PRE-OPTOMETRY SOCIETY
at UCLA
Meet Our 2024-2025
Executive Board
Genelle is a 4th-year Biology major and Global Health minor. As President, she works to organize and lead all club meetings and events, oversee officer duties, and coordinate visits from optometry admissions offices, optometrists, and any other collaborative events. Her experience in optometry includes both shadowing and interning for optometry practices both in LA and back in her hometown, with a focus on volunteering at vision screenings at elementary schools. Outside of optometry, she is a part of DIG at UCLA as a treasurer and Bruin Belles Service association, plays tennis, and crochets.
President
Genelle Marcelino-Searles
Lucy is a 4th year Anthropology B.S Major and Spanish Minor. As Vice President her responsibilities are to work alongside the President to help lead general meetings and club events. As well as coordinate family systems and community representatives. She currently has been shadowing two optometrists in Soledad Optometric which is located in East LA. During her free time she loves being with her family and hometown friends, exploring new places with them, trying new foods, watching different shows, and she loves to cook. During long breaks she loves traveling to Mexico to be with her family.
Vice President
Lucy Valdez
Anisa is a 3rd year Human Biology and Society Major. As Co-Finance Coordinator, her responsibilities are to coordinate fundraisers throughout the year and manage organization finances to fund scholarships, trips to optometry schools, social events, and the end-of-year symposium. At UCLA, she is also Outreach Coordinator for Camp Kesem and conducts undergraduate research through UCLA Health. Her optometry experience ranges from working at U See LA Optometry through the Ashe Center, attending Berkeley’s OptoCamp, shadowing at private and group practices, and volunteering at various health fairs. In her free time she is an avid tennis player and enjoys hiking, ATV riding, and going to the beach!
Co-Finance Coordinator
Anisa Londhe
Nhu is a 3rd year Psychology major. As Co-Finance Coordinator, she works alongside Anisa to plan bi-quarterly fundraisers, manage club spendings, and funds for: scholarships, optometry school trips, and socials, including Pre-Optometry Society’s biggest event, Symposium. She’s been working at Dr. Diana Risco & Associates for the past year, as an optometric technician, as well as teaching piano. During her spare time, Nhu likes to review new restaurants and cafes, work out, collect figurines, and hang out with her friends!
Co-Finance Coordinator
Chon Nhu Nguyen
Sarah is a third year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major. As Administrative Coordinator, she sends out weekly emails, monitors membership status, and responds to any club emails. Over the summer, she shadowed and scribed for her optometrist back home and took the OAT. At UCLA, Sarah is involved in research at Stein Eye Institute and is part of the leadership team for the Care Extender Program at UCLA Health. Sarah currently works at U See LA Optometry, part of the Ashe Student Health Center. In her free time, Sarah enjoys exploring new cafes, reading, and traveling..
Administrative Coordinator
Sarah Yang
Edmond is a 4th year Psychobiology major. As Social Coordinator, he plans and organizes the club’s engaging social activities, board retreats, and team-building outings. He is also on the executive board of Alpha Epsilon Delta, UCLA’s Premier Pre-Health Honor Society. He currently works at Village Eyes Optometry as an optometric technician. Outside of optometry, he loves to go to the gym, play basketball, and spend time trying new activities with friends. Edmond is excited to start his first year at SUNY Optometry School in August 2025!
Social Coordinator
Edmond Chu
Kevin is a 4th-year Biology major at UCLA and currently serves as the Publicity Coordinator for the Pre-Optometry Society. In this role, he manages the club’s social media presence, designs promotional materials, and keeps members informed and engaged. Kevin’s passion for optometry is further reflected in his experience as an optometric assistant at the USeeLA Optometry Clinic, where he gained valuable insights into patient care and clinic operations. He has participated in vision research deepening his understanding of the field and is currently studying for the OAT. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Kevin enjoys a range of hobbies, including cooking new dishes, rock climbing, playing guitar, and reading.
Publicity Coordinator
Kevin Quach
Mariama is a 4th year Biochemistry major from South Bay, Los Angeles. As the Mentorship Coordinator, she manages the undergraduate and post-graduate mentorship programs, organizing events and overseeing the alumni network through quarterly newsletters. She is also involved in the Bruin Vision Project and conducts research in an inorganic chemistry lab at UCLA. This past summer she took the OAT and participated in an undergraduate research fellowship program. Her optometry experience includes shadowing, volunteering at health fairs, and recently working as an optometric intern at a local Westwood clinic. In her free time, she enjoys going to amusement parks, photography, and painting.
Mentorship Coordinator
Mariama Salami
Rebeca is a 4th-year Human Biology & Society major as well as a French minor. In her role as the web/technology coordinator, she is in charge of acquiring the necessary equipment needed for in-person meetings, setting up zoom calls for virtual meetings, ensuring the club's website is up to date with the latest news, maintaining the club's Facebook page, and upholding the club's Test Bank. Currently, she works at an optometry private practice as the lead technician where she has gained personal experience with one-on-one patient care and clinical/business operations. She plans to take an enrichment year after graduation to further expand her skills and growth in the field of optometry. Besides her passion for optometry, Rebeca enjoys learning new languages, playing the violin, baking/cooking new dishes, assembling puzzles, and reading.