Meet our MAES at UCI Board for the 2023-24 school year. We are a diverse group of students coming from different fields of study, different backgrounds, and different perspectives but are unified in our dedication to the success of MAES and its members. You can read more about each of our board members below.
Co-President
Ayrton Teixeira
I’m Ayrton Teixeira, a 4th year Mechanical Engineering student. I have a passion for controls and robotics within my field. This year I will be one of the presidents and look forward to uniting the club and making meetings more personals instead of lecture like. I was the outreach coordinator before this participating at ALMA weekend sessions for most of the year. I love playing sports, hitting the gym and watching movies as well as listening to music : )
Co-President
Melissa Sanchez
Hi everyone! I’m Melissa but you can call me Meli! I’m a 4th year Human Biology major and a Health Informatics minor. As Co-Prez for this year, my goal is to add some changes to help with organization in the club and also make it more interactive and fun! I’ve been in MAES since my freshman year, and even though back then we were online, I felt like I met some great mentors who I still look up to today. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have gotten some amazing opportunities. Outside of school, I’m also a dental assistant and I hope to get accepted into UC Davis or Chapman for PA school! I also do Bio199 research in neuroimmunology and I’ll be writing my honors thesis on the work I’ve been doing this past year so keep an eye out for that! Aside from academics and work, I like to chill with some Pokemon games, Animal Crossing, and K-pop.
Co-External
Vice President
Agustin Angulo
My name is Agustin Angulo and I am a 4th year Computer Science major. I am one of MAES’s Co-External VPs and I manage the club’s connections with alumni, faculty, and other orgs to organize events and gather funds. Even though I wasn’t able to join MAES until my sophomore year, it has become a defining part of my college experience. Being a Latino at UCI comes with many inherent difficulties, but MAES has helped alleviate these issues. It has also given me the opportunity to help contribute to the strong community of Latinos we have on campus. Outside of MAES, I’m into photography and enjoy documenting my hometown and community.
Co-External
Vice President
Marc Martinez
Yooo I’m Tony Martinez. I am a third year Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering double major looking to work in the aerospace industry. As the Co-External Vice President of MAES, my goal is to recruit more members for the club and ensure all members can obtain opportunities such as research, internships, and mentorship. My experience with MAES began during my first year when I was chillin with Marlon every day. Since then, I have found a familia away from home here. It feels good to know that there are more people like me grinding out the same classes. I talk a lot about grinding but besides that my hobbies are playing soccer, fortnite or rocket league, and hitting the gym.
Internal
Vice President
Christopher Arauzo
I am a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student with an emphasis in aerospace. I have been a part of the MAES board since my sophomore year and my goal has always been to support MAES internally so that they can support as many students as possible. I like to play a wide variety of sports like soccer and volleyball and make art. After I graduate I hope to get my Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and enter the commercial space industry working for a company like Relativity or Millennium Space Systems.
Co-Outreach Coordinator
Viviann Vargas
Hi! I’m Vivi. I am a third year Bio Sci major. I am currently the Co-Outreach for MAES. I am in charge of bringing members to ALMA. It is a very cool volunteering opportunity so lmk if you’re interested! I am also in the MAES co-ed soccer team. A program I am involved in on campus is CAMP. There I am a mentor/tutor for Bio93/94, and Chem 51A. Other than MAES, I am also a member of Flying Samaritans which is a club that goes to a clinic in Mexico every month and provides patient care to an underserved community. I hope to one day become a Physician Assistant so volunteering is an essential part of my application. I know a lot of other pre-health students also need volunteering hours so let me know and I can show you many more volunteering opportunities and introduce you to more people!
Co-Outreach Coordinator
Arianna Perez
Hey guys! My name is Arianna, but some people in MAES call me Riri! I am one of your Co-Outreach Chairs for this school year and will focus on providing you all with community service opportunities including mentoring for an elementary school in Santa Ana, a program called ALMA. My main goal is to increase our connections with underrepresented communities in and out of UCI. I am a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences. In the future, I hope to be a Physician Assistant in pediatrics. Being Latina and a Mexican-American is also a big part of my identity. I love spending time doing things that bring me close to my culture like dancing, listening to music, and spending time with my friends and family. I love trying new things and learning new skills like horse-riding, crochet, and photography!
Social Chair
Mireya Sol Gonzalez
Hola mis amigos! I’m a fourth year Computer Science major whose has no idea what I want to do in the software industry, so right now I’m just trying new things out. I love MAES because that’s where I made all my friends outside of my classes and it’s great to see others like me thriving. I like playing sports and going to random places. I hope I give you all the experience that MAES gave me!
Social Chair
Diego Cortez
Hi everyone! My name is Diego Cortez, and I am a fourth year Computer Science major. I joined MAES because I really enjoyed the culture that the club brings and the family aspect of it. I joined my second year and it was truly one of the best decisions that I have made. It has brought me a lot of good memories, friends, and times! As the social chair for MAES, l will be planning different social events for the club, running the Intramural Sports, and making sure that everyone feels welcomed! Feel free to come out and join us as it is never too late to become part of our familia! In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, playing sports, hanging out with friends, and coding. If you ever see me around campus do not hesitate to say hello! I am always open to a conversation and meeting new people : )
Co-Academic Director
Gabriel Garcia
Hi, I’m Gabriel. I’m a 4th year Computer Science and Engineering major. As one of the Academic Directors this year, I plan to make the MAEStros a wonderful and fun program this year! I’ve been part of MAES for 3 years now and have had fun attending meetings and socials, and also playing Intramural Sports. Outside of MAES, I also like to watch and play basketball and baseball, and making fun CS projects.
Co-Academic Director
Aracely Blanco
Hi! My name is Aracely Blanco and I am the Health Sciences Academic Director for the 2023-2024 school year. I am a 4th year Public Health Sciences and Chicano/Latino studies double major with a minor in Health Informatics. I am involved in the HELIOS Lab and in Rhosas, and in my free time I like to read and exercise!
Secretary
Josie Martinez
Hi everyone! My name is Josie Martinez and I am the secretary for MAES. I am a 4th year Public Health Sciences major on the Pre-PA route. I currently participate in research in the Lindsay lab. My goal as a board member is to create a fun and safe environment for all MAES members. My favorite MAES experiences are the taco socials and fancy night. Outside of MAES, I like to go to the beach, bake, watch movies, and explore SoCal with my friends.
Treasurer
Eileen Rivera
Hello! I am currently a third year Bio Sci major, with the intention of potentially getting my masters in either Nursing or Physical Therapy. I am also this year’s MAES treasurer! Besides school, I love going to the gym, trying new coffee shops, and baking. Few things I’m looking forward this year making more memories in MAES and potentially getting my EMT certification.
Webmaster
Vianey Flores Mursio
Hi everyone! I’m Vi and I’m currently a 3rd year Informatics major interested in web development. I’ve been part of MAES since my very first quarter at UCI because they’ve provided a place where I feel like I belong on campus. MAES has also done a great job at providing professional development and academic guidance through the mentorship program. As webmaster, I hope to give back to the Latino community by facilitating the access to resources through our website and Milkshake. Besides my position as webmaster, I also enjoy being a Learning Assistant/Lab Tutor under the school of ICS. I also like photography, listening to music, and the beach. Can’t wait to meet all of you!