Meet our Team

Brittiny Dennis | Health Professions Advising Coordinator

Alyssa Avellaneda | Lead Pre-Health Student Advisor

Major: Kinesiology (B.S.)        Concentration: Health Promotion

As a third-year Kinesiology Health Promotion major, Alyssa Avellaneda is dedicated and committed to leading students in exploring and uncovering their career paths in health professions. 

Her inspiration comes from her personal quest to achieve her aspirations of being an aesthetic nurse. This journey is shaped by her cultural heritage and identity along with her drive, flexibility, and commitment propelling her toward accomplishing objectives. Noticing a scarcity of women, specifically Hispanic women, opting for a biology major and overall STEM majors on university campuses.

One of Alyssa’s major accomplishments at CSUSB thus far has been securing a position on the executive board of the sorority Alpha Phi. The opportunity to serve as the VP of Finance for Alpha Phi holds special meaning, especially considering that as a second-year college student, she never envisioned being selected for such a crucial role. This achievement is important as it signifies both personal growth and recognition of capabilities within the sorority community. 

Johnny Garcia | Lead Pre-Health Student Advisor

Major: Chemistry (B.S.)        Concentration: Biochemistry

As a third-year Biochemistry pre-med student, Johnny Garcia is driven to make an impact on his community. Not only does he plan on making an impact on his future patients as a physician, but also by helping his fellow students create and understand their path toward their desired health professions.

His drive is mainly due to his culture and background. As a proud Chicano born and raised in SoCal, Johnny aspires to create an environment in which his community can comfortably see a physician to not only get medical treatment but to connect on a more personal and cultural level. He would like to break the negative stigma that people of color have when it comes to seeing a doctor. Johnny hopes to reside in the Inland Empire and attend medical school to further decide on a specialty.

One of Johnny’s favorite accomplishments at CSUSB is the personal growth he has accomplished. Being able to refine his work ethic, public speaking, confidence, time management, and mental and physical health have all helped Johnny improve on the foundational skill set that is necessary in the medical field.

Malak Darijbara | Pre-Health Student Advisor

Major: Health Science and Human Ecology (B.S.)        Concentration: Public Health

As a third-year Public Health major on the pre-physician assistant track, Malak Darijbara is passionate about helping students navigate their unique paths in healthcare. A proud first-generation college student and Palestinian Muslim woman, she is committed to uplifting underrepresented voices and creating inclusive, empowering spaces for her peers.

Malak currently serves as the Public Relations Officer for MAPSS (Medical and Pre-Health Student Society), where she leads outreach and communication efforts to connect students with professional development opportunities. She has also held previous roles as MAPSS’s Event Coordinator, where she helped organize panels, workshops, and events focused on student engagement and pre-health preparation.

Her prior campus involvement includes serving as a Student Mentor for the CSUSB Student Mentoring Program and as a Wellness Ambassador for the Department of Basic Needs and Student Support. Through these roles, she supported student success, promoted well-being, and helped connect peers to critical campus resources.

 Harleen Kaur Maroak | Pre-Health Student Advisor

Major: Health Science and Human Ecology (M.S.)        Concentration: Public Health

As a first-year graduate student of Public Health with a background in dentistry, Harleen is passionate about promoting healthier communities through prevention, education, and improving access to care.  

Harleen is currently a Peer Health Advisor at California State University, San Bernardino, where she mentors peer students on pre-health pathways and helps them align their goals with their passions. She is also actively involved in the Creating Inclusive Pathways to Allied Health Professions (CIPAHP) mentoring program, which aims to expand educational access and support underrepresented students pursuing graduate-level education in health fields. In addition, Harleen serves as a Department Ambassador of the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology, helping new students navigate their admissions and understand the structure of their academic programs. 

One of Harleen’s proudest accomplishments has been receiving the Best Oral Presentation Award Meeting of the Minds Graduate Research Symposium at CSUSB for her research work on nutrition and child health in Zambia. She was also honored as a recipient of the Phi Beta Delta Scholarship Award, recognizing her academic excellence and contributions to international education. These achievements have strengthened her public speaking, professional development, and confidence as a future health leader. Most recently, Harleen was elected Treasurer of the MAPPS executive board, continuing her dedication to student leadership and public health advocacy on campus.