Health and Societies (HSOC) Student Advisory Board (SAB)
Do you have a passion for HSOC? Do you find yourself telling all your friends, family, and passersby about how great our major is? Then maybe you should consider joining the HSOC Student Advisory Board (SAB)!
The HSOC SAB plans activities, helps foster community in the major, participates in outreach and education about the major, and coordinates information to support the program. Past activities have included career panels, alumni events, internship meetups, course fairs, philanthropies, and social events. Follow the SAB on their Instagram page: @PennHSOC_SAB and reach out directly via email to: pennhsocsab@gmail.com.
HSOC SAB 2024-2025
Current Chairs (class of '25), Elizabeth Basilious and Ashley To
Elizabeth (Liz) Basilious ’25
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
Hi everyone! I’m a senior studying Health & Societies concentrating in Healthcare Markets and Finance with a minor in Medical Sociology and Healthcare Management. Throughout my time at Penn, I’ve since pursued research in several fields, including the history of medicine, women's health, reproductive justice, and healthcare inequity. I’m passionate about bioethics, health policy, social determinants of health, and the intersection of business in healthcare. On campus, I am involved with Moelis Access Science, the Wharton Undergraduate Healthcare Club, The Walk Magazine, Wharton Women, and am a Medical Humanities Fellow. I'm excited to be leading SAB as co-chair this year!
Ashley To ‘25
(Health Policy & Law)
My name is Ashley To; I’m a senior studying Health & Societies concentrating in Health Policy and Law with a minor in Chemistry. My specific interests are in interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare delivery and solutions to social determinants of health. At Penn, I’ve done research on many issues: advancing health equity with interdisciplinary teams in health systems, affordable housing and section 8, and gun violence in Philadelphia. I am involved on campus with West Philly Tutoring Project, Weingarten peer tutoring, Penn Healthcare Review, and the St. Elmo Club of Philadelphia. I'm excited to be leading SAB as co-chair this year!
Nina Kathiresan ‘25
(Public Health)
Hello! I am Nina, a senior from Boston, Massachusetts studying Health and Societies and on the pre-med track. I am interested in assessing how demographics are differentially affected by disease in order to better inform public policy, as well as other intersections between biology, social determinants of health, and public health. Outside of the classroom, I am a Writing Fellow in the Marks Family Writing Center, a tutor and volunteer for Penn's Community Engagement Program, a student researcher in the Natarajan Lab at MGH, and a captain of Penn’s classical Indian Dance team, Penn Thillana.
Suraj Panara ‘25
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
My name is Suraj and I am a senior studying Health and Societies on the pre-medical track. I love all things public health and healthcare, which means that I have a deep interest in the connection between medicine and various disciplines within the humanities, whether that be psychology, philosophy, policy, history, or literature!
Zoe Vaz ‘25
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
I'm Zoe and I am a senior concentrating in Healthcare Markets and Finance with a minor in nutrition sciences. I am originally from Hartford, Connecticut. Academically, I am interested in healthcare systems and preventative health including nutrition and physical activity. In the future, I would love to do community health work and possibly eventually do something with healthcare data and analytics specific to hospital quality of care. Outside of school I love to play soccer, hike, travel, read, and recently have been getting into video creation and editing.
Noella Idem ‘26
(Public Health)
I’m a Junior, majoring in Health and Societies with a concentration in Public Health and minoring in Bioethics and Chemistry. Driven by deep commitment to attaining equitable healthcare through public policy, my public health interests include infectious diseases and addressing dermatological health disparities among racial and ethnic groups. As an aspiring medical professional, I am eager to explore the implementation of psychodermatology in urban populations. In addition to my role on board, I actively participate in generative AI bias Dermatology research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, volunteer in the oncology unit, and engage in teaching West Philadelphia K-8 students through the Penn Graduate School of Education, fostering community outreach. On campus, I am a medical humanities fellow, a Position for Success tutor, and part of club organizations including the Penn African Student Association, the National Society of Black Women in Medicine, and AIR (Pre-Medical Brotherhood).
Dexter Jandoc ‘26
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
Hello! My name is Dexter and I am a junior concentrating in Health Care Markets and Finance. I fell in love with HSOC because of the interdisciplinary nature of the major and the ability to take many multifaceted health-related classes. Outside of class, I enjoy thrifting, hanging out with friends, and exploring new restaurants. I am so excited to be a part of the HSOC Advisory Board and to help bring the community together!
Sophia Liu ‘26
(Public Health)
Hi! I’m Sophia Liu and I’m a junior from St. Louis, Missouri double majoring in Urban Studies and Health & Societies (concentrating in Public Health), minoring in Bioethics. I’m especially interested in urban health outcomes, equitable channels for health care delivery, and infectious diseases. Outside of classes I’m involved in The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn Lions, and Student Harm Reduction Coalition. I also love taking yoga classes and following Formula 1 racing.
Aria Osborne ‘26
(Public Health)
Hi everyone! My name is Aria Osborne and I am a junior majoring in HSOC with a concentration in Public Health and minoring in Chemistry and Neuroscience. I am from Fairfax, Virginia (about 20 minutes from DC) and I first got interested in public health in high school, after gaining exposure to the healthcare disparities and inequity imposed on minority communities in the medical space. I’ve been doing cancer metabolomics research with Penn Medicine’s Department of Radiology for the last two years, and I am also involved in the National Society of Black Women in Medicine, Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity, Fuerza, and MAPS. I have a deep regard for HSOC and the multiplicity of avenues one can take to explore the discipline. Looking forward to all the exciting opportunities SAB puts together and engaging with our HSOC community!
Janet Pearce ‘26
(Bioethics and Society)
I'm Janet, a junior concentrating in Bioethics and Society and minoring in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's studies. Health and Societies is the reason why I came to Penn. The interdisciplinary nature of our major and its focus on history, literature, and the social and legal implications of and influences on health prepares me to provide care for a diverse population of patients in the future. Outside of HSOC, I am a physics TA and tutor; co-founder of GEM, Guidance, Empowerment, and Medicine for Women's Health; and a self-taught brush-stroke calligrapher. I am thrilled to be a member of the Student Advisory Board and cannot wait to share my fervor for Health and Societies with the Penn community.
Maya Urata ‘26
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
Hi! My name is Maya Urata and I am a junior concentrating in Healthcare Markets and Finance from La Cañada, CA. I was drawn to the HSOC major because of its approach to examining healthcare through a multidimensional lens. I enjoy how the blend of diverse disciplines prepares you for a wide array of impactful career paths, such as health law, healthcare finance, and public health. Outside of classes, I play for the women's tennis team at Penn and am a part of Asian Pacific Indigenous Athletic Coalition, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and Chi Omega. I am excited to be a part of SAB and contribute to fostering the HSOC community!
Grace Wang ‘26
(Health Policy & Law)
Hi! My name is Grace, I'm studying HSOC, concentrating in Health Law & Policy and minoring in Legal Studies & History. I love the interdisciplinary nature of the HSOC department, which has allowed me to explore the intersection between healthcare and law, exploring ways to improve healthcare outcomes and delivery. On campus, I'm involved in Penn Student Government, Penn Policy Consulting, the Wharton Undergraduate Healthcare Club. I also conduct research in health equity and law through the Wharton Legal Studies Department. Outside of Penn, I love art, cooking, and traveling! I am so excited to be a part of HSOC SAB!!
Alina Zaidi ‘26
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
Hi everyone! My name's Alina Zaidi, and I'm a junior from Pittsburgh, PA concentrating in Health Care Markets & Finance. I'm super excited for my second year in HSOC SAB! Coming into Penn, I was very undecided about what I wanted to study, but I fell in love with HSOC after taking a freshman seminar. I love how interdisciplinary and flexible the major is, giving me the opportunity to study public health, policy, healthcare management, and so much more. And I'd love to talk to anyone who is interested in discussing how HSOC can align with their goals and aspirations! Currently, I'm interested in the intersection of healthcare systems & governance: I'm learning about how we can strengthen healthcare systems through payment model design, social determinants of health, social entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships. I spend my free time watching horror movies, talking to new people, and napping!
Natalie Mamaril ‘27
(Public Health)
Hello! My name is Natalie Mamaril (she/her), and I'm a sophomore from San Diego, CA. I'm concentrating in Public Health with a minor in Art History. I'm passionate about the intersection of pediatric health, education, and art therapy, especially in how these areas can help uncover the complexity of the human condition and the role of empathy in healing. I'm excited to help other students discover their interests and support engagement in medical humanities. On campus, I'm involved with Penn Bioethics Journal and Road2Research. I'm also a research assistant at a pediatric neuro-oncology lab and volunteer with Artz Philly and CHOP. In my free time, I enjoy exploring galleries/museums, baking desserts for my friends, and writing about art!
Catherine Tang ‘27
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
Hey everyone! My name is Catherine, and I'm an HSOC major from Chicago Concentrating in Health Care Markets & Finance with a minor in Data Science & Analytics. I love the flexibility the HSOC program provides along with its huge variety of career outcomes within the healthcare industry and beyond. Outside of class, I do bioinformatics research for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia and qualitative research for HIV and substance use prevention at CHOP. On campus, I am also the Executive Blog Manager of the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal, VP of Internal for Medical Interpreters @ Penn, a Project Lead for MUSE's Social Impact Committee, and a consultant for Wharton Undergraduates in Public Policy. Please reach out if you have any questions about research in HSOC, concentration classes to take, or anything healthcare-related!
Sanya Tinaikar ‘27
(Health Care Markets & Finance)
Hi there! My name is Sanya Tinaikar, and I am a sophomore from Malvern, PA concentrating in Healthcare Markets and Finance. I was drawn to the Health and Societies major due to its interdisciplinary nature, providing me the ability to study the intersections between public health, economics, and healthcare management, among other disciplines. More specifically, I’m interested in the ramifications of health policy and delivery on clinical medicine to improve healthcare outcomes. On campus, I’m involved with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn Bioethics Journal, Nonprofit Connect, and United Community Clinic. In my free time, I enjoy going on runs, cartooning, and reading. I’m excited to serve on the HSOC board this year and help out in any way I can!