Michael LinFounderI graduated from UCLA in 2018 with a degree in biochemistry and am studying at UVA School of Medicine (Class of 2024). Besides studying, I enjoy going to the gym, playing basketball, singing in my car (windows up), making YouTube videos, and getting kbbq with friends.
I started volunteering at Gerofit toward the end of my sophomore year in college, and a year later, I loved working out with and talking to the Veterans so much I wanted to share my experiences with other students at UCLA. This led to me creating Gerofit@UCLA, an organization with a vision to provide UCLA undergraduate students with hands-on exposure to wholistic healthcare as well as our older Veterans with an intergenerational social support system. |
Gillian FolkCo-PresidentI am a fourth year student studying Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. I joined Gerofit because of my interest in healthcare and passion for fitness. I hope to make special connections with the veterans, as both friend and workout buddy, and learn about their unique stories. By creating fun interactive workout spaces for patients, I hope to improve their health and empower them in their own lives. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach, hiking, and hanging out with my dog and cat!
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Sophia NguyenCo-President I am a third year Physiological Science major. I joined GeroFit because I often interacted with senior citizens back in high school and enjoyed connecting with older adults so much that I want to continue doing so in college. I am also planning on pursuing the field of sports medicine and GeroFit is a great way for me to gain exposure through working with medical professionals and helping patients improve their quality of life through exercise science. I look forward to working with the veterans and helping them improve their overall physical ability, as well as learning from the medical professionals and my peers. Outside of GeroFit, I enjoy soaking up the sun at the beach, traveling, and listening to music!
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Anna GuoVice PresidentI am a third-year Computational and Systems Biology major interested in the intersection of medicine and technology. I joined Gerofit because I wanted to gain first-hand experience working with patients and make an impact on their health and well-being. I really enjoy working one-on-one with the veterans, hearing their stories and helping them build their strength and being a part of their comradery. Outside of Gerofit, I enjoy playing badminton and exploring Los Angeles.
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Jacob PuchalskiTreasurerI am a fourth year psychobiology major looking to apply to medical school. I was drawn to Gerofit because of the opportunity to interact with patients, specifically older veterans. I love that the club recognizes the specific needs of the elderly, and seeks to serve them in a practical yet enjoyable manner. It’s an exciting prospect to be able to encourage the recovery of the patients in a dynamic environment, outside of their hospital beds. Not only that, but it’s also an incredible opportunity be able to listen to their stories and share in their lives. I’m also thankful to have chances to work alongside professionals in the field, and I’m excited to gain more experience in a healthcare setting. Outside of the club, I enjoy hiking, playing soccer, and baking!
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Josh PuchalskiI am a fourth year studying Biology. I became interested in Gerofit because of the veterans’ high praise for the program. The time spent with the patients has shown me how essential both fitness and community are to overall health. While working out alongside the patients, I hope to develop meaningful relationships and help build rapport among all of the veterans. Outside of Gerofit, I love playing soccer and going to the beach!
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Amber Martin
I am a fourth year Physiological Science Major with plans to pursue a career as a physician. I joined GeroFit because of the invaluable clinical exposure it provides in the West Los Angeles VA, but also to listen to and encourage the elderly veterans of this area. I believe that their stories are important and we, as young students, can learn a lot from their life experiences, beyond just a medical sense. I look forward to continue to work with this organization and develop great friendships with the veterans in this area as their confidence and physical abilities improve.
Outside of school, I enjoy reading, finding new beaches and restaurants, rewatching New Girl on Netflix, and working out at the gym. |
Abigail ViadoHello! I am a third-year Physiological Science major hoping to go into the field of medicine, whether that be medical school or becoming a product development engineer for orthopedic medical devices. I joined Gerofit because I wanted to interact with the veterans and support them on their journey to improving their physical health. I enjoy listening to the experiences they share and their overall positivity in the hospital setting. Outside of Gerofit, I love to play volleyball and eat seafood!
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Christian MatabangCurrently a fourth year psychobiology major, I joined Gerofit because I found my previous experience working with the elderly extremely fulfilling. Working with ALZSD as a Virtual Care Companion, I was able to support the mental health of Alzheimer's patients across San Diego. Through Gerofit, I'm excited to learn how to support the physical health of our veterans as well.
My dream is to become a teaching doctor, of sorts, and would want to somehow merge both my passion for medicine and teaching into my future. Currently, I'm attempting to learn how to cook and enjoy rock climbing and playing escape rooms/various video games with my friends. |
Tiffany LinI am a second year biology major. I was drawn to GeroFit because I have a lot of appreciation for the veterans and for their service. Through this experience, I wanted to not only to gain patient interaction experience, but also genuinely wanted to hear the stories they have to share. I hope to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of these older veterans. Outside of school, I enjoy dancing, hanging out with friends, and trying new foods!
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Neelaj DasI'm a second year MCDB major hoping to attend medical school. I joined Gerofit because I thought this would be a great way for me to combine my passions of healthcare/medicine and volunteering/giving back to the community. I've worked with seniors before, and I've always enjoyed spending time with them and listening to all the interesting life stories and experiences they have. I hope to teach the seniors more about physical fitness and wellbeing through this club as those are such important aspects of maintaining a happy and healthy life. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, TV shows/movies, and just spending time with friends and family!
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Laurence CaiI am a 3rd year Physiological Science major from China, and I plan on applying to medical school in the future. I joined Gerofit because I want to learn more about how exercise can be used to improve physical and mental health, and because I want to learn more about the elderly and how I can make positive impacts on their health. Outside of Gerofit, I enjoy playing video games and going to the gym.
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Anika RehanI am a third year Human Biology and Society major. Due to my interest in addressing mental health needs in vulnerable populations, I joined Gerofit. Gerofit's unique mission of severing veterans through addressing both mental and physical health appealed to me. I hope to help veterans improve their health and overall quality of life. In my free time I enjoy reading, eating gummy bears, and drinking boba.
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