This summer, the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at The Lundquist Institute is proud to once again serve as a host site for the Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP).
Running from June 9 to July 20, 2025, this six-week externship brings underrepresented medical students from across the nation to The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (TLI) to explore pathways in clinical and translational research, emphasizing the value of representative participation in advancing research and improving health outcomes for all communities.
TLI is pleased to welcome the following fellows during summer 2025:
- Saimon Acevedo Ortiz, a student at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, College of Medicine
- Kawaiola Aoki, a student at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Gabriela Gomez, a student at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Tiffany Trieu, a student at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
The Winn CIPP is a national initiative designed to build a pathway for community-oriented clinical trialists from diverse backgrounds. The program offers selected MD and DO students training across three core domains: clinical research, community engagement, and leadership development. While at TLI, these fellows will contribute to meaningful research projects, conduct outreach and educational initiatives, and build leadership skills with guidance from dedicated mentors from cardiovascular disease and respiratory medicine, emergency and social medicine, nephrology, and infectious disease.
“I joined the Winn CIPP to expand my clinical research training through a community-based lens, so I can better serve and advocate for the populations I come from.”
Kawaiola Aoki
“I joined this program to become a more effective physician for marginalized communities that face the greatest gaps in care and to better understand how clinical trials can be used to narrow these healthcare disparities.”
Tiffany Trieu
“I chose the WINN CIPP program to deepen my commitment to serving underserved communities as a first-generation Afro-Latino medical student passionate about health equity, neurosurgery, and mentoring others from similar backgrounds.”
Saimon Acevedo Ortiz
“Growing up in Compton, I witnessed first-hand the inequalities marginalized communities experience when seeking healthcare. My motivation to join Winn CIPP came from a desire to increase access to innovative healthcare treatment options and ensure that medical research accurately reflects data on historically marginalized communities.”
Gabriela Gomez
