Our Speakers

UC San Diego Co-Leader, Experimental Therapeutics Deputy Director, San Diego Center for Precision Immunotherapy Director, Clinical Trials Office

Sandip Patel, M.D.

Sandip Patel, M.D. is a Professor at UCSD and a Medical Oncologist focusing on early
phase clinical trials of immunotherapy and thoracic oncology. He is the leader for the Experimental Therapeutics (Phase 1) Program and co-leader of the Solid Tumor Therapeutics Program at UCSD Moores Cancer Center. He is Deputy Director for the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Institute. He is also co-leader of the NRG Developmental Therapeutics Committee and Medical Director of Clinical Research Informatics at UCSD.

UC San Diego School of Medicine Dean of Admissions

Kama Galuma, M.D.

Dr. Guluma is board-certified in emergency medicine, and is a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine UC San Diego School of Medicine, where is also the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs. He has career experience in pre-clinical and clinical research in the emergency treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and medical education (from medical school to residency training in emergency medicine). He is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Emergency Medicine and is an Oral Examiner with the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Pharmacy
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Eduardo Fricovsky, Pharm.D.

Eduardo Fricovsky is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS). He graduated with a BS from UC San Diego in 2002. He obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy in 2006. From 2006-2009, he completed an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Research Service Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego and was awarded an NIH Loan Repayment Grant. He is a former HCOP participant and now the Principal Investigator of the UC San Diego HCOP San Diego Consortium. He is also the Laboratory Director of the Hispanic Center of Excellence (HCOE)-Research Methodology and Training Laboratory (HCOE-RTML) at UC San Diego. He teaches and trains high school, community college and undergraduate students about health sciences and laboratory research methodology. He is also the Pharmacy Director of the UCSD Student Run Free Clinic Project that serves uninsured and homeless patients in San Diego and provides free access to prescription medications, medication therapy management and preventive healthcare services. He also trains and precepts pharmacy and medical students at the Free Clinic and offers classes on substance abuse, motivational interviewing, drug adherence, and on effective patient counseling and education.

Western University of Health Sciences Admissions Recruiter

Martin Williams

Martin Williams has over 27 years of experience in admissions for undergraduate and graduate programs. He currently serves as a recruiter for graduate health professions programs at Western University of Health Sciences, specializing in Osteopathic Medicine and Physical Therapy. His extensive knowledge and dedication to guiding future healthcare professionals make him an invaluable resource for students pursuing careers in medicine and allied health fields.

Associate Director, Pre-Health and Pre-Med at UC San Diego Career Center 

Jade Frame, M.S.

Jade Frame is a dedicated higher education professional with a passion for guiding students towards successful careers in healthcare. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master's in Counseling with a focus on College Counseling and Student Services from California State University, Northridge, Jade brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and counseling expertise to the field.

With a diverse background spanning seven years in higher education, Jade has been an advocate for students aspiring to pursue medical education and healthcare careers. Currently serving as a College Counselor at UC San Diego, Jade's commitment to student success is evident in the personalized guidance and support provided to aspiring healthcare professionals.

Jade's journey in higher education has equipped them with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that students encounter on their path to medical schools and healthcare professions. Drawing from this experience, Jade is excited to share insights, strategies, and valuable information with MEDS conference attendees.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare education, Jade offers a wealth of information about medical schools and diverse healthcare career paths. Attendees can expect an engaging and informative session that combines academic insight with practical guidance, empowering them to navigate the journey towards fulfilling healthcare careers.

Associate Director, Pre-Health and Pre-Med at UC San Diego Career Center 

Ron Reyes, M.A.

Ron Reyes is higher education professional with almost two decades of higher education experience supporting students. Originally a Fines Arts major from University of California, Santa Cruz, and Master of Arts in Human Behavior, he focuses on finding purposeful and innovative ways to support students throughout their academic and professional journey. Ron draws from years in admissions, alongside worth within academic advisement and healthcare education to support future healthcare professionals. In his current role as Interim Senior Associate Director, he works to support pre-graduate, graduate, and pre-health students at the UC San Diego Career Center. Alongside his colleagues Jade Frame, they manage Health Beat, the Pre-Health website and programing that provides advise and resources for nine major career pathways in healthcare. Ron works as the chair for the Career Center’s Advocacy and Inclusion Committee, supporting efforts to fosters justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in career services.

He is passionate about innovation, creativity, and adaptability in the ever-changing landscape of higher education and career development. He joins MEDS conference to support students in their further exploration and development towards healthcare.

Physician in Primary Care & Geriatrics

Eddie Lam, M.D., M.P.H.

Eddie Lam, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified geriatrician who cares for older adults in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Most of Dr. Lam's practice involves primary and consultative care for adults aged 75 and older in the geriatric medicine clinic. He also provides various inpatient geriatrics services at UC San Diego Health's hospitals in La Jolla and Hillcrest.

Dr. Lam loves to hear from older adults about the diversity of their life experiences. He strives to meet patients where they are and to formulate management plans that align with their health preferences. Although Dr. Lam is interested in many areas within geriatrics, he feels particularly drawn to disease prevention, advance care planning and health disparities.

He completed a geriatrics fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco and a residency in internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Santa Clara. Dr. Lam earned his medical degree from University of Virginia where he also completed a master's degree in public health. He is a member of the American Geriatrics Society and is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine.

Dr. Lam was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States at a young age. When not working, he enjoys exploring new places, eating new foods, online shopping and exercise. He is an avid basketball fan and player. If you have the chance, be sure to talk to him about his favorite NBA team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

CEO of ReelDx

Rob Humbracht

I love to solve hard problems. Whether it's serving as CEO, taking the standardized tests for fun (yep), or even just navigating the waters of fatherhood, I enjoy finding patterns, pushing myself, and seeing possibilities where none previously existed. 

My career in education started as a tutor and trainer at The Princeton Review. When my students began to ask for help on their application essays, my boss (lovingly) kicked me out. Since 2007, I’ve built Passport Admissions from a one-man shop to a diverse team of educators, working with thousands of students on their path to college and graduate school. Along the way, I built the technology and systems to manage the students and allow the team to run the business, eventually weaning myself from the day-to-day.

When pre-health students were stuck at home during the pandemic, Janet Snoyer and I co-founded the HEAL Clinical Education Network. Using real patient video cases from ReelDx, HEAL preceptors taught pre-health students to think like a clinician, building their understanding of a life in medicine and helping to make shadowing more accessible for everyone. Working with a shoe-string budget and a small team, I helped grow HEAL from a mere idea to a thriving community of over 24,000 students.

Through my work at HEAL, I was selected to become the CEO of ReelDx. I love building a tool that makes health care education more compelling and realistic. ReelDx provides a library over 700 real patient-doctor interactions, which form a crucial building block for PA’s, nurses, doctors, and EMS professionals. It’s possibly the biggest problem I’ve worked on yet: how to make health care education better for all.

Director of the Insomnia Program and Co-Director of the Circadian Rhythm and Chronotherapy Clinic at the Scripps Clinic Sleep Center

Derek Leowy, Ph.D.

Dr. Derek Loewy is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep
medicine specialist. He is the Director of the Insomnia Program and Co-Director of
the Circadian Rhythm and Chronotherapy Clinic at the Scripps Clinic Sleep Center
in La Jolla, CA. In his clinical role, he could be described as a “sleep psychologist”.
In addition to seeing patients with sleep disorders, he is involved in sleep
research, teaching, and sleep-related consulting. He obtained his doctoral degree
at the University of Ottawa in Canada and completed post-doctoral training at the
University of Arizona and Stanford University.

Physical Therapist, Emergency Response Instructor, and Chief Operating Officer of UpDoc, Inc.

Ben Fung, D.P.T., P.T., M.B.A.

Ben Fung is a physical therapist turned business officer and consultant, currently serving as chief operating officer of UpDoc, Inc.; a business development firm specializing in health care, education, and technology. He also serves as chief financial officer of Recharge, a modern health and fitness company and Restore Pelvic Physical Therapy, a women's health specialty clinic. As a physical therapist, he has experience in various clinical settings, including acute care hospitals, community wellness, and rural home health.

His current professional focus is on the space of business intelligence, workforce development, human capital, and marketing strategy. Ben’s most recent area of emphasis includes talent retention and employee happiness.

Fung received a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering and psychology at the University of California, San Diego, a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Michigan, and a doctor of physical therapy degree at Azusa Pacific University. Fung is also a research pioneer of contemporary kettlebell exercise, popularly seen in boot camps and CrossFit gyms. He also has a passion for at-home movement programs, surfing, martial arts, mindfulness, and healthy living. Fung’s most recent personal pursuits include rucking, endurance running, and circuit racing events.

First-Year Keck School of Medicine Medical Student, UC San Diego Alumni

Jasmine Jin

Jasmine Jin is a first-year medical student at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She graduated from UCSD last year in June 2024 with a double major in human biology and clinical psychology. Throughout undergrad, she was a part of the Carson Lab at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center as an undergraduate research assistant for immunology. She was also on the board of HMP3, helping out at this very conference. Now, as a medical student, Jasmine is excited to come back to help out and meet you all!