Welcome to Our 2026 USTARS Participants, Miles Selders and Alejandra Vega Torres!
We are so excited to welcome two outstanding medical students to our department this summer as part of the 2026 USTARS program!
USTARS is a 6-week program designed to expose rising second-year medical students to the world of academic surgery and anesthesiology. Through research opportunities, OR shadowing, mentorship, and a formal curriculum, USTARS gives some of the brightest rising stars in medicine a meaningful, hands-on introduction to the field — and we couldn't be more excited to have Miles and Alejandra with us this summer.
Meet Our 2026 USTARS Participants
Miles Selders
Howard University College of Medicine | Washington, D.C.
Miles Selders is a rising second-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Acting from Arizona State University and later completed a post-baccalaureate program at UCLA — a background that speaks to both his creativity and his determination to forge his own path into medicine. Before matriculating, Miles worked as an Emergency Room Technician and EMT, experiences that sparked his interest in acute care medicine and anesthesiology.
At Howard, Miles has already made his mark by founding his own ASL club, with a focus on improving communication with Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients — a meaningful initiative that reflects his commitment to inclusive, patient-centered care. When he isn't studying, you might find him at karaoke or building Legos!
Alejandra Vega Torres
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine | San Juan, Puerto Rico
Alejandra Vega Torres is a rising second-year medical student at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus, where she also conducted research on protein structurization utilizing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) at the Molecular Center of Research in Puerto Rico.
Alejandra's interest in anesthesiology and pain management grew from a deep desire to improve the quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses — a passion that makes her a natural fit for our department's mission. When she isn't studying, you can find her at the beach, reading, or hunting down the best matcha spots in the city!
We are so excited to welcome Miles and Alejandra to Salt Lake City and to the University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine family. We can't wait to see everything they accomplish this summer and beyond!