Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Academic Program

Meet Our Team

Dr. Oscar Wambuguh: PHAP Director, Senior advisor

I am a biologist by training starting as a biology major, completing a master’s degree in biological sciences, then a doctorate in applied biology (environmental health). I have been teaching at CSUEB since 2000 in biology and public health sciences. I started advising pre-professional health undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students in 2003. In the last two decades (as both teaching faculty and academic advisor), I have been part of a team of faculty assisting hundreds of our students apply, interview, and join medical, physician assistant, dental, pharmacy, optometry, vet, and physical therapy programs. My greatest joy is seeing our students succeed in their planned career goals, particularly evident when they write back to me to share that success. I always like to remind my students that building an image of success in their minds, believing in themselves, not losing focus, working hard, and being resilient as they pursue their career objectives are tenets strongly correlated with accomplishment.

Dr. Faezeh Manshadi: PHAP Coordinator, Senior Advisor, Lecturer

I joined PHAP in 2011 after completing my doctoral and postdoctoral training in microbiology, during which I worked closely with both undergraduate and graduate students. I began teaching in PHAP that same year and soon became a pre-health advisor. Since then, it has been an incredible journey working closely with our students and supporting them through academics, applications, and interviews. I am continually inspired by our students’ determination and perseverance; it is deeply rewarding to witness their journey from this program to achieving their goals in professional schools and beyond. I am equally grateful to be part of such a dedicated team—from our supportive faculty to our committed advisors and administrative staff—who consistently go above and beyond to help our students succeed. Being part of the PHAP community is truly a privilege.

Dr. Helen Kwan: Senior Advisor, Lecturer

My role as an academic advisor and a career coach in pre-health professions began during my doctoral training at Yale University, when I was hired as an Academic Science Mentor at the Academic Mentorship Program in the Sciences (AMPS). AMPS was designed to assist disadvantaged students in pursuing further doctoral studies. Most of my mentees were pre-medicine students; that led me to acquire and develop skill sets that helped students to matriculate into medical schools. Using my past experiences at AMPS, I helped PHAP students tackle standardized pre-health exams and all the application essentials. I have been serving as one of the academic faculty advisors at PHAP since Fall 2012. This is a very rewarding and privileged experience. Many of my past PHAP mentees serve as attending physicians or attending dentists at various health institutions now. They have made us proud. Attending their wedding and receiving pictures of their children were honors that I have never dreamed of. Other than advising, I have also been serving at PHAP as a lecturer since spring 2012, I had taught Biomedical Physiology, Biochemistry I and II, Human Nutrition, Advance Molecular Cell Biology at PHAP and am focusing on Genetics I and II since 2022. I hope to meet you someday during my advising session or in my classroom.

Dr. Meredith Lanska: Counselor, Learning Specialist

I am a cognitive psychologist by training. I began with an initial interest in biology before earning my bachelor's degree in psychology from San Francisco State University. I then completed both my master’s degree and PhD in cognitive psychology at Binghamton University, where I focused on memory and decision-making. I have been teaching since 2012, beginning during graduate school. After a brief period working in UX research in the tech industry, I returned to the classroom. I previously taught full-time at CSUEB, where I worked closely with PHAP students, and I am currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at Cañada College. Over this time, I have taught thousands of students and mentored many, supporting their transition into graduate programs, medical schools, and other health-related fields. I continue working with PHAP because I genuinely enjoy working with students who have chosen a demanding path and are committed to improving themselves. I find it especially fulfilling to support students as they build effective learning strategies, think critically about their development, and persist through rigorous academic and professional pathways.

Mrs. Nancy Schibler: Administration Support Coordinator

I have been a member of the PHAP administrative team since 2018, supporting students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant studies, veterinary medicine, and other health professions. I find great fulfillment in helping our students progress toward their goals and celebrating their successes. I previously worked for UCSF Medical School for 18 years. During that time, I spent ten years in the Department of Neurology’s medical-legal section with Dr. Sheldon Berrol, providing administrative support for post-traumatic brain injury cases. Outside of my professional role, I am a wife and a mother of two adult children. I was raised in San Francisco and remain a dedicated sports fan, especially enjoying time with my family and friends while cheering on the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.