# data[].attributes.body
I believe that people are the driving force behind meaningful and lasting change. As a scientist working in Cardiovascular Medicine filed, empowering others and creating opportunities for professional growth are central to my mission and long-term leadership vision. To advance this commitment, I founded the Inspiring Women in Science and Healthcare Talks (iWISH-Talks), a leadership and professional development platform designed to connect early-career professionals with established leaders across science, medicine, and industry. Through this initiative, we foster mentorship, promote international collaboration, and create opportunities for skill development in areas such as leadership, communication, and career advancement. Through these initiatives, I aim to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment that empowers the next generation of scientific and professional leaders.

# data[].attributes.body
As a first-generation college graduate and international neuroscientist, I have learned that the path forward is rarely linear and never meant to be walked alone. The support, mentorship, and opportunities I have received have shaped not only my career but my sense of purpose. In my role with the Stanford Postdoctoral Association and through collaborations with BioSci Careers and Stanford Career Education, I have been intentional about building connections, opening doors, and creating spaces where people feel seen and supported. I don’t see belonging and thriving as separate goals; I see them as deeply connected. When people feel they truly belong, they show up fully, and that is where growth, impact, and possibility begin.

# data[].attributes.body
Outreach to me is about providing the kinds of opportunities that inspired me growing up, especially to students who lack access. I’m passionate about scaling hands-on science education and connecting modern research tools to classrooms in ways that feel empowering, not intimidating. My goal is to democratize science by lowering the barrier to entry, financially, technically, and culturally, so students from all backgrounds can see themselves as future innovators. This work motivates me because I believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t, and bridging that gap is one of the most impactful things I can do with my training.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
I didn’t set out to make an impact.

I simply wanted to create a space where people feel seen, supported, and connected.

Through my journey across different cultures and roles, I’ve learned how powerful it is to feel that you truly belong. As Co-chair of the Family Committee, I’ve been especially inspired by the importance of creating environments where individuals and families feel valued and included.

I believe each person brings something irreplaceable to this world, and that their presence itself holds meaning. Small acts of care and connection can grow into something much bigger than we imagine.

This recognition means a lot to me, but it truly reflects the community we’ve built together. I’m deeply grateful to be part of it.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
I am deeply honored to receive the Dr. Augustus A. White III and Family Faculty Award. Dr. White’s trailblazing leadership and unwavering commitment to eliminating health disparities are both inspiration and charge. At Stanford, we build durable community–academic partnerships and train the next generation through Stanford HEARs and new resident education and rotations in re-entry medicine, intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), LGBTQ+ health, and street medicine with partners such as AbilityPath and Healthcare in Action. Our scholarship and quality improvement efforts aim to reduce food insecurity for hospitalized patients with diabetes, strengthen person social determinants screening, and improve transitions of care for people experiencing homelessness. This work exists because of many hands and long-standing partnerships; sustainable change is achieved with—and led by—teams, trainees, and community organizations. I’m grateful to my nominators, collaborators, trainees, and community partners, and energized to continue this work together.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
Augustus White III and Family Faculty Professionalism Award

# data[].attributes.body
A science for all is better science. As a hard-of-hearing scientist, I owe a lot of my persistence and success in STEM to my community that invested in me. I cofounded and ran BioBUDS (Building Up Developing Scientists) with a cohort of other incredibly talented graduate students interested in improving grad student pedagogy, illuminating the hidden curriculum of academia, and establishing a space where generations of scientists (undergraduates, graduates, postdocs, and faculty) connect in meaningful ways. Second, science is our advocacy tool for social change.

In addition to BioBUDS, I established a partnership with the California School for the Deaf (CSD) science department. With California School for the Deaf, Stanford University, and the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ‘Ootchamin ‘Ooyakma we make field trips accessible in American Sign Language, where we discuss Californian microclimates, the fight against invasive plants and animals, and the importance of retaining Indigenous stewardship. I am grateful to be acknowledged for award and for the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people at Stanford!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
Student Excellence in Community Impact Award

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
I have seen myself and many others being confronted with overwhelming rent, childcare, and health insurance expenses. As shocking as it is, the more it drives my advocacy efforts to ensure postdoc voices influence institutional policies. As SURPAS core member, I’m spearheading family-friendly initiatives, fostering work-life balance and an inclusive and supportive environment for postdocs and their families. As a first-generation student, I am passionate about promoting feelings of belonging in underrepresented students through various Stanford and community college programs. While still being far away from where we'd like to be, it's crucial to keep working on getting there, step-by-step.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
I am committed to translating genomic discoveries into clear answers for families facing the uncertainties of rare diseases. By drawing on the collaborative strengths of the NIH-funded Undiagnosed Diseases Network and the GREGoR Consortium, I strive to end the diagnostic odyssey for patients across the country.

I am honored to serve as a scientific advisor to ReNU Syndrome United and to connect with families through community conferences. As a member of the ACMG Professional Practice and Guidelines Committee, I contribute to developing standards that guide high-quality genomic care.

This work represents a collective effort, and I share it with the patients, families, team members, and collaborators who make this possible.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
Staff Inclusive Mentorship and Training Award

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
As a first-generation immigrant, woman, and surgeon, I am committed to creating spaces where identity is a strength.

Mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds and supporting programs like STaRS has been the most meaningful part of my journey.

Lifting others up has also helped me recognize my own power. Giving back to those walking a similar path feels not only important -but deeply meaningful.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
I believe science flourishes when everyone feels they belong. Mentorship and community have shaped my own growth and continue to inspire me to build spaces where others can thrive. As President of the Stanford Optical Society, a mentor in the Canary CREST program, a participant in the Pathways to Neurosciences program, and a 2026 SPIE Women in Optics honoree, I have sought to connect people across disciplines and backgrounds while amplifying opportunities for growth. I am proudest of creating communities where trainees feel seen, supported, and confident in their contributions, and I remain dedicated to fostering inclusive, collaborative environments for future scientists.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
I am driven by the belief that there is space for everyone in science, and through my community-based work I hope to lessen the barrier to entry. Commitment to accessibility in our pedagogy, our research, and our mentorship is a continued practice by and for our biology postdoc community, and I am grateful to have worked with the Biology Postdoc Affairs Committee to bring monthly learnings to the department. I believe the strength of our Stanford community comes from the diversity of its members, and I am committed to making the everyday more equitable in academic science and beyond.

# data[].attributes.body
As Co-Chair of SURPAS and Co-Founder of Kzarvani Foundation, I have been guided by a deep responsibility to extend the opportunities I’ve received to those who have been excluded from them. I work to build systems where potential-not privilege-defines success.

At Stanford, I have advocated for greater equity in pay, housing, and mental health support for postdoctoral scholars. Through Kzarvani, I have helped create grassroots programs that advance education and leadership for underserved children in India.

To me, belonging means ensuring that every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. I am especially proud of building inclusive communities while continuing my research as a woman in science-demonstrating that advocacy and scientific excellence are not separate pursuits, but ones that meaningfully strengthen each other.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
I am incredibly honored to receive an award that represents the legacy of community engagement and outreach that Dr. Mendoza inspires at Stanford. I am also immensely grateful for the support of my mentors, Stanford faculty, and administrators that created an environment that encouraged me to continue to grow in my health equity research and advocacy.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
Health Equity Research and Opportunity (HERO) Award

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
Faculty Inclusive Mentorship and Training Award

# data[].attributes.body
I am incredibly honored and thankful for this award and the amazing Stanford community that has supported our work in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Promoting diversity and inclusion has been the highlight of my residency training and being able to see the impact that our diverse residents, fellows, and attendings have on our patient population is truly a blessing. The work we do to increase diversity in our communities will continue to shrine through even in the most challenging times.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
Dr. Miquell Miller Award for Promoting Diversity & Inclusion 

# data[].attributes.body
I am deeply grateful for this honor and would like to thank Dr. Lahia Yemane and the GME Selection Committee for this recognition. Promoting diversity and inclusion has been one of the most meaningful parts of my training, and I have been incredibly fortunate to do this work alongside inspiring mentors and supportive colleagues across the Stanford community. I am especially grateful to Dr. Jochen Profit, Dr. Melissa Scala, Dr. Sonia Bonifacio, and Dr. Ndidi Unaka for their guidance, advocacy, and for opening doors that have allowed me to prioritize this work and contribute in meaningful ways. Most importantly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my husband for his unwavering love and support, and to my son, who inspires me every day and fuels my commitment to building a career dedicated to a more equitable, inclusive, and safer world for us all.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
Dr. Audrey Shafer Award for Promoting Diversity & Inclusion (Fellow)

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you so much for the honor of the GME Community Engagement Award for Promoting Health Equity. Health equity has truly been an internal compass in my decision to pursue a career in medicine and surgery and continues to motivate me in my daily work. I am thankful for the opportunities and support that Stanford has provided over my past 11 years as a medical student and surgery resident here. A lot of professional and personal growth happens in over a decade of time. My values have remained largely the same - perhaps a bit bolder, wiser, and more refined with exploration in many different avenues (patient care, education/mentorship, community initiatives, research) and in many different locations (multiple sites serving the diverse Bay Area community, South Dakota, Salinas Valley, China, Nepal, Ecuador, Alaska, Rwanda, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, etc.). As a leading academic healthcare institution, we can have significant impact by connecting with our common humanity and strengthening the advocacy, support, and care we provide to our local and global communities, particularly in challenging and uncertain times. I look forward to continuing to collaborate in doing so.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
GME Community Engagement Award for Promoting Health Equity 

# data[].attributes.body
I am so incredibly honored to receive this award. I would like to thank the selection committee as well as the many wonderful mentors I've had the privilege of learning from during my time here at Stanford, including Dr. Christopher Russell, Dr. Stephanie Squires, Dr. Ndidi Unaka, Dr. Victoria Ward, and Dr. Nivedita Srinivas. I believe a commitment to health equity and health justice to be foundational to the pursuits of medicine and essential to our mission to care for all patients. In difficult times, it is more important than ever that we as the Stanford community come together to reaffirm and recommit to this mission. I appreciate the support of Stanford GME in these efforts and thank them again for this award.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.WAvzlV4E
GME Community Engagement Award for Promoting Health Equity 

# data[].attributes.body
Community is everything! If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Thank you for honoring our team's community-engaged research and impact with this award.

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for this recognition on behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area! We are deeply thankful to Stanford Medicine and the Office of Health Equity for being incredible partners. We are proud of the work that together we do in support of children and families.

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]

# data[].attributes.body
[Please click edit on the top right corner of your box and write your remarks here!]