Do you want to hear about our students' experiences in the program? Do you wonder how they got to where they are now? Feel free to reach out to our students below.
Aileen Xia
C/O 2026,
Aileen Xia is from Oak Park, California, and is passionate about translating biotech innovation into real-world impact. She began her journey at the Waisman Center, where she studied molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, focusing on endoplasmic reticulum-based protein regulation. She later joined Minutia, a biotech startup in Bakar Labs, where she worked at the intersection of cell biology and nanotechnology. Immersed within a biotech incubator and its innovation-driven environment, Aileen was inspired by the tangible impact individuals could have in advancing therapies and scaling new technologies. This experience sparked her passion for problem-solving and ultimately led her to healthcare consulting, where she explores how business strategy and operations influence the success and accessibility of breakthrough treatments. On campus, Aileen is involved in consulting organizations, where she works with both large and emerging players in healthcare and biotech. She also teaches curriculum on the business side of the biotech industry, mentoring students navigating the intersection of science and strategy. Outside the classroom, she enjoys video editing, volleyball, lifting, and discovering new cafes to fuel her love for coffee and matcha.
Allison Li
C/O 2026,
Allison Li is from Mission Viejo, California, and is passionate about advancing the real-world impact of medicine through regulatory science, nonprofit initiatives, and healthcare policy advocacy. Through her time at UC Berkeley, she has pursued diverse experiences at the intersection of science, policy, and strategy. Her work includes clinical research at UCSF examining the gut microbiome’s role in childhood allergies, contributions to the Forum for Collaborative Research engaging with global leaders in drug development and patient access, and an internship at Phenomenex supporting product lifecycle and portfolio development. On campus, Allison serves as Managing Director of Helix Medical Group, where she leads a free summer program for Bay Area high school students from underserved backgrounds who are interested in healthcare. She is also a part of Atlas Strategy Group and serves as the Director of Social Affairs for LSBE. Outside of her academic and professional commitments, Allison enjoys exploring new coffee shops and taking in scenic views around San Francisco. You can reach her at allisonli@berkeley.edu.
Malavika Garimella
C/O 2026, Immunology and Molecular Medicine
Malavika grew up in India and Houston, TX, and is passionate about advancing
equitable healthcare access, particularly for rare diseases such as sickle cell anemia. Her research at UC Berkeley spans integrative biology—studying stem cell research in elephant seals at the Vásquez-Medina Lab and exploring cellular mechanisms of genetic diseases at the Arkin Lab at the Innovative Genomics Institute. Beyond Berkeley, her work experience includes CRISPR-based gene therapy research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, internships in clinical operations and research at pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Aurigene Oncology, and business development roles at life science startups. Malavika is open to pursuing a PhD in gene therapy or stem cell biology or joining a life sciences consulting firm to bridge the dual worlds of scientific discovery and business strategy. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys dancing (including Odissi, Salsa, and K-pop), mentoring young students in literacy development, and traveling to new countries! You can reach her at mala2004@berkeley.edu.
Rishima Sharma
C/O 2026, Molecular Therapeutics
Rishima is from Cumming, Georgia. She is passionate about advancing health equity and improving access to innovative treatments across underserved populations. Her interest in healthcare stems from her time as an EMT and conducting clinical research on kidney disease and prostate cancer at Emory and Loyola University. Over the years, she has also contributed to business development at med-tech startups and spearheaded outreach initiatives for nonprofits. At Berkeley, she is involved in several campus organizations such as the Healthcare Business Association at Berkeley, LSBE Student Board, Atlas Strategy Group, Berkeley Phi Beta Lambda, and the American Red Cross at Cal. Rishima is interning as a Wealth Management Analyst at JPMorgan Chase and hopes to pursue a career that combines her clinical background, business acumen, and passion for social impact—helping bridge gaps between medical innovation and the communities that need them most. In her free time, Rishima enjoys pilates, traveling, catching up with friends, and spending time at the beach. Feel free to connect with her at rsharma23@berkeley.edu.