Lia Lopez
Prep Médico Program Coordinator
I am excited to be working as a program coordinator for Prep Medicó, a summer pathway program for undergraduate students pursuing a career in medicine. My role in Prep Médico is to assist with event planning and outreach efforts for students interested in the medical field, creating content for Prep Médico’s social media platforms, as well as facilitating the multi-week summer internship program for our students. As an individual with similar lived experiences as our cohorts I hope to provide a sound foundation and supportive atmosphere to help develop, nurture, and maintain our scholars dreams of becoming a physician. I see myself as a partner in their healthcare journey. I especially enjoy building relationships and working with motivated individuals to help them as they establish their healthcare goals and needs. In addition I hope to continue to advocate our office’s DEI initiatives which include our Racial Healing Circles, Growing as a Community webinar series, and other departmental projects. I am passionate in my mission of serving the underserved in higher education and am committed to making academic institutions accessible, equitable, and accountable.
I am proud to be breaking barriers as a first-generation Latina in STEM pursuing a career in medicine. As an established and highly skilled pre med student with over three years experience working in the health professional field, outreach, and advocacy. I am well regarded for my passion in improving health equity, equality and a desire to mentor the next generations of health professionals through leadership positions in MiMentor and the California Health Professional Student Alliance. I obtained my B.S in Biological Sciences with minors in Public Health and Psychology from UC Davis in 2019. As an undergrad I participated in the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP) obtaining research in the field of Plant Pathology. In my junior year at Davis, I spent a summer abroad in Bolivia studying health education and shadowing in various local clinics and hospitals, solidifying my medicine and public health interests. I am ready to take the knowledge I gained after graduating and apply it to my work with UC Davis Health Office of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Outside of work I enjoy traveling, spending time with family, running, and being outdoors in my spare time.