Meet Our Team

The Underrepresented Student Alliance is an organization founded and run by students at the Albany Medical College. Read below to learn about the students that comprise the USA 2023-2024 executive board!

President

Jas/Jasmine/Min Glaspy (She/Her/Hers)

Originally from Rochester, NY, Jasmine completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from University at Albany (SUNY) and moved to Brooklyn, NY to pursue a career in fashion. Eventually moving back to Rochester, she began a new career in higher education working for the University of Rochester as a graduate program registrar. During her time at University of Rochester she was awarded an opportunity to further her career at Yale University in New Haven, CT, where she continued to work as a registrar and financial assistant while also enrolling in a Pre-Medical Postbaccalaureate program at the University of Hartford. As a non-traditional student, Jasmine believes in supporting and uplifting voices from all backgrounds and beliefs, and that all people deserve the right to respect and autonomy. She is interested in pursuing a career in the field of Surgery. Outside of scholarly endeavors she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, binging shows, and playing with her rescue dog named Tenn. 


Vice President

Fatima Ropri (She/Her)

Fatima is a first-generation Pakistani-American from Albany, NY. She graduated from Union College with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. Prior to starting medical school, she worked as a medical assistant in a clinic/surgery center. Fatima has a strong interest in working with a diverse patient population and looks forward to serving and advocating for underserved communities throughout her career. As Vice President, she hopes to uplift and be a support system for underrepresented students at AMC. Alongside USA, she is also communications chair for MSA. Outside of school, she enjoys travel, thrifting, and pilates. 


Secretary

Alice Varughese (She/Her)

Alice is the current secretary of USA from Rockville, MD. She attended RPI majoring in Biology and minoring in General Psychology. Before and during undergrad, she has had a strong interest in genetics research, and has done investigations on the cystic fibrosis lung microbiome, IBD and colorectal cancer risk, minimizing inflammatory disease treatment costs, and on target genes for melanoma. Along with research, she has a passion for helping others and is a leader of Patient Navigators and STEP service learning programs. Beyond science and medicine, she enjoys cooking, bullet journaling, and taking long walks.

Admissions chair

Taniya Thomas (She/Her)

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Intersectionality Chair

Kiera Whitely (She/Her)

Kiera is from Brooklyn, NY with roots stemming from Jamaica and Guyana. She have a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from the University at Albany. Kiera is also the Secretary for SNMA and the Treasurer for FGLIMed. My specialty of interest include anesthesiology, psychiatry, and internal medicine. Kiera worked in Albany Medical Center as a Patient Care Associate, prior to enrolling in Medical School. This enriching experience has enabled her to effectively adapt to frequently changing clinical situations, as well as provide patient centered care. As Intersectionality chair, she plans to recognize the parallels found in the student's identities, enforce allyship, emotional intelligence, and cultural competence. To empower our next world class leaders here at Albany Medical college.

Public Relations CHAIR

Daryn Nguyen (He/Him/His)

Daryn is from Los Angeles, California and is a proud Vietnamese-American. Daryn graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles where he double-majored in Psychobiology and Anthropology. His undergraduate foundation in the humanities is what inspires his passion for improving healthcare disparities for marginalized communities, especially for LGBT individuals of color. Before attending AMC, Daryn was a marketing manager for an ophthalmology group and a food pantry coordinator for people affected by HIV. Daryn is very excited to act as USA PR Chair and hopes he can support underrepresented students at AMC and spotlight the amazing feats that AMC underrepresented students have accomplished.


Mentorship CHAIR

Ashley Martinez (She/Her/Ella)

Ashley is a proud Mexican-American and first generation college graduate from the greater Los Angeles area. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Human Development from University of California, San Diego in 2018. Prior to starting medical school, she worked in a neuroscience research lab studying Alzheimer’s Disease at USC Keck School of Medicine and completed a post-baccalaureate program at University at Buffalo. Ashley's specialty interests include general surgery and other surgical specialties but ultimately, she looks forward to using her role as a student doctor/future physician to serve underserved communities and advocate for health equity for marginalized populations in medicine. In addition to USA, Ashley is the president of the Latinx Medical Student Association chapter at AMC. When she's not studying, she enjoys powerlifting, traveling, and yoga.

Community Service Chair

Sage Feminella (She/Her)

Sage Feminella is a First- Generation medical student from Buffalo, NY. She Graduated from the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During her gap year, Sage worked as a research technician studying the cellular mechanisms behind salivary gland fibrosis. She also worked at Albany Medical Center, during the height of COVID-19 as an EKG technician caring for the many patients that have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic. She is currently president of FGLIMED and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault group and hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics and academic medicine.

DEI LIASON

Valerie Bresier (She/Her/Hers)

Valerie is a proud Haitian-American and native New Yorker. She graduated from the University at Albany in May 2020 with degrees in Biology and Africana Studies as part of the first cohort of the EAPP. As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair for the Class of 2024, she is a member of multiple organizations within USA and strives to bridge the gap between students of all underrepresented groups. Valerie aspires to pursue a career in academic medicine, specializing in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. She is passionate about research, advocacy, mentorship, and education, particularly within rehab. In her spare time, Valerie loves art, restaurant hopping, listening to new music, and traveling.

Founder

Sarah Martínez (She/Her/Hers)

Sarah Martínez is a proud Latina and native New Yorker. A three-time cancer survivor, Sarah was initially diagnosed with cancer during her sophomore year of college. She remained in school during the majority of her treatment, taking only a brief break from her education in 2013 to undergo an autologous stem cell transplant. Sarah went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in 2016. Her acceptance to medical school came the following year through the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) Post-Baccalaureate Pipeline Program in Buffalo, NY – a program integral in support of underrepresented students success in medicine. Upon completion of the program, she began medical school at Albany Medical College in 2018, where she has remained a fierce advocate. Throughout her medical school career, she has served in leadership on a local, regional, and national level, and maintains research interests in diversity, health equity, and medical education. Sarah is working towards a career in Academic Medicine, as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist.

founding Faculty Advisor

Hyacinth R. C. Mason, PhD, MPH, CHES (She/Her/Hers)

Dr. Mason received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College. She subsequently received her MPH in Health Education and Management from the University of Illinois and a PhD in Preventive Medicine from the University of Southern California School of Medicine where she also completed a NIH Cancer Fellowship. Presently, Dr. Mason serves as Assistant Dean for Student Support and Inclusion in the Division of Community Outreach Medical Education and Associate Professor in the Departments of Medical Education and Community and Family Medicine at Albany Medical College. She, along with her colleagues, work to promote inclusion and equity along the health profession pipeline.

Prior to moving to AMC, she served as Faculty Director for the Meharry Medical College-Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center Cancer Partnership and AIDS Coordinator for the City of Pasadena, California. She is a proud member of the Sosa Academy of Medical Sciences and the Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society.