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Meet the Team!
RIVER Professional Team Spotlights 2025-2026
Douglas Gross M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director of RIVER
Professor of Teaching, Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics
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Michael Lucien M.D., M.P.H.
Speciality: General Pediatrics
UCDH Clinic Medical Director Midtown Pediatrics - Natomas
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Mia Wright M.D., M.P.H.
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Specialties: Family and Community Medicine
Jala Beasley-Williams
Jala Beasley-Williams is a second year medical student and part of UC Davis SOM’s TEACH-MS program for students interested in serving urban underserved populations. Jala graduated from USC in 2021. Outside of the classroom, you can find her taking dance classes, singing karaoke, or watching musicals.
What inspired you to work with RIVER?
I teach music and cooking lessons to children with chronic illnesses, and am super interested in pediatrics. I felt like RIVER was the perfect place for me to grow as a medical student and get to know families in our community.
What do you enjoy most about working with our students and patients?
I love the variety of patients we’re able to see, whether toddlers or teenagers. You never know who you’ll see at RIVER. I love being able to tailor my exam so the younger kiddos can pretend to “blow bubbles” so I can listen to their lungs, or the teens can talk about their social lives.
Alexander Del Bosque
Alexander Del Bosque is Fresno County born and raised, on the playground was where he spent most of his days. He did his undergrad at UC Merced—Go Bobcats! Now he love diving into all things neuro-related in school, and when he's not at clinic, you’ll probably find him watching old-school movies or in the gym chasing gains like Ronnie Coleman—‘light weight, baby!’
What inspired you to work with RIVER?
I joined RIVER Pediatric Clinic to provide excellent care for kids and families in the area. I love helping our patients feel comfortable and supported—whether that means calming nerves, celebrating small victories, or negotiating with toddlers over just one more sticker. Honestly, working with kids keeps me on my toes, makes me laugh every day, and reminds me why I got into pediatric care in the first place!
What do you enjoy most about working with our students and patients?
Our patients and families bring endless energy and creativity—whether it’s my younger patients teaching me dinosaur facts or my teenage patients teaching me their latest slang, like ‘aura.’ Our undergrads bring hard work and fresh ideas, too. Every day feels like a new adventure, full of learning opportunities and good vibes.
Pablo Figueroa
Pablo Figueroa is a current PA-student at UC Davis with a background of Respiratory Therapy in adults and pediatrics of 6 years.
What inspired you to work with RIVER?
Working in a Children's Hospital has really shaped my love for health care and patients. RIVER Clinic was amazing opportunity to give that back to the community that is providing me with the education and experience to shape the next generation of health care providers.
What do you enjoy most about working with our students and patients?
Every patient has a unique story and personality. Getting to know them is a blessing and im grateful to be a part of the journey.
D'Angelo Martinez
D'Angelo Martinez is a second-year medical student at the UC Davis School of Medicine. As a first generation college student, he was fortunate to attend UC Davis for my undergraduate studies, eventually obtaining a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB) and a B.A. in Psychology.
What inspired you to work with RIVER?Being a Stockton native, I witnessed health disparities firsthand and wanted to get involved in work that gives back to underserved populations. I chose RIVER specifically because it allows me to have meaningful patient interactions with the pediatric population.
What do you enjoy most about working with our students and patients?
What I enjoy most about working with RIVER is connecting with our patients and seeing the impact compassionate care can have on the pediatric population. I also value collaborating with fellow students, learning from their perspectives, and growing together as a team. The experiences and lessons I gain here will stay with me throughout my medical career.
Ivy Pham
Ivy Pham is a second-year medical student at UC Davis with a background in engineering product management at Cisco, where she focused on AI and accessibility. Some of her activities outside of RIVER include researching AI in mental healthcare, contributing to curriculum enrichment as a student representative, and improving education and health through community service initiatives.
What inspired you to work with RIVER?
I love working with kids and families, and my previous experience volunteering at a children’s hospital strengthened this passion. I believe that preventing illness is better than curing it, and it’s important to educate kids on practicing healthy habits from a young age.
What do you enjoy most about working with our students and patients?
Working together with the kind and collaborative community here has been awesome. It’s been really fun and rewarding to be able to learn and contribute towards our shared mission of caring for patients.
Brianna Royston
Brianna Royston is currently a second year medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine. She attended Washington University in St. Louis for undergrad, where she majored in Anthropology with a concentration on Global Health and the Environment. Brianna currently serves as Co-President of the UC Davis chapter of Student National Medical Association and a Co-Director of RIVER pediatric clinic.
What inspired you to work with RIVER?
I was inspired to work with RIVER because of my passion for serving the pediatric patient population. Many of my previous clinical experiences have been in pediatrics, and I have always loved connecting with patients and their families. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support them through difficult times and be part of their journey as they grow. RIVER provides a unique opportunity to continue that work while learning from exceptional preceptors and serving a diverse community.
What do you enjoy most about working with our students and patients?
What I enjoy most about working with RIVER’s students and patients is the sense of collaboration and connection. I love being part of a team that is dedicated to providing compassionate care while also growing together as future healthcare professionals. Working with pediatric patients and their families reminds me of the importance of empathy, education, and advocacy in medicine.
Malia Tieu
​Malia Tieu is a second year medical student and the professional student co-clinic manager for RIVER Pediatric Clinic.
What inspired you to work with RIVER?I
had the opportunity to be involved with RIVER Pediatric Clinic during its development as an Undergraduate. Now, as a medical student, getting to see the initial ideas come to life and serve the community as intended has been an amazing experience.
What do you enjoy most about working with our students and patients?
I enjoy learning how to adapt the patient visit to different patient scenarios for patients of different ages and backgrounds. I have also had the chance to be exposed to Pediatric clinical care, which we don't have the opportunity to see often within the core medical school curriculum.