Internship
AAMS Internship Program
AAMS is pleased to announce that it launched its first internship program in 2024. We are looking for highly motivated pre-health students, with strong credentials, who can be an intern for our organization. Benefits include opportunity to work on numerous research related and non research related projects, with the potential for publication. Other benefits include understanding the organizational network of AAMS. Please contact us if you are interested in applying for our internship program.
Our 2026 Interns - Lori Avakian and Isabella Chilian
Lori Avakian
Lori Avakian has been selected as one of the 2026 interns for the Armenian American Medical Society. She first became involved with AAMS in 2024 during her time at Glendale Community College, gaining her first research experience under Dr. Sarmen Sarkissian, where she worked on oncology research projects and a study on resources for pre-med transfer students, presenting her work at conferences. She later continued her studies at UCLA, completing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Public Health, while also serving as President of the Armenian Pre-Health Society, where she and AAMS hosted many successful panels for UCLA pre-health students. As an AAMS intern, Lori serves as a coordinator for the AAMS Research Program alongside Dr. Sarkissian, now mentoring undergraduate and pre-health students through the research process; from topic development and data collection to presentations and conference preparation. She manages student onboarding, project selection, research feedback, and program communications, and has helped build and maintain the program’s student research registry, supporting students across breast, lung, and colon cancer research tracks. She also contributes to event planning as a member of the Membership Committee. Lori will continue to work closely with our organization to help lay the foundation for our connection with the next generation of Armenian pre-health students.
Isabella Chilian
Isabella Chilian has been selected as one of the 2026 interns for the Armenian American Medical Society. She first became involved with AAMS in September 2024 as a first-year undergraduate at UCLA, gaining her first research experience under the mentorship of Dr. Sarmen Sarkissian. As a research mentee, she participated in several oncology research projects, delivered oral presentations at conferences, and was an active AAMS associate member. She later took on leadership roles in UCLA’s Armenian Students’ Association and Armenian Pre-Health Society, helping strengthen collaboration between AAMS and UCLA students through pre-health events, educational panels, and mentorship opportunities. She is pursuing a degree in Psychobiology with a minor in Armenian Studies, reflecting her interest in medicine and her commitment to her Armenian heritage and community. As an AAMS intern, Isabella mentors undergraduate and pre-health students through the research process, from topic development and data collection to presentations and conference preparation. She also contributes to event planning as a member of the Membership Committee and is helping build an AAMS directory of Armenian medical students and residents to strengthen networking across training programs. Through her AAMS and UCLA roles, she continues expanding research, mentorship, and community-building opportunities for the next generation of Armenian pre-health students.
Our 2025 Intern – Aren Dermarderosian
Aren Dermarderosian has been selected as the 2025 intern for the Armenian American Medical Society. Aren started his volunteer efforts for our society in 2023. During this time, he diligently studied to complete his undergraduate degree at UCLA, completing a bachelors degree in biochemistry and graduated with the highest honors. He then received above the 90th percentile on his MCAT. During this time he worked closely with our society to develop and strengthen our research and mentorship programs, which currently supports more than 50 medical and pre-medical students and has produced more than 10 publications that have be presented at various national conferences. He has volunteered at our health festivals, CME events, and helped develop a hospital volunteering website, a comprehensive MCAT resource site for all pre-health students. Aren is also the manager for the student resources portion of our website, through which he helps manage the mentorship and research programs. He will continue to work closely with our organization to help not only strengthen our ties with patient and other healthcare providers and importantly lay the foundation for our connection with the next generation of our pre-health students.
Our 2024 Intern – Sofia Yeremian
Sofia Yeremian was accepted to UNLV’s Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, class of 2028. She founded the Armenian Pre-Health Society and interned for the Armenian American Medical Society. A 2022 UCLA graduate in Molecular Biology, Sofia excelled academically and conducted research in infectious diseases. She’s actively involved in various non-profit organizations, focusing on healthcare accessibility in local and Armenian communities. Inspired by her work with Dr. Ara Keshishian, Sofia aims to pursue a career in surgery while continuing her community service efforts. As our intern, she worked on various projects such as developing the Armenian healthcare providers network, capturing all Armenian healthcare providers in California. She was instrumental in developing our student mentorship, where we organized panel discussions with Pre-health and academically orientated healthcare provider. She was also active in organizing our CME events, annual Gala, Glendale Health Festival, and launching of the Burbank Health festival. She actively participated in our research project through our research program.