Pre-Professional Health Academic Program

“Not only did PHAP guide me through the overwhelming application process, but the professors prepared me for the academic rigors of dental school, and the friends I made here continue to cheer me on. This program has so much to offer, and it’s truly what you make of it!”

“Beyond academics, PHAP provided invaluable support through mentorship, guidance on the application process, and strong letters of recommendation that helped communicate my potential as a future dental professional. I also became actively involved in pre-dental clubs, which gave me exposure to the field, opportunities to volunteer, and a sense of community that reinforced my commitment to dentistry. By the time I applied, I felt confident, well-prepared, and supported—thanks to the structure, resources, and encouragement I received through PHAP.”

"Those gap years were invaluable — I dedicated time to preparing for the MCAT, conducting clinical research at the VA, and engaging in community outreach projects in San Jose’s homeless shelters. I went on to attend Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where I earned a public health certificate and helped create trauma-informed care workshops for women’s shelters in Flint. I later returned to California to complete my OB/GYN residency at Loma Linda University. Now, after 14 years, my journey has come full circle as I return home to Sacramento to serve my community as an OB/GYN generalist at Kaiser Roseville."

"Previously, an undergraduate advisor implied to me that my soft-spoken manner would hinder my entrance into and future success in the field of medicine; soon after, I enrolled in PHAP, discouraged in my plan to apply to medical school. A year later, I am proud and thankful to share that PHAP has confirmed with full certainty that I am on the right path and I sincerely hope that current and future cohorts of PHAP may share my overwhelmingly positive experience and find where they are meant to be as well."

"At PHAP, I discovered effective study techniques while balancing a rigorous course load and working part-time as a sterilization technician. I also had the chance to connect with like-minded peers in small classrooms and through extracurriculars like the Art in Dentistry Club and Students United for America's Toothfairy. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the dental field and build lasting relationships during my time at PHAP."

"However, I persevered, and with the encouragement of a supportive community and exceptional mentors at PHAP, I grew both personally and academically. PHAP played a pivotal role in helping me make my dream a reality."

"My sharpened study habits, effective and efficient study techniques, and valued clinic experiences led me to believe that I can still pursue a career as a healthcare provider though my Undergraduate grades were not strong. PHAP helped me achieve my goal by providing rigorous coursework, accountability with tangible study skills and clinical experience (GO ICW!!). Did I mention the professors? Their demands for critical thinking reflected the expectations of my PA program professors/coursework. The independent studying that I developed in PHAP helped me tremendously. PHAP also provided a medical therapist that I had access to who allowed me to receive a breakthrough in my personal life. In PHAP, I rediscovered my passion to fulfill my dream of helping people receive holistic health while maintaining it myself. The most pivotal moment in PHAP was discovering the PA profession and I'm eternally grateful! Lastly, I became a year research assistant at UCSF Internal Medicine Research department where I learned the importance of motivational interviewing when serving patients."

"The professors were kind and genuinely supportive, as were the wonderful fellow post-bacc students I had the chance to study alongside. I'm very thankful for the role PHAP played in helping me get to where I am today."

"With what I learned from PHAP, I know that I am well prepared for the challenges of medical school!"

"Not only am I handling the material in medical school, but I thrive in classes like Biochemistry where PHAP ensured I have a deep understanding of the material. I cannot say thanks to PHAP enough for providing students with great support from professors and tutors. Would not be where I am today without the help of PHAP!"

"The intensive science-only curriculum was a great intro to how Med-School curriculums are formatted."

"Not only was I accepted into 4 of the 6 physical therapy schools I applied to, but I selected my #1 school of choice!"

"The connections I made, from faculty to fellow students, made the journey enjoyable. The science courses were excellent preparation for the DAT and for dental school."

"PHAP's excellent faculty thoroughly prepared me for the rigors of medical school and I use the knowledge and study skills I gained everyday."

"Additionally, I bolstered my academic resume by maintaining a high Post-baccalaureate GPA, and I regularly met with advisors and staff mentors that gave me excellent feedback on my application. I thank the program for helping me mature as an applicant and reinforce my commitment to the field of medicine."

"Being a PHAPer allowed me to connect with my professors in a small class setting and build my confidence to pursue my dream, all the while surrounded with like-minded individuals! I felt supported and seen during my time there."

"Beyond having the personalized attention to my application, PHAP gave me the space to grow and re-instilled confidence in pursuing my goals."

"PHAP fostered such a collaborative community, and the faculty were incredibly supportive of my journey and provided invaluable insight and mentorship."

"PHAP provided a supportive environment where I overcame my fear of asking questions, actively engaging in office hours and lectures, and forming study groups."

"PHAP's close-knit culture also allowed me to really get to know my professors, advisors and peers which helped me stay focused on the material and make lasting friendships along the way. PHAP will always have a special place in my heart."

"After struggling academically in college, I was able to refocus, develop stronger study habits, and build better relationships with peers and professors in PHAP who greatly supported me in my journey."

"The resources afforded to me during my time at PHAP were extremely valuable, such as an open door policy, and exposure to other students who were in the same position as me. PHAP’s rigorous coursework pushed me to think critically about science and healthcare, and gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my academic potential. It was truly a second chance—one that helped me grow into a stronger, more confident student. Most importantly, PHAP prepared me exceptionally well for the rigorous coursework of PA school, giving me the critical thinking skills necessary for success. I am incredibly grateful to PHAP for believing in me and helping me reach my goals. I would enroll in PHAP 1000 times over."

"The challenging coursework and collaborative nature of PHAP gave me a solid foundation in both academic rigor and teamwork, which has translated seamlessly into my medical school experience. As a result, I now feel more confident in my abilities and better prepared for the demands of medical training!"

"I am thankful for the invaluable guidance provided by PHAP professors/advisors, ensuring I stay on course to achieve my goal of entering medical school."

"My PHAP advisors, professors, and peers showed me oceans of support, empowerment, and a sense of self-confidence that was not only uniquely defining, but also undoubtedly pivotal in my journey into medicine."

"I came into the program after having completed my Bachelors Degree at UC Berkeley and did not have a competitive GPA to apply to medical school. The professors and faculty at PHAP gave me confidence that there was still hope to make my dream come true."

"I left PHAP with more confidence and feeling like I could take on anything medical school has to offer."

"With professors who were mindful of our goals to become physicians, PAs, dentists, and other healthcare professionals, we were encouraged and challenged to apply core concepts of our classes to our interests and desired fields."

"I also received excellent counseling and beneficial opportunities that strengthened my resume. PHAP was invaluable in helping me achieve my goal of getting into medical school."

"As a first generation college student from an underserved/underrepresented community, it was often challenging to envision myself in a position to become a medical professional. After much consideration, applying to and being accepted into PHAP was a commitment to actualizing my vision. As a non-science major, PHAP allowed me to finish my Pre-Med prerequisites and enhanced my learning of how to study for science specific courses. Aside from practicing new study strategies, I was able to surround myself with a very supportive community of students and staff who shared my interest in the medical professions. Serving as the PHAP Student Association Vice President also allowed me to engage with students on a larger scale and practice the leadership and teamwork skills that I will use during my lifelong career as a physician."

"The unwavering support I received from my PHAP advisors, professors, and faculty was vital in helping me achieve my dreams."

"...but allowed me to study effectively for the MCAT and also served as the basis for my success in rigorous medical school courses."

"PHAP provides students with the collaborative environment needed to succeed as future health professionals and I am so grateful to have been part of the community."

"Their expertise on students from nontraditional backgrounds gave me both the community and resources I needed to succeed."

"Being immersed in this culture pushes you to excel inside and out of the classroom; to become a strong academic candidate and well-rounded applicant for medical school. I am confident in saying that I would not be where I am today without PHAP."

"Dr. Wambuguh and the rest of the faculty genuinely care about their students, and they understand this is students' second chance to prove themselves. I am truly grateful for PHAP and cannot thank them enough for helping me pursue my dream of medical school."

"It has helped me learn better study habits, be more efficient with time management, and network with many professionals that have been a huge part of my success. I am thankful for the wonderful staff and would highly recommend PHAP to anyone that is thinking of applying to a professional program. Although nothing can fully prepare you for what you'll experience in a professional program, the knowledge and relationships you will acquire from PHAP will help you in every step of the process."

"As a non-traditional medical student, being surrounded by like-minded individuals and having a supportive faculty made the medical school application process less daunting."

"The rigorous classwork allowed me to improve my study habits and mentally prepared me for school. Additionally, the mentorship and guidance I receive from my advisors throughout this challenging process was amazing."

"Not only did it help me to get into dental school but also prepared me well for the future curriculum. I loved the collaborative environment, the teachers, my classmates, and the mentors I found there. All of them helped me realize my dream. PHAP is a truly special place."

"I cannot express how immensely grateful I am for the vast amount of opportunities and the generous guidance I received from professors and peers that helped me to where I am today."

"I was able to strength myself as an applicant and grow as an individual during my time in PHAP. I can gratefully say it has better prepared me for dental school."

"With the faculty so approachable and willing to help, I was able to demonstrate straight A’s throughout the program, not only bolstering my GPA for applications but also reassuring my confidence and ability to do well under a rigorous program. As a 1st year medical student, I attribute my smooth academic transition largely through the rigor of PHAP courses."

"I wouldn’t be where I am today without the lasting connections and friendships I’ve made in this program!"

"I’m grateful for the small class size, the dedicated professors, and the supportive student environment for helping me reach my goal!"

"Through PHAP, I was able to build my own confidence and ensure that I would be able to handle the rigorous course load of medical school. I was also able to interact with professors, who always made sure to keep their doors open and welcoming to students, and build solid relationships with them."

"PHAP is a community of amazing faculty and students who encourage each other to strive for their goals. I will always remember PHAP as the place in which my dreams came into fruition!"

"I continued to evolve as a student, preparing me for the future. The support I received from the faculty allowed me to see my potential and ultimately help me get into dental school."

"...at PHAP I learned the skills to become a successful student and, more importantly, I gained the confidence to pursue my dreams of becoming a PA!"

"...I was given the opportunity to receive an in-depth understanding of the foundational sciences that contributed to my success in the program as well as the MCAT, thus making me a top medical school applicant."

"Not only did PHAP provide me with a science background that I still utilize in my current didactic courses, I also had the opportunity to join numerous clubs and take on leadership positions that challenged me outside of academia. I am so thankful for all the faculty, advisors, and friends that have helped me on this journey! Without PHAP, I would not be where I am today."

"The faculty, professors, and school community truly cares for their students and guides them to be the best they can be. My time in PHAP was vital towards my growth as a pre-health student and future health professional and I am proud to be a product of this amazing program."

"The faculty members always made themselves available to guide me through my questions and mentored me through my academic and personal development. Here, I also made lifelong friends who share the same vision in our endeavors and we continue to help each other improve today."

"Through PHAP I found the community and the guidance that prepared me for this next chapter of my career."

"These professors generously offered their time to know me on a personal level. Their immense support, guidance, and approbation gave me the confidence to relentlessly pursue my goals."

"After completing 5 semesters with a 4.0, I refined my study habits and grew confident within myself and my academic abilities. PHAP wasn't just a program-- it was a family and I couldn't have gotten into dental school without them!"

"PHAP taught me to believe again in my capacity as a student, leader, & future physician."

Dr. Tyler Evans is an assistant professor in CSUEB’s Department of Biological Sciences with a focus on environmental physiology, genomics, and climate change. His lab, The Evans Lab at California State University, East Bay, is interested in how shifts in abiotic variables affect the performance of marine organisms, particularly within the scope of global climate change. His work strives to characterize responses to the environment across levels of biological organization and elucidate differences that exist between populations or species in their capacity to respond to environmental change. Ultimately, this information is useful in developing predictions as to how organisms will fare in future environments.

Dr. Evans has a PhD in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada).

For more information about his research, please visit his website.

Dr. Erik Helgren is the chair for CSUEB’s Department of Physics as well as an associate professor with a focus on transport properties of renewable energy materials. He also is the co-director of the Social Impact Solar (SIS) program, i.e., the Solar Suitcase Program since 2015, where students learn basic STEM concepts associated with solar technology as well as the social justice and environmental justice implications that solar technology can have on society. Students in the class assemble a working off-grid solar energy system, i.e., the Solar Suitcase, developed by our partner non-profit We Share Solar.

Dr. Helgren was awarded the George and Miriam Phillips Outstanding Professor Award for the 2018-2019 academic year and has served on the board of directors for the CSUEB Institute for STEM Education since 2015.

He earned his PhD in Physics from UCLA.

Dr. Arnab Mukherjea has a specific passion for empowering at-risk populations to assume ownership of their own health prospects. He firmly believes that training and developing diverse and talented students will allow them to return to their communities to positively impact health. Dr. Mukherjea received his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Applied Health Disparities Research, as well as a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Health & Social Behavior with a specialization in Multicultural Health. His Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is in Molecular & Cell Biology, with a concentration in Neuroscience. All of his academic training occurred at the University of California, Berkeley.  

Dr. Mukherjea has been involved in both undergraduate and graduate public health education in the University of California and California State University systems since 1998, teaching courses in community health, multicultural health, team building, epidemiology, as well as integration of theory and practice. In addition to teaching, he has worked in the non-profit sector, encompassing research and practice, with a particular focus on understanding and addressing preventable disparities among understudied Asian American populations. He has published and lectured on a number of issues related to health disparities in California and throughout the U.S. and has received numerous awards for his research in this area.  

As a scientist, Dr. James Murray is trained to employ critical thinking, and as an instructor he has learned to hone critical thinking skills in his students. Throughout his courses, students learn how to critically analyze scientific literature and data, and how to evaluate the importance of scientific results and statistical evidence. The bulk of Dr. Murray's research focuses on the neural basis for adaptive behavior.

Dr. Murray received a BS in Neurobiology & Behavior from Cornell University in 1988, and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Washington in 1994.

Dr. Poonam Narula has taught general chemistry at Cal State East Bay since 2017. She has a passion for teaching as she believes that it allows her to share her knowledge with the future of tomorrow.

Apart from her teaching experience, Dr. Narula has worked in various business sectors for the past 15 years and has been involved in identification of new growth areas and managing implementation in these areas.

Dr. Nurula holds a PhD in inorganic chemistry from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC and a postdoc in analytical chemistry from the University of NC at Chapel Hill as well as an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Dr. Claudia Uhde-Stone is a professor in CSUEB’s Department of Biological Sciences. In her lab, undergraduate and graduate students collaborate to unravel the molecular mechanisms that underlie plants’ abilities to adapt, communicate, learn, and potentially live forever. Dr. Stone’s lab uses transcriptomics (RNA-sequencing), proteomics (mass spectrometry) and genome editing (CRISPR-Cas) to better understand how plants function.

She has a PhD from the University of Bielefeld in Germany.