ludeña, and I am fourth year at UC Berkeley. I joined VHIO in my second year because I was compelled my the organization's mission statement of serving the Limited-English proficiency (LEP) population by addressing low health literacy rates and reducing language barriers. In my free time, I enjoy eating popcorn at the movie theatres and making super niche spotify playlists.

WORKSHOPS COORDINATOR

Hi! My name is Steven, and I am a sophomore studying Microbial Biology. This is my second year in VHIO and I am so glad to have joined this wonderful community of passionate individuals to help alleviate the challenges that the LEP population faces in the healthcare setting. Outside of the professional perspective, I have made amazing friends through VHIO with many shared interests and aspirations. During my free time I like to workout, play sports, discover new food spots, and sing. Don't hesitate to reach out and I can't wait to meet you all!

WORKSHOPS COORDINATOR

Wassup, I'm Zijian. I am a 2nd year studying MCB with plans to minor in Data Sci. Amazing people, meaningful volunteering experiences, and the immaculate vibes have highlighted my time at VHIO. I like to game, hoop/gym, and sleep, and eat (a lot), like a lot I'm actually such a big back. HMU if you want a ride to drive out and grub.

FINANCE COORDINATOR

Hey! I'm Sarah, and I'm a sophomore from HK (+ Shanghai + NY)! I joined VHIO my freshman year because I believed in its mission to make healthcare more accessible to communities facing language barriers, but I stayed because of the amazing community and all the wonderful friends I was able to find within this club. I love reading books, watching documentaries, doing the NYT daily word games, and eating spicy sichuan food <3

PUBLICITY COORDINATOR

Hey all! My name is Avigail, but I go by Avi! I am a 2nd Year studying Integrative Biology & Public Health! I joined the VHIO Tagalog Department my freshman year as the mission of overcoming cultural/language barriers in healthcare resonated with me, and I stayed for the community 🫶! Having been raised by my grandparents, I saw them in my interactions with the LEP community, especially elderly Pilipino populations! I will continue uplifting VHIO's purpose and bridge the health disparity through my work! Lastly, some fun facts about me: I'm originally from Bellflower, CA; I love hiking, reading, and food; and, I've gotten stuck in an elevator 3 times 😔!