MEET THE 2024-2025 EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT
Amelia Hammond
Amelia is a senior from Summerfield, North Carolina, majoring in both Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Classical Humanities, and she is on the pre-physician assistant path. Since joining AED in Fall 2021, she has cherished the community that AED has provided, along with the amazing opportunities it has brought her.
This summer, Amelia worked as a swim coach and volunteered as a counselor at Camp Kesem. Outside of AED, Amelia is a home health aide, volunteers with the Special Olympics, and is a member of Camp Kesem. She also has experience in peer mentoring for CHEM 262. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants with her AED family, coaching swim, and participating in intramural sports at UNC.
VICE PRESIDENT
Haylea Ledbetter
Haylea is a senior from Hudson, North Carolina, majoring in both Biology and Medical Anthropology. She hopes to go into nursing and is currently applying to ABSN programs. Since joining AED in Fall 2021, she has witnessed how AED has inspired others to be the best version of themselves by surrounding them with people whose interests differ from their own.
This summer, Haylea received a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant to conduct an independent research project through the Anthropology department. Her research delves into access to substance use treatment in rural Appalachia and the stigma surrounding it, so she spent her summer in Western NC doing in-person work. Outside of AED, she is involved with NC Fellows, a leadership development program within Student Life and Leadership (SLL), and serves as the Social Media Coordinator. In addition, she is a part of the Catalyst Conference through the Campus Y and serves as a peer mentor for BIOL 253. When Haylea is not working as a home aide or studying, she loves going to see live music and reading a good book. Since she lives in the mountains, she enjoys anything outdoors, such as hiking and kayaking.
VICE PRESIDENT
Minghao Shao
Minghao is a junior from New York City, New York, majoring in Biology, with a minor in Neuroscience and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is on the pre-med track to go into Anesthesiology with a pain management subspecialty. Since joining AED in his freshman year (Fall 2022), he has enjoyed learning and bonding with his AED family.
This summer, Minghao traveled to Iceland, where he explored the country's stunning sights. Outside of AED, Minghao conducts research with mice at the Zylka Lab, helps run the SHAC Clinic, and serves as a peer mentor for BIOL 252 with Dr. Zwemer, among other activities. In his free time he loves playing ping pong and exploring Franklin Street with his friends.
SECRETARY
Ethan Gibbons
Ethan is a junior from San Jose, California, majoring in Health Policy with a minor in Chemistry. He aspires to become a physician leader, specializing in cardiology or oncology, and aims to improve the conceptualization and delivery of chronic illness care, particularly in terminal illness and palliative care, at both the implementation and policy levels. Since joining AED in Fall 2022, Ethan has enjoyed the amazing mentorship he has gained, especially from his big, and the guidance he has been able to provide to other members regarding both the pre-health path and personal matters.
This summer, Ethan spent his time in Chapel Hill studying for PHYS 114 and working full-time as a CNA at the UNC Neurosciences Hospital. He also volunteered as a counselor for Camp Kesem for a week. Outside of AED, Ethan also serves as an undergraduate research assistant at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy conducting cancer care delivery research and is the vice president of Thrive Together, a nonprofit aimed at reducing social and educational disparities in the Triangle. He also volunteers as an interpreter with SHAC, a supplemental instructor for BIOL 103, and a Seasons to Remember volunteer with CPALS. When he's not out tackling challenging hikes like Half Dome in Yosemite without prior conditioning, Ethan enjoys his 7-year tenure as a fantasy football league commissioner and is always up for board games or word games (especially Word Hunt). He has also recently taken up cooking and baking!
TREASURER
Nathan Adams
Nathan is a senior from Davidson, North Carolina, majoring in Nutrition Science and Research with minors in Biology and Chemistry. He aspires to become a physician, focusing on a career as either a pediatrician or radiation oncologist. Since joining AED in the spring of his sophomore year (Spring 2023), Nathan has enjoyed getting to know his fellow members, seeing the impact AED has on them and their lives, and exploring various healthcare fields.
This summer, he spent his time in Chapel Hill working on campus while also taking the opportunity to travel internationally. Outside of AED, Nathan is involved with the Campus Y’s Catalyst Conference, conducts research at UNC’s Weight Research Center, serves as a peer mentor for BIOL 103, and shadowing physicians through AED. In his free time, he enjoys watching the latest trending TV shows and going on walks or hikes with his dogs. He plans to eat at every restaurant on Franklin St. at least once this year before he leaves in the spring.
NEW MEMBER COORDINATOR
Lyn Dias
Lyn is a junior from Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Women and Gender Studies, and she aims to become a psychiatrist. Joining AED in her freshman year (Fall 2022) made her transition to UNC much smoother, and she is grateful for the amazing people she has met and the supportive community she has found.
This summer, Lyn completed her chemistry lab courses and spent quality time with friends. She also began a new internship at RTI researching the neural basis of cocaine addiction. Outside of AED, Lyn is involved with Campus EMS, the university’s student-run emergency medicine organization, and conducts research on the neurological pathways behind auditory processing in the Kato Lab. She also facilitates workshops for the Body Empowerment Project, an organization that aims to bring awareness to eating disorders and promote healthy mindsets. In her free time, she enjoys doing crafts such as crocheting, painting, and, more recently, working with air-dry clay. She also loves thrifting and trying new coffee shops with her friends.
NEW MEMBER COORDINATOR
Stevie Levite
Stevie is a senior from Apex, North Carolina, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. She hopes to obtain a Clinical Psychology PhD, aspiring to become a child psychologist. Since joining AED in Fall 2022, she has loved getting to connect with so many people with diverse passions that she wouldn't have had the chance to meet otherwise.
This summer, Stevie interned at 3-C Family Services, assisting in the formation and direction of social skills group classes for kids. She also volunteered as a research assistant at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, observing behavior assessments and organizing data. Outside of AED, Stevie is Vice President of a pre-health mentorship organization under the direction of Dr. Bradley Hammer and a member of Mental Health Ambassadors, where she works to find and distribute resources for students on campus. Lastly, she is a member of B3, an organization that works to bridge the social and occupational gap between people with and without disabilities. In her free time, she loves to visit Jordan Lake, play Jackbox games with her friends, mess around with her electric bass, and go thrifting and antique shopping.
SOCIAL CHAIR
Nehal Devpura
Nehal is a junior from West Chester, Pennsylvania, majoring in Nutrition Science and Research with minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry. Since joining AED in Fall 2022, she has been grateful for the wonderful support system AED has provided her in challenging STEM classes and for the friendships she has formed.
This summer, Nehal worked as a patient technician at an in-patient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and volunteered as an EMT in her community. Outside of AED, Nehal is the Morale Chair for Carolina for the Kids, a peer mentor for English 105i: Health and Medicine, and a research assistant at the Microbiome Core, which investigates the beneficial gut modulation by pre and pro-biotics. She enjoys being outdoors, whether playing tennis or going on walks. Nehal also loves reading and cooking.
SOCIAL CHAIR
Samir Kuntamukkala
Samir is a sophomore from Cary, North Carolina, dual majoring in Pre-Health Policy and Management and Psychology with a minor in Medical Anthropology. He hopes to specialize in cardiology and help increase healthcare accessibility in underprivileged and rural communities worldwide. Samir joined AED in Fall 2023 and has enjoyed learning more about the healthcare field while meeting people who share his interests and hobbies.
This summer, Samir worked as an EMT for a non-emergent transport company and as a research assistant at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for the Davis Lab, which uses mice models to analyze the effect of inhibitor drugs on Ewing Sarcoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma. Outside of AED, he volunteers at the UNC Children’s Hospital, serves as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant (ULA) for Chem 241, and is involved with public health and policy organizations at UNC, such as AMWHO, Public Health 360, and GlobeMed. When Samir isn't staying active by going on runs, working out, or playing pickleball, he loves finding new movies and TV shows to watch.
SERVICE CHAIR
Michael Angell
Michael is a junior from Pfafftown, North Carolina, majoring in Biology and Chemistry. He is on the pre-medical track, aspiring to become an orthopedic surgeon. Since joining AED in Spring 2023, Michael has discovered that AED has become a family that will always support him. The AED community has everyones back, is never judgmental, and serves as a platform where he can pursue his goals alongside others.
This summer, Michael took classes at UNC while working in a completely different field: soccer. Outside of AED, Michael is a peer mentor for General Chemistry II, collaborates with Campus Rec to develop IM soccer officials, and volunteers in the Intermediate Surgical Care Unit at the hospital. When not working as an EMT or involved with soccer, he enjoys finding new hiking spots, learning golf, or playing his bass trombone. An avid jazz enthusiast, Michael can often be found in a hammock perusing new music. He is also on a mission to visit every coffee shop in the Triangle area, as he loves exploring different coffee preparation methods, much like experimenting in chemistry.
SERVICE CHAIR
Ameek Chaddha
Ameek is a junior from Cary, North Carolina, majoring in Health Policy and Management with minors in Chemistry and Biology. She is on the pre-medical track, eventually wanting to go into policy. Since joining AED during Fall 2022, she has been grateful for the community and support that has aided her in finding her career path.
This summer, Ameek took summer classes at UNC and volunteered at a local clinic near her house. Outside of AED, she is involved with Get Real and Heel, She’s Not Here and SHAC. She conducts cancer research at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and is a peer mentor for BIOL 103. When she is not in Davis, Ameek loves going to new coffee shops, hanging out with friends, thrifting, and spending time with her family and her dog, Rajah. She also enjoys the occasional runs on nature trails and spin classes.
PHILANTHROPY CHAIR
Chris Ewart
Chris is a junior from Fayetteville, North Carolina, majoring in Nutrition Science and Research with minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry. Since joining AED in Spring 2023, he has connected with many supportive, passionate, and hardworking friends in the organization.
This summer, Chris diligently studied for PHYS 114 and 115 at UNC while working as an EMT. He also earned his multi-engine pilot rating! Outside of AED, he enjoys conducting research with the UNC Biology Department and volunteering with the UNC Children’s Hospital. When Chris is not climbing with the UNC Climbing Club or running with the UNC Marathon Club, he likes to spend time in the gym and take headshots/graduation pictures.
PHILANTHROPY CHAIR
Carson Swain
Carson is a senior from Burlington, North Carolina, double majoring in Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. He is on the pre-med track and hopes to earn a Master's in Public Health before specializing in cognitive disorders, with a focus on improving health literacy among these patients through enhanced patient-provider relationships. Since joining AED in Spring 2022, Carson has thoroughly enjoyed the familial bonds he has formed with its members.
This summer, Carson continued his clinical research at the Aging Brain Clinic, where he leads a project on patient-provider communication, assists with creating a clinic registry, and performs cognitive assessments. He was also involved in global eHealth research, where he helped write standard operating procedures for REDCap. Additionally, he volunteered with Get Covered Carolina at the SHAC Clinic and worked at his family's restaurant in Burlington. Outside of AED, Carson conducts clinical research at the Aging Brain Clinic and participates in global health research at the UNC School of Medicine. He volunteers at the SHAC Clinic, serves as a peer mentor for BIOL 252, and is a member of Art and the Brain. He is also a Karen Gil Intern and involved with the UNC Accelerated Research Program. In his downtime, Carson enjoys thrifting, grabbing coffee, baking, reading, and listening to podcasts.
HISTORIAN
Andrew Nguyen
Andrew is a sophomore from Charlotte, North Carolina, majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and the Business of Health. He aspires to become a pediatrician with a specialization in complex care cases and eventually aims to influence health policy. Since joining AED in Fall 2023, Andrew has deeply valued the supportive and uplifting community within AED and enjoys seeing friendly faces in all of his STEM classes.
Over the summer, Andrew gained hands-on experience by shadowing healthcare professionals in the pediatric complex care unit at UNC Hospitals. He also began his role as an administrative assistant at a local psychiatry clinic while studying for his summer classes at UNC. Beyond AED, Andrew contributes as a public health research assistant at the UNC Children’s Research Institute and at the Cecil G. Sheps Center Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center. He serves as the Historian for the UNC Vietnamese Student Association and volunteers at the Center of Nursing Excellence at UNC Hospital. In his free time, Andrew enjoys the occasional Shirley Temple, playing volleyball with friends, exploring new restaurants, thrifting, tackling New York Times minigames, and capturing digital photos of his friends.