Our Team

Tiffany Chen

Founder

UCLA Class of 2023, Human Biology & Society

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, MS4

Tiffany is a fourth-year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where she is committed to advancing both the scientific and social dimensions of healthcare through leadership, advocacy, and research. She graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Human Biology & Society, where she was involved in clinical research on long-haul COVID and integrative medicine.

In 2020, Tiffany founded HAND with the mission of providing hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in neurological disorders and medical technology. She helped established UCLA’s annual Neurodegenerative Disorders Awareness Night and developed outreach initiatives bringing trainees and faculty together with patients and community organizations to advance neurological care. In her free time, Tiffany enjoys practicing her medical Mandarin at Chinatown health fairs and refining her golf swing.

Saumya Tawakley

Team Advisor

UCLA Class of 2024, Neuroscience

New York Medical College School of Medicine, MS2

Saumya is a third year medical student at New York Medical College. She graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a B.S. in Neuroscience, where she conducted neurology research investigating novel extracellular vesicles in mammalian neurons. During her time at HAND, Saumya served as Vice President of Education, Vice President of Operations, and President, helping expand the organization's educational outreach through collaborations with campus organizations, local schools, and community partners. Her current academic interests include obstetrics and gynecology, neonatology, and maternal-fetal health.

Ashley Kim,

Team Advisor

UCLA Class of 2024, Psychobiology

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, D1

Ashley is a first-year dental student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She graduated from UCLA in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Psychobiology and a minor in Brain and Behavioral Health. Ashley was a founding member of HAND serving as Outreach Director, External Vice President, and eventually Co-President.

Ashley has always been curious about neuroscience and human behavior, and conducted research in multiple labs under the Semel institute. While she initially envisioned a career in psychiatry or neurology, her experiences ultimately inspired her to pursue dentistry. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys discovering new cafés, taking long nature walks, and attending music festivals.

Jane Burgan

Team Advisor

UCLA Class of 2022, Neuroscience

Stony Brook School of Medicine Class of 2026

Montefiore Einstein, Psychiatry PGY1

At UCLA, Jane majored in Neuroscience and minored in Public Affairs. Growing up, she loved building LEGO sets, fixing furniture, and just about any hands-on activity. When she heard about HAND and the development of the iStopShaking device, she saw an opportunity to combine her interests in neuroscience, medicine, and building. As a member of the Innovation & Technology Committee, she loved working with and learning from such a motivated, kind, and creative team.

Now currently a first-year psychiatry resident at Montefiore with interests in community and reproductive psychiatry, she is excited to see where the next four years take her. She looks forward to seeing all that HAND continues to accomplish!

Sasha Anand

Team Advisor

UCLA Class of 2024, Microbiology and Immunology

Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, MS2

Sasha graduated from UCLA in 2024 with a degree in Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics and is currently a second-year medical student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She joined HAND to pursue her interest in neurobiology and to explore patients’ experiences with neurological disease while raising awareness of such conditions. Sasha served as HAND’s VP of Education for two years, having been part of the Education committee throughout her time at UCLA and Director of Education during her sophomore year. Her current interests lie in infectious disease, reproductive health, and medical oncology through an intersectional lens.

Pauline Young

Team Advisor

UCLA Class of 2023, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

UMass Chan Medical School, MS3

Pauline graduated UCLA in 2023 with a degree in MCDB and a minor in Biomedical Research. Her interest in the intersectionality between medicine and technology led her to joining HAND. There, she led the Public Relations committee and eventually became Director of Shadowing. Pauline is now a MS3 at UMass Chan and she enjoys playing pickleball and exploring new restaurants in her free time.

Konmal Ali

Team Advisor

UCLA Class of 2024, Human Biology & Society

UCLA Cross Lab, UCLA CORE Lab

Konmal is a recent Human Biology and Society graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has served as both the HAND President and Vice President leading the expansion of educational opportunities for younger students and increasing awareness of neurodegenerative diseases. For the past several years, she has served as a lead health services researcher at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Her research aims to advance the field’s understanding of structural barriers and healthcare inequalities affecting marginalized populations. She is committed to utilizing her platform to highlight healthcare disparities, advocate for underserved populations, and develop meaningful resources to mitigate systemic gaps.

With hopes of attending medical school, Konmal is determined to make a lasting impact as a surgeon-scientist, bridging clinical practice with research to lead the development of equitable healthcare solutions.

Lucy Yin

Team Advisor

UCLA Class of 2025, Computational and Systems Biology

Stanford Univeristy, Master's of Biomedical Data Science

Lucy is currently pursuing an MS in Biomedical Data Science at Stanford University. Previously, she received a BS in Computational and Systems Biology from UCLA. During her time there, she served as the Finance Director for HAND and was previously part of the outreach and innovation teams. She joined HAND because of her passion for neurodegenerative disease research and interest in medical device development.

Dr. Jeff Bronstein

Medical Advisor

Position: Fred Silton Family Chair in Movement Disorders, Professor of Neurology

Dr. Jeff Bronstein received his bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and his M.D. and Ph.D. from UCLA as a recipient of the Medical Scientist Training Program Award. He completed a residency in Neurology and fellowship training in Movement Disorders at UCLA and at Queen Square in London.

Dr. Bronstein holds the Fred Silton Family Chair in Movement Disorders at UCLA and is a leading researcher in Parkinson's disease. His lab focuses on understanding the causes of Parkinson's disease and developing new treatments. He has been instrumental in advancing research on environmental factors contributing to neurological disorders.

Dr. Jacqueline Chen

Medical Advisor

Dr. Jacqueline Chen is a board-certified podiatric physician specializing in foot and ankle surgery, trauma, fracture care, and reconstruction. She is passionate about patient-centered care, mentorship, and supporting students interested in healthcare, surgery, and community service.

Lee Felsenstein

Engineering Advisor

Background: Computer Engineering Pioneer

Lee Felsenstein is a legendary figure in personal computer history. He was one of the original members of the Homebrew Computer Club and the designer of the Osborne 1, the first mass-produced portable computer.

As an American computer engineer who played a significant role in the development of the personal computer revolution, Lee brings decades of engineering expertise and innovation experience to HAND. His guidance helps students understand how to translate technical ideas into practical solutions for neurological disorders.

Dr. Martin McKeown

Medical Advisor

Position: John L. Nichol Chair in Parkinson's Research, Professor and Head of Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia

Dr. Martin McKeown holds the John L. Nichol Chair in Parkinson's Research and serves as Professor and Head of the Division of Neurology at the University of British Columbia. He is also Director of the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre.

His research focuses on Parkinson's disease, non-invasive neuromodulation, functional neuroimaging, and AI-informed disease monitoring. Dr. McKeown's expertise in combining clinical neurology with cutting-edge technology makes him an invaluable advisor to HAND's innovation initiatives.

Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos

Engineering Advisor

Position: Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering & Biomedical Engineering, Western University; Canada Research Chair in Wearable Mechatronics

Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos is an Associate Professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the School of Biomedical Engineering at Western University. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Wearable Mechatronics.

Her research focuses on designing novel sensing and actuation components, creating models based on sensed biosignals, and developing intelligent and adaptive wearable mechatronic devices. She is helping people with mobility issues, including those with Parkinson's disease, maintain their independence through innovative wearable technologies.