People

Manisha is an alumna of UCD and has been with Health Professions Advising since October 2017. Prior to coming to HPA, she worked as an Academic Advisor for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean’s Office and served as pre-health advisor and career counselor at another UC and a private school for a number of years. As a first-generation college student, Manisha is avid about supporting students and alumni reach their personal, academic and professional goals. She is currently in the PhD in Education Program at UC Davis. Outside of work, Manisha enjoys baking, reading and planning her next adventure.

Sukh is a MS4 at UC Davis School of Medicine. He plans to pursue Internal Medicine and will starting residency in 2027. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology B.S. and graduate degree MPH both from UC Davis prior to medical school. HPA has been a pivotal factor in allowing me to reach medical school and he is happy to return and offer support to current undergraduate students seeking to become future physicians. Being able to offer students support and advice with knowledge and resources he is personally familiar with is an exciting opportunity! Thank you to HPA and UC Davis for this opportunity!

Bryelle McRay is a dedicated advisor and advocate committed to expanding equity and access within the health professions. As Director of the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program, she leads efforts to prepare diverse and driven students for success in medicine and beyond. A proud UC Davis alumna, Bryelle earned her B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior in 2016 before completing a Master’s in Enrollment Management and Policy at the University of Southern California. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. in the UC Davis School of Education, where her research explores the experiences of Black pre-medical students within R1 research universities. Bryelle’s influence extends well beyond advising, shaping programs and communities across campus. She founded and directs “Black Students in White Coats”, a UC Davis initiative that fosters mentorship and community among aspiring Black physicians, and she serves as the driving force behind the “Aspiring Black Physicians Conference” at the UC Davis School of Medicine. She also partners closely with organizations such as Imani Clinic, the Center for African Diaspora Student Success (CADSS), and Health-Link Society to strengthen pathways to medical careers for underrepresented students. Grounded in her commitment to student development and persistence in the sciences, Bryelle upholds the belief that true success emerges when students are fully supported, valued, and empowered to excel.

Jennie studied Intercultural Healing, an interdisciplinary degree in Anthropology, Public Health and Folklore at UNC Chapel Hill. Through this coursework, she explored how people make meaning of illness and healing in diverse cultures in her hometown and around the world. After graduation, she took her liberal arts education to practical application as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo, West Africa, where she worked towards the eradication of Guinea Worm disease. Add this intellectual and experiential background to 10 years of advising students and coordinating experiential education programs at UC Davis, and you can see why Jennie is excited to support your career and self-development. In her free time, Jennie can be found kayaking the rivers of the Central Valley.  Jennie looks forward to finding the right balance of challenge and support for you and to assisting you when you need help navigating.

Obinna Nduka is a third-year medical student at the UC Davis School of Medicine. He earned a BS in Global Disease Biology and a BA in Spanish from UC Davis in September 2020 after transferring from the Inland Empire. As an undergraduate, he served as Executive Vice President of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS), worked as a Spanish interpreter at the Imani Clinic, and conducted research on plant toxins in the Plant Pathology Department. After graduation, Obinna worked as an emergency department scribe in the Inland Empire and later served as a site director for kindergarten programs in Fontana, experiences that strengthened his interest in patient-centered care, education, and community leadership. Now in his third year of medical school, Obinna is focused on primary care, health equity, and caring for underserved communities, with a growing interest in family medicine and pediatrics. He remains actively involved in mentorship and advising for pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-PA students. Outside of medicine, Obinna facilitates a virtual Spanish exchange where he teaches English to participants from Ecuador, Colombia, and Spain, reflecting his commitment to cross-cultural education and connection.

Sierra is a graduate of Sonoma State University, earning her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. During her time in college, she played on the Napa Valley College Women's Golf team and was a member of the Sports Business Club at SSU. Sierra began her career in marketing working at a premier motorsports facility, focusing on marketing and events execution. In joining the HPA team, Sierra is excited to curate and host events to help students pursue their education goals and careers. Sierra loves to fill her time with golf, creative projects, and attempting sourdough recipes. Additionally, she serves on a board of a local organization that assists the community through wildfire education and mitigation projects.

Born and raised in Fresno, California, Kassy Vang (she/her) is the youngest daughter of Hmong refugees. Kassy obtained her B.A. in Public Health and Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley, where she engaged in educational mentorships and outreach efforts of Southeast Asian and Hmong student organizations to bridge the gap between higher education and students of color. After graduating, Kassy served as a College Advising Fellow with UC Berkeley’s Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC), providing college preparation services to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented high school students in the Bay Area. While pursuing her Master’s in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Access and Success at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Kassy held several roles: Academic Advising Graduate Intern in the Department of Sociology, Residence Coordinator for the 2024 Summer Bridge Scholars Program through the Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP), and the Academic Services Graduate Intern with the Residential College. Now serving as the Pre-Health Program Advisor, Kassy is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking guidance, while offering consistent and quality advising services to help students navigate their academic journey and make informed decisions.

Cici recently graduated from UC Davis in Winter 2026 with a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. During her time at UC Davis, she served as a Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for the Pre-Health Conference for two years, helping connect students with valuable opportunities and resources. She also has experience in healthcare as an EMT and Home Provider, giving her firsthand insight into patient care and the pre-health journey. In addition to her healthcare and outreach experiences, Cici has worked as a peer tutor, where she discovered her passion for teaching and mentoring others. She enjoys helping students navigate challenges, build confidence, and achieve their academic and professional goals. Outside of work and academics, she is a sports enthusiast who loves both playing and watching basketball, tennis, and golf. She also enjoys watching dramas and exploring new hobbies and activities whenever she gets the chance. At HPA, Cici is excited to help students access as many resources and opportunities as possible. She looks forward to coordinating and promoting events that support students on their pre-health journeys and help them make the most of everything HPA has to offer.