About
Brenda Abarca was born and raised in Julian, CA, a rural community east of San Diego County. She grew-up in a tight-knit single parent household with a younger sister. She completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish at UCLA in 2013. While at UCLA, she was involved in Chicanos for Community Medicine, a premedical-mentorship organization for first generation students. Being a student leader in LSHP-CCM cultivated her interest in medicine. By organizing multiple health fairs and talks throughout Los Angeles, she gained a better understanding of the socioeconomic factors that impact her family and underserved communities. Brenda was part of the following pipeline programs and is always eager to share what she learned on her path to medicine: NIH Biomedical Science Enrichment Program (BISEP), UCLA Pre-medical/Pre-dental Enrichment Program (PREP), Summer Urban Health Fellowship (SUHF), & UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Program. When she is not in the books or involved with LMSA you can find her at the gym, running marathons, hiking, or hanging out with her sister and family.
Undergrad Institution: UC Los Angeles
Hometown: Julian, CA