Alycia Hernandez

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Alycia Hernandez is a junior majoring in Psychobiology. 

How has PEERS helped you achieve your academic goals? Entering my first year at UCLA, I had no idea how helpful the PEERS Program would become for my undergraduate studies. PEERS introduced me to a large and diverse group of STEM students who shared similar career and academic goals as myself. Some of these students have become my closest friends who helped me to navigate UCLA and life as a college student. PEERS became an environment that allowed us to work together and encourage one another in making the most of our academic years at UCLA. Through seminars, workshops, and research presentations, PEERS provided me with the resources to succeed in my studies at UCLA and the skills necessary to reach and achieve my career goals. What advice do you have for an incoming PEERS freshman? Having come from a small, Catholic high school in San Bernardino, California, I know firsthand how daunting it is to begin your college career at the #1 Public University in the country. You’re introduced to so many people, cultures, ideas, missions, etc., that you can’t even begin to fathom where you fit in at UCLA. To the incoming PEERS Freshman, the first few weeks at UCLA will feel overwhelming. Remember that you belong here, and you are right where you need to be! Do not be afraid to try new things! Go out with your friends! Explore LA! Most importantly, remember that each person’s journey at UCLA is going to be different than yours! Do not worry if you didn’t make it into a club or couldn’t become involved in research right away. Your opportunity will come and when it does, make the most of it! What are you involved in outside of academics? And how has your participation shaped your UCLA experience? Outside of academics, I am the Education Chair for Bruins Fighting Pediatric Cancer (BFPC) and a COPE Health Scholar at Adventist Health Glendale. In addition, I am a member of the UCLA Ballet Company and a mentor for UCLA’s Ballet & Books Chapter. Recently, I have also been accepted into the UCLA Arnold Lab under Dr. Grisham where we will be observing sex differences in mice brains! Such activities have provided me with the opportunity to engage in my interests outside the classroom and take a break from the academic demands of college. Through these experiences, I have met wonderful friends and mentors who have supported me on my journey to medical school and encouraged me to achieve my goals. What are your future career goals? And how has your background influenced your career goals? Upon completion of my undergraduate career at UCLA, I would like to attend medical school to become a pediatric physician. Since middle school, I have always known I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I am fascinated by how the body heals itself and how we, as physicians, could heal the body. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I truly recognized the dynamics of healthcare and the areas where it needed to be improved. My senior AP Psychology course opened my eyes to the need for greater holistic care of patients, considering both body and mind together. Volunteering at Saint Bernardine’s Medical Center in San Bernardino, California, opened my eyes to the healthcare disparities that exist in low socioeconomic communities. As a future physician, I aim to take these experiences to enhance the quality of care patients receive and expand this quality of care to all individuals within our communities.

Alycia Hernandez is a junior majoring in Psychobiology. 

How has PEERS helped you achieve your academic goals?

Entering my first year at UCLA, I had no idea how helpful the PEERS Program would become for my undergraduate studies. PEERS introduced me to a large and diverse group of STEM students who shared similar career and academic goals as myself. Some of these students have become my closest friends who helped me to navigate UCLA and life as a college student. PEERS became an environment that allowed us to work together and encourage one another in making the most of our academic years at UCLA. Through seminars, workshops, and research presentations, PEERS provided me with the resources to succeed in my studies at UCLA and the skills necessary to reach and achieve my career goals.

What advice do you have for an incoming PEERS freshman?

Having come from a small, Catholic high school in San Bernardino, California, I know firsthand how daunting it is to begin your college career at the #1 Public University in the country. You’re introduced to so many people, cultures, ideas, missions, etc., that you can’t even begin to fathom where you fit in at UCLA. To the incoming PEERS Freshman, the first few weeks at UCLA will feel overwhelming. Remember that you belong here, and you are right where you need to be! Do not be afraid to try new things! Go out with your friends! Explore LA! Most importantly, remember that each person’s journey at UCLA is going to be different than yours! Do not worry if you didn’t make it into a club or couldn’t become involved in research right away. Your opportunity will come and when it does, make the most of it!

What are you involved in outside of academics? And how has your participation shaped your UCLA experience?

Outside of academics, I am the Education Chair for Bruins Fighting Pediatric Cancer (BFPC) and a COPE Health Scholar at Adventist Health Glendale. In addition, I am a member of the UCLA Ballet Company and a mentor for UCLA’s Ballet & Books Chapter. Recently, I have also been accepted into the UCLA Arnold Lab under Dr. Grisham where we will be observing sex differences in mice brains! Such activities have provided me with the opportunity to engage in my interests outside the classroom and take a break from the academic demands of college. Through these experiences, I have met wonderful friends and mentors who have supported me on my journey to medical school and encouraged me to achieve my goals.

What are your future career goals? And how has your background influenced your career goals?

Upon completion of my undergraduate career at UCLA, I would like to attend medical school to become a pediatric physician. Since middle school, I have always known I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I am fascinated by how the body heals itself and how we, as physicians, could heal the body. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I truly recognized the dynamics of healthcare and the areas where it needed to be improved. My senior AP Psychology course opened my eyes to the need for greater holistic care of patients, considering both body and mind together. Volunteering at Saint Bernardine’s Medical Center in San Bernardino, California, opened my eyes to the healthcare disparities that exist in low socioeconomic communities. As a future physician, I aim to take these experiences to enhance the quality of care patients receive and expand this quality of care to all individuals within our communities.