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The Pre-Medical Society at Cal Poly Humboldt
At Cal Poly Humboldt we have the unique opportunity of connecting students with primary and speciality care centers, where students gain greater insight into the healthcare scene in rural California. Here at Cal Poly Humboldt, students proudly run and organize the Pre-Medical Society. Together, students meet and host special guest speakers such as; local physicians, members of distinguished board of admission committees, and they share other valuable resources for Pre-Medical students at our campus. Other topics discussed include preparation for the MCAT exam, guidance on the application process, as-well as answering any questions you may have regarding the Pre-Med track. To get involved, email premed@humboldt.edu.
Below, we feature our administrative club leaders! Please take a moment to read about our amazing students and feel free to contact each member for any specific inquiry.
For more information, also follow us on our official instagram page @calpolyhumboldtpremed. Here, we promote our club flyers and other important pre-med information for all students at Cal Poly Humboldt!
Please contact our club advisor Dr. Zhong at jz15@humboldt.edu for more information as-well!
Brodie Lyons - President
Brodie Lyons is a fifth year student in the Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Cal Poly Humboldt. He is majoring in Biology with a Cellular and Molecular emphasis, and is also majoring in Biochemistry. In addition to his two majors, he is minoring in Native American Studies. Brodie is pursuing his goal of becoming a physician and would like to return to practice medicine in Humboldt county. In addition to serving as your President, Brodie is the Student Representative on the Cal Poly Humboldt Health Taskforce, and is a research student in Dr. Amy Sprowles laboratory currently studying the migration of neural stem cells in the rostral migratory stream in mice. Outside of school, Brodie is an avid weightlifter, enjoys nearly all sports (football, basketball, baseball, bowling, racing, and more), and enjoys engaging with prospective students in the region looking to pursue a medical career. For Brodie, his greatest joy is being able to begin connecting prospective students interested in medicine to the local providers and opportunities in medicine that Humboldt County has to offer pre-med students.
Contact me at bl193@humboldt.edu.
Aidan Childs - Vice President
My name is Aidan and I am a Biochemistry and Cellular/Molecular Biology double major from Mckinleyville, California. I am a more recent premed student, beginning my journey to medical school only a year ago. I am open to whatever specialties I may find myself in, but I am primarily interested in Anesthesia and Emergency Medicine. I am passionate about supporting the community and helping other pre-medical students to understand the requirements necessary for medical school and what it takes to be a physician. I think that the tight-knit community of Humboldt County and Cal Poly Humboldt is a wonderful thing and that we, as future physicians, should do whatever we can to support it. I am incredibly honored to be in this position with the Pre Medical Society, and I am excited to serve the group however I can.
Contact me at amc316@humboldt.edu .
Alicia Kiefler - (Co) Vice President
Hi my name is Alicia Kiefler, a current senior cellular molecular biology student with a pre-medical emphasis and a dance minor. I was drawn to this school in 2022 due to its beautiful natural surroundings and smaller class sizes. I wanted to ensure I was not just a number at a large university. I have found to learn best in small classroom settings while also utilizing the professor’s office hours. The collaborative nature of this school has helped me to gain a greater interest towards science. I grew up always loving biology. As I have been a dancer my entire life, I became fascinated with the way our systems can gain strength and muscle memory while performing to their highest capabilities. Midway through high school I had some health issues which is where my fascination for medicine really began. As I was seeing a wide array of physicians, some helpful, others not, I started to realize the complexities of the human biological systems. I was exposed to homeopathic and naturopathic ways of healing while also seeing the traditional allopathic being practiced. Seeing the range of disciplines within medicine helped me realize I want to focus on functional medicine which utilizes a whole-body approach when healing. I believe a full picture must be painted in order to grasp the root of the cause which allows for more effective treatments. As I finished up my last semester at Cal Poly Humboldt, I look to pursue dance professionally for a few years before applying to DO and MD schools to hopefully end up with a family practice in the end.
Diego Carmona - Treasurer
Diego Carmona is a student majoring in Biology with a focus on Cellular and Molecular Biology. He is the current Treasurer of the Pre-Medical Society at Cal Poly Humboldt. Diego has been interested in becoming a pathologist since the 7th grade, but is open to many branches of medicine. From pathology, immunology, or emergency medicine, the healthcare system has a place for everyone. Diego has only lived in Humboldt County for three years, so his knowledge of the area is still limited. However, most of that time has been spent learning about Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus and what it can offer students. He enjoys light exercise to keep a clear mind and functional body. Rural medicine has been an interest of Diego’s since he learned about it through the Pre-Medical Society. Hopefully, this interest can be shared with other members, as this club is a great resource for learning about rural medicine. Ultimately, in this position, Diego hopes to hear not only what the club leaders wish to do with club funds but also what ideas the club has.
Feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas at dc403@humboldt.edu
Catherine Maloney - Secretary
Catherine Maloney is a third-year student majoring in Cellular/Molecular Biology and Art History and Museum Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt, with a completed minor in Chemistry. She intends to graduate in Spring of 2027 and complete a gap year before attending medical school. Outside the classroom, Catherine serves as a Resident Advisor for incoming freshman STEM students, supporting their academic and social transitions, and as a front-line responder during emergencies in the residence halls. Her interest in medicine stems from a genuine love for rural communities and a curiosity about how healthcare operates in these settings. She is especially interested in improving emergency care systems and expanding access to geriatric and dementia care in rural areas. While these interests may seem unrelated, Catherine sees them as connected through a shared focus on providing thoughtful, patient-centered care across all stages of life. She has explored these interests through the Humboldt 2025 Summer Pre-Med Internship and is a California-certified phlebotomist.
Reach out to her at cgm65@humboldt.edu!!
Annalee Wheeler - Media Manager
Annalee Wheeler is a junior who recently switched from a Biochemistry degree with a minor in Psychology to a Psychology degree with a minor in Chemistry and Kinesiology. She anticipates graduating in the Spring of 2027, then will be taking a gap year to study for the MCAT, get more involved with non-profits across the world, and travel. She is currently a research assistant under Dr. Carrie Aigner, studying Pain and the Placebo Effect. She has experience working in a county, Level 1 trauma centre emergency room in Riverside, California. Working there gave her perspective on her aspirations in pursuing medicine and growing in her knowledge of patient care. There, she also discovered her desire to pursue Psychiatry as her specialty and potentially pediatric psychiatry. Along with working at Riverside University Health System, she took a non-profit healthcare trip to Honduras with Riverside Outreach and discovered that medicine was her calling, and she aspires to give back to areas that need the most medical attention. In her free time, Annalee enjoys going to her local running club, hiking with her dog, and being a peer mentor through the YES program at Arcata Elementary School.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns