Meet our 2025 Executive Team
Izzie Galvan,
President
Year: Senior
Major/Track: Biology/Pre-Med
Hometown: Austin, TX
Fun Fact: "I can fold an origami crane in under a minute!"
Sarina Schwarze, Secretary
Year: Junior
Major/Track: Biology/Pre-Dent
Hometown: New Braunfels, TX
Fun Fact: “I love to travel!”
Reagan McCarn, VP of Communications
Year: Junior
Major/Track: Anthropology/Pre-Med
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Fun Fact: “I like to make my own pickles!”
Olivia Jiang, Treasurer
Year: Sophomore
Major/Track: Neuroscience/Pre-Med
Hometown: Keller, TX
Fun Fact: "I really wanted to be an investment banker!"
Alexa Mueller, Representative
Year: Junior
Major/Track: Biology/Pre-Med
Hometown: Granbury, TX
Fun Fact: "I cracked my head open when I was a child!"
Louise Hutchison, VP of Programing
Year: Senior
Major/Track: Neuroscience/Pre-Med
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Fun Fact: "I had an extra bone in my foot!"
Samantha Shah, Historian
Year: Senior
Major/Track: Chemistry and Psychology/Pre-Pharm
Hometown: Garland, TX
Fun Fact: “I know 60 digits
of pi!"
Sommerlyn Babineu, MCAT Liaison
Year: Senior
Major/Track: Biology/Pre-Med
Hometown: Austin, TX
Fun Fact: "I was born without wisdom teeth!"
Dr. Ashley Lakoduk,
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Ashley M. Lakoduk joined the Biology department first in 2022 as a Visiting Lecturer, then permanently as an Instructor in 2023. In addition to teaching BIOL 10503, she also teaches Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology (BIOL 30603), Molecular Biotechnology Lab Techniques (BIOL 40131) and Pre-Health Professional Development (SCIE 30613). At TCU, Dr. Lakoduk serves as an Associate Director of the Pre-Health Professions Institute, where she helps advise and mentor pre-health students. Dr. Lakoduk is the faculty advisor for the pre-health honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), and a co-advisor for The Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Before coming to TCU, Dr. Lakoduk was an Assistant Professor of Instruction at UT Dallas and a postdoctoral researcher in Cell Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW). She received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UTSW in 2019, with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology and additional specialized training in Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science. Dr. Lakoduk enjoys crossword puzzles, loves to cook, and enjoys spending time with her family and dogs outdoors.
Christina Ayala,
Faculty Advisor
Christina Ayala brings over a decade of experience in student affairs, admissions, and academic advising to her role as a student organization advisor. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Pre-Health Professions Institute at TCU, where she oversees academic advising, summer internships, MCAT prep, gap year initiatives, and student programming. Previously, Christina was the Director of Admissions and Outreach at TCU’s Burnett School of Medicine, where she reviewed thousands of applications annually and led national recruitment and outreach strategies with a focus on mission-aligned and diverse student populations.
Christina is also a doctoral candidate in TCU’s Higher Education Leadership program (Ed.D., expected May 2025). Her research interests include diversifying the medical school pipeline and international student success. She holds an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from New England College and a B.A. in Psychology and Health Studies from Springfield College.
Christina is passionate about empowering students and building inclusive pathways to professional success. She has presented at national conferences, served on institutional committees, and held leadership roles in professional organizations. On campus, she supports various student initiatives and teaches both First-Year Seminar and Special Topics in Medicine courses.
When she’s not advising or in class, you can find her in the Pre-Health office—always ready to support student leaders and their goals.