Our Mentees
Isaiah Shipp
4th year - University of Utah
Isaiah Shipp, a first generation college student at the University of Utah, is passionate about inspiring and enabling youth of color to pursue careers in medicine. His aspirations include graduating from the University of Utah, attending medical school, and furthering the reach of BPOU into local communities.
Keegan Musaalo
3rd year - Brigham Young University
Keegan Musaalo is a third-year Biochemistry Major at Brigham Young University. He has interests in biochemical and molecular biology research and is currently researching non-canonical transcription termination mechanisms in E. coli. He is passionate about creating bridges and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the BYU student body.
Ajak Arok
3rd year - University of Utah
Ajak Arok is a third year Biology Major at the University of Utah. He is originally from South Sudan but has lived in Utah for the last 18 years. He has a strong interest in molecular bio research and has an interest in Internal Medicine. He hopes to return to South Sudan in the future to build and operate a Medical School.
Yvensha Madeika Vercella
4th year - University of Utah
Madeika Vercella is a fourth year Honors English major and pre-medical student at the University of Utah. An emerging writer, she is an alum of the selective Honors Novel Writing Workshop and is currently at work on a coming-of-age novel. Madeika is also a member of the YWCA Woke Words art & writing collective and their work has been recognized nationally.
Niyera Nyandagarp
Sophomore - University of Utah
Niyera Nyandagaro is a 2nd year premed undergraduate at the University of Utah and is majoring is Health, Society, and Policy HBS. She is also minoring in Chemistry. Niyera was born in Tanzania, Africa and was raised right here in Salt Lake City. She is interested in health care (access, affordability & quality), public health, and health promotion.
Ayan Nor
University of Utah graduate, Health Promotion and Education
Community Health Worker, Salt Lake County
Ayan Nor graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Health Promotion and Education. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health before applying to Medical school. Her passion for medicine and public health stems from experiences she has growing up in the U.S as a Somali Refugee and working in healthcare. As a community Health Educator, Ayan works to create safer spaces for underserved communities by providing education on cultural awareness and pushing for more diversity in healthcare settings. She dedicates her effort to breaking down barriers that cause health disparities.
Princess Bombyck
Post-Bac Student, Weber State University
Community Health Worker, Salt Lake County
Princess Bombyck is a post-baccalaureate student at Weber State where she is currntly completing her Pre-Med studies. Princess has a B.A. in Public Health and a strong interest in Population Health. She plans to pursue a dual MD-PhD degree as she begins her medical career.
Makay Bere
Sophomore - University of Utah
Makay Bere is a sophomore at the University of Utah. She is majoring in Health Society & Policy and is minoring in Biomedical Engineering and Pre-Med.
Akow Ibrahim
4th year - University of Utah
Akow Ibrahim is a fourth year honors student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health, Society and Policy while on a pre-medical track. She hopes to bridge the gap between medical and educational resources for patients with unmet social needs. Akow plans to engage in local programs that focus on patient education and patient empowerment as she pursues entry into medical school.
Helen Dodson
Junior - University of Utah
Helen Dodson is a junior at the University of Utah pursuing a Major in Health Anthropology and a minor in Arabic. She is interested in becoming an Air-Force physician and eventually a Foreign Services Medical Officer. Helen currently has a strong interest in the fields of Psychiatry and General Surgery.
