Our Team

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Hi! My name is Nima Naghavi. I am an incoming 3rd year undergraduate student at the University of Houston, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Media Production. Over the past 6 years of my life, video editing has been a huge hobby of mine. Ever since entering college, I wanted to use my creative outlet to contribute to the field of healthcare and medicine in a meaningful way. Over my 2nd year of college, I began work on Give the Spotlight, which aimed to do just that.

Nima Naghavi | President

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Hello! My name is Parsa Shahen, and I am the co-founder and secretary of Give the Spotlight. I am a first-generation student and a soon-to-be third-year undergraduate. I major in psychology with a minor in pre-law, and I plan to dedicate my education to a future in law. My passions include IRONMAN training, learning about and working on mechanical systems such as cars, and travel. A common theme among my pursuits is dedication and the fortitude to embrace and succeed in new experiences; this is the philosophy I bring to the organization, and I am excited to grow alongside Give the Spotlight and its mission.

Parsa Shahen | Secretary

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Monica Ventura-Ayala | Research & Development

Hello, my name is Monica Ventura-Ayala. I am the director of research and development! I am going into my senior year at the University of St. Thomas studying Biology with a minor in psychology on the pre-med track. Throughout college, I have dedicated myself to serve communities who too often have been overlooked. Working with Give The Spotlight I hope to create a space for communities to share their experiences to the rest of the world. By connecting personal experiences with scientific research, I hope to promote understanding, knowledge, and support to these communities.

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Andre Hermes | Treasurer & Community Outreach

Hello, my name is Andre Hermes, and I am the Treasurer and Community Outreach Coordinator for Give the Spotlight (GTS)! I am majoring in Biology with a minor in Medicine and Society at the University of Houston and am going into my third year. My passions include playing the guitar, watching shows, training for IRONMAN competitions, and learning about the different parts and systems of the body, specifically how they function—this is my why for GTS. A common human quality is the quest for knowledge, and through my talents and our platform, I aim to educate others while helping build a strong GTS community.