Ryan Huynh
Co-President
Hey there! My name is Ryan (he/him) and I’m a 4th year Human Biology major on the premed track, currently in the middle of my application cycle. My one and only hometown is Chino Hills, CA, where I grew up on a ton of late night video gaming, sports, national park trips, and some good ole Viet food. Nowadays, I like to play basketball, go on leisure walks, try out recipes, and be an absolute academic unit. Really though, you can ask me to do anything and I’d be willing to try. Boba? Movies? Camping? Late-night trip? I’m there. Some other things I like are Thai food, RnB or chill music, hiking, and hanging out with my dog.
The beautiful thing about M.E.M.O. is that you can come in looking for opportunities and resources to either help the community, guide your pre-health experience, or just connect with like-minded peers, and you’ll find no shortage of any of that. When I went looking for a pre-health club, my criteria was an active club with some volunteering opportunities, cool medical lessons, and a decent student population. The very first meeting I attended, I met the co-president, learned about different health careers, and was actively recruited to M.E.M.O.’s soon-to-be intramural basketball team. The very first meeting. From then on, I never had regrets about my choice. I was all over the place volunteering at the Westminster City Senior Center, working health fairs, helping run a whole gala event, and competing to help my fam win some points. This past summer, I went on M.E.M.O.’s mission trip to Vietnam and experienced the side of community service few have the privilege of experiencing. Having an impact on one child’s life or providing medical services to those without access to them really puts into perspective the potential you have to impact the community around you. M.E.M.O. is all about serving the underserved community, but it does such a great job of taking care of the community it has here at UCI. I mean, look at everyone else’s bio and see that I’m not lying. No matter if you need medical experience, volunteering opportunities, guidance, or a friend, M.E.M.O. offers it all to you in the biggest way possible, and that’s what makes it so beautiful.
Andrew Tu
Co-President
Hello everyone! My name is Andrew Tu (he/him) and I am a 4th year Human Biology major. I lived in San Jose all my life, and it's honestly my favorite place in the world. I’m very much a homebody, and there is nothing I would enjoy more than being able to be back at home hanging out with my family. In my free time, you will definitely find me either Facetiming my girlfriend, playing basketball, or watching Netflix. I hope you can see the homebody aspect I was talking about.
When I joined MEMO during the end of my freshmen year, I had no idea what to expect since I was extremely reserved and quite literally only found out about MEMO from my friends. However, as soon as I went to a meeting, I could tell that this environment was one that I would love to be a part of. Yes, all the service events, opportunities, and resources MEMO were what drew me in, but when someone asks me what my favorite part is about MEMO, my immediate response is always its community. Every person I have met in MEMO tries their best to make you feel at home, and it was honestly hard to remember that I was a newcomer at times. Thanks to the opportunities MEMO has provided me and the people I have met, I have been able to learn some invaluable lessons and gain very memorable experiences. All that MEMO has given me and taught me has led me to want to give back, which is the reason for my desire to be involved. MEMO will always be a part of my college journey, and I want to help it become part of other people’s journey. It’s okay to be afraid to take the first step, but just know the people you’ll meet here in MEMO are happy to walk alongside you for every step after!
Olivia Riwon Lee
Co-Public Relations & Social Chair
Hi there! My name is Olivia (she/her) and I’m a second year Biological Sciences major on the premed track. I’m from Seoul, South Korea, but I traveled and lived in different places before settling in SoCal. Growing up surrounded by different cultures made me curious about people–how we live, connect, and experience life in our own special ways.
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When it comes to music, my tastes are all over the map! I love everything from R&B/Soul and soft rock to trap beats, K-pop, K-ballads, and classical symphonies. Music really speaks to my emotions, and one of my favorite things to do is wake up early, enjoy the sunrise before class, and meditate with either NPR News or a great playlist. Sometimes, I might even get so hyped that I start dancing hard at 5 a.m. (not my best idea, but it’s fun!). I also love tuning into podcasts whenever I have a lot on my mind or need a little motivation to keep going. Speaking of favorites, I absolutely love tteokbokki, yes–those luxury looking Korean spicy rice cakes (I'm actually munching on some while writing this–haha), and I tend to eat them when I’m feeling sad, stressed, or even happy. My love language is definitely through sharing food, so hit me up if you want to try some of my favorite foods!
I joined M.E.M.O. in my first year because I was really excited about its mission to provide education and medical help to underserved communities. I wanted to be part of something hands-on, and it was heartwarming to see the positive impact M.E.M.O. has both here in Southern California and across the ocean in Vietnam. But honestly, I've gained so much more from my time with M.E.M.O. than I ever gave. I've met some of the most genuine and passionate people who constantly remind me why I chose this journey in the first place. I still remember volunteering at the OC Health Fair at the start of fall quarter; that amazing sense of community M.E.M.O. creates truly made me feel appreciated, and it motivated me to go for an internship program! What kept me around are the amazing people and how much we genuinely care about one another. When you’re surrounded by people who believe in you with so much guidance and love, it naturally makes you want to give back and create those same special moments for someone else just starting their journey here. So, if you’re on the lookout for a warm and welcoming place where you can grow, give back, and connect with people who truly care, M.E.M.O. is just the spot! It’s a community that not only teaches you the joy of helping others but also shows you how fulfilling it is to be part of something bigger than yourself. I'm excited to see what this year has in store!
Bao Q Phung
Co-Public Relations & Social Chair
Hello! My name is Bao Phung (he/him), and I am a fourth year Human Biology student. Fun fact, I started as pre-med but switched to pre-dental last year. I was born in Vietnam, but moved to the States (specifically the IE) when I was about six years old. Some of my hobbies include hiking, watching movies, or hanging out with friends. I also love trying new food/drink places! I would say that my favorite cuisine is Viet food (although Japanese cuisine is a close second). My favorite dish would have to be bánh xèo; the crispiness, the flavor, the flexibility of the dish…what’s not to love? Recently, I would say that I’ve been trying to get back into sports like volleyball, pickleball, and even skiing! Oh, I almost forgot. I also love to travel. I’ve been to Asia quite a few times; traveling mainly to Vietnam, but also having stopped by Japan and Taiwan in the past years. I would say that I really want to explore Europe, especially Switzerland and Italy/Rome.
When asked about what attracted me to MEMO, I would say the medical/dental opportunities. However, what made me stay in MEMO is the people. I remember my first event at MEMO: UCI’s ICS (inter-chapter social). It was so fun getting to interact and hang out with fellow MEMObers; everybody was so warm and inviting. Through my time in MEMO, I got the chance to volunteer in Project SNAP, Project SHUE, and OC Health Fair. From then on, I knew that MEMO wasn’t just a regular club that throws random volunteer events at members; rather, each event had a special purpose. In the past two years, I got the special opportunity to go on MEMO’s mission trip. It truly was an honor and unique experience; from interacting with the orphans to directly playing a role in providing healthcare to patients, I would never forget the feeling I got when seeing the difference we made in Vietnam. It truly did change my perspective on life. I would say MEMO excels at exposing me to different fields in healthcare. I talked about how I was initially pre-med but switched to pre-dental; MEMO was a part of why I made the switch. The story is, I was part of the dental team for the OC Health Fair. During that time, I really liked how hands-on dentistry was. I got to talk to a lot of the doctors/dentists and came to the realization that I could really see myself in the field. Besides the volunteering events, MEMO is truly where “service meets fun”. From Fam program to ICS, you can see how much of a community MEMO is. It truly is something that I started to look forward to in my week; Thursday quickly became my favorite day of the week. I’ve met so many amazing people through this club, from doctors at the top of their fields to aerospace engineers; it truly is a diverse organization that brings people under the same umbrella for the love of giving back to the underserved. Looking back, the club really did push me to be a better person, both personally and professionally! MEMO has truly become a big part of my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.
Kendall Vuong
Co-Public Relations & Social Chair
Hi hi everyone! My name is Kendall (she/her), and I’m a 3rd year biology major with a minor in psychological sciences, on the pre-med track. I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball and have been since I was about 9 years old (I’m also currently the IM captain for our volleyball team, so if you're interested, you should check us out :)). Other than that, I spend most of my free time hanging out with friends, trying new cafes, collecting trinkets (I LOVE smiskis), watching TV shows, and reading. I like any sort of romance or mystery genres for both TV shows and books, but I’ve currently been in a slump, so if you have any recs, I would love to hear them! I also really love to travel and have been to New York, Mexico, Italy, France, and the UK. In the future, I hope to go to Asia as well as Australia, since I really enjoy the cultures and sights there.
I first encountered MEMO at the Anteater Involvement Fair during my first year. I remembered feeling so overwhelmed by all of the different pre-med clubs that were also tabling, but one of the club members came up to me and instantly made me feel welcome. From all of the clubs I visited that day, MEMO was the only club that made me feel like I could be a part of something bigger, and I could see myself sticking with this club. Not to mention that I also really resonated with their mission statement, as my parents were originally from Vietnam, and my mom immigrated to the OC area before moving up to NorCal. My thoughts were further confirmed when I attended my first general meeting, where I was welcomed by multiple board and general members who made me feel included. Being so far from family and all of my other friends back home, I was worried that I wouldn’t make a lot of friends in college. However, joining MEMO definitely helped me get out of my shell more, and I’ve met so many amazing people who I’m still friends with today. Being a first-gen student and also not having anyone in my family who is in the medical field, I really didn’t know where to get started. Through MEMO, I have been able to gain invaluable experiences and connections. From the different programs that were offered, such as Big/little and APAMSA, I was able to get some much-needed mentorship from peers who were currently or had recently been through what I was also struggling with. They were able to validate my fears and worries about all the stress that comes with going the pre-med route, and gave me helpful advice, which I will be forever grateful for. Volunteering at different service events that were offered, such as Project SHUE and Harvest Distribution, allowed me to give back to the OC community that my mom grew up in and my grandparents still currently live in. Slowly but surely, MEMO became such a big part of my life that I started looking forward to every Thursday for our weekly meetings since that was when I would be able to see everyone in the club. I would’ve never anticipated MEMO to mean so much to me, but I’m so glad that it does.
Katelyn Mai
Co-Fundraising Chair
Hello! My name is Katelyn Mai (She/They) and I am a fourth-year Human Biology major on the pre-med route! I’ve been in the OC bubble my entire life and live in Huntington Beach. Of course living by the beach makes me water inclined; I swam competitively for over a decade and enjoy surfing. I am a former Equipment Manager for the Archery Club at UCI, but I’m still a member of the team where we have opportunities to shoot both competitively and recreationally. You can sometimes find me at the ARC at ridiculously early hours for either Archery practice or working out, and as a bulking gym rat, you will never see me doing extra cardio, including walking around campus (I ride an ebike). I have a history of wearing funky backpacks, which range from an Ecosusi Leather Briefcase to a Bowser Shell backpack (right now I have a Kirby Backpack).
I joined MEMO my first year to try to get myself out of my introverted shell and to get connected with people with similar interests and goals. There are so many pre-health and service-oriented clubs to choose from at UCI, but I will never regret joining this special organization. I’m not even really sure how I found MEMO. It must have either been Anteater Involvement Fair or Celebrate UCI. Regardless, the first impression I had of this club was “thank goodness some people are talking to me first,” because it definitely takes a lot of courage to insert yourself somewhere new. This welcoming environment was what encouraged me to stay in the club, and as I got to meet new people, I was inspired by their passion to carry out MEMO’s mission statement to serve underprivileged communities. This club provides so many opportunities for all the members and the work that I have witnessed behind the scenes from past board members motivated me to get more involved and to experience everything MEMO has to offer. My time at UCI would not be the same without MEMO. It has become an integral part to who I am as a person, and an invaluable resource for my career goals as well.
Natalie Huynh
Co-Fundraising Chair
Hello everyone! My name is Natalie Huynh (she/her) and I am a third year biological science major! I grew up in Corona, California, but I would spend every weekend in the OC area growing up so I know my way around. I’m a big fan girl, so you can always talk to me when it comes to k-pop, k-rnb, k-dramas, anime, and webtoons/manhwa. I love going out and am always down for cafe hopping, taking photobooth pics, going to the museum, going to concerts, and trying new food places! I’m always down to try something fun and new and I love exploring new places!
I joined MEMO my first year and I could confidently say that it was the best decision I’ve made. I remember feeling very welcomed and included during the first meeting I went to and it helped that everyone was so nice and easy to talk to. Being a shy person, it is always hard for me when it comes to meeting new people, but at MEMO, there was always someone coming up to new people and making everyone feel included. As I continued to show up to more general meetings, service events, fundraisers, and socials, I felt more passion and was more inspired by the MEMO mission statement that they continue to uphold. Being Vietnamese, I resonated a lot with the mission statement of helping the underserved communities in Southern California and abroad in Vietnam as well since I’ve grown up all my life in SoCal and most of my family still live in Vietnam so being able to help the two communities that have shaped me growing up have been very fulfilling and I want to continue to this strong passion I have for this club. MEMO has been a big part of my UC Irvine experience and I would not have it any other way.
Ryan Nguyen
Co-Sponsorship Chair
Hi! My name is Ryan Nguyen (He/Him). I’m a fourth-year Human Biology major on the pre-med route. I grew up in sunny Las Vegas and spent most of my childhood either outside biking through suburbia or inside playing video games and reading. I have since moved to Fountain Valley and now spend most of my time running plots, going to concerts, and occasionally winding down to watch YouTube. If you’re planning on visiting Las Vegas in the near future, I say don’t come for the gambling but stay for the food. Our cuisine options are top-notch, and dare I say better than Orange County. Other things I like to do in my free time is practice photography, acoustic guitar, and skateboarding. The Holy Trinity of performance. I also enjoy talking about music, so please ask me about music as I’m open to listening to everything.
What initially drew me to MEMO was the vast expanse of opportunities for volunteer work and clinical experience. Through MEMO, I not only gained valuable skills and knowledge that I was able to apply to work in the healthcare field but also gave back to the communities that have set the foundation for me to grow and thrive in. The most invaluable aspect of volunteering in MEMO for me is being able to address health and educational disparities by directly interacting with the underserved populace. Those experiences helped shape my perspectives and gave me insight into the work that must be done to establish equitable healthcare. Beyond service, MEMO has fostered my personal and professional growth through the lasting friendships I’ve formed and its workshops and internship program. Despite what you may infer from our marketing, there is something in MEMO for everyone, not just pre-health students. Whether you’re looking for a supportive community like I was in my first year, volunteer work, professional development, or to just kill time on Thursdays, MEMO has it all. MEMO has played a formative role in my college life, and I invite everyone reading this to come to a meeting or service event to see what makes us stand out.
Alex Nguyen
Co-Sponsorship Chair
Heyo! I’m Alex Nguyen (he/him), currently a third-year Human Biology major at UCI. I grew up in Dallas and other parts of Texas before moving to San Diego, California at the end of middle school. I’ve fallen in love with the California lifestyle – y’all got some great weather and plenty of outdoor activities — but whenever there’s a break, you can find me back in Texas spending time with family. My hobbies include playing video games (Overwatch, League, CS2, Super Smash Bros Ultimate), learning new pieces on the piano (classical, ragtimes, and original soundtracks), and also physical activities (weight lifting and swimming). As a “live to eat” rather than an “eat to live” kind of person I appreciate all kinds of foods. My favorite food is for sure a medium rare ribeye steak…. or sometimes I’m feeling some fresh sashimi… no, it has to be a spicy red curry…. scratch that maybe a crispy bánh xèo. Honestly, I can't choose a single favorite, it just depends on how I’m feeling. If you’ve got a new food spot recommendation, hit me up!
When I was a first-year student navigating a new environment, I actively sought a community and explored various clubs, but none resonated with me like MEMO did. Initially, it was the presentation about our annual mission trip to Vietnam that caught my attention, but upon attending the first general meeting, I also learned about the numerous volunteering opportunities and programs that supported our local community. From harvesting and distributing fresh produce, to educating children and seniors about nutrition and health, or participating in our multifaceted health fairs, MEMO has something for everyone. Not only are there all these volunteering opportunities to interact with others, but there are amazing social events that helped me leave my dorm room. When people ask me what was my most memorable (no pun this time haha) experience in my first year, one thing I mention is a beach bonfire social hosted by MEMO!! It was an amazing night with fun activities and food. Through MEMO you will learn applicable skills, have the opportunity to make a difference in our local community, and make everlasting relationships. Hope to see you at our meetings soon!
Heidi Sek
Co-Outreach Chair
Hello~ My name is Heidi (she/her/hers) and I'm a 4th year Biological Sciences and Psychology B.A. double major, hoping to (potentially) pursue geriatric psychiatry! I'm an LA county native, growing up in the 626, 310 and 562 areas! When I'm not academically involved, I'll be hyperfixated on some form of media (my lifeline, so to speak). I adore divulging in Ace Attorney content and sport anime, fangirling about GOT7 and Monsta X, reading romance and coming-of-age novels, and talking about my obsessions to other people who don't know about them. I love having an outlet for creativity and discussion -- it's what keeps me going :) When I'm doing none of those things, I also love going outdoors and trying new activities!
As a high school senior, I attended Celebrate UCI and had my first exposure to M.E.M.O. I recall M.E.M.O. having made an impact on my impression of UCI clubs with their warm and welcoming aura, and it translated when I went to my first meeting months later. I had the privilege of having a community already at UCI, but none of them were pre-med like me, so it was easy to feel nervous about the size of the club. However, a lot of the members were friendly and positively affected the desire I had to continue going. It was important to me that I met people who had like-minded goals and aspirations to serve the community and pursue careers within healthcare. During my time, I've been thankful for all the experiences and people I've had the opportunity to know. M.E.M.O. has such a strong foundation in both volunteer and social experiences and I believe that regardless of a person's criteria for a healthcare club, M.E.M.O. can check off those boxes. Beyond the opportunities that it offers, I think the biggest impact M.E.M.O. had on me is the connections that have made me grow as a person. Through interacting with others, I not only gained a better understanding of the field I want to serve, but the person that I am and the values that I hold. This organization goes beyond giving back to the community locally and abroad -- it also indirectly helps one develop the intrapersonal skills that define the college experience. With that, M.E.M.O. has been a core part of my last three years here, but no matter the time, you can always find something to gain from joining.
Wendy Reyes
Co-Outreach Chair
Hii everyone!!! My name is Wendy Reyes (she/her), and I am a 3rd-year Psychology major with a minor in Public Health on the pre-med path. I’m from LA, specifically from South Central, and am a first-generation and the only member in my family to attend a 4-year university. I like to do everything in my free time (maybe not everything, haha.) I’m always down to do anything. I’ve slowly adapted the lifestyle of “let's see what the vibe is like today,” depending on whether I don’t need to run errands. I like to go out, try new coffee places around OC as well, new food spots, and enjoy some downtime for myself. I’m trying to get into hiking and running again. I love to go outdoors whenever I have the chance! I’m the type of person to just do my own thing and find new activities/hobbies to pick up on!
At the Anteater Involvement Fair, I was a freshman looking for clubs I might be interested in, and the very first booth I visited was MEMO! I was welcomed with a warm conversation from someone who genuinely cared about my journey at UCI. She turned out to be the co-president at the time. As someone who is usually shy, I was surprised at how comfortable I felt sharing about myself. Looking back during that time to now, I’ve realized how much MEMO has helped me overcome being shy, quiet, to being myself, to enjoying conversation with everyone, and getting out of my comfort zone doing things I never thought of doing. At the first meeting, I met so many friendly people who were genuinely interested in having conversations and building connections. Most of them were on the pre-med path, and hearing how passionate they were about giving back to underserved communities felt good to hear. Coming from a low-income background, I wanted to find a club that serves underprivileged communities by providing medical and educational resources. MEMO offers many opportunities to volunteer through projects like S.H.U.E. and S.T.A.R. I especially resonate with children who are at risk of not receiving proper education, as I was once considered an at-risk child myself. Thankfully, I had supportive staff who provided the help I needed, and now it is my turn to give back to children in underserved communities so they, too, can access the support and education they deserve. What makes MEMO unique compared to other clubs is its long-term commitment, rather than moving from one area to another, MEMO stays rooted in the communities it serves. This consistency, along with its resources, reflects MEMO’s dedication to uplifting underserved communities both locally and abroad.
Allyson Okazaki
Co-Outreach Chair
Hi everyone! My name is Allyson (she/her) and I’m a 4th year Human Biology major. I’m currently on the pre-PA track, meaning lots of direct patient care hours to go. I grew up in Santa Clarita, CA which is where Six Flags Magic Mountain is, but I never go because I’m afraid of rollercoasters. Since I’m never at the theme park, I occupy my time with playing video games, shopping, getting boba with friends, playing guitar, and binge watching YouTube commentary videos. Honestly, most of my time is spent indoors since I’m scared of bugs and every time I go on hikes, I sprain my ankle; However, I’m always open to try new things and explore new places with friends.
I came across MEMO through a stroke of luck at the BioSci Club Fair during the spring quarter of my first year. Walking around aimlessly at the fair, it felt intimidating to me to go up to a booth and ask about their club. Then, Vivian Tang, a past board member of MEMO, came up to me and asked me if I would like to learn more about their organization. She described to me MEMO’s mission, great service events, and welcoming environment which was more than enough to get me to show up to the first general meeting. I immediately felt the warm and welcoming atmosphere Vivian spoke to me about as people would strike up conversations to get to know me and encourage me to come out to more events. Eventually, I showed up to more events, became friends with more fellow MEMObers, and MEMO meetings every Thursday became the highlight of my week. I also loved attending different service events, like Project SHUE, Project SNAP, and Harvest Solutions which allowed me to make fun memories with other MEMObers while helping the underserved in Orange County. Over time, my involvement in MEMO broadened from being a general member, to intern, to fam head, and finally, a Co-Workshop and Outreach Chair. Through this involvement, I was able to connect with so many passionate, kind, and like-minded people who share the same joy from community service and healthcare. So many of these connections, opportunities, and friendships truly shaped me into the person I am today, and I am ever grateful to have these experiences. Sometimes, I reflect on how lucky I was to stumble upon such a wonderful on-campus organization, and now I can make it my goal to share with others the happiness and belonging that MEMO bestowed upon me.