Student Ambassadors

Amiri Austin grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia. Balancing a deep passion for sports with a strong desire to pursue a career in healthcare, Amiri was inspired by his mother, a dedicated nurse practitioner. He attended Cleveland State University, where he competed as a Division I athlete on a lacrosse scholarship while originally charting a path toward becoming a physician assistant. Driven by his mother’s example in the medical field, Amiri was committed from an early age to finding a profession where he could make a tangible, positive impact on patients’ lives.

Amiri’s career trajectory shifted after he spent a summer working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Cleveland Clinic. While he valued the hands-on clinical experience, he quickly realized that the typical patient interaction time and overall patient satisfaction levels in that environment did not align with his long-term goals. Seeking a more fulfilling way to connect with and care for individuals, he reached out to his hometown optometrist to ask what she loved most about her job. Learning about the rewarding nature of vision care, meaningful doctor-patient relationships, and strong personal values the career afforded her, Amiri found exactly what he was looking for and confidently pivoted to optometry. He graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and planned to take a gap year to finish some remaining prerequisites.

He first discovered UC Berkeley had an optometry school during his gap year while completing an NIH summer internship program, where he worked in a lab specializing in adaptive optics OCT. After attending a compelling talk by Berkeley’s Dr. Teresa Puthussery at the NIH, Amiri introduced himself, and she strongly encouraged him to apply to the program. After being accepted into several top schools, Amiri ultimately chose Berkeley because of its unparalleled commitment to clinical research and its premier reputation for producing highly skilled clinicians.

Amiri’s favorite part of Berkeley Optometry so far has been the friends he’s made in his class and the dedication and sincerity the professors have shown him. Amiri is involved in various extracurricular activities, including EyeChat, a club about unconventional job opportunities that optometrists can obtain, and the Eyeballers, an intramural basketball team made up of OD students. Now a proud Berkeley Optometry Ambassador, Amiri is eager to share his unique journey with prospective students and looks forward to expanding his own academic horizons by participating in the university’s prestigious NIH T35 summer research program.

You can reach Amiri directly at: aaustin@berkeley.edu

Angela Ogbogu, raised in Moreno Valley, California, was introduced to healthcare as her mom pursued nursing school while raising her and her siblings. Accustomed to listening to lectures during school drop-offs, she became curious about her own eye condition, myopia, and how playing competitive tennis without updated corrective lenses affected her life.

Angela originally attended UC Riverside as a pre-med Biology major. Her perspective shifted after participating in the SHPEP Program at Western University, where a faculty optometrist’s lecture on the connections between systemic diseases and vision impairments, such as hypertensive retinopathy, sparked even greater curiosity about eye health. During her undergraduate years, Angela volunteered for four years at free clinics throughout Riverside County. She managed healthcare services, trained volunteer teams to care for homeless individuals, and registered immigrant and indigenous families at a rural clinic in Coachella Valley. These experiences underscored the reality that vision care was an unmet need for many underserved patients, echoing what she had learned from optometrists’ lectures.

In her junior year, Angela’s interest in optometry grew. She reached out to doctors on LinkedIn to learn more about the field and eventually found mentors. That summer, she broadened her exposure by shadowing ocular disease residents and doctors in Chicago and presenting at SUNY about expanding pre-optometry opportunities for all students. She continued to volunteer with organizations like Healing California, assisting with vision care at community events. Supported by Black Eye Care Perspective, Angela studied for the OAT while applying to optometry schools in the same cycle. Her dedication paid off when she was accepted to UC Berkeley, and she matriculated immediately after graduating from UC Riverside in 2025.

Now, Angela is co-president of NOSAxDEIB and remains committed to volunteering for vision screenings as an optometry student. As a Berkeley Brand Ambassador, she aims to be a resource for prospective students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, while advocating for more equitable optometry care. Outside of school, Angela enjoys playing tennis, exploring new cultures, spending time with her church community, exploring Bay Area events, journaling, and editing photos.

You can reach Angela directly at: angela.ogbogu@berkeley.edu

Chelsea Cohen is originally from Dallas, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2023 with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Music. During her junior year, her optometrist inspired her to explore the profession. She sought out shadowing opportunities across various practices and specialties across different states, drawn to the field by the meaningful patient relationships and work-life balance it provides. Though she knew she wanted to attend optometry school, Chelsea was drawn to service before committing to a career in patient care, in hopes it would deepen her aspirations to become a provider. This led her to apply to Teach for America during her senior year while preparing to take the OAT.

Once she graduated, Chelsea began a two-year service commitment working as a high school geometry teacher in a Title I public school in East New Orleans, Louisiana. She quickly fell in love with the city’s rich history and warm community. While teaching and earning her license, she fostered meaningful relationships with her students and witnessed the impacts of systemic inequity daily. These formative experiences reframed her perspective on healthcare, rooting her desire to become an optometrist in a goal: to increase healthcare accessibility within underserved communities.

After applying to programs throughout the country, Chelsea chose Berkeley Optometry for its small class sizes, strong academics, and historic commitment to social justice initiatives. Her background as an educator informs her leadership at Berkeley, where she advocates for her cohort as an Academic Liaison, communicating and coordinating with professors on behalf of her peers to ensure a productive learning environment.

Though initially nervous about moving across the country, Chelsea has found a welcoming home in the tight-knit community of UC Berkeley Optometry. As an Ambassador, she is eager to connect with prospective students navigating their own paths to the profession, especially those with non-traditional backgrounds. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys hiking in the Bay Area, playing the piano, and exploring all that California has to offer!

You can reach Chelsea directly at: chelsea_cohen@berkeley.edu

Erin Lee grew up in San Jose, CA, and graduated from UC Berkeley in 2023 with a B.A. in Molecular & Cell Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology and a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology–Physiology & Metabolism. Growing up as a competitive figure skater, she spent a lot of time at doctors’ offices and found herself drawn to the caring and nurturing side of patient care and the opportunity to be a steady source of confidence and support for patients. After trying data science for a year because it seemed like a “safe” and logical option, she couldn’t shake her desire to pursue healthcare.

Erin did not discover optometry until her senior year at Berkeley. Having grown up with perfect vision, she was initially unfamiliar with the field but quickly realized how strongly it aligned with her passion for healthcare, long-term patient relationships, and her growing interest in vision science and neurobiology. Drawn to the intersection of neuroscience and optometry, she became especially interested in neuro-optometry and vision therapy. That year, she began working as a technician at Rockridge Optometry in Oakland and also sought out shadowing opportunities in vision therapy. At one clinic, she witnessed a patient recovering from a traumatic brain injury regain hope through prism lenses and vision therapy after other treatments had failed. Seeing firsthand the meaningful impact optometrists could have on patients’ lives profoundly shaped her career aspirations.

As she explored the application process, Erin realized she would need to address academic challenges from early in undergrad. Determined to grow into a stronger applicant, she worked hard to improve academically during her final semesters and took a gap year to retake coursework, study for the OAT, and gain additional clinical experience in an MD/OD practice. During her gap year, she also joined a medical mission trip to Colombia, serving patients aboard a mission boat along the Amazon River.

Outside of optometry, Erin enjoys photography, snowboarding, and traveling and strongly values work-life balance. At Berkeley Optometry, she leads BASIS, a program that teaches local fifth graders about optometry. She also serves as co-Historian for her class, media coordinator for the Vision Development Club, and volunteers with VOSH. She hopes to pursue a residency in Vision Therapy and Neuro-rehabilitation in the future. Erin loves the supportive community at Berkeley and is excited to connect with prospective students about the application process, gap years, OAT studying, and navigating academic setbacks to become a well-rounded applicant.

You can reach Erin directly at: erinclee@berkeley.edu

Lauren Le was born and raised in Costa Mesa, CA, and graduated from UC Irvine with a B.S. in Neurobiology in 2025. Despite a long-time passion for biology and science, Lauren enjoys collecting hobbies and learning new skills outside of academics, allowing her to hone a unique set of skills. She attended an arts school from 7th-12th grade as an Integrated Arts Major, wrote and led multiple campus newspapers, and even competed in a beauty pageant.

Before optometry school, Lauren worked as a technician in a Neuroimmunology lab for three years with the ultimate goal of earning a PhD in Neurobiology. However, as she prepared to apply to programs, she realized that she wanted to see the direct benefit of her efforts and decided to pivot to a career in healthcare. Optometry was the perfect fit because it balanced her interest in the brain while also allowing her to interact with patients on a more personal level. Within one summer, she took her OAT, shadowed optometrists in multiple modalities, and was accepted into optometry programs without taking a gap year.

Lauren was particularly drawn to Berkeley due to its reputation as a powerhouse in the vision research field, giving her the opportunity to fulfill both of her passions in one place. As a current student, she enjoys the benefits of a smaller class size, including meaningful relationships with her cohort and more individualized support from faculty.

Besides her role as an ambassador, Lauren also serves as the school’s Trustee-Elect for the American Optometric Student Association. She is also co-coordinator for the Big/Little program for first and second year students. Outside of school, Lauren enjoys reading, going on comically long walks, and hosting home cafes for her friends.

You can reach Lauren directly at: laurenle@berkeley.edu

Liya Shaji was born in San Francisco and raised in Sacramento, CA, where her early interest in healthcare led her to pursue a degree in Health Sciences at California Northstate University, graduating in 2024 with a B.S. in Health Sciences. Liya’s passion for optometry began after a transformative experience volunteering with Sacramento Street Medicine, where she witnessed firsthand the impact that vision loss can have on a person’s safety, independence, and overall well-being. While initially following a pre-med track, this experience sparked her curiosity in optometry and ultimately led her to explore the field further.

During her gap year, Liya worked in both a private optometric practice and an OD/MD ophthalmic setting, where she gained hands-on clinical experience and developed a deep appreciation for patient-centered care. Through these roles, she discovered her passion for optometry through meaningful patient relationships, lifestyle, hands-on care, and the ability to make an immediate impact on quality of life.

Drawn to the strong sense of community, beautiful campus, and collaborative environment, Liya chose to attend Berkeley Optometry, where she has found her place in the tight-knit community. As a proud daughter of immigrant parents and an Indian-American student, she is passionate about representation and ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and confident that they belong in the profession. She hopes to use her experiences to support prospective students, helping them feel confident in their decisions and excited about finding their own place within the Berkeley Optometry community.

While managing Berkeley’s curriculum, Liya serves on the UCOSA board for communications, the Yearbook Committee, is one of two event coordinators for the Contact Lens Education and Research (CLEAR) Club, and has plans to volunteer with VOSH in Jamaica and work in a Myopia Management Internship over the summer. Outside of school, you can find Liya listening to good music, going on long walks, or taking pictures of beautiful sunsets. In her free time, she loves making coffee, baking, watching basketball games, and exploring new food spots around Berkeley.

Liya loves helping students figure out their path to professional school. If you have any questions or want to connect, she is always happy to chat!

If you have any questions, email Liya directly at: liyashaji@berkeley.edu

Megan Gauthier was born and raised in Hesperia, California, as the youngest of nine. She started her first job at Chili’s in high school and quickly discovered a genuine enjoyment for working with the public. At the same time, she began taking community college courses through dual enrollment and developed a strong interest in the sciences. This passion brought her to UC Santa Cruz, where she majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She initially intended to continue to medical school, but realized that it was not the right fit for her. She then explored other paths, including genetic counseling and veterinary medicine, but still did not feel that she had found a career that aligned with her long-term goals. Shortly after completing her undergraduate degree, however, she began working as a technician in an optometric private practice and knew that she had finally found the right fit.

During her two gap years, Megan continued working as an optometric technician, shadowed in various practices, completed her remaining prerequisites, and took the OAT. Berkeley Optometry was put on her radar early on when she worked for multiple alumni and heard about their experiences at the school. She was especially drawn to the program due to the tight-knit class size and opportunities to work with the diverse patient population of the Bay Area.

Now studying at Berkeley Optometry, she has thoroughly enjoyed all that the program has to offer and is grateful for the unique experiences that brought her here. She is excited to connect with prospective students to help them confidently navigate their own optometry paths. While managing her studies, she also serves as her Class Career Representative and continues to work for Chili’s. Outside of school, she enjoys backpacking and exploring the beautiful Bay Area.

You can reach Megan directly at: megan_gauthier@berkeley.edu

Venice Park was born in Los Angeles and raised in San Diego, where she spent much of her childhood training as a competitive rhythmic gymnast. To balance the demands of being both a student and a USA National Team athlete, she was homeschooled throughout high school and later dual-enrolled at a community college following her retirement from the sport. After completing high school, she chose to remain at community college to fulfill the prerequisites needed to transfer to a university. Drawn by both her fascination with human physiology and her desire to experience life outside of San Diego, she transferred to UCLA, where she earned her B.S. in Physiological Science in 2024.

Throughout college, Venice explored a variety of interests, but it was not until she began working as an optometric technician that she became committed to pursuing optometry. Four years of working and shadowing across different modes of practice gave her insight into the many paths available within the field, and she came to value the profession’s unique blend of meaningful patient relationships, lasting impact, and opportunities for specialization and lifelong growth. As the first person in her extended family to pursue a career in healthcare, navigating the educational path largely on her own was both challenging and motivating. Inspired by Berkeley Optometry’s world-renowned faculty and exceptional clinical training, she dedicated her gap year to taking the OAT, completing her applications, and taking time to recharge before beginning Berkeley’s rigorous curriculum.

In her time away from Southern California, she has embraced Berkeley for its tight-knit community and top-tier education. In addition to her academic responsibilities, Venice serves as her class Co-Vice President, Co-President of the Contact Lens Education And Research (CLEAR) Club, one of two student liaisons for UCOSA’s Partners in Education program, a mentor for UC Berkeley’s Foresight pre-optometry club, and a participant in the T35 NEI Summer Research Program. Now, as a Berkeley Optometry Ambassador, Venice is honored to support prospective students by offering the guidance and encouragement that helped shape her own journey.

You can reach out to Venice directly at: venicepark@berkeley.edu