Viviana Vega
A proud member of the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Viviana Vega has been dedicated to serving her community through the California Indian Museum & Cultural Center since the age of twelve. As a Tribal Youth Ambassador, she helped develop Acorn Bites—a culturally grounded, nutritious snack that reimagines traditional foods for modern wellness. Now an MD Candidate in the Class of 2028 at the UC Davis School of Medicine and a Tribal Health PRIME Scholar, Viviana continues to advance community health, nutrition, and acorn-based research. Her work bridges cultural preservation and clinical medicine, centering the role of Native plant foods and Indigenous knowledge in promoting holistic, culturally responsive care.