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John Billimek and the HELIOS lab at UCI invites you to see our latest Newsletter! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
the HELIOS Labat the UCI Department of Family Medicine Summer 2025 Newsletter
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the HELIOS lab at UCI is a research and professional development program to support undergraduates in their journey to become physicians and other health professionals advancing health for all in medically underserved communities.
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Scroll down to see what
we’ve been up to!
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UROP Symposium 2025Every year, our student leaders engage in Microprojects—small projects that can be completed in a short time with lean funding to generate evidence for a more responsive healthcare system while accelerating our students’ professional development as future clinician leaders. Some Microprojects build on HELIOS’s NIH-funded research. Others emerge from collaborations with clinician partners and community-based organizations. This year’s Microprojects are presented at academic, professional and community venues including the 2025 UCI UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium on May 16 2025 at the Bren Events Center. Projects include:
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Exploring Patient and Provider Perspectives on Insulin Self Titration Mario Camacho II, Justin Urquiza, Amber Huesca with Dr. Sheila Malekian (Physician Mentor) |
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Bridging the Gap: How Patient-Centered Care Improves Medication Adherence in Latinx Hypertensive Patients Valeria Lopez Duarte, Naomi Ferrer |
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Assessing the Validity of Self-Reported and Objective Non adherence Measures for Hypertension Management in Spanish-Speaking Latinx Adults Kimberly Rodriguez, Marissa Ruiz |
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Health Literacy and Its Impact on Medication Adherence Stacy Segura |
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The Role of Interpreter Services in Supporting Hypertension Self-Management Amanda Arevalo (depicted), Jocelyn Vielma-Garcia with Drs. Randy Galan and Alejandro Barrios (Physician Mentors) |
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Exploring the Implication of Food Insecurity on Hypertension Outcomes in Hispanic Patient Population Sai Tulugu, Laura Renero |
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The Role of Interpreter in Supporting Hypertension Self-Management Angyelisa Hernandez |
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Alumni Mixer 2025
The HELIOS Lab had a fantastic showing at this year’s Alumni Mixer, where former and current members gathered for an evening of connection, community, and celebration. Attendees enjoyed delicious pizza, appetizers, and live music on the patio, while sharing updates on their academic and professional journeys. The event served as a meaningful reminder of the lasting bonds formed within HELIOS and the supportive network that continues beyond graduation. |
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Alumni Medical Students Elizabeth Ordonez (left), Brett Cervantes (middle), and Sara Garrido (right) |
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Amanda Arevalo (left), Stacy Segura (middle), Alumni Class of 2024 Andrea Serrano (right) |
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PRIME Fellows: Daniela Garcia, Jeffrey Garcia, Monica Rodriguez (not depicted) PRIME Scholars: Mario Camacho II, Naomi Ferrar, Stacy Segura, Amanda Arevalo |
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UC PRIME Prehealth Pathways - PRIME Scholars in HELIOSCongratulations to our PRIME Scholars! Their hard work, resilience, and passion for health equity continue to inspire. This year’s scholars didn’t just learn from workshops—they were uplifted by our HELIOS Fellows who served as mentors, cheerleaders, and examples of what’s possible. As we celebrate our scholars’ completion of the program, we also honor the Fellows whose guidance continues to shape the future of healthcare. Special Congratulations to graduating PRIME Scholars, Mario Camacho II and Naomi Ferrar!
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HELIOS Banquet 2025As the 2024-25 year closed out, the HELIOS Lab paused to reflect on all we’ve experienced and achieved—together. At this year’s banquet, we celebrated the unique journeys of each lab member, the strength of our community, and the shared curiosity that drives our mission forward. Congratulations to our HELIOS Seniors!
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Natalie Aguilar
Psychological Sciences B.A. |
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Mario Camacho II
Biological Sciences B.S. |
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Valeria Lopez Duarte
Public Health Policy B.A. |
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Kimberly Rodriguez
Public Health Sciences B.S. |
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Sai Tulugu
Public Health Sciences B.S. |
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Jocelyn Vielma
Public Health Sciences B.S. |
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Naomi Ferrar
Biological Sciences B.S. |
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SHARE-FM 2025We’re thrilled to introduce our returning and newest PRIME scholars as they embark on their journey in the HELIOS Lab through research, advocacy, and health equity. Here's to a year of growth, collaboration, and making an impact—welcome to the HELIOS Lab!
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UC Prime Pre-Health Pathways 2025-26 |
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Alumni SpotlightsCelebrating Our Future Physicians and LeadersA big congratulations to our HELIOS Alumni, Jeffrey Garcia, Denice Segovia, Daniela Garcia, Jackie Macias-Sandoval, Natalie Aceves, Juan Carlos Salinas and Nydia Gomez as they begin their next chapter matriculating in medical school this year! Jeffrey is headed to UC San Diego School of Medicine, Denice to UC San Francisco School of Medicine, Daniela to Chicago School of Medicine, Natalie to Charles Drew University School of Medicine, Jackie to UC Davis, Juan Carlos (not pictured) and Nydia will all be attending PRIME LC at UC Irvine! They are joined by Jackie Gonzalez who is starting the Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Chapman University to become a Speech and Language Pathologist, Liliana Chau who completed the medical assisting program at Loma Linda University, Melanie Lopez who is entering the University of San Francisco Master of Public Health program. All together, this brings us to 74 HELIOS alumni entering health professional programs since 2018 including 48 enrolling in Medical School. Congratulations! Your HELIOS family is proud of you all!
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Jeffrey Garcia (left), Denice Segovia (right) |
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Message from our PI, Dr. Billimek
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Preparing for a new academic yearI couldn’t be more impressed with our HELIOS members, graduates and alumni. And this summer, our SHARE-FM Summer Research and Leadership participants have prepared an exciting agenda of service experiences at our FQHC clinic partners, leadership and learning within the lab, and 10 research Microprojects we can’t wait to share with you all. None of this is possible without your generous support! The students and I cannot thank you enough. -Dr. B.
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