Your Next Degree: Medical School
Tue 2/24 • 5PM PST
Zoom
The pathway to medical school is rarely linear. You don't have to be a current student to pursue a medical degree or have a successful medical career. This new UCLA Alumni webinar explores what is needed to apply for medical school after graduation. Learn about the application process and timeline, and hear from admissions experts from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UC Irvine School of Medicine, as well as a current UCLA medical student and alumni physician about their experiences. Whether you've always dreamed of being a doctor or are just curious, this webinar will illuminate the various steps involved and answer your questions.
### **The panel of speakers includes:**
* * *
****Cristobal Barrios Jr., MD, FACS****
_UCI School of Medicine Assistant Dean of Admissions_
Cristobal Barrios Jr., MD, FACS is a board-certified General Surgeon with added qualifications in Surgical Critical Care. He is a Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Surgery at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and is a practicing trauma and general surgeon. Dr. Barrios completed his training in Surgical Critical Care here at UCI in June of 2007 and subsequently joined UCI in July of the same year. As the Assistant Dean of Admissions since 2019, Dr. Barrios serves as Chair of the UCI School of Medicine Admission Committee.
Dr. Barrios’ clinical research in trauma and critical care issues include the utility of CT imaging in trauma patients; anemia; end of life issues; geriatrics; and alcohol/drug use among trauma patients as well as equity in medical education. His work has been presented at numerous professional conferences and has been published in several peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Barrios is also a passionate humanitarian volunteer. Since 2011 he has performed medical mission work in Africa, Asia and central and South America and the Caribbean through the Med Access Intl and was named President and CEO as of Jan 2024.
* * *
**Wang Pong Chan ’20, MD, MS**
_Resident Physician at the University of Washington_
Born in Malaysia and raised in New York, Dr. Chan completed his undergraduate studies in neuroscience and economics at the University of California, Los Angeles. During medical school at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, he developed strong interests in surgery and data science, leading him to earn a Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics from the Boston University School of Public Health. His clinical interests include trauma, surgical critical care, and the application of biostatistics and artificial intelligence in surgery. He is excited to continue his surgical training at the University of Washington, where he looks forward to rigorous clinical training and interdisciplinary collaboration in data science.
* * *
**Krisztina Kecskei**
_Assistant Director, Undergrad Career Education & Development (Pre-Health) at UCLA Career Center_
Krisztina joined the UCLA Career Center as a Career Counselor in 2011. In her role as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Education & Development (Pre-Health Initiatives), provides career counseling to life science, physical science and engineering majors, as well as to students planning to build a career in medicine and healthcare. She also serves as the liaison to the Veteran Resources Center and is responsible for all pre-med/pre-health programming at the Career Center.
* * *
**Alisa Lopez**
_Executive Director of Admissions, Outreach & Pathway Programs, and Financial Aid_
Alisa Lopez is the Executive Director of Admissions, Outreach & Pathway Programs, and Financial Aid at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. In this role, she oversees strategic initiatives that advance student access, success, and support in medical education. Alisa currently serves on the AAMC Western Group on Student Affairs (WGSA) Steering Committee and contributes to national efforts focused on mission-aligned holistic admissions and competency-based evaluation.
She has been deeply involved in the implementation and assessment of the AAMC PREview® exam and co-authored a publication in _Academic Medicine_ on the application of AAMC Core Competencies in admissions. Her national service includes participation in AAMC working groups related to PREview, the Pre-Med Core Competencies, and the SHPEP grant.
* * *
**Giuliana Perini Villanueva**
_Medical Student, Class of 2027, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine_
Giuliana is a third-year medical student at UCLA with a background in public health and a passion for mentorship and health equity. She serves on the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National Mentorship Committee and is President of Med Mentors at UCLA, where she supports first-generation, underrepresented, and nontraditional students navigating the path to medicine. Giuliana is also involved in health equity research with UCLA Endocrinology and the VA Geriatrics Program, focusing on improving outcomes for underserved and older adult populations. She is excited to share her experiences navigating medical school, research, and the admissions process.
* * *
