President
Sebastian Acevedo
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Sebastian is a fourth-year medical student at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He received his master’s in public health, from the Rutgers School of Public Health. He was born in Medellin, Colombia and is the first in his family to graduate college and attend medical school. His areas of interest within psychiatry include policy, improving access to culturally competent physical and mental healthcare, and destigmatizing mental health. Sebastian is the proud parent of a French Bulldog named Dino who is currently training to become a therapy dog.
Vice President
Priscilla Jones
Western University of Health Sciences COMP-NW
Priscilla is a 4th year medical student at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific – Northwest in Portland, OR. She enjoyed collaborating with other medical students on the PsychSIGN board as last year’s region 7 chair and is excited to continue with PsychSIGN as the Vice President. Priscilla‘s psychiatric interests include substance use disorder, first episode psychosis, cultural psychiatry, and climate psychiatry. In her free time, Priscilla enjoys volunteering in her community, rock climbing, gardening, and foraging.
Region 1: MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, CT, Canadian Provinces: ON, QC, NS, NL, PE, NB
Benjamin Gorman
Harvard Medical School
Ben Gorman is a third year medical student at Harvard Medical School with an interest in public psychiatry. At HMS, he has been pursuing projects related to public psych, autonomy and ethics, and mental health policy. He majored in neuroscience at UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Heels!). With PsychSIGN, he hopes to host a national street psychiatry conference – reach out if you’re interested in joining this project!
Region 2: NY
Jae Yeun Kim
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Jae Yeun “Jae” Kim is a 4th year medical student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She attended college at Tufts University, where she studied History. Her main interests are in forensic and public/community psychiatry. She is really excited to represent New York as the Region 2 Chair and to meet other medical students who have a passion for talking about mental health and psychiatry! For fun, Jae likes to play with her cat Henri and eat hotpot in every city she goes.
Region 3: DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA
Jasmine Miller
Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Jasmine Miller MPH, is a 4th-year medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College with a BA in Psychology and Master’s in Public Health from New York University. Her passion for diversity, advocacy, and community service extends to coordinating educational and mentorship initiatives for children in Philadelphia’s surrounding shelters; and as a member of Jefferson’s urban underserved clinical program. During her time as an MPH student, she completed her graduate practical at Fountain House, developed a guidebook for Restorative Justice that members & staff could use, and created a video newsletter for members wishing to understand complex topics like racism and LGBTQ+ diversity. At Jefferson, she has served as a student leader of the Jefferson Psychiatry Society, and NAMI-on-campus. She is looking forward to serving as Region 3 Chair for PsychSIGN. Jasmine plans to pursue a career in Child-Adolescent Psychiatry. In her free time, Jasmine loves to write, practice gymnastics tumbling, run, and making funky pottery.
Region 4: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI
Riya Trivedi
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Riya is a third-year medical student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience and a minor in Bioethics. Her interest in psychiatry was initially fueled by her passion for advocacy and volunteer work as a crisis counselor and domestic violence/sexual assault advocate. In her time at Stritch, Riya has led the MIND Psychiatry Interest Group, promoted student wellness through the Wellness Advisory Group, and been a TA for the emotional intelligence elective. As the Region 4 Chair, Riya is excited to meet all the wonderful people interested in pursuing psychiatry! In her free time, Riya loves collecting all things periwinkle, listening to Hozier on repeat, and trying different arts and crafts.
Region 5: AL, AK, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, PR and Uniformed Services
Maryam Khan
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Maryam Khan is a third-year medical student at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BSA in Neuroscience and a minor in Classical Texts & Philosophy. Her focus in psychiatry is driven by her interest to integrate medical humanities with mental health, exploring the ethical and cultural dimensions of psychiatry.
During her gap year, Maryam worked as an autism behavior therapist and earned a master’s in Lifestyle Health Sciences. While a student at TCOM, she has presented internationally on medical ethics and performative morality, and worked as a biostatistics consultant for KnowledgeWorks where she optimized educational environments for underserved populations. These experiences have complemented her focus on how complex environmental factors affect mental well-being and psychiatric outcomes.Maryam is looking forward to serving as Region 5 chair for PsychSIGN. In her free time, she enjoys knitting and exploring local bookshops.
Region 6: CA
Marcus Paoletti
University of Southern California School of Medicine
Marcus is a fourth-year medical student at USC Keck School of Medicine and an alumni of UC Berkeley where he majored in Molecular & Cellular Biology. He enjoys working with patients with intertwined medical and psychiatric needs including psycho-oncology, transplant psychiatry, and HIV/AIDS psychiatry. His current research explores the mind-body connection by examining the relationship between heart rate variability and self-reported stress. In his spare time Marcus enjoys trail running and reading his way through Kurt Vonnegut books.
Region 7: AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY, Canadian Provinces: AB, BC, MB, SK
Jeremy Kurtz
Western University of Health Sciences
My name is Jeremy Kurtz and I am a fourth year medical student at Western University of 
Health Sciences. I grew up in Washington state and completed my undergraduate education at the University of Washington. I have been interested in the field of psychiatry since college and my commitment to the field has strengthened with each experience with the field. I am primarily interested in child and adolescent psychiatry but am eager to gain exposure to all subspecialties. In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and playing chess. As region 
7 chair I look forward to hosting events that may enrich everyone’s understanding of the nuances of this field.
Region 8: International
Arpit Singh
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Arpit is an Intern doctor (MS-6) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, and a Psychoanalytic trainee at the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center. His areas of clinical and research interests include child and adolescent psychiatry, psycho-oncology, and neuropsychiatry. His vision for PsychSIGN includes building a network of support for international medical students and graduates interested in psychiatry. With a rich background of working in international medical student organizations, he brings a global perspective and a vast diversity of peers across nations to the role. As the International Chair for this tenure, he aims to bridge the resource gap between international students, establish collaborative chapters worldwide, and guide medical students for psychiatry residencies and careers. When not globetrotting or juggling between multiple projects, you might find him binge-watching Korean TV shows, exploring indie films, diving into fiction novels, or soul-searching in the scenic Himalayas, where his roots lie. Feel free to reach out to him if you have any questions/suggestions; he is excited to make new friends along this journey!
Media Outreach Co-Chair
Camille Chan
Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Camille Chan is a 4th-year medical student at Central Michigan University College of Medicine. She received her BS in Global and Public Health Sciences from Cornell University. She is excited to collaborate with the other PsychSIGN members and help showcase the wonderful opportunities and events this community has to offer! Her current interests in psychiatry include geriatric psychiatry, consult-liaison psychiatry and palliative care. In her free time, she can be found eating new foods, trying to run and hanging out with her dog, Tucker.
Media Outreach Co-Chair
Lindsey Nguyen
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Lindsey Nguyen is a second year medical student at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. She earned her BS at Rowan University studying biological sciences. With a passion working with children, she aims to pursue a career in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. As one of the new media outreach chairs, she is excited to be able to work alongside other like minded students to help create an inviting space for others to learn all things psychiatry. On her free time she loves to bake, travel and spend time with her family.
Mentorship Chair
Ashlee Guzman
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Ashlee is a fourth year student in the combined MD/MPH program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She is a NJ native and will be the first doctor in her family. She graduated from Tufts University with degrees in Biology and Psychology where she conducted research on language attrition and neurocognition. Prior to medical school she worked as a clinical research coordinator at Columbia University Irving Medical Center where she was awarded her own NIH grant to conduct research on cancer risk reduction in medically underserved populations. Her current research focuses on global functioning in schizophrenia and her capstone identifies the psychosocial needs and barriers of oncology patients to facilitate follow-up care. As a first-generation Dominican American, she aims to address cultural barriers to mental health care for underrepresented communities and reduce stigmas. Her interest in psychiatry, particularly child and adolescent psychiatry, stems from a passion for the complex interplay of public health and psychiatry, patient advocacy, and cultural competence. Ashlee has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentorship by helping other first-generation students navigate the complexities of medicine and applications through her active involvement in various student groups. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, playing pickleball, shopping, traveling, and trying new restaurants with friends.
Research Chair
Esha Aneja
California Northstate University College of Medicine
Esha Aneja is a third-year medical student at California Northstate University College of Medicine. She holds a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, Physiology and Metabolism with a minor in Disability Studies from UC Berkeley. Esha serves as the Clinic Manager for a student-run free clinic, providing medical care to underserved communities, and as an equine therapy instructor, teaching horseback riding to children with autism. Esha’s passion for psychiatry was ignited by her work with the California Department of Health Care Services, where she focused on improving access to mental health services for low-income families. This experience led her to help California Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Harris with creating a statewide trauma-informed care screening program to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Her research interest is in novel therapies for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. Esha previously served as the PsychSIGN Region 6 Chair and is excited to transition to PsychSIGN Research Co-Chair. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, playing tennis, and spending time with friends/family.
Residency Chair
Sonya Priven-Grinblat
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Sonya is a fourth-year medical student at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. She attended Lehigh University, where she studied Biology and Psychology. At RowanSOM, she served as the President of the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists (ACONP). She also volunteers as a crisis counselor, and is a medical student representative for the New Jersey Psychiatric Association. She is passionate about all areas of mental health, with a specific interest in child and adolescent psychiatry as well as community mental health. She is looking forward to overseeing all residency programming for PsychSIGN, serving as a mentor, fostering networking opportunities, and connecting with other professionals in the field. She currently lives in New York City and is a self-proclaimed foodie and travel enthusiast.
Wellness & Burnout Prevention Co-Chair
Madeline Schmiedeknecht
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Madeline (Maddie) is a fourth-year medical student at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and worked as a pharmaceutical research engineer in Philadelphia, PA for three years. During her time at Marian, she helped foster a program that allows medical students to shadow and present psychoeducational presentations to an Intensive Outpatient Group Therapy Program. Maddie is leading wellness research at her medical school and has presented this research at the APA Conference in May of 2023. Maddie loves going to comedy shows, cute coffee shops, and volunteering with her community garden. She is the proud mother of two kittens.
Wellness & Burnout Prevention Co-Chair
Donya Ahmadian
Donya Ahmadian is a second-year medical student at St. James School of Medicine and Special Interest Co-Chair of Wellness and Burnout Prevention. With a deeply rooted passion for mental health, social justice, and health equity. Donya desires to transform Psychiatric care into a more humanistic, patient-centered, and sacred space within the field of medicine. She believes that to care for ourselves is to care for others and learning how to answer the call of our own needs directly supports us into becoming the clinicians we dream to be.
Donya holds a Master’s in Public Health and is currently completing her Licensed Professional Counseling degree while in Medical School. She aims to leverage this diverse educational background to better serve underrepresented and vulnerable populations. She firmly believes in the transformative power of empathetic witnessing and connection and her vision includes leading with these tenants in mind. She views these elements as fundamental towards the embodied practice of medicine and strives to support the continued creation of programming which promotes and encourages this approach. As Co-Chair of Wellness and Burnout Prevention, Donya is committed towards enriching Psych SIGN’s already extensive network and educational aims surrounding mental health care and awareness. She hopes to uplift us even further towards a more inclusive, collaborative, and empathy-led future in the practice and leadership of what medical education and care can and should truly encompass.
Podcast Chair
Arazoo Shwany
Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
Arazoo is a fourth-year medical student at Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. She earned her BS in Human Biology and Society at UCLA. She developed an interest in behavioral health while volunteering as a crisis counselor at UCLA. During the pandemic, she co-founded the Kurdish Refugee Relief Foundation, a nonprofit organization sustainably addressing menstrual inequity in refugee camps. She is the host of Get Psyched and The D.O. Diaries podcasts. In her free time, Arazoo enjoys reading for fun and pilates.
Blog Chair
Marybelle Daclan
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Marybelle Daclan is a 4th year medical student at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She was raised in South Jersey. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. Marybelle is passionate about advocating for mental and behavioral health and is dedicated to reducing the stigma surrounding these issues. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, playing instruments, and traveling to new places. This year, she looks forward to running the PsychSIGN blog, allowing students from all across the country to participate in the PsychSIGN community and share their unique work and ideas.
Political Advocacy Chair
Natasha Topolski
McGovern Medical School
Natasha is an MD-PhD student at McGovern Medical School. She graduated from Tulane University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Cell & Molecular Biology and a minor in Philosophy. After graduation, Natasha conducted a post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health studying fMRI methods. She is currently completing her PhD investigating neuroimaging and epigenetic biomarkers in bipolar disorder. Natasha is deeply passionate about the interplay of science, medicine, and public policy, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into real-world clinical and community solutions. Natasha has extensive experience in organized medicine, and most recently served as chair of the national American Medical Association Medical Student Section. She is looking forward to supporting PsychSIGN members in building their advocacy skills and working together to generate impactful advocacy initiatives. Aside from her involvement in organized medicine, in her free time, Natasha loves traveling and exploring new places.