Current CHPR Master's Students

My name is Emily Amundson and I recently graduated from Pepperdine University. During my undergraduate career I spent significant time studying and working overseas in the medical industry. The experiences I had abroad have made me extremely passionate about preventing chronic disease through nutritional interventions. I am thrilled to pursue the CHPR M.S. to further develop this drive and learn more about what it takes to empower others to live abundantly by making intentional lifestyle choices on a day-to-day basis. One fun fact about me is that while I was living in China I spontaneously created a health food brand that is now very popular amongst the Shanghai locals and expats! 

I am excited about the CHPR M.S. program because I want to learn more about how to appropriately and effectively engage with communities different from my own through the awesome CHPR courses as well as the community internship.  A fun fact about me is that I really like cooking - especially with obscure ingredients.  I enjoy thinking of creative ways to use parts of vegetables that are usually thrown away, for example carrot greens or broccoli stems, so that I minimize the amount of food wasted in my kitchen. 

My name is Mandeep Chahal and I graduated with a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior from UC Davis. Since graduation, I have conducted neuroscience research at the Stanford Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, and I am leading the domestic violence prevention program at Ravenswood Family Health Center in East Palo Alto. I strongly believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right yet many communities do not have access to the healthcare they need. The knowledge and skills I will learn from CHPR will allow me to address health inequities faced by women, communities of color, and recent immigrants. In the future, I plan to attend medical school and serve low-income and at-need populations. In my free time I love trying new recipes and new books!

My name is Amelia Chen and I was a Human Biology major with a concentration in the Development of Brain and Behavior (Spring 2016). I’m excited to begin the CHPR M.S. program to pursue my passion for public health and healthcare accessibility. I hope explore health disparities at both local and global levels, and eventually would like to continue my studies in medical school.

Hello! I'm Phil Delrosario. I'm a filmmaker, storyteller, and aspiring physician. I've produced several creative projects ranging from short films, documentaries, to stage plays. By interweaving my artistic endeavors with clinical and sociological research, I hope to find novel ways to explore health narratives, advocate for underserved communities, and promote positive social change in healthcare. Ultimately, the Masters program will train me to approach medical challenges with flexible solutions grounded in extensive research and inspired by the expertise and insights of other fields and specialties. 

My name is Juliah Shay Kim and I graduated from Pomona College (’16) as a neuroscience major. As a CHPR student, I am excited for the opportunity to directly work with communities in the Bay Area. In particular, I am interested in studying chronic diseases affecting low-socioeconomic communities. A fun fact about me is that I played basketball at Pomona and overseas in the UK.

My name is Nicole Jackson and I am an Urban Studies major ('18).  I’m excited about the Community Health and Prevention Research Program because I am passionate about issues of health and education equity. One fun fact about me is that I took time off from school to work in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General in Washington D.C.

My name is Christopher Martin, and I recently completed the pre-medical post-baccalaureate program at the University of Virginia. I received my degree in Human Biology from Stanford in 2015, concentrating in Public Health for Underserved Communities. My interest in such communities fuels my interest in the CHPR M.S. program, as I want the skills needed to address the health inequities I witnessed growing up. My long-term goal is to be both a physician and community health advocate. Fun fact: I’m obsessed with the Dallas Mavericks (loving them is complicated). 

Hello! I’m Paolo. A long time ago I was a molecular geneticist in Los Angeles, and I used to immortalize cells from foreskin of newly circumcised babies. Seriously, look it up, it’s a thing. I loved being a bench scientist who worked on wound-healing research, but I really wanted to get know my community beyond the walls of the research hospital, so I joined AmeriCorps and became a reading intervention teacher in South Central LA. I haven’t looked back ever since. I’ve been in the field of education for over 20 years now, and I’m in my 4th year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate School of Education. I’m excited to be here because my research bridges CHPR with Education by examining how pedagogies that create space for children’s ideas to be engaged affect their health and potential to thrive. My hypothesis is that great instructional practices not only help students learn more, but help them become happier and healthier individuals. This is a relatively new turn in my research interests, so ping me if you’re interested in this too!

My name is Amia Nash and I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2015 as a public health major with minors in biology, sociology, and religious studies. This past academic year, I was a Stanford Health 4 All fellow and interned with Stanford Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, focusing on mental health advocacy for Asian American Adolescents. I am excited for the CHPR program because I am passionate about health as a social justice issue, and improving the health and well-being of underrepresented populations. One fun fact about me is that I was a D1 cross country and track athlete in college, and I am currently a member of Stanford’s Running Club team.

My name is Allison Nguyen, and I graduated from Stanford in 2015 as a Human Biology major with a concentration in Community Health and Preventive Medicine. As part of the CHPR M.S. program, I’m excited to gain a better understanding of the social and environmental factors that impact the health of disenfranchised populations.

Fun fact: I experience ordinal linguistic personification (letters and numbers have personalities).

My name is Devika Patel, and I am a Product Design Engineering major (anticipated graduation in Fall 2016). I enjoy designing and making products and experiences, and am excited to bring those experiences into the field of community health. I am particularly excited in the CHPR program because I am interested in preventative health and wellbeing in global health settings. I'm excited to apply my engineering and design thinking background to these issues in the healthcare industry. Fun fact: I have a black belt in tae kwon do!

My name is AJ Rios and I am a Human Biology major (Spring 2017) with a concentration in Technology in Community Health.  I was born and raised on the island of Guam - a place where chronic diseases run rampant.  Consequently, my academic interests surround chronic disease prevention and I was naturally drawn to the CHPR M.S. Program.  I hope to eventually return home and make a difference by utilizing technology as a preventative solution to chronic diseases.

Fun fact: I once competed as an international table tennis player.

My name is Linn Aasly, and I am an international student from Norway. I moved to the US to attend college, and graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Biology and Pre-medical studies in December 2015. I believe the future of health care is rooted in prevention, and the key to accomplishing this on a large scale is developing accessible and realistic measures suited for all individuals. I am thrilled to have been given the chance to attend the CHPR program, and look forward to deepen my knowledge in this field.

One fun fact about me is that I have lived in 5 different countries.

My name is Sabina Aliev and I have been back in my native city of San Francisco for a year after studying chemistry for four years at Haverford College. Over the past 5 years, I have conducted research for the Wraparound Project, an organization that works to address the root causes of youth violence and reduce hospital readmission rates those most at risk, while also working alongside doctors as a scribe in the emergency room at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for the past year. My interest in health has always been inspired by community-level work and I am excited that the CHPR's approach to community health and prevention research aligns with my vision and goal of practicing medicine. English is my third language and I played squash in college.

My name is Tatiana Baquero Devis and I am Human Biology major with a concentration in Health and Health Policy (Spring 2017). I moved to Los Angeles from Bogota, Colombia when I was 12 years old. I am very excited to be a part of the CHPR program and develop research skills for a future career in medicine as a doctor who is dedicated to serving at a community level, not just at the individual level, and have a better understanding of how to address health disparities within the immigrant community. I also love working with children of all ages, education equity, and salsa and bachata dancing.

My name is Shreyas Bharadwaj and I am a passionate bay area native and recent graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior. Throughout my undergraduate career, my focus has centered on understanding how differential socioeconomic pressures lead to starkly dissimilar population-wide health outcomes. Consequently, I have ventured to develop domestic and international perspectives on population health by working in contexts ranging from the food deserts of urban Sacramento to remote villages in rural Tamil Nadu.

I am excited about the CHPR program because of its emphasis on interdisciplinary education. As a student and aspiring physician, I hope to further cultivate my interests in epidemiology, medicine, and consumer technology to sustainably elevate the health status of underserved populations.

My name is Michelle Chin and I am studying Human Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences (anticipated graduation in Spring 2017).  I’m very excited to start the CHPR coterm because I am particularly interested in management of diseases and disorders that affect underrepresented patients. I also hope to gain a deeper understanding of how to design, implement and analyze studies to address these health disparities. 

Fun fact: I enjoy learning martial arts and am a member of Stanford Wushu!

My name is Seo-Ho Cho and I graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Food and Nutrition Studies. The focus of my research during the undergraduate years was the nutritional crisis that developing countries face, especially the crisis that pregnant women and infants face in North Korea. I am excited to pursue the CHPR M.S. program to further enhance and expand my knowledge in chronic disease prevention and control efforts in communities from local to international levels. 

One fun fact about me is that I am a TEDster - a TED enthusiast. A TEDx organizer since 2013, I organized both TEDxSNU and TEDxSeongsu events. I am also a TED translator, and I have attended several TED conferences.

My name is Coraal Cohen and I'm a Stanford senior studying Biology (Fall 2017). As someone with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), I am excited about the possibility of developing nutrition and lifestyle interventions through CHPR to improve the lives of others with IBD and related chronic illnesses.

A fun fact about me is that I was born and raised in the southernmost point of the United States: Key West, Florida.

My name is Amanda Cooper and I am thrilled to be joining the CHPR program. I have spent the past 15 years volunteering/interning/working in hospitals in 3 different states and have become increasingly aware of healthcare disparities within these different communities. I hope to become involved in efforts, whether through policy change or community intervention work, to improve the health landscape in our country. My undergraduate majors were Neuroscience and Family Studies with a minor in Music.

Fun fact: I love running and have run a marathon and multiple half marathons and shorter races.

My name is Tessa Eckley and I am a Biology major with a concentration in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental biology (Spring 2017).  I am very excited to be part of the CHPR program, where I can explore my interests in medicine and public health.  I plan to attend medical school, and the CHPR program provides an excellent opportunity to study medicine from a more community-based, interdisciplinary perspective.  In my free time, I love to sing, and I have performed in a cappella, musical theatre, and opera on campus.

Hello, my name is Mark Freeman and my passions are rooted in the pursuit of health equity. I graduated from UC Davis in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and worked the following year as an advisor at the Stanford Haas Center for Public Service. While attending Davis, I was heavily involved with Imani Clinic, a student-run free medical clinic located in the underserved Oak Park community of Sacramento. I am beyond grateful to be part of the CHPR program, as I am excited for the opportunity to bridge my interests in community engagement, research, and health. In addition, I hope to explore community centered solutions that utilize for profit businesses to address health care disparities—specifically within marginalized communities.

For fun, I love to dance with friends and sometimes enter hip hop dance competitions.

My name is Yihan Hu, and I am an entrepreneur in the Health IT field living in Beijing, China. My company is called Beijing Ciji Network Technology Co. Ltd, and we focus on two things: 1) Helping Chinese individual clinics in digitalization 2) Providing online healthcare management solutions for corporations to improve their labor productivity and wellness. I was an international affairs major from the George Washington University. After graduation I worked in the Ministry of Health of China in State-owned Hospital System Reform Office and then I became an Analyst in Morgan Stanley Beijing Office focusing in Healthcare investment. I founded the company in 2015 with four other partners. I am very excited to pursue my passion in public health with the Stanford CHPR program!

My name is Lina Khoeur and I am a Human Biology major with a concentration in Brain and Behavior (Spring 2018). I am extremely invested in studying the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality, and how these identities contribute to differences in healthcare access. Through the CHPR Master’s Program, I hope to contribute to a body of research that results in pragmatic solutions to health care disparities, and allows historically under-served populations to better live their fullest lives. In my free time, I love rock climbing, typography, fighting for social justice, and organizing huge brunch get-togethers.

My name is Caleb Kumar. I am a Science, Technology and Society major with a self-designed concentration in Biotechnology. I am excited to be a part of the CHPR program and explore public health solutions to current unmet medical needs. I am looking forward to learning more about clinical medicine, comorbidities and prediction, and prevention of disease. In my undergraduate career, I have developed products in biotechnology, data security and IoT.

My name is Cecilia Lang-Ree, and I graduated with a degree in Psychology with a focus in Health & Development from Stanford University in 2017. I am particularly interested in issues of mental health accessibility, especially as promoted with technology, as well as gendered health disparities and sexual assault. During my time at Stanford, I was part of a research team that conducted a nationwide survey about sexual assault that we used to develop a more nuanced, effective anti-assault training program for universities. I hope to continue similar work, perhaps integrating sex education, mental health, and wellness, in CHPR! When I'm not in the classroom, I am a competitive member of the Stanford Equestrian Team and lifelong actress.

Hi! I'm Adrienne Lazaro and I am excited to soak up everything CHPR has to offer. I graduated from UC Davis in 2011 with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and a minor in Chicano Studies and then decided to spend time being a full-time mom. Following those years, I worked at a teen clinic in the East Bay counseling adolescents in reproductive and other health topics. I am proud to have attended Stanford Health 4 All in the 2015-2016 cohort, where I was able to build on my experiences in community health education. Currently, I work for the research labs of Dr. Prochaska from the Stanford Prevention Research Center and Dr. Halpern-Felsher from the Department of Adolescent Medicine at Stanford. I have progressed both personally and professionally through my experiences at Stanford and I look forward to continuing to grow with the support of the SPRC community.

My name is Mika Limcaoco, I am a Human Biology major concentrating in Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Health (Spring ’17).  Having grown up in the Philippines, a country with a weak public health infrastructure, I’ve always wanted to get into preventive health because of its cost-effectiveness and untapped potential. I hope that being in the CHPR program can help me gain the skill set I need to improve preventive health outcomes globally and domestically. In my free time, I write for my Stanford sketch comedy group The Robber Barons. Check them out!

My name is Ani Movsisyan and I graduated from UC Davis in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and with minors in Professional Writing and Studio Art. Shortly after, I worked at the UC Davis MIND Institute as a Research Coordinator and decided to focus my career in providing quality healthcare and research opportunities to families from underrepresented communities. I look forward to beginning the CHPR program at Stanford University, and to learning the socioeconomic reasons underlying health care inequalities. With this knowledge, I hope to develop reliable health care systems in my local community, as well as in my home country of Armenia.

A fun fact about me is that I enjoy landscape painting.

My name is Tiondrae Pier, and I am a Human Biology major with a Concentration in Sex and Gender Diversity in Health (Spring 2018). I am so very excited for the opportunity to interrogate intersections of medicine, innovation, and identity when considering risk prevention. I am interested HIV prevention, sex/gender, sexual orientation, and how these factors coalesce.

A fun fact about me: I have been building a digital music library I always have with me from the age of 8!

My name is Brittany Pike, a recent graduate from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (’17).  As an undergraduate, I spent much of my time pursuing pediatric asthma research, and serving as President of a student organization known as Nursing Students Promoting Initiatives to Reinforce Equality (NSPIRE).  Through my research and service experiences, I developed a passion for preventative medicine, chronic disease management and promotion of health equity in underserved communities.  I am thrilled to pursue the CHPR M.S. program at Stanford to learn more about how to utilize evidence-based interventions and primary prevention to address community health challenges, particularly in underserved communities. 

Fun fact: I enjoy traveling to new places and have the goal of meeting a new friend on every continent.  My most recent travels abroad were to Cambodia and Thailand, and I value the lifelong friendships I established in Asia greatly.

My name is Ambri Pukhraj and I am thrilled to return to Stanford, where I was an H4A Fellow in 2014. 

I am a former teacher and a current worker-owner at The Cheese Board Collective in Berkeley. I have also worked at various non-profit organizations. Every job and volunteer position I’ve enjoyed has offered me an opportunity to connect with the community it serves, and this focus on community health is what attracts me to CHPR. I hope to work in health advocacy and health intervention roles with organizations focused on underserved communities, providing education and tools to positively influence health outcomes. 

I live in Oakland with my partner, where we are often on a quest for excellent bagels and pizza.

My name is Chris Rodriguez and I graduated from Stanford in 2017. I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Social Health Disparities and minored in Creative Writing. As a Bay Area native, I devoted my education to learning how to integrate socially and culturally sensitive approaches to medical care for underrepresented communities. I’m stoked to join the CHPR program as I continue to pursue this passion for improving the quality of treatment and accessibility to health care of vulnerable populations. I spend my free time exercising my creative juices by photographing still life, reading nonfiction memoirs, and practicing my calligraphy.

Hi! My name is Elizabeth, but I go by Betsy. Prior to completing my pre-med studies at Georgetown University, I studied journalism, evolutionary biology, and medical anthropology at UC Santa Cruz. After graduating, I spent two years as a molecular biologist for Ion Torrent, a biotech company that’s making next-generation genetic sequencing faster and cheaper. After a brief stint learning German and working on a farm in Austria, I continued my pursuit of medicine by working for a dermatological clinic that provides non-profit services for underprivileged teenagers in East Palo Alto. I’m excited to be a part of the CHPR M.S. program for the unique opportunity to become an effective advocate for the community health issues I value most, including addiction and global health.

My name is Dilpreet Sahota and I graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology, with an emphasis in Human and Health Biology. I have become heavily involved in grassroots level community work mainly with the local and international Punjabi/Sikh community in form of health education, clinics, interventional education workshops, and research. I aspire to become a physician to serve the medically disadvantaged Central Valley of California, focusing on aiding marginalized communities to overcome the gap in access to healthcare that is present today. I am excited to pursue the CHPR M.S. to further develop the skills needed to empower communities to gain access to the care they deserve.

Fun fact: I dance for a competitive team during my free time!

My name is Robert Shi, and I am a sociology major in Stanford University’s class of 2018. I am honored to be a part of the CHPR program because I think it offers incredibly relevant and important curriculum useful for any life/career path. I hope to use what I have learned as an undergraduate and what I will learn in CHPR, especially concerning health issues of low socioeconomic status individuals, towards a potential career in medicine. In my free time, I enjoy listening to new and different kinds of music, and I love photography and videography.

My name is Muzz Shittu and I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Global Health and Infectious Disease (Spring 2017). I'm excited to think about health problems from a systems-level perspective! I'm from Nigeria, but live in Amman, Jordan. 

My name is Annie Robinson Woods.   I am pursuing a CHPR Master’s degree to better understand how food choices impact our health and well-being, on both an individual and community level.  The long-term health effects of organic food, food additives, and plant-based diets are of particular interest to me.  I am currently the owner/manager of a small, organic farm in Healdsburg, CA.  Prior to this, I was a management consultant and administrator for various health care organizations including hospitals, academic medical centers, and a community health clinic.  I graduated from Princeton University with a degree in History and I have a MS in Health Policy and Management from the Harvard School of Public Health.

My name is Samantha Wong and I am a History minor and Human Biology major, with a concentration in Chronic Disease and Community Health (Spring 2018). I am excited to be a part of the CHPR M.S. program because I want to explore ways of optimizing health and health equity through an interdisciplinary perspective, especially in underserved communities.

A fun fact about me: I love to write, and I have worked at The Stanford Daily for the past three years as both a writer and an editor.

Hello! My name is Sylvia Zhang, and I am a Human Biology major (Spring 2017) with a concentration in Biological and Social Determinants of Human Development. Over the years, I’ve obtained a broad understanding of how many different factors influence health status, and my personal and academic experiences have made me increasingly aware of my interest in public health. I’m particularly interested in the CHPR M.S. Program because of its emphasis on promoting health and wellness through education, advocacy, and behavior change.

Fun fact, I’m ambidextrous!

My name is Juliana Baratta, and I am from Rochester, NY. In June 2018, I graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Cell Biology and a minor in Global Health. I worked at the Rochester General emergency room where I observed many patients with limited insight regarding their health problems, often due to language barriers. To aid communication, I designed and implemented ER Translation Cards with Spanish-English translation of common phrases, along with pictorial representations. In addition, in my undergraduate clinical research, I analyzed perioperative protocols and methods of improving patient education. As a CHPR student, I look forward to researching how health education and hospital efficiency may improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes. I am also passionate about maximizing healthcare delivery through better access to medical services, specifically among the indigent. One fun fact about me: I play alto saxophone in a jazz combo and in my pop band Life After Disco.

I graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Biological Anthropology and then from Harvard Business School with an MBA.  After business school, I ran a company that designed and produced stylish tech accessories. In 2011, after the birth of my first child, my focus shifted entirely to the importance of prenatal and childhood health.  I am thrilled to be matriculating in the CHPR M.S. program and am particularly excited about pursuing my interest in prenatal and childhood nutrition as well as exposures to certain environmental toxins.

Fun fact: I have three pet chickens. They spend most of their time roaming our backyard, but I have been known - much to my husband's (understandable) horror - to let them wander into our kitchen for a snack.

In 2012 I graduated from Stanford in the Human Biology program with a concentration in the psychology and philosophy of successful aging.  Since then, I've spent a year teaching in Japan and five years working at Stanford as a HumBio Course Associate and as research staff on a number of initiatives funded by the Templeton foundations including The Human Person, Diverse Intelligences Institute, and The Boundaries of Humanity: Humans, Animals, and Machines in the Age of Biotechnology.  In the CHPR program I hope to continue building theoretical and practical frameworks for human flourishing and connect with others who are interested in the same.  I've thrived in cooperative, communal living arrangements since 2008, and my current house in Los Gatos now encompasses two couples and two babies!

My name is Molly Fischer and I am a Biology major with a Notation in Science Communication (’18). While in undergrad at Stanford, I had the privilege of working in the Stanford Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Lab studying chronic pain in children and adolescents, which influenced my desire to work in healthcare at a community level. I am so excited to be a part of the CHPR program because I am interested in bringing ethical and equitable medicine to underserved communities. I’m really looking forward to learning more about public health through the interdisciplinary perspective that CHPR provides! Outside the classroom, I love dancing and am a member of a Stanford urban/hip-hop team, Common Origins, along with my CHPR classmate, Monique Nguyen.

I am a New Mexico native and a transplant to the Research Triangle in North Carolina. I graduated with a degree in chemistry and a minor in biology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2015 and will matriculate at UNC School of Medicine in Fall of 2019. I developed my interest in health inequality in between college and graduate school when my work in a burn intensive care unit exposed me to the positive correlation between poverty and risk of extreme injury and disease. So, I deferred my admission to medical school to complete the CHPR program to acquire a broad understanding of how social factors impact health outcomes. I believe this knowledge will allow me to be more effective as a physician and an advocate for historically underserved populations. To maintain my own wellness, I can be found atop a mountain with my puppy, camera, and a snack or three.

My name is Trey Hale and I graduated from Stanford in June 2018 with a degree in International Relations with specializations in African Studies and Social Development and Human Wellbeing. During my junior and senior years, I interned with a community health organization in Cape Town, South Africa that provides home-based healthcare services. This experience peaked my interest in primary healthcare governance and administration, which I hope to further explore in the CHPR program. I hope to attend medical school in the coming years to become a pediatrician and I have a specific interest in promoting behavior change among parents to improve the health of their children. I have been singing, dancing and acting for most of my life and have performed on- and off-campus in a cappella, opera and musical theatre. 

My name is Addison Himmelberger and I graduated from Dartmouth College in 2011 with a major in History and a minor in Chemistry. I have been attending medical school at the University of New Mexico since graduating and I am planning on entering a residency in Urology. I am taking a year off for the CHPR program because I want to take a different look at our health care system. I am excited to expand my knowledge about health equity and chronic disease prevention. I hope to use this information to become a better physician.

A fun fact about me: I am scuba certified.

My name is Vanna Hovanky, and I am from Austin, Texas. I graduated in June 2018 from Stanford with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. As an undergraduate, I volunteered at Stanford Pacific Free Clinic. There, I served in a variety of roles: taking patient histories, managing electronic medical records, and processing lab samples. I am currently a pre-dental student interested in the intersection between community health and oral health. This interest was sparked by volunteering as a patient guide at a free dental care event involving thousands of patients, attending the Texas Oral Health Conference, and shadowing dentists in the community. I am excited to be in the CHPR program, learning new research skills which may help me better serve communities in my career path. A fun fact is that some of my highlights last year include learning introductory taiko drumming, social dance, and hula dance.

My name is Cynthia (Cindy) Jung, and I was a Mathematics major at Wellesley College, Class of 2017. Since graduating, I have worked in biological cancer research and then in public health and high school education. I am now pursuing my interest in community health research, with a focus in global health, through the CHPR program. Having worked with multicultural communities, I am excited to study sociocultural effects, such as diet and beliefs, on cancer diagnosis and treatment in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as in minority, underserved populations. I am a huge advocate of health and educational justice!

One fun fact about me is I love spending time outdoors, such as running or hiking with my husky Mia!

My name is Min Joo Kim, and I graduated from Pomona College where I majored in Molecular Biology. Since graduating, I have been conducting bench research on understanding how mitochondrial motility impairments are implicated in Parkinson's Disease. After having studied disease onset from a molecular perspective, I look forward to learning about how patterns of disparities in healthcare access and knowledge contribute to chronic health problems, and how to navigate these obstacles in prevention. A fun fact about myself is that I have a 3rd degree blackbelt in Taekwondo.

My name is Amy Li and I am from Canada. I graduated from the University of Calgary in 2018 with Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. My medical training allows me to see health challenges at the individual level and I am excited that through the CHPR M.S. Program, I will learn the skills to bring pockets of excellence to scale and build sustainable transformations in healthcare. 

One fun fact about me: I love running and have completed 3 marathons.

My name is Ted Miclau and I graduated from Stanford University in 2018 with a degree in Human Biology, and a concentration in Brain and Behavior. Throughout my undergraduate career, I developed a strong interest in issues of well-being and mental health disorders, particularly as they impact vulnerable communities. I have also worked on two separate research projects aimed at addressing barriers to clinical research in Latin America, which provided me with new insights into medicine in lower income countries. As an aspiring physician, I’m thrilled to join this year’s CHPR class as we learn to employ preventive medicine and community-based interventions to promote equity and access to health care.

One fun fact about me is that I used to perform in a Chinese Youth Circus.

I care about creating sustainable, inclusive environmental and social systems for health equity. I graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a degree in Science and Management with a sequence in Biotechnology and was a Bill and Melinda Gates Scholar. My previous work in health care consulting, local government as a San Francisco Fellow, and health tech start-ups have developed my interest in the intersection of research and application for vulnerable populations. I currently investigate how consumer and health technology can improve prevention-focused healthcare at Stanford Health Policy and Medicine. Through the CHPR M.S. program I am excited to ask colleagues “How might we empower our communities to achieve better health outcomes?” and investigate potential interdisciplinary solutions together.

I love to travel and was on a radio show in Ecuador to discuss adolescent sexual health. Also, I am a member of Stanford’s urban/hip-hop team, Common Origins, with the fab Molly Fischer!

My name is Katie Plummer, and I am a Biomechanical Engineering major at Stanford (Spring 2019). I am planning to work in healthcare and know that the CHPR program will give me the knowledge and skills to be a much more effective healthcare provider. Within CHPR, I am particularly interested in women's health, especially maternal health, access to healthcare, and global health. I have seen the potential of prevention while working with Human Engineers, Inc., an organization that provides prosthetic care in the Philippines. Many of the amputees lost their legs as a result of Type II diabetes. Lifestyle changes might have saved their legs and, in many cases, their livelihoods. I am very excited to join the CHPR program to build on those experiences and engage more in community health. Away from Stanford, I love spending time outside, especially skiing, backpacking, and swimming in alpine lakes!

Hello! My name is Mark Sanders and I recently graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Biology and an Honors minor in Interdisciplinary Studies (Spring 2018).

I am incredibly excited to pursue a Master’s in CHPR so I can begin to learn the tools I need to drive change in the areas surrounding cardiovascular disease at the community level. I’m particularly interested in learning about the factors which may motivate or dissuade individuals from utilizing preventive medicine focused on heart health, as well as the development of community-based initiatives to increase access to care.

One fun fact about me: I’ve worked as an outdoor guide for the past 4 years, leading wilderness trips throughout much of the Western US and using skills learned from my upbringing in the small town of Eagle River, Alaska.

I am Irina Cristina Soviani and I hold a Bachelor's degree in business, as well as a MBA from University of California, Irvine. I have worked in decision analysis and strategic planning for life sciences for a decade before deciding to join the Master of Science Program in Community Health and Prevention Research at Stanford. I am looking forward to applying my knowledge and experience to the field of disease prevention, in particular to women's health and cancer prevention. One fact about me: I am a healthy eating enthusiast who also loves chocolate.

My name is Isi Umunna. I am a dual citizen of Nigeria and South Africa and an international student at Stanford. I am a Human Biology major at Stanford (Spring 2019) with a concentration on the impact of race, class, and gender on global health outcomes. For as long as I can remember I have had a keen interest in public health structures and the ways communities interact with them. I am looking forward to the Community Health and Prevention Research program because I am eager to learn more about more about how to apply systems thinking to build and advance health care systems that are inclusive, sustainable, and impact-orientated, particularly in the countries I have been fortunate enough to call my homes. 

In my free time, I enjoy doing every and any activity that combines spending time with friends and family, with my love for food.

My name is Mauranda Upchurch, I am a Human Biology major with a concentration in Health and Health Policy and a minor in Urban Studies (Spring 2019). I am interested in the intersection of community/location, identity, health behavior, and long-term health outcomes. I plan to continue my investigation of these topics through my time in the CHPR Program and, later, into the larger fields of health policy and community health. I am excited to join CHPR to experience their holistic approach to addressing health needs and to learn more about the implementation of preventative health measures in community settings. 

My name is Lauren Wegner and am I History major at Stanford University, class of 2018. I study the history of science and medicine and I eventually plan to attend medical school. I am particularly interested in sex and gender and how they interact to affect total health. I am looking forward to studying these topics—especially in the context of women’s health—through CHPR.

My name is Sophia Xiao, and I majored in Biology with honors at Stanford University, class of 2018. I'm interested in the CHPR program because I'm really passionate about public health, and I want to learn how to diminish health inequality and empower people to care for themselves. In my free time, I love immersing myself in art projects and graphic design work.

My name is Alexis Amano and I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2019 with degrees in Public Health and Biology. As an undergraduate, I developed a passion for social justice. My internships largely involved work with underserved populations, which exposed me to the health challenges that many in this demographic face. These experiences inspired me to devote my career to improving health equity.

As a part of the CHPR Program, I am excited to enhance my understanding of health care delivery systems and improve my ability to serve those in need.

My name is Enrique Cazares-Navarro, and I graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Biology (Spring 2018).

My personal life experiences have motivated me to endeavor in the field of geriatrics and led me to work with the New York City Department for the Aging in the Research and Clinical Services Unit. There, I helped translate and develop the evidence-based health and wellness game, "Age-Tastic!", for a group of Spanish-speaking, Latino, low-income seniors in the Bronx. This experience demonstrated to me how crucial it is for physicians to practice service-learning through community health practices that develop cultural awareness and competency. Sensitivity to cultural implications and the unique needs of individuals ensures a better approach to the holistic care of the patient, especially amongst underserved, Spanish-speaking populations. I hope to continue this research in the CHPR program and to implement it in my future medical practice.

Hey y’all! I am a recent graduate of Cornell University (’19) and received my B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Health. In the summer of 2018, I worked as a field intern for the Jane Goodall Institute in Bwindi National Park, Uganda to identify paths of disease transmission between village livestock, humans, and the endangered Gorilla beringei beringei. In the summer of 2019, I worked at an environmental engineering firm that focuses on biological wastewater treatment and membrane filtration technology. My research and academic experiences have allowed me to explore the intersections between human, wildlife and environmental health. I look forward to advancing my knowledge and research in this multi-disciplinary field as a CHPR student! Outside the classroom, you’ll find me hiking, camping, making documentaries, or knitting!

I graduated from Occidental College in 2012 with a B.A. in Biology. My primary passion during this time was marine ecology, which led me through several research projects on the impact of storm drain runoff in Santa Monica Bay. After graduation, I taught high school biology for 5 years at Phoenix Country Day School and Phillips Academy in Andover. I then worked to facilitate provider and patient education in -omics research and technology at the Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic. In the CHPR program, I aim to combine my experiences in ecology and genomics by examining the impact of the environment on the genome. I am thrilled to join the Stanford community and look forward to learning from my peers and mentors!

My name is Julia DiTosto and I am from Princeton, NJ. I graduated from Stanford in June 2019 with a BS in Human Biology with a focus in women’s reproductive health and was a three-year varsity athlete on the field hockey team. I am extremely interested in social issues stemming from health inequalities, particularly those pertaining to women’s health. For my senior synthesis project, I conducted an electronic survey on undergraduate contraceptive use and preference. A fun fact about me is that I have my advanced scuba certification!

My name is Ashlyn Gary, and I graduated from Stanford, where I majored in Human Biology, researched neurodegenerative diseases, and screened patients for social needs in the emergency department. Knocking out genes in zebrafish and investigating glial cells, I discovered a curiosity for unraveling the molecular events that drive disease pathology. Integrating translational research and community health work experiences, I've explored a wide spectrum of themes that have diversified my understanding of what it means to be human. I’m thrilled to join this year’s CHPR class where I can continue exploring how health is prioritized, experienced, and understood across diverse communities. Through this program, I hope to integrate my passions in neuropsychiatry, biotechnology, and community health to advance health care systems that are inclusive, impactful, and committed to helping diverse communities achieve better health outcomes. 

I received my BA in Social Welfare with Departmental Honors in 2016 from UC Berkeley. My honors thesis explored a critique of common drug-education programs and the ways in which these programs further marginalized at-risk youth through shame appeals and lack of trauma awareness. 

Since then, I have worked with the Oakland Unified School District where I have designed and implemented district-wide education, intervention, and prevention programs that reduce drug-related harm and promote health equity for at-risk youth. Building on my experiences in the community, I aim to expand my research on the role of sociocultural and environmental factors in impacting behaviors related to youth drug use and abuse. I hope to disseminate this research through the creation of trauma-informed harm-reduction programs that support well-being for at-risk youth and, ultimately, to design interventions and inform public policy that impact systemic change.

Aloha!  I'm so grateful to be in the CHPR Master's Program here at Stanford, pursuing another avenue to support kuʻu lāhui Hawaiʻi (my Hawaiian nation).  I hope to use my BA in Psych, an MS CHPR, and (if I'm lucky) an MD/PhD, to shape a new health system in Hawaiʻi that better serves my people.

While I'm away from home pursuing my dreams, I try my best to stay connected to my cultures while up on the continent for school (and have fun while doing it).  For me, that means hanging out with other Asian and/or Native students, enjoying Japanese and Hawaiian media, and continuing to do various forms of Polynesian dance.

Fun fact: I once almost grabbed a giant manta ray by accident when I was swimming because I thought it was a trashbag floating around.  Luckily, I noticed before it was too late!

My name is Tiffany Jow and I graduated from UC Davis in 2018 with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. During undergrad, I was a clinical volunteer for the Knights Landing One Health Center, which serves the rural agricultural community of Knights Landing and uses the One Health model, which links human, animal, and environmental health, to address the health of the community. I was an undergraduate researcher for the Knights Landing Environmental Health Project focused on investigating the environmental disparities in the community by using a community centered approach. I hope to become a public health physician because I not only want to treat the biological systems of the body, but also the environmental, political, and social systems that impact health. As a CHPR student, I am excited to deepen and refine my passion for community health and interdisciplinary collaboration to promote the health of communities.

My name is Mariko Kelly and I am a Human Biology major with a concentration in the Interaction of Food and Public Health (’19). As an undergraduate at Stanford, I had the privilege of working with different communities, including Dr. Gardner’s Food and Farm Camp, where I researched the influence of food description on children’s eating behavior. These experiences sparked my interest innovating our healthcare system by promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors which can prevent chronic diseases. I am very excited to join the CHPR program and to learn more about practices and models which emphasize prevention and wellness in order to create a more sustainable and equitable healthcare community.
A fun fact about me is that one of my favorite places in the world is in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, near a small town called Elkins!

My name is Alexandra Kennedy and I graduated from University of San Francisco in December 2019 with a degree in Business Management. 

I have been volunteering in the San Mateo County jail since 2016, creating curriculum and facilitating classes for incarcerated women. My classes focus on health, making better choices (and how, exactly, to do that), and healing as it supports growth. While at USF, I realized that as much as I love all things business, I wanted to reach more incarcerated people, so I began volunteering in Hillcrest juvenile hall in Belmont. I have been working with the teenaged girls there for over a year. I am also on a subcommittee of the San Francisco Adult Probation Department, our main purpose being to advocate for longer treatment episodes and a wider variety of treatment options to be available for people with substance use disorder. 

I am thrilled to be in this program where I can study epidemiology. I am fascinated by preventable diseases and those that can be arrested. Beyond school and volunteering, you'll find me spending time with my son, planning our next family trip, and exercising.

My mission is to contribute to socio-culturally sustainable innovation for health and social equity. I graduated from UC San Diego in 2018 with degrees in Global Health and Molecular Biology, and minored in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. During college, I started a design for social innovation student organization, helped create a health education video game for kids, and studied abroad in India where I worked with an NGO that’s empowering adolescent girls and their communities.

Since then, I’ve pursued my passions of gender equity, human-centered technology, and participatory design by working on a digital health intervention for menopausal women. I love interdisciplinary work, and I’m excited to explore big questions with my CHPR peers like, “how can we leverage systems thinking and human-centered design within the field of community health?” 

Beyond school, you’ll find me in the Redwoods, scoping out surf spots, and punching it out at a local boxing gym.

I received my BS in microbiology and a minor in law and social change in 2017 from the University of Michigan. During my undergraduate career, I completed an internship with the National Institute on Drug Abuse where I examined how sexual and physical police violence toward people who inject drugs (PWID) impedes access to HIV prevention and treatment services in my native Ukraine. After graduation, I completed a fellowship with amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, and later worked at the University of Michigan on the domestic HIV and opioid epidemics. I am passionate about exploring issues in immigrant healthcare, including the high burden of chronic diseases and the lack of reproductive health services for pregnant immigrant women. Through CHPR’s unique curriculum, I hope to gain tools needed to evaluate, conduct, and implement research that drives change within underserved communities.

My name is Linette Kwon and I majored in experimental psychology at Wellesley College, class of 2019. I am interested in mental health, particularly within young adults and how we can make solutions more accessible in the community. Having come from a women’s college, I also took an interest in women’s health, and its significant impact on family/child health as well. One of my favorite courses in college was research methods. Therefore, I am really excited to join the CHPR program because it’ll allow me to merge all of my interests together to learn more about preventive health. One fun fact about me is that I keep a turtle doll with me that I’ve had since I was four years old!

My name is Joanna Langner and I graduated from Stanford in Spring, 2019 from the Human Biology Program with a concentration in cancer and infectious disease. During my undergrad I volunteered at Pacific Free Clinic as a health educator and preclinical assistant which sparked my interest in learning more about community health. I also worked in radiology for the past two years, using MRI to look at hip health in athletes who tread water. Overall, I am excited to learn more about women’s health and health disparities among underserved, diverse populations, as well as gain some hands-on experience. I hope to attend medical school next fall, and I think CHPR will be an important addition to my path into medicine. 

Fun Fact: I love listening to true crime podcasts and swam on the synchronized swimming team during undergrad.

I graduated from Brandeis University in 2018 with a BS in Biology and Biochemistry. I was a two-sport collegiate athlete, competing on both the women’s volleyball and track and field teams. With my background in athletics, I became interested in health and nutrition, particularly in young children. During college, I worked as a research intern for a clinical trial that examined the outcomes of a community-based, family-centered, intervention program to prevent obesity in pre-school aged Latino children. After graduation, I lived in Peru for several months, serving as a medical volunteer. My time in Peru furthered my interest in health and nutrition research. I am most interested in researching how the access to both healthy food and affordable exercise options can impact the health of a community.

A fun fact about myself is that I fell in love with ultimate frisbee during my time in Peru, where I would attend weekly pick-up beach games with a group of Venezuelan immigrants.

My name is Ann Nguyen and I am a Biology major with a concentration in Neurobiology at Stanford University (Spring 2020). My personal experiences with eczema, food allergies, lactose intolerance, and diabetes in my family have driven me to become very interested in the relationship between nutrition and chronic health issues. Through my time in the CHPR Program, I am looking forward to learning more about the importance of nutrition in treating and preventing disease. I surely hope to carry that understanding into medical school and beyond. I am also involved in various Asian American student organizations on campus and would love to apply the culturally appropriate knowledge and skills I gain from CHPR to give back to the community.

A fun fact about me: There is a special place in my heart (and stomach) for exotic fruits, from durian to rambutan. If you happen to have your hands on one I have not tried, please send it my way!

My name is Anjali Wignarajah and I graduated from UC Davis in 2018 with a B.S. in cognitive neuroscience and a minor in music. After being a medical scribe, volunteering at free clinics, and shadowing at hospitals, I became fascinated by the myriad of external factors affecting patient health. I’m excited to pursue a master’s in CHPR so that I can develop a stronger understanding of the socioeconomic patterns and problems affecting certain communities and eventually use this knowledge to be an effective advocate. I hope to work in health policy and dedicate my career towards improving healthcare overall in this country; the CHPR program will help ensure that I have the necessary background to do so. I’m particularly passionate about women’s health and health disparities among medically underserved populations.

Fun facts: I was involved with competitive collegiate a cappella throughout undergrad and I know how to drive a tractor!

Hello, I’m Natalie. I was born and raised in Singapore, and went to Duke for undergrad. There, I had the privilege of creating my own interdisciplinary major entitled “Cognitive Science in Innovation and Society”. Through my coursework in neuroscience, computer science, public policy and anthropology, I became interested in the application of cognitive science principles and digital technology in healthcare. In particular, I started studying healthcare innovation ecosystems in China, India, Singapore, and the US to examine the impacts of funding, regulation and entrepreneurial education on successful commercialisation of digital health. However, for all the important dynamics that influence healthcare service delivery on the systems level, it seemed that the individual was sometimes lost in all that complexity. I am keen to transition to a more patient-centric approach that is sensitive to specific barriers and facilitators in local settings through the CHPR program, so I can help design more impactful interventions for health.

My name is Grace Achepohl (she/her) and I graduated from Stanford in 2020 with a BA in Human Biology. During my undergraduate education, I had the privilege of investigating cultural determinants of healthcare decision-making. From controversies in women’s health to sexual diversity and function to ethics of healthcare, I am passionate about investigating the complexities of health in order to gain a more robust understanding of human nature. I’m excited to join this year’s CHPR class where I hope to gain critical skills necessary in researching scientific phenomena and communicating findings to a lay audience. Ultimately, I hope to use these skills to take a macro look at the healthcare system. Outside of my studies, I am passionate about faith, with a specific interest in interfaith dialogue, and student activism. I am currently serving as a representative on the Graduate Student Council at Stanford!

Hi everyone! My name is Amy Bugwadia (she/her/hers), and I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in Spring of 2020, with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Disability Studies. As an undergraduate, I studied inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from both a micro- and macroscopic perspective, conducting research at a wet lab while also serving on the collegiate council of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. I was also heavily involved in UCLA’s Disability Studies program and Residential Life department. Each of these experiences have shown me firsthand the importance of education, support, and advocacy through the life course.  

I am extremely passionate about integrating disability studies and justice frameworks into the healthcare field, and I am thrilled to continue learning and growing through the CHPR program, in the pursuit of an accessible, supportive, and equitable future for young adults with chronic illnesses!

I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2020, receiving my B.S. in Psychology and Public Health. I found a passion at SCU for cross-cultural research, focusing on projects examining cultural differences in mental health, trauma, and emotion, as well as developing evidence-based mental health management resources for SCU. I delved further into my work on mental health with SCU’s Global Social Benefit Fellowship, where I was partnered with the social enterprise KadAfrica, based out of Uganda, to create an evidence-based mental health management curriculum for refugees and out-of-school girls.

I’m passionate about doing research on sexual violence and its health outcomes in marginalized populations, starting with Native American communities. The CHPR program will prepare me to examine what perpetuates violence and to use my research to create bottom-up policy, healthcare, and community interventions to reduce violence and its health detriments- such as injury, mental health, and substance abuse issues.

My name is Shweta Chawla and I graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a degree in biology. During college, I volunteered in domestic abuse shelters, homeless shelters, and on the streets of Los Angeles to better understand the difficulties that local populations face in accessing adequate medical care. I also worked in a research laboratory studying biomarkers for depression, which emphasized how diseases can often have both physical and psychological symptoms and are influenced by various factors in individuals' lives.   

I am excited to return to the Bay Area and both apply and expand upon my knowledge when working with the communities that I grew up near. Through CHPR’s interdisciplinary lens, I hope to further learn about social determinants of health and incorporate this understanding into effective solutions for community health problems.   

A fun fact: I love to hike and have a list of 100+ trails I want to complete!

My name is Jose Condor. I graduated from UC Davis in 2015 with a BS in Biological Sciences. During college, I volunteered at the student-run Imani Clinic, a free medical clinic that serves the impoverished community of Oak Park in Sacramento. While there, I co-founded a legal clinic that provides free counsel to patients and community members in an effort to reduce social determinants of health. At the Center for Transnational Health, I worked on a childhood-obesity research study in which I learned about community-based interventions and participatory research. As an aspiring physician, I am excited to join the CHPR program, wherein I plan to enhance my statistical skills and learn innovative methods to reduce health inequities.

My name is Shreya Desai, and I graduated from the University of Houston in 2020 with degrees in Psychology and Biology. During my undergraduate career, I discovered an interest in health disparities research. In 2018, I joined the UHAND Fellowship program, a joint program between the University of Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center. During my time in the program, I engaged in health disparities and cancer prevention research. I also served as an intern for the Susan G. Komen Foundation Houston, where I learned the value of community engagement. I am grateful to be in the CHPR Master’s Program as I will be able to dive into my passion of achieving health equity and deepen my knowledge in community health.  

A fun fact about myself is that I love to travel. My most recent adventures include skiing in the Swiss Alps and being on a safari in South Africa! 

Hi all! I'm Cathy, and I was a Human Biology undergraduate major with a concentration in Disability and Child Development. I'm interested in the history and present of psychiatric practice, and how community-based approaches can broaden definitions of care and support. I'm particularly interested in the ways that people narrativize their own experiences -- as patients, as neurodivergent/disabled individuals, as members of broader communities -- and what those stories can teach practitioners.  

After spending two years in neurobiology research, I began working with the Stanford Neurodiversity Project to develop a summer camp centered around neurodiversity advocacy for high school students. Moving forward, I'm looking forward to learning more about community-based and participatory research frameworks. I hope to eventually go on to an MD/PhD (if I'm very lucky!) and work on transforming approaches to eating disorder care.

Hi! My name is Redeat, and I graduated from Stanford with a B.A in Human Biology, Public Health in sub-Saharan Africa concentration and a minor in Global Studies with an African Studies track. I have always been very passionate about socio-determinants of health and how they affect well-being which inspired my involvement with NGOs like Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders Cameroon branch, where I served as a research coordinator for the past two years. I see myself working in the public health sector building better health systems, broadening medical care accesses and services. Besides that, I would also like to work on various women empowerment projects.

I am super excited to be part of the CHPR program which will equip me with the necessary skills to make the contribution I envision, while expanding my views of the world. Apart from my academic pursuits, I enjoy outdoor activities, travelling, frequenting the cinema and hanging out with loved ones.

I graduated from Stanford in 2019 with a B.A. in English, and I am constantly learning from and inspired by the diverse stories and historical narratives that the human body encapsulates. In 2016, I became a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and volunteered with Stanford Emergency Medical Services for three years. It was through being an EMT and shadowing in several Emergency Departments that I began to witness how complex social factors affect an individual’s health and how often the Emergency Department serves as a social safety net. After graduation, I completed a 10-month Fulbright Research project in the Emergency Department of Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal, where I worked with local leaders and stakeholders to design and implement the first Nepal-specific Emergency Medical Dispatcher training program. I am excited to spend this year focusing on fall prevention among older adults for my internship and thesis.

My name is Amanda Koong and I am graduating from Stanford in 2021, with a B.S. in biology. During my time at Stanford, I have been lucky enough to engage in cancer research through the medical school, specifically focusing on how various cancer therapies adversely affect the elderly population. During my studies with CHPR, I look forward to expanding my comprehension of the health care system and harnessing this knowledge to best serve communities in need. These endeavors feel more urgent than ever in the wake of both the global pandemic and national protests for racial justice.  

A fun fact about me is that I recently studied abroad in Australia and spent two weeks living on an island off the Great Barrier Reef! 

Hello! I graduated from Stanford in 2020 with a B.S. in Human Biology, with a concentration in Developmental and Behavioral Neurobiology. Fun fact- I’m from the Bay Area, born and raised just a couple miles from Stanford! As an undergrad, I completed an Honors Thesis in conjunction with the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics team, examining speech in the NICU and its associations with white matter development and physical growth in premature infants. I’ve worked with this research group for the last 2 years, developing an interest in pediatric health and vulnerable populations. During my time in college, I also worked extensively with veterans in long-term care facilities at various VA hospitals, which was a great view into the world of geriatric care and issues surrounding aging. From the tiniest of babies to the oldest of adults, I love working with people.  

I’m excited to be a part of CHPR’s newest class. I hope to one day use my knowledge to promote healthy living, healthy aging, and healthy thinking- whether it’s among my family, my friends, my community, or patient populations.

My name is Aimee Lansdale and I was born and raised in Honduras and moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina when I was 16. I received my BA in Global Health from Duke University with a concentration in obesity and nutrition in 2017. After graduating, I worked at an international development organization managing and implementing projects in Guatemala and Mozambique. Most recently and continuing during my studies at Stanford, I am working at Mathematica, where I help conduct research and evaluations for social-impact projects focused on health, teen pregnancy prevention, and nutrition. I am excited to build upon my knowledge and research skills with the multidisciplinary CHPR program. Outside of class I love to travel and explore new places. On my last big trip, I spent an amazing couple of weeks in Namibia, Mozambique, and South Africa. I’m excited to explore California!  

My name is Jacie Lemos, and I am graduating from Stanford in fall 2020 with a B.S. in Human Biology. I have two concentrations – human performance and bioethics. This has allowed me to dive into the psychological and physiological mechanisms behind all of our actions, while simultaneously exploring ethical dilemmas faced in healthcare systems. I am interested in how psychosocial factors contribute to health outcomes, which led me to work in the Stanford Neurodevelopment, Affect, and Psychopathology Laboratory as a research assistant this past year. I also am interested in athletics and sports medicine – I am on the women’s lacrosse team at Stanford and truly believe in the power of sports and physical activity. I am from Rye, NH, and I love hiking, the beach, and coffee.  

Hi, I'm Giselle! I graduated from Menlo College, where I culminated my undergraduate psychology degree in a thesis on the relationship between childhood trauma and dissociation. My thesis was informed by my work as a research assistant with the trauma group at the Stanford Psychophysiology Laboratory. I am especially drawn to the interaction between mental health and physical illness and how health care practitioners can better integrate the two. I am incredibly grateful to be part of the CHPR program and plan to use the skills I gain throughout my time here to help the Latino community destigmatize sickness through health education. In my free time, you can find me writing or playing music with my alt-rock salsa band, Katch.

In 2003 my family and I immigrated from Cuba to Portland, Oregon – a place vastly different from everything we knew. Growing up I witnessed first-hand how health care systems were flawed at a systemic level. Therefore, driven by my personal experiences I pursued a BA in Human Biology with a concentration in Children Health Policies in Marginalized Communities during my undergraduate career.  

As I learned more about how injustices were perpetuated on historically excluded communities, I made a commitment to support and care for underserved populations in the United States and abroad. Moreover, I adopted a holistic definition of health, understanding the numerous factors impacting community and individual wellbeing. Through the CHPR program I look forward to advancing health care equity and contributing to supporting marginalized communities and individuals. In the future, I want to craft more inclusive, responsive, and preventative programs rooted in social justice and wellbeing. 

I'm a Midwest transplant enjoying the California weather and everything the Bay Area has to offer!  Grew up on a farm in rural Illinois before attending Purdue University for my Bachelor's.  After college, I participated in Teach For America, where I taught high school biology and chemistry for two years.  After TFA, I attended medical school at Michigan State University.  After medical school, I completed my pediatric residency at The University of Iowa.  I'm currently an Adolescent Medicine Fellow here at Stanford and optimizing my time by simultaneously pursuing a degree in Community Health and Prevention Research!  Look forward to enhancing my research skills and learning more about application of research findings to vulnerable patient populations.

Hi, my name is Haley O’Brien and I graduated from Stanford in 2020 with a BA in Human Biology focusing on public health and health policy. Fun fact about me is that I’m from a small town in rural Alaska only accessible by plane. My interests lie in public and environmental health, health policy, and health disparities in underserved communities. I am specifically interested in improving household environmental conditions that negatively impact the health of these underserved communities. I'm excited to further explore these interests during my time in the CHPR program!

Hi! My name is Aubrey Roberts, and I recently graduated from Northwestern University (’20) with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Science in Human Culture. I competed on Northwestern’s women’s cross country and track team, and I’m very interested in exploring physical activity as a tool to promote mental health and mitigate chronic disease. As an undergraduate, I enjoyed working with Feinberg School of Medicine’s Exercise and Health Lab to implement a 6-month physical activity intervention for breast cancer survivors. I also have research experience in exercise physiology, and I’m currently working with Stanford’s Healthcare Innovation Lab to use wearables—like my cool Garmin running watch—to promote early detection of infectious diseases in the community. I’m excited to be part of the CHPR master’s program, and I hope to learn more about promoting behavioral interventions related to physical activity.

Fun fact: I’m running on Stanford’s cross country/track team this year!

My name is Alyssa Rodriguez and I graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.S. in Human Biology (minor in Classical Studies) in the Spring of 2020. Previously, I participated in the Leadership Education for Aspiring Physicians program at the Stanford School of Medicine, where I completed a health outreach project which targeted the low income, impoverished geriatric community in Santa Cruz. During the summer of 2019, I conducted research at the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego, specifically working on the NIH’s All of Us Research Program, a national precision health initiative. My research and patient outreach experiences have allowed me to explore the intersections between health, technology, and communities. I am thrilled to be apart of the Stanford community and am eager to continue learning and advancing my research skills as a CHPR student. Also, a fun fact about me is that I love to ski! 

My name is Dilanaz Unal and I am from Istanbul, Turkey. I graduated from Duke University in May 2020 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and minor in Psychology.  

Throughout my undergraduate years, I developed a passion for public health and wanted to explore how neurological and psychological diseases are affected by various lifestyle factors. I am thrilled to join the CHPR Master’s program at Stanford as I can integrate my interests and background in neuroscience, psychology, public health and research to address issues in the democratization of healthcare resources and promotion of health equity. I am excited to further my education focusing on prevention research and take part in developing efficient and sustainable models of health and well-being in communities. 

I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and Public Health. My passion for global research started at SCU, where I led studies examining cultural differences in mental health and emotional trauma. I used this research to develop mental health resources for SCU students, and as a part of SCU’s Global Social Benefit Fellowship. As a fellow, I conducted research in Uganda to create a culturally-competent trauma intervention for refugees, a program I’m currently scaling to be used by social organizations globally.

My mission is to conduct research to develop community-based, high impact solutions to systematically reduce sexual violence and its health consequences in Indigenous and other marginalized communities. The CHPR program will prepare me to examine what perpetuates violence and use research to create bottom-up policy, healthcare, and community interventions to reduce violence and its impact on women’s health. As a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, I am excited to integrate multidisciplinary, holistic approaches that will advance my research in the CHPR program and with the global communities I intend to serve.

My name is Victoria (she/her) and I graduated from Stanford University in 2021 with a BA in Psychology, health and development track with honors, and a BA in Spanish. My interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, clinical psychology, and community intervention strategies to effectively prevent and treat eating pathology. I am dedicated to increasing access to mental healthcare and raising eating disorder awareness, particularly in marginalized groups who are often overlooked and excluded from eating disorder treatment. During my undergraduate career at Stanford, I had the opportunity to work as a peer leader for eating disorder prevention groups and study the neural correlates of eating disorders in the Department of Psychiatry for my honors thesis. Through the CHPR program, I hope to identify and produce evidence-based treatment and proven techniques for the prevention of eating pathology, particularly in Hispanic females. 

Among other things, I love exploring culture and history through food, trying new recipes and food photography!

My name is Kelly Garvey (she/her) and I graduated from University of California Santa Barbara in 2020 with degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Studies with a certificate in the Medical Humanities. Volunteering with Doctors Without Walls Santa Barbara Street Medicine during undergrad allowed me to understand how lack of access to basic resources and medical care impacts health outcomes of those experiencing homelessness. My thesis examined how existing social inequities in power and wealth hinder collaborative governance processes in disadvantaged communities to impact long term human and environmental health outcomes. My recent research with the UCSB Healthy Beverage Initiative motivates me to increase awareness about the health, environmental, and social justice impacts of beverage environments. These experiences bolster my passion to pursue this Masters and eventually a PhD focused on addressing the social determinants of health to improve health outcomes in underserved communities here in California. 

Fun Fact: I’m rowing for the Stanford Women’s Crew this year!

Hi everyone! My name is Omar and I graduated from Stanford in 2021 with a B.S. in Human Biology, with a focus in cancer and children’s health. I'm heavily interested in topics surrounding health equity/liberation, medicine, abolition, (im)migrant health, and upstream health interventions that are community led/driven. My lived and academic experiences have led me to make a commitment to communities that encounter health inequities, specifically youth. Through CHPR, I hope to continue learning, exploring, and take action about the ways in which policing affects youth and their overall health outcomes. I hope to become a physician who is equipped with the methodological and academic tools from the CHPR program to measure effectiveness of interventions and conduct my own in the future. Outside of academics, I absolutely love coffee, outside adventures, listening to stories and music, and overall creating memories! I look forward to building and creating space with everyone!

I graduated from UCSD with a bachelor’s in Biochemistry & Cell Biology and a master’s in Biology. I am a 4th-year medical student at UCLA with interests in vulnerable populations, adapting policy, and identifying key bottlenecks that would allow for sustainable large-scale change in healthcare. I am excited to be taking the next year to pair my medical training with a CHPR MS degree because of the interdisciplinary perspective the program provides to target disease and problems in healthcare. Through startup engagement, research, medicine, and community partnerships, I have formed an appreciation of improving health both at an individual and population level. I aspire to become an expert who works to form bridges between medicine, health innovation, and communities with the goal of reducing barriers to care, preventing avertable disease, and enabling the health of vulnerable populations. I look forward to continuing this journey as part of the CHPR program.

I graduated from Stanford in 2021 with a B.S. in Human Biology with a concentration in the Cellular and Societal Implications of Neurobiological Disorders and a minor in Creative Writing. As an undergraduate, I enjoyed studying the intersection of neuroscience, medicine, and public health. Outside of the classroom, I was a member of a developmental psychology lab, volunteered at one of Stanford’s free clinics, facilitated a peer support group for people with brain injuries, and published an annual literary magazine featuring the work of middle schoolers. As a part of the CHPR program, I am looking forward to learning how to improve the health care that diverse patient populations receive. 

Fun fact: I studied abroad in Paris in 2020, right before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hi, my name is Yuning, and I graduated from UC Davis in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Nutrition. Last year, I moved to Chicago and completed my dietetic Internship there. While cultivating professional dietetic skills, I also worked extensively with underserved populations that have limited access to healthcare and nutrition knowledge, and have witnessed how health disparity hinders treatment outcomes. Now as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I am thrilled to start my new journey with CHPR to enhance my research skill and hopefully delve deeper into Nutritional Epidemiology later on. My interest is about utilizing diet and nutrition interventions for disease management and prevention purposes and to work with vulnerable populations like postpartum mothers and underserved communities to reduce their exposure to chronic disease. 

Fun Fact: I love weird fruits like Durian and also love roller roasters so if you also enjoy those, we are going to be best friends.

My name is Alyssa Jerome and I graduated from Stanford in 2021 with a B.S. in Human Biology, concentrating in the Implications of Policy and Biology on Disease. I also minored in Ethics and Society. My interests lie in the functioning of healthcare systems, primarily focusing on how underserved communities interact with healthcare. This interest lead me to a research assistant role in a Stanford HARTS Lab study last year that aimed to understand the effectiveness of digital weight loss tools for minority populations. Additionally, I am very passionate about physical activity and sport. I am a member of the Stanford Women’s Basketball team and have represented Canada in numerous international basketball tournaments. In my free time, I love spending time outdoors, eating yummy food, and hanging out with my dog.

My name is Zoe King (she/her) and I graduated from Duke University in 2021. At Duke, I designed my own major focusing on implementation science in the healthcare field. During my first year of college, I worked on a project advocating against the use of shackles for pregnant incarcerated individuals, and since then I have aimed to center my studies around incarceration, reproductive health, and substance use. Outside of college, I volunteered as a doula in Durham, North Carolina, with the hope of eventually learning more about incorporating doula care into carceral settings.

I am excited to be a part of the CHPR program to not only learn more about healthcare in carceral settings, but to also learn more about different fields in community health research. A fun fact about myself is that I am originally from Australia and grew up with a lot of kangaroos around!

I graduated from the University of Washington in 2017 with a B.A. in political science. Since then, I have developed a focus on LGBT health and preventive care through my time volunteering at the Gay Men’s Health Collective at the Berkeley Free Clinic, as well as through my research experiences at UCSF. Serving members of the LGBT community who are seeking care for acute and chronic diseases has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. But it has also underscored the extent to which certain health disparities exist and require intervention. Tobacco use, for example, is significantly higher in the LGBT community. Working with investigators at UCSF who sought to mitigate this disparity, I coordinated a pilot clinical trial to evaluate a novel smoking cessation intervention for LGBT smokers. Looking forward, I aspire to continue this work as both a physician and a PI.

My name is Vered, and I'm a certified health coach and personal trainer specializing in chronic disease prevention through fitness and nutrition, mental health promotion, and behavioral change. My bachelor’s degree is in Marketing Management with a minor in Communications, and I completed my health certifications at the American Council on Exercise (ACE).  

I believe that the measurement of health goes far beyond the data we focus on today. A sense of personal fulfillment, belonging to a community, and positive thoughts and beliefs all have a major role in the complex makeup of our health. I am excited about the opportunity to widen my lens beyond individual health, better understand broader systemic health issues in the US, and contribute to the development of innovative health initiatives to prevent these issues.

To maintain my own wellbeing, I hike, meditate, and don’t give up on occasional ice cream.

My name is Noah Magbual (he/him/his), but most people call me NJ. I graduated from Stanford in 2021 with a B.A. in Human Biology, where I explored the impacts of health and social policy on health outcomes. Beyond my academic career, I’ve researched biomaterials through Stanford’s ChEM-H program, volunteered in a free clinic, and interned at a nonprofit that advocated for AAPI health equity. Through these experiences I’ve gained a fuller perspective of our healthcare system and the inequities that many communities continue to face.  

Growing up in Maui, Hawaiʻi, I’ve learned the importance of community well-being and returning agency to those most vulnerable. Through CHPR I hope to acquire the tools to mitigate health disparities for the communities I’m a part of and explore ways of making our healthcare system more accessible for all. Outside of school I love dancing, watching anime, and drinking excessive amounts of coffee!

Hi! My name is Julia Pangalangan and I studied psychology and nutrition at Miami University. For my undergraduate thesis, I conducted a research study on the connection between physical activity and happiness. I also volunteered in various healthcare settings both locally and abroad, which brought to light the need for preventative health interventions among underserved communities.

Wellness is a multidimensional construct, and every person deserves the opportunity to pursue a healthy lifestyle. As a Health Coach and Personal Trainer, I help individuals implement sustainable behaviors to improve their well-being. Through CHPR, I hope to expand my knowledge to better serve entire communities. I look forward to integrating my previous experiences with my studies at Stanford to promote holistic wellness and reduce chronic disease.

Fun Fact: I have a golden retriever named Pal!

My name is Caroline Pecos-Duarte and I graduated from Stanford in 2021 with a BS in Human Biology concentrating in Community Health and Chronic Disease. I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico, but also spent a significant amount of time on the Jemez Pueblo reservation where my maternal family is from. I grew up living between two worlds. One is a large urban center that is littered with accessibility and opportunity while the other is rural with few paved roads, yet has formed my identity and is filled with centuries old traditions and culture. My interests are motivated by the health inequities among Native Americans caused by high rates of disease caused by genetic, social, and environmental factors. I am excited to be a part of the CHPR program and further my education and acquire the necessary skills to give back to my community and the broader Native community.

Hello everyone, my name is Juan! I received my undergraduate degree at UC Davis and recently completed a Master of Arts in Global Health at the University of California, San Diego. I am originally from Mexico and grew up in the San Joaquin Valley. Growing up in a low-income community, I witnessed the negative effects that health and social injustices had on my community, especially the Latinx community. As a first-generation student, I am preparing for a future path committed to addressing the injustices that create negative health outcomes for BIPOC communities. I previously interned in Clinica Tepati; Clínica Tepati provides basic healthcare services and health education to the underserved Latinx community. I also served as a Research Coordinator for the Mental Health Advocacy Group under the Knights Landing Environmental Health Project. My clinical and research experience have allowed me to gain greater awareness and knowledge about the systemic injustices minoritized groups face. I am humbled to be part of the CHPR Program where I will continue to advocate for social and health justice.

My name is Rishabh Shah (he/him/his), and I graduated from UCLA in 2021 with a B.S. in Psychobiology. I conducted inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research and clinical research in the Emergency Department during my undergraduate education. Research investigations through these opportunities allowed me to grasp how mental and emotional health are inextricably linked with disease outcomes. I further explored this concept during the COVID-19 pandemic as I directed music therapy sessions for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Although not considered a clinical medication, music was a medium to address emotional and mental health that were accentuated by heightened feelings of loneliness and isolation among the elderly.  

As I have come to appreciate how individualized healthcare should be for patients, I am committed to use CHPR as a platform to learn how to create tailored solutions for aging communities with an emphasis on personal wellbeing.

Hello! My name is Omar, and I graduated from UC San Diego this past spring with a B.S. in Global Health and a minor in biology. During my time at UCSD, I was heavily involved with the School of Medicine’s student-run free clinic in Tijuana’s red light district. At HFiT, I served numerous vulnerable and minority patient populations and worked with promotoras and community members to improve the health of our patients. On the U.S. side of the border, I served as an interpreter at a free clinic that enabled me to truly comprehend the magnitude of social factors and their impact on health. My clinical experiences galvanized my interest in minority populations access to research and assisted Dr. Victoria Ojeda and Dr. Luis Burgos on various community-based participatory research projects. Through CHPR, I hope to become involved in both research and clinical experiences focused on community-led chronic disease prevention that target medically underserved communities and address health inequities in the Bay Area.  

Outside the classroom, I love to play basketball and squash and spend a lot of my time outdoors either reading, kayaking, or running!

My name is Hannah Shelby, and I am graduating from Stanford in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology. I have lived in the Bay Area for most of my life and am dedicated to working with the community around me. I have spent many years since high school volunteering and teaching students in underprivileged areas and have seen the value of healthy eating programs and health education. Furthermore, I am deeply interested in the dynamics behind providing equitable access to medical care. The pandemic has really illuminated how much more work needs to be done, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to engage further with this topic. Through the CHPR program, I hope to learn more about how I can actively play a role in my community and contribute to the world around me. Also, on a personal note, I love hiking with my dog, yoga, and swimming!

Hi everyone! My name is Stav Spinzi and I will be graduating from Stanford with a BS in Bioengineering and a minor in Middle Eastern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. I am passionate about promoting women’s health and exploring the intersection of pediatric health and nutrition. For my senior capstone project, I explored better ways to facilitate breastfeeding for women in low-to-middle income countries. Additionally, my time as a math and English tutor has sparked my interest in promoting prevention through teaching, so I became a volunteer educator to help raise breast cancer awareness in my local community. I am thrilled to join the CHPR program and expand my understanding of health promotion in a way that is inclusive and impactful.

A fun fact about me is that I backpacked through South America for half a year. 

I graduated from UNC-Wilmington with a BA in Recreation Therapy and minor in Psychology. I worked five years in community parks and recreation and inpatient rehab before deciding to spend more time raising my family and promoting health and wellness as a fitness professional.

I am a passionate advocate for active lifestyles among children and families. I am excited to expand my knowledge and skills in the CHPR program and to participate in large-scale health and wellness initiatives that improve well-being in our communities. I look forward to focusing on ways to create behavior change through modifications to the built environment, programming, and public policies that increase physical activity in communities.

Away from Stanford, I am a mom of four (1st to 8th grade). You can usually find me running, cycling, cooking, drinking coffee, on a date with my husband, or spending time with my family.

Hello everyone! I am passionate about the democratization of healthcare and breaking down the spatial and temporal limits currently posed to the healthcare world. I have dabbled in many different fields, starting as a physical therapist assistant in hospitals and sports teams then moved to consulting and PE; now I am back in the healthcare world.

I just finished a one-year stay at WHO’s headquarter and am advisors to a few Chinese healthcare startups. I successfully failed at my past startup attempts but will continue innovating and trying. I love to learn about new things, so please do not hesitate to reach out about innovations, not just in healthcare.

I have BA & BSc from UCLA. I love F1, paintball, and meeting new people.

Hi all! My name is Elizabeth (or Liz), and I recently graduated from UC Irvine with a B.S. in Public Health Sciences and a double minor in Medical Humanities and Psychological Sciences ‘21. My undergraduate experience provided me with incredible opportunities to understand and further investigate the clinical side of medicine, as well as the crucial aspects that social determinants play in the health of our communities. I have a great interest in the development and multifactorial treatment of chronic diseases, specifically cardiovascular and neurological conditions, across an entire community spectrum. I believe that prevention and proper intervention in at-risk, low-income communities is at the core of medicine becoming truly successful.

A fun fact about me is that I have worked as an EMT in LA County for the past few years with jobs ranging from ambulance care, medical event staff, and working in the Emergency Department!

My name is Kaycee Branche (she/her) and I graduated from Stanford in 2022. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology with a concentration in Epidemiological Studies and Global Health. My interests lie in health disparities and healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved communities. And I am dedicated to addressing and mitigating health inequities in marginalized communities. During my undergraduate career at Stanford, I researched gender differences in cardiovascular health outcomes and how psychosocial stressors impact heart disease. In my free time, I love to hike, bake, and paint. A fun fact about me is that I have two Labrador retrievers named Bo and Jackson!

My name is Sara Choy and I graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Biology. During my time as an undergrad, I conducted clinical research in the Wheeler Lab, within the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, where I worked closely on a project aiming to find the genetic determinants of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) to improve health care delivery of the disease through better prognosis and diagnosis.  

My interests lie in the quality of patient care and the interactions that take place between physicians/health care providers and patients, particularly within immigrant and low-income populations. I am honored to be a part of the CHPR program to further my education of public health issues in marginalized communities and to gain the necessary skills to advocate and work toward a more equitable health care system.   

Additionally, after years of playing tennis competitively and as a current member of the Stanford Women’s Tennis team, I have become passionate about developing a healthy lifestyle, particularly through physical activity. In my free time, I love to play sports, go on hikes, discover new coffee shops, and explore different places through the lens of my iPhone and film camera!

My name is Richard Coca (he/him) and I graduated from Stanford in 2022 with a B.S. in Human Biology and a minor in medical anthropology. My research interests include studying the genetics of prevention (neurological genetic epidemiology, omics technologies in prevention, and personal genomics). At Stanford, I am affiliated with the Center for Undiagnosed Disease and Stanford's  Genomics Research to Elucidate the Genetics of Rare disease (GREGoR) site.

As part of the CHPR program, I am looking to learn more about community-based participatory research and how we can center patient outcomes and needs even more in the current research environment. I look forward to learning with and from my peers this upcoming year.

My name is Sohayla Eldeeb and I will be graduating from Stanford in 2023 with a B.S. in Biology. Throughout my undergrade career, I have been involved in the intersection of climate and health, specifically how frontline communities' health is disproportionately at risk. I also work on healthcare sustainability, urging the Stanford Healthcare System to decrease their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Through the CHPR master's program, I will be working on tracking food operations' GHG emissions in hopes of greening hospital systems. My interests include patient health equity, biodesign, and climate policy. 

My name is Keely Fuller and I graduated from Stanford in 2022 with a BS in Biology. My interest in medicine, and specifically—chronic disease—was sparked by my own diagnosis of type 1 diabetes ten years ago.

One of the more meaningful experiences during my time at Stanford was the chance to work as a nursing assistant at a nursing home during Covid. I fell in love with the residents and with interacting with people in such an intimate way. I worked at a low-income, state-run facility. The reality was often harsh. I know the stench of bedsores and the end-of-life signs. But ultimately, I am hopeful. I want to conduct research and write informed policy to improve palliative care.

I currently work at the Stanford Health Policy Institute on a project focused on relieving the financial burden of cancer.

Fun fact: I worked at Chipotle in high school and made burritos for the Warriors.

I’m a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine with a research interest in improving health literacy and equity for pediatric oncology families. Specifically, I am interested in how limited English proficiency (LEP) interfaces with health literacy and health disparities for pediatric oncology patients – from understanding the consent process for treatment to medication adherence to survivorship care. As a pediatric oncologist, I plan to study the impact of LEP on pediatric oncology families, develop innovative health communication tools, improve multidisciplinary team member training, and advocate for systemic level changes. To accomplish the above goals, I believe it is essential to partner with communities to understand health disparities and the ideal interventions to promote health equity. I am looking forward to the CHPR program to gain the skills needed to effectively partner with communities and promote health equity.

My name is Elizabeth (Liz) Heckard (she/her), and I graduated from Stanford in 2022 with a B.S. in Human Biology. For the majority of my senior year and this summer, I have been working in research for the Stanford Pediatric Endocrinology department which focuses on T1D standard of care. I am very excited to delve into the CHPR program this upcoming fall, as I have thoroughly enjoyed the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of CHPR classes I have taken in the past! As I am fairly new to the research world, I am simply eager to learn so much more. My passions are rooted in public health broadly, with specific interests in maternal-fetal medicine and the healthcare delivery system. A fun fact about me is that I have visited Haiti 3 times in conjunction with a public health group I was involved with in high school!

I hope to work in dedicated, diverse, and creative coalitions to advance environmental justice and public health for all. I studied Chemical Engineering at Stanford to learn about air, water, and soil pollution, toxic contamination, and regulatory policy. In Dr. Sattely's lab, I researched the resilient power of natural systems to resist climate change and fuel human and planetary health, studying plants' genetics tools for surviving climate change, drought, and disease, and for producing medicinal and dietary nutrients.

I co-lead unBox, a youth-led organization working to empower the next generation of leaders to fight US food insecurity. Through mentorship, research, advocacy, and organizing, we are working towards a future where everyone has dignified access to healthy, affordable, sustainable food. In CHPR, I aim to build skills that enable me to contribute to efforts to end climate change, poverty, health inequity, and oppression through policy and organized people-power. (she/her)

My name is Saachi (she/her) and I graduated from Stanford University in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology on the Neuroscience track. I am interested in addressing access to healthcare in resource-limited communities through rigorous research and culturally-based care practices. I have volunteered and worked in a variety of clinical settings, both domestic and abroad, and am currently a manager at Pacific Free Clinic. These experiences have shown me that preventive medicine can be used to foster better health outcomes and to protect wellbeing over the life-course. Through CHPR I hope to acquire the tools to think critically about addressing health disparities using intervention, and I hope to implement this knowledge as a physician in the future!

Outside of the classroom, I love cooking, hiking, hanging out with my cat and listening to the disco hits of the 70’s!

My name is Sofia and I graduated from SFSU in 2019 with a B.S. in Biology Physiology, with minors in Chemistry, Race & Resistance and Health Education. My four years of intense research at UCSF working with adult brain tumor patients diagnosed with gliomas taught me how to approach them during the most difficult time of their lives, how to understand the purpose, and the critical components of research. I would like to expand more on chronic diseases such as cancer, mental health, and diabetes as well as a clinical understanding of patient care and quality through in-depth learning methods. I want to study the pattern of different chronic diseases to understand the importance of caring for a person as a whole, with every detail of their diversity and community into consideration and engage in meaningful based research that instills prevention-based strategies and maximize quality of life.

Fun fact about me: I am a car enthusiast!

My name is Febri, and I am a graduate from Queen’s University, Canada, with a BSc (Hons.) in Life Sciences and a Minor in Health Studies. Throughout my undergraduate degree, my research/work and personal experiences, I had developed various interests, such as cardiovascular research, food sustainability and security, and (im)migrant health. Through CHPR, I aim to integrate all of my interest to address and implement preventative techniques to prevent serious complication in one’s health through development of equal relationships with community members. 

A fun fact about me is that I used to train intensely in dance and was on track towards becoming a professional dancer in contemporary-ballet! 

My name is Sophia Mulwa (she/her) and I completed my B.A. in in 2022 Human Biology at Stanford University. My undergraduate degree focused on the various intersections of women’s health and sexuality along racial, socioeconomic, and environmental lines. As a member of Dr. Karen Parker’s lab researching the impact of Vasopressin on the social deficit experienced by autistic children, I learned the intricacies of working with neurodiverse populations in a research setting.

My undergraduate career deepened my passion for women’s reproductive health, particularly the reproductive history and experience of Black women. My academic and social experiences subsequently inspired my pursuit of addressing the many social determinants that promote the health and sexuality of all women. I hope to develop the tools necessary to address many of the issues plaguing women’s reproductive justice and learn effective, community-based strategies to design community interventions designed to invest in Black women’s reproductive health.

Fun Fact: I have a French Bulldog named Gus, but I call him “Gorgeous”!

My name is Ashley Nies (she/her), and I am graduating from Stanford in 2023 with a B.S. in Human Biology. My concentration is public health and epidemiology, and I am passionate about studying disease and promoting human health through large-scale efforts to address existing inequities. During my undergraduate career, I've researched vision regeneration in Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg's ophthalmology lab, served as Community Engaged Learning Coordinator for the Stanford Technology Access Resource Team, taken medical Mandarin courses to volunteer as a healthcare interpreter, and helped organize INFODEMIC: A Stanford Conference on Social Media and COVID-19 Misinformation. I am very excited to join this year's CHPR class and hope to learn about researching, developing, and implementing community health interventions through an interdisciplinary lens. I am originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and in my free time, I enjoy swimming, music, and traveling.

My name is Ashley Phord-Toy (she/her) and I graduated from Stanford in 2022 with a major in political science and minors in human biology and human rights. When it comes to my interest in healthcare, I am most interested in addressing health disparities within immigrant and refugee populations, with a particular emphasis on increasing access to culturally-competent primary care for long-term chronic disease prevention. This interest is largely fostered by my personal experiences coming from a family of immigrants as well as my work doing research for Oasis Legal Services and Plan International’s FAIR Fish Project. In my free time, I am an avid book reviewer, a horribly mediocre sudoku player, and an overly enthusiastic amateur painter. 

My name is Kiara (keer-uh) Revels, I use she/her pronouns, and I’m from Jacksonville, Florida. I graduated from Stanford in 2022 with a B.S in Bioengineering. During my undergrad, I participated in various research opportunities including my allergy/immunology lab, my urinary incontinence senior capstone, and breast cancer clinical research. Outside of class, I was involved in a cappella, Camp Kesem, and concert planning. With the CHPR program, I’ll focus on my passions for women’s health and combating health disparities. I’m dedicated to improving maternal and fetal health outcomes in the Bay Area. I hope to advocate for birth equity in the US as an aspiring OB/GYN. Through CHPR, I hope to also gain further knowledge in nutrition and physical activity because I’m a personal trainer! I also love music, fashion, matcha, and mostly food! But fun fact: I have 31 allergies, so I have to be careful.

Hafa Adai! I graduated from Stanford with a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in East Asian Studies. I was raised on Guam, a US territory located in the western Pacific. Too many Guamanians consume the highest percentage averages of tobacco and alcohol; adding to this unhealthy lifestyle is a poor fast-food diet of processed sugar and trans fats, which contribute to the high prevalence of diabetes and obesity that ultimately leads to diabetic retinopathy. To reduce the complications of diabetic retinopathy, Stanford University’s innovative telemedicine pilot program is in the formative stage, where ophthalmologists can screen diabetic patients for diabetic retinopathy using artificial intelligence and, with early detection, treat blindness. Venturing beyond Guam’s shores, I hope to return to the least accessible islands of Chuuk State, FM where I was offered a rare glimpse into the eye care needs of outer islanders and help establish links to telemedicine there.
Fun fact: I enjoy watching musicals or ballet, playing tennis, and cooking Korean cuisine.

My name is Jennifer (she/her), and I will be graduating from Stanford in 2023 with a B.S.  in Bioengineering. I am beyond excited and honored to join the CHPR program as a way to continue my passion for promoting health equity, especially in maternal health.

As an undergraduate, I have spent time researching severe maternal morbidity with the Carmichael Lab, volunteering with the Cardinal Free Clinics, and interning with SIRUM, a nonprofit organization that works to donate surplus prescription medication to underinsured patients across the U.S. These experiences continue to motivate me to advocate for those who are most vulnerable in our current healthcare system.

Outside of the classroom, I love writing and reading, playing the violin (fun fact: I play both classical and Irish folk/bluegrass), and anything to do with the beach!

My name is Alice Su (she/her). I graduated from New York University in 2022 with a B.S. in Applied Psychology. My interests lie in the field of women’s mental health, trauma psychology, and public health. During my undergraduate study, I have come to realize that many women survivors of sexual assault, family violence, or physical chronic disease are still faced with neglect and lack of resources. CHPR is the program that can help me to step on the journey as a health care advocate for vulnerable populations, especially women and children. As part of the community, I wish to train my research skills here and take a more quantitative methodology in studying effective interventions for both mental and chronic diseases. Looking forward to starting this new journey!

Fun Fact: I really love watching scary movies and TV shows. And I do sleep fine after.

My name is Emily Teehan (she/her) and I graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Biology. During my time at Columbia, I began volunteering with the Mount Sinai Bariatric Surgery department. At Mount Sinai, I coordinate a mentorship program and work one-on-one with bariatric surgery patients to provide them with support and connect them with necessary resources for surgery preparation and lifestyle changes during and for years following their surgery. My work with Mount Sinai has inspired me to investigate the influence of biological, environmental, and political factors on the emergence of chronic disease and promotion of health and wellness. Through CHPR, I hope to identify and produce evidence-based preventative measures focused on the reduction of chronic disease at the individual, family, community, and population level.

Outside of the classroom, I will be playing on the Stanford Women’s Volleyball Team this year!

My name is Kathy and I graduated from Stanford in 2022 with a B.S. in Human Biology concentrating in Health Physiology and Disease, and a minor in Translation Studies. As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to engage in craniofacial development research where I explored the genetic implications and phenotypic repercussions of rare craniotubular disorders. Studying the intricacies of bone formation within the skull piqued my interest in oral anatomy and health. This is an integral area of health that is often overlooked, and through CHPR, I am looking forward to learning more about the role of the social determinants of health in an oral health context. I am also eager to enhance my research skills and use my knowledge to best advocate for the health and well-being of my community. 

My name is Gwyn Uttmark (they/them) and I like to make things, learn about the world, and help others while I'm at it! I studied Biochemistry at Stanford from 2016-2020 with a focus on analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry. After my B.S. I took time to focus on my health, publish a book and advocate for fellow queer and trans people in my hometown Casper, Wyoming. Fun fact, I'm very (very!!) proud to have helped host Wyoming's first Trans Day of Visibility ever!

I have a continued passion to enable, inform and support trans, nonbinary and gender expansive folks who choose to pursue medical transition, whether or not they engage with the medicoindustrial complex. During my time with CHPR I want to learn how research becomes reality and how my work can improve the lives of queer trans people in my rural community and elsewhere.

My name is Arjan Walia (he/him), and I graduated from Stanford in 2022 with a BA in History focusing on the twentieth-century U.S. In both my historical and public health research, I am interested in the effects of systemic inequality—particularly on the basis of race/ethnicity and sexual orientation—on health outcomes. I wrote my thesis about how gay men of color in San Francisco responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and ‘90s and developed culturally specific interventions to prevent the spread of HIV. I am excited to bring the frameworks and skills that I have learned in my humanities education to the CHPR program and my research this year. I hope to use the skills I learn in this program in my career as a physician and researcher. In my free time, I love reading, being outdoors, running, and cooking.

My name is Hannah Walton (she/her), and I am graduating from Stanford with a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing in the fall of 2022. My interests lie in exploring healthcare access and availability for immigrant and refugee communities in addition to the intersections with mental health and nutrition. Outside the classroom, I was a research intern at Stanford’s Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA), helped as an assistant clinical research coordinator on a dermatological clinical trial, and played violin in the Stanford Orchestras. I am very excited to be a part of the CHPR program, and I hope to apply my learning at the community level in order to improve the delivery of healthcare. A fun fact about myself is that I lived in Singapore for three years and love a good bowl of Laksa!

My name is Haopeng Xue (He/him/his) and I graduated from Emory University with a B.S in Biology and a B.A in Economics with a concentration in Healthcare. During my undergraduate study, I established my basic understanding of the medical system by participating in highly related programs as an Economy undergraduate. I enjoyed learning economical aspects of the healthcare world and planned to hone my skills in handling big data and further develop my interest in healthcare policy modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Fun fact: my dream job has always been opening my own Yakitori restaurant that sells food from 12 am to 6 am. I love skiing, cooking, and beer-brewing.

My name is Deena Akras and I will be graduating from Stanford in 2024 with a B.S. in Human Biology. My concentration is in Physiology and Psychology, through which I evaluate how physical and mental wellness can be integrated. I am interested in the impact of primary prevention on longevity, chronic disease, and mental health, particularly in women. 

During my time at Stanford, I’ve been involved in research in the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery, specifically in wound healing and tissue regeneration as well as post cancer reconstruction. Originally from Syria, I am interested in global and refugee health, and how surgical and chronic disease care can be made accessible to populations affected by conflict. 

I am honored and excited to join the CHPR program to further these interests and inform my future role as a physician. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, painting portraits, drinking coffee, and spending time in the sun.

My name is Donielle Allen, and I earned a BS in Microbiology at Mississippi State University in 2020. My most memorable experience was through the Boren Scholarship where I studied abroad in Kunming, China. This experience piqued a curiosity in me because I witnessed how minority knowledge, Chinese culture, and the environment preserved their health. I continued exploring these concepts through the Fulbright program to earn an MS in Global Health from National Taiwan University in 2023. My research focused on Taiwanese women’s and foreign women’s cross-cultural childbirth experiences in Taiwan.

I am overjoyed to be a part of the CHPR program. I will garner knowledge and skills in nutrition, contemplative sciences, and community engagement to foster better health outcomes in African-American, Chinese, and/or Taiwanese communities in the USA.

In my free time, I enjoy playing sports, traveling, and offering others help and resources to support them on their journeys.

I am a physician and general surgery resident at Stanford Health Care, and hold a B.S. in Human Biology, Health, and Society from the Division of Nutritional Sciences and College of Human Ecology at Cornell University and an M.D. from Stanford School of Medicine. I am certified in Culinary Arts and Plant Based Nutrition and am a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and the Food Tank’s Academic Working Group. I am also a member of the Stanford Plant Based Diet Initiative, working with the PLANT Study team as well as a multidisciplinary task force focused on initiatives to make hospital patient menus more plant forward. I am interested in food at the intersection of preventative medicine and treatment, health equity, culture, and environmental sustainability and have a particular passion for working with underserved communities. I love to cook, travel, and adventure with my partner Rana and their rescue dog Roxie.

My name is Jessica Balbin (she/her) and I will be graduating from Stanford in 2024 with a B.S. in Chemistry. Throughout my undergraduate career I have dedicated much time in addressing barriers to equitable healthcare as co-founder of Stanford’s American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative chapter, co-founder of the Health Advocacy committee under Stanford’s Premedical association, and volunteer at the Cardinal Free Clinics. I also work on clinical trials to understand the SARS-CoV-2 adaptive immune response in pediatric immunocompromised populations, in addition to clinical trials that aim to understand the impact of sleep on the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Through the CHPR master’s program, I hope to gain the skills needed to effectively analyze qualitative community narratives as an equal counterpart to quantitative data. I also hope to gain insight into how to effectively utilize research to introduce healthcare policy changes at a local and global level.

Han mitakuyepi (hello relatives)! My name is Elsie and I’m a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. I am Oohenunpa Lakota, Nueta, and Hidatsa and have spent my whole life outside of school on a Buffalo ranch on the east end of the CRST reservation. I graduated after 5 (long) years from Stanford in 2023 with a B.S. in Human Biology with a concentration in the Holistic Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Communities and a Minor in Native American Studies. My interdisciplinary honors thesis in the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity looked into the intergenerational knowledges and life experiences of my father’s and my involvement with Buffalo restoration and my understanding of Buffalo restoration as a radical reconceptualization of Lakota public health and futurisms. My interests lie in the holistic health implications of Indigenous food sovereignty and have manifested in my involvement in GATHER film (2020) and, very recently, the founding of my family’s nonprofit, Buffalo First. Outside of school, I am an avid coffee drinker, gym goer, and pet lover!

My name is Baxton Chen (he/him), and I graduated from Harvard in 2023 with a degree in History and Science with a focus in Medicine and Society. My senior thesis examined the cigarette industry’s historical use of flavored products and rhetoric (e.g., Lucky Strike Cigarettes’ comparison of their toasted cigarettes to buttered toast for breakfast!) to downplay health risks and influence consumers. I was also part of a Huntington Medical Research Institutes lab researching the impact of a gene knockout on brain and heart function and was a teaching assistant for their high school STEM program.

I’m interested in studying how different populations have access to reliable, accurate information related to the smoking or opioid epidemics, how certain groups may be targeted or adversely affected, and how to best effect positive community health outcomes. 

In my free time, I enjoy biking, meeting new people, and trying new foods!

Hi friends! My name is Lusciana Gomez, I graduated from Stanford with a BS in Biology and a minor in Astronomy. During my time in undergrad, I was very active in the comedy world, ranging from working in Late Night television to performing stand-up on the weekends.

Throughout the pandemic, I worked full-time as an orthodontic assistant, where I grew a deep appreciation for oral health. In 2020, I was appointed by the mayor of South Milwaukee (my hometown!) as a City Commissioner to serve on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. I was drawn to the CHPR program for the opportunity to study mindfulness and contemplation practices and their relationship to human and planetary health. Fun fact: I am currently training to become a yoga teacher!

My name is Andrea Guevara-Castro and I graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Computer Applications.

I am interested in health equity, immigrant health, women’s health, healthcare access, and prevention-based strategies that are community-driven. Through my lived and academic experiences, I have become committed to addressing health inequities in underserved, urban, and agricultural populations. With the CHPR program, I look forward to gaining skills to effectively partner with communities and promote health equity. As an aspiring physician, I hope to be able to engage in meaningful community-based research while continuing to advocate for vulnerable and underserved populations. 

Outside of academics, I enjoy baking, a good book, beach sunsets, and trying new restaurants!

Hi! My name is Alana Hernandez (she/her) and I graduated from Stanford in 2023. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology with a concentration in Brain and Behavior, and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity with a concentration in Identity Diversity Aesthetics. My interests lie in increasing mental health equity in underserved and marginalized communities and addressing holistic maternal health needs. During my undergraduate career at Stanford, I was involved with neuroscience research aiming to implement interventions for children with ADHD and older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Additionally, I studied the relationship between sleep disparities and health among older adults. I also directed the Roble Reuse and volunteered for the Cardinal Free Clinics. In my free time, I enjoy creative writing, playing guitar, singing, and spending time with friends. Fun fact: I got to ride a dromedary while visiting Marrakesh.

My name is Sherry Hu (she/her/hers), and I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology and Child Development. During my three years in college, I uncovered my interests in emotion, psychopathology, and behavioral interventions. I then took a year off to further my clinical experiences by working as an imaging research specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where I investigated the use of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in neuropsychiatric disorders. I will focus my studies on mental health and community-based interventions in the CHPR program. I wish to hone my quantitative skills and learn more about the determinants of community health to facilitate clinical research in communities with various cultures.

Fun Fact: 

I have a really cute and somewhat 'dramatic' black Shiba Inu!

My name is Jenny Jin (she/her) and I graduated from New York University in 2023 with a B.A. in Biology with minors in Data Science and Psychology. Throughout my undergraduate journey, I directed my research interests primarily towards genetic prevention, microbiota dysbiosis, and epigenetics influence on disease etiology.

I conducted clinical research at UCSF School of Dentistry, I delved into researching bacterial infections and their profound implications for the oral health of pediatric patients. This experience ignited my passion for public health research aimed at enhancing the well-being of our community. I am deeply committed to exploring prevention measurement and therapeutic interventions within the medical field, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact.

Through my journey with CHPR, I’m eager to refine my research methodology and establish a robust foundation in disease treatment and prevention. I intend to concentrate on addressing conditions such as genetic and chronic diseases, equipping myself with the skills needed to seamlessly integrate prevention and intervention methods. Furthermore, I aspire to develop a comprehensive understanding of how social determinants impact health outcomes at both the community and population levels.

My name is Brandon (he/him) and I graduated from Stanford University in 2023 with a BS in Biology (Computational) and a minor in Translation Studies (Vietnamese). My interests lie in public health and the Vietnamese-American community, but more specifically, in how we can implement initiatives that reduce health disparities with a co-designed and co-led community approach. At Stanford, I’ve had the chance to work with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, manage Pacific Free Clinic, and conduct neonatology health services research with Dr. Henry Lee. These experiences have shown me that effective and meaningful work takes time—and I can’t wait to dedicate my time to the CHPR program where my aim isn’t to just improve the health of Vietnamese-Americans, but all.

With my free time, I love to try new coffee, try to translate Vietnamese poems, lift, and call my parents.

My name is Madison McPherson and I graduated from Johns Hopkins University as a Public Health Major with a Psychology minor in 2023. While at Johns Hopkins my passion for finding better ways to educate youth on how social and behavioral factors influence their health grew exponentially. Throughout my time at Johns Hopkins, I also competed as a Division 1 athlete on the Women’s Lacrosse Team and interned with the Global Liver Institute focusing on advancing health policy and advocacy on Capitol Hill for patients with rare liver disease. I continue to balance academics and athletics using my last year of eligibility to compete here, as a Division 1 athlete, at Stanford University. I am currently working as an intern with the laboratory: Partnerships for Research in Child Health at Stanford in order to help tackle childhood obesity and promote child health in low-income neighborhoods in California. As a member of the CHPR program, I hope to continue to advance health equity in low resource settings and aid in preventing chronic and infectious diseases using the education system.  

Fun fact: I went to high school internationally in both Manila, Philippines and Lusaka, Zambia! 

My name is Lara Minassians (she/her), and I completed my B.A. in 2021 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Critical Theory and Social Justice at Occidental College (Oxy). During my undergraduate career, my primary focus was behavioral medicine, investigating how health-risk behaviors impact health outcomes among emerging adults. After graduating from Oxy, I pursued a clinical research coordinator position at Stanford’s School of Medicine in the Autism Developmental Disorders Research Program. I coordinated the Vasopressin Treatment Trial under Drs. Parker and Hardan, investigating whether vasopressin as a nasal spray improves social functioning among children with autism spectrum disorder. As a result of my experiences, I am interested in exploring mental health challenges and health disparities of children from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups through a biopsychosocial lens. I am eager to develop the necessary research tools to do this and to help promote health equity among such communities.

Fun fact: I love photography and enjoy using my dad’s film camera from the 90s!

Hello! My name is Chidimma Okpara, and I graduated from Dartmouth College in 2023 with a B.A. in Neuroscience and a minor in Global Health. During my undergrad, I collaborated with the Bowery Mission Women’s Shelter, Give Essential, and the Upper Valley Haven Food Shelf, and worked as a Contact Tracer for the NY Department of Health during the height of the pandemic. These were rewarding experiences as they allowed me to establish connections with individuals.  I also conducted research as a Birth Justice Scholar within the NYC Department of Health focusing on issues surrounding maternal, infant, and reproductive health and methods of implementing respectful care within NYC hospitals. The culmination of these experiences shaped my interests in food/housing insecurity, cardiovascular health, respectful maternity care for Black women, and the intersection between neuroscience and maternal health. 

Through CHPR, I am hoping to strengthen my quantitative and qualitative skills, while also building a robust background on public health issues, particularly within communities of color. My goal is to leverage these skills in prevention research so that I can provide dignified and respectful care as a future clinician in these communities.

Outside of the classroom, I will be playing on the Stanford Women’s Tennis Team!

Fun Fact: Spider-Man is my favorite character of all time.

My name is Sofia Portillo (she/her) and I graduated from Stanford with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. I conducted undergraduate research in the Social Concepts Lab and the Dweck-Walton Lab, first examining how white children learn about race from conversations with their white parents, and later leading my honors thesis on the unintended consequences of health disparity communication in the Latino community. Through CHPR, I hope to deepen my understanding of how to resolve racial health disparities in diet-related conditions and learn how to sustain reciprocal relationships with community-based organizations. Broadly, I hope to build skills that enable me to contribute to collective liberation through building more just and resilient food and healthcare systems. 

Outside of my work, I love slacklining, swimming in the ocean, and going dancing with friends.

Hello, I'm Tom Quach and I will be graduating from Stanford (B.S. Biology & B.A. Communication) in 2024. During my undergraduate years, I have conducted clinical research at Stanford's Long COVID (PACS) Clinic — working closely with physician mentors and fellow undergraduates in charting out medical understanding of this new, persistent illness. Additionally, I'm enjoying research at the Helms Lab, leading my Stanford Pathways Public Health Undergraduate Journal, mentoring writers at The Stanford Daily, and spending time with friends around campus. 

Through my time at Stanford, I have expanded my passions surrounding precision health when it comes to community well-being and utilizing creative innovations to locate solutions and create progress. As a current Haas Center Community Engaged Scholar and U.N. Millennium Fellow, I'm grateful to be a part of this year's CHPR cohort, and eagerly looking forward to deepening my interests in health equity while positively impacting the communities that mean so much to me.

My name is Casey Scherer (she/her) and I graduated from the University of San Diego in 2019 with a B.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience and minor in Chemistry. Following graduation, I worked as a transcranial magnetic stimulation technician and helped treat patients with MDD and OCD. I then graduated from Northwestern University in 2023 with a M.S. in Genetic Counseling. During my graduate training, I discovered my passion for research through my thesis project on Filipino Americans’ views and experiences of genetic disease, counseling, and testing. My current research interests lie at the intersection between genetics and chronic disease, specifically mental illness within minority populations. Currently, I am working as a genetic counselor at Stanford and hope to continue promoting health equity through education, research, and patient interaction. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my four sisters and pet chameleon (Sosuke) and guinea pig (Uni)!

I graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in public health and from Tsinghua University (Beijing, China) in 2023 with a master’s degree in global affairs. I aspire to serve as a physician-leader and am the founder and executive director of End Overdose Together, a nonprofit that recruits, trains, and mobilizes students to lead community workshops on overdose recognition, prevention, and Narcan administration. I have helped shape policies and programs to combat the overdose crisis – at Integrity House, New Jersey Reentry Corporation, Opioid Overdose Prevention Network, and St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Hospital – with research and recommendations having been championed by former governors and becoming the basis of legislation. I have been recognized as a 2023 Knight-Hennessy Scholar and 2022 Schwarzman Scholar.

My name is Liz Shah, and I graduated from Stanford in 2023 with a B.S. in Human Biology and a minor in History. As an undergrad, I conducted clinical research and wrote my honors thesis with the Heifets Lab, studying the non-pharmacological effects of ketamine on patients with depression in the perioperative period. My work with the Heifets Lab developed my interest in the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders with novel strategies. It also made me excited to work closely with patients and develop relationships with partners.

While with the CHPR program, I am looking forward to learning from my peers: to hear about their research, chat about past experiences and share within a small community.

A fun fact about me is that I work for Levain Bakery. Sharing a cookie can be part of a happy and healthy lifestyle!

Hello, my name is Jessica Telizyn. I graduated from Dalhousie University in 2023 as a Dobson Loran Scholar with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Neuroscience, with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. Through my experience working in rural and resource-limited healthcare settings, I am especially interested in investigating the intersections of health system structure, workforce management, and its impacts on rural, resource-limited and marginalized populations. Outside the classroom, I am passionate about supporting survivors of sexualized violence and keeping girls and women in sports. Through CHPR, I hope to acquire the tools to think critically about addressing healthcare access challenges and implement this knowledge as a physician in the future!

My name is Chris Youn and I graduated from Swarthmore College with a BA in biology and am now pursuing my MD here at Stanford. I’m passionate about mentorship and education and I’ve worked extensively with students from traditionally underserved backgrounds to help them on their journeys to medical school. At Stanford, I’ve continued this work as a Health Career Advisor for the REACH Program! During my time at CHPR, I hope to use education and teaching to engage with local communities and use this to advocate for prevention. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, hiking, and expanding my extensive houseplant collection! 

Hi there! My name is Josie Allen, and I graduated with my B.S. in Physiology from University of Denver in 2023.

Upon graduation, I worked as a caretaker at a program for people living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses, which deepened my interest in healthy aging research.

My interest lies in the intersection of the gut microbiome and the onset on chronic diseases and diagnoses, such as Dementia. I am interested in studying how changes in the gut microbiome may influence or prevent the development of Dementia across a diverse set of populations, and how to effectively promote a healthy gut microbiome over time. I look forward to gaining the skills and knowledge needed to effectively bring new healthy aging strategies into underserved communities through meaningful community-based research.

In my free time I love making new meals from scratch, crafting, gardening, exercising and making coffee!

I am a current medical student at Stanford who will graduate in 2026. I was born and raised in Brazil before moving to the US to attend Swarthmore College, where I earned my BA in Neuroscience with a minor in Dance.

I am passionate about addressing health disparities by improving health literacy and access to language-concordant care. For the last 5 years, I have worked for the Brazilian Ministry of Health to expedite specialist care appointments in underserved hospitals. At Stanford, I’ve conducted clinical research on the impact of treatment guideline adherence, copayment polices, and language disparities on neurosurgical outcomes. I also spent this past summer writing for NPR through the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship. I am committed to democratize medical information through journalism, and I hope to continue my journey to become a physician-scientist and journalist.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy traveling with my partner and my dog named Pipoca, which means ‘Popcorn’ in English.

Hi, I’m Alyssa! I grew up in Massachusetts and am also a senior in Human Biology at Stanford. I’m excited to explore my interests in gynecology and family planning implementation research as a part of the CHPR community. I love to bake, lift/dance, crochet/knit, and watch the movie Ratatouille.

Hi! My name is Chokyi. I was born in Oakland and raised in a Tibetan refugee settlement in Southern India. At UC Davis, I researched CRISPR Interference, focusing on targeting genes to combat Salmonella infection. Later, I worked for three years at the California Department of Public Health, screening newborns for conditions like ALD, LSD, and SCID. I used techniques such as Tandem Mass Spectrometry and the EnLite TREC Assay to ensure early and accurate detection for every baby born in California. While diagnostic and treatment work is vital, these experiences highlighted my desire to pursue broader research into preventive measures and community-based interventions. Furthermore, my volunteer work at Community Clinics, where I provided free healthcare resources to underserved communities, reinforced my commitment to addressing health disparities. I’m excited to study Community Health and Prevention Research to focus on improving public health through community-specific strategies.

Fun fact: I never went to 5th grade!

My name is Sevilla Durán, I recently graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior and a concentration in Hispanic Studies. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, my passions lie in advocating for immigrant health and developing community-based, culturally sensitive health interventions to enhance well-being in underserved and rural Spanish-speaking communities.

At Columbia, I explored the complexities of health through research at the Zuckerman Institute, studying lung cancer determinants and the neurobiology of energy balance. I also found great fulfillment serving as a student teacher in Harlem, where implementing educational programs for underrepresented students highlighted the impact of social determinants on health and opportunity. Being able to access education sparked my passion for health, and this foundation drives my enthusiasm for joining the new CHPR cohort this year.

Fun Fact: I will be running on Stanford’s Track and Field Team this year!

Hello! My name is Annelisse and I studied neurobiology and medical anthropology at the University of California, Irvine. My involvement with cognitive health clinical research in aging populations, service to diverse housing communities as a wellness and health advocate, and personal experiences of the long-term health impact of trauma in marginalized communities have deeply shaped my passion for service and my professional goals. These experiences have amplified my appreciation for the profound impact and transformative potential of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing medical frontiers and trailblazing complex problems in healthcare. They have also reinforced my commitment to a future medical career focused on promoting health, equity, and access to competent care throughout the lifespan.

A fun fact about me: I love film, and horror movies are my favorite!

I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Riverside. During my undergraduate studies, I conducted research in environmental microbiology and plant pathology.

After graduating, I returned to my hometown, Bakersfield, California, and began working as a Medical Scribe at an urgent care and as a Medical Assistant at a cardiovascular clinic. Through my clinical experience, I observed how chronic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes were significant risk factors in developing cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of these diseases and rate of obesity in Kern County ultimately motivated me to pursue a Master’s in Community Health and Prevention Research. With this graduate degree, I hope to understand patterns of these chronic diseases, their correlation to socioeconomic status, and research methods to promote health equity and disease prevention.

Outside of my studies, I enjoy reading, taking care of my houseplants, and collecting stationery.

My name is Ariana Hosseini, and I graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 2024 with a B.S. in Animal Biology. While obtaining my degree, I had the opportunity to learn about the connections between the environment, animals, and humans, and how these factors influence human health. Throughout my undergraduate career, I worked at Vector Genetics Lab, where I helped conduct research investigating genetically engineered mosquitoes that are unable to transmit malaria. This experience, as well as my time spent in Guaranda, Ecuador, working with underserved communities, sparked my interest in disease prevention and global health. 

I am excited to join the CHPR program, as it will allow me to contribute to innovations in public health that will improve the health and wellness of communities.

In my free time, I love practicing yoga, hiking, and spending time with my adorable pomeranian, Oliver!

My name is An Jin and I’m from Shanghai, China. I graduated from New York University in 2023 with a B.S. in Global Public Health & Media, Culture, and Communication and a minor in Sociology. Following graduation, I worked as an analyst in a healthcare consultancy serving pharmaceutical clients. 

My interdisciplinary study and professional endeavors taught me that many of society's most common health issues are also among the most preventable. So, my interests lie in access to healthcare and primary care as a prevention-based approach. With the CHPR program, I hope to create sustainable disease prevention solutions for the aging population, Asian-Americans, women, and LGBTQIA+ communities. 

Outside of school, I love baking and exploring new recipes, figure skating, drawing, and photography. One fun fact is that I studied aboard in Florence, Italy at a magnificent villa up on a mountain for four months and learned how to cook a bowl of good authentic pasta from my Italian roommates.

Hi, and Padziuxh!

Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, I grew up here in California and hold a B.A. in Health and Equity from the Johnston Center at the University of Redlands. My passion for community wellbeing, inspired by my grandmother, a partera and curandera, drives my work in Santa Clara County. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve focused on integrating contemplative science into youth mental health and queer/undocumented wellness, creating compassionate models for collective care. As Gardner Health Service’s first head of DEIJB, I’m dedicated to building a diverse workforce committed to health equity. I’m excited to further reconcile indigenous and Western medicine to enhance access for communities in Oaxaca.

Fun fact: I love cooking and hosting dinner parties, and always delight in sharing my Zapoteco culture.

I earned my B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from Morgan State University in 2023. During my academic journey, I served as a nutrition educator for elementary school children and as a student leader for international students.

Before my studies, I gained experience in marketing, sales, and management.

After graduation, I worked as a nutritionist with the USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which deepened my interest in prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric nutrition. I had the honor of creating four nutrition lesson plans for the upcoming fiscal year at Baltimore City WIC, leaving a lasting impact.

During my time at Stanford, I aim to engage with local communities, advocate for prevention, and contribute to interventions that improve health outcomes and quality of life for my community members.

I enjoy traveling, exploring cuisines, cooking, hiking, kickboxing, yoga, painting, and indoor gardening.

Fun Fact: My name, Shahad, translates to "pure honey" in Arabic.

Míyuuam omani (hello friends)! My name is Madeleine Kingsland (she/her), and I am of Luiseño descendancy from the Pala Band of Mission Indians in Southern California. I recently completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology with a minor in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University in 2024. My studies focused on the intersections of race and ethnicity with social and physical health. I am a strong advocate for the integration of culture as medicine, particularly in youth programming. I have assisted my tribe in various language and cultural revitalization efforts, which have promoted exercise, nutrition, and overall wellness. My passion lies in continuing to advocate for and develop programs that meet tribal needs and foster healthier futures for our communities. Outside of school, I am an avid horseback rider (Stanford Equestrian alumni) and an explorer of the wonderful spaces on campus!

Hello! My name is Bryce Martinez and I graduated from Stanford in 2024 with a B.S. in Human Biology, concentrating in Public Health Policy and Neurobiology. I’m passionate about mental health care and support, an interest that stems from personal family experiences. During my time at Stanford, I served as a peer counselor at the Bridge Peer Counseling Center, a role that deepened my dedication to improving equitable access to mental health care. This experience also reinforced my belief in the power of preventative interventions and community-based support systems, driving my commitment to making meaningful changes in how society views, and treats, mental health. 

In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors and cooking new (or already confirmed to be delicious) recipes!

My name is Kate Mayberg. I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2021 with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Public Health. While at SCU, I served as the Student Director for our Health Center Outreach program, focusing on connecting students with mental health resources. I also gained experience through internships at health-tech startups, non-profits, and a clean beauty company, all of which strengthened my commitment to health and wellness. Following graduation, I worked in Advertising at Google and Microsoft, contributing to initiatives in team Wellness and Culture, Data and Analytics, and AI. These roles expanded my interest in improving information-to-audience systems. I’d like to further explore effective health informatics and integrations topics, specifically regarding women’s preventive health information and promoting social connection through technology. I’m thrilled to be a part of the CHPR community, and to learn from my professors and peers!

My name is Charity McDowell and I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2024 with degrees in Preprofessional Studies (premed), Spanish and Africana Studies.  I am from Indianapolis, IN and am an older sister to two younger brothers. While at Notre Dame, I played volleyball for the Irish and was heavily involved in the athletic departments DEI initiatives, advisory councils and student athlete well-being.

My senior year of college I decided not to attend medical school as I wanted to set my focus towards nonscientific factors that impact health. I love people and am passionate about decreasing barriers towards marginalized communities, empowering students for academic success, and faith. Overall, I want to be a force for good in the world. Here at Stanford, I am continuing my volleyball career as a graduate transfer. In my free time, I like to listen to music, go to church and plan events with my friends/family. 

My name is Franklyn Moreshead and I am originally from Los Angeles, CA. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in the spring of 2024 with a BA in Health Services, a minor in Sociology, and a Conceptual Foundations of Medicine certificate. While at Pitt, I was involved with Student EMS and worked full-time as an EMT in the greater Pittsburgh area. During my senior year, I also completed my paramedic certification through the Center for Emergency Medicine.

Working in Emergency Services has sparked my interest in community health. Interacting with patients in their homes has opened my eyes to countless issues health services continuously fail to address.

Outside of school and work, I enjoy baking and going on walks with my dog, Whiskey. Attending Stanford has always been a dream of mine, so I am ecstatic to be a part of the CHPR program!

My name is Collin Pang, and I will be graduating from Stanford University in 2025 with a B.S. in Science, Technology and Society with a concentration in Life Sciences and Health. Through immersion in the CHPR program, I am committed to merging my enthusiasm for health equity with a comprehensive understanding of community health dynamics. 

During my time at Stanford, I’ve conducted research in the Department of Orthopedics with the Bhutani Lab that aims to understand cellular mechanisms relating to osteoarthritis and the rejuvenation of joint tissues. I also serve as the President of United Students for Veterans’ Health, which aims to aid in caring for and enriching the lives of veterans at the Menlo Park VA. 

A self-taught surfer and avid soccer player, I believe that the key to a clear mind is an active body. I’m a big sports fan and especially love watching football and basketball with my family. I enjoy expressing my creative side through cooking, and love to experiment with a “fusion” style to combine different cultures through cuisine. 

My name is Ankita Patil (she/her) and I graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2022 with a BA in Social Psychology. Throughout the past few years, my research has centered on the health impacts of incarceration, trauma-informed care, and reproductive health challenges for incarcerated individuals. Beyond academics, I have collaborated with organizations to promote restorative justice practices in carceral settings and contributed to policy efforts advocating against the shackling of incarcerated patients during medical care. I am deeply committed to advancing health equity and social justice through evidence-based public health interventions. 

I am honored and incredibly excited to join the CHPR cohort to deepen my understanding of various fields in community health and to further my knowledge of public health practices and policies. 

Fun fact: I climbed the Great Wall of China with my best friend!

Hi! My name is Pablo, and I'm from McAllen, TX. I'm excited to be finishing off my Senior year at Stanford studying Human Biology while pursuing CHPR. My undergraduate studies have focused on the socioeconomic and psychological determinants of health, while I hope to narrow in on refugee health interventions. I'm passionate about addressing global health crises through a social entrepreneurship lens and look forward to learning from the CHPR community!

Outside of school, I love to ski in Lake Tahoe, bake gluten free snacks, and am a writer!

My name is Allen and I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2024 with a degree in Integrative Biology. As a student athlete, I had the opportunity to involve myself in local and nationwide organizations such as Exercise is Medicine Initiative and the Cal Student Athlete Community Service Committee. Within these groups, I learned the value of fostering and reinforcing active lifestyles in improving physical well-being on an individual and community wide basis.

My current interests lie in orthopedics, nutritional sustainability, and sports medicine. Through the CHPR program, I hope to explore the cooperative benefits of physical activity and nutritional education, particularly in adolescent development observed in pediatric settings.

My name is Stefan Thottunkal. I graduated from the Australian National University (ANU) with a Bachelor of Health Science (Hons) and am currently pursuing an MD at Macquarie University. My passion lies in utilizing systems approaches and fostering meaningful collaboration to enhance the translation of research into effective policy and practice. This is key to my work in both academia and government, most notably my current role with the Australian Department of Social Services in its NDIS Outcomes and Research Strategy Section. This commitment has shaped my academic interests and led to me founding Diverge, an initiative dedicated to identifying unmet needs and policy gaps for underrepresented communities. I believe strongly in community-led solutions and envision using Diverge to increase representation and build research capacity. Through the CHPR master’s program, I plan to hone my analytical skills, explore novel tools, and further my skills in AI research methods.

Fun Fact: In my free time I love going to farmers markets and multicultural festivals to find new recipes to experiment with.

My name is Lexy and I will be graduating from Stanford in 2025 with a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society (concentration in Life Sciences & Health). I have dedicated much of my undergraduate career to addressing various health disparities. As National President of United Students for Veterans’ Health, I’ve helped implement nationwide programs to provide mental health support and companionship for veterans. I’ve also worked to raise awareness of hepatitis B prevalence in Asian communities through Team HBV and the Stanford Asian Liver Center, taught health education lessons to underserved students at John F. Kennedy Middle School, and fostered discussions on public health issues through my roles as editor-in-chief of the Intersect Journal and editor of the Stanford Journal of Public Health. As a CHPR master’s student, I am excited to deepen my understanding of community health issues and continue advocating for health equity to create lasting, positive change within diverse communities.

In my free time, I love to spend time with friends and family, dance, hike, boulder, try new restaurants and watch movies!

My name is Angeline Yu (she/her), and I am graduating from Stanford in 2025 with a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society and a minor in Biology! At Stanford, I discovered my passion at the intersection of public health and mental health, with a focus on intersectional healthcare. My experiences include researching for the Stanford Maternal Child Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Stanford Center for Asian Research and Education, as well as serving as the Head Teaching Assistant for EMED 127: Healthcare Leadership and Communications Assistant for Stanford's brand new Human and Planetary Health Initiative. These endeavors have built the backbone of my academic and professional pursuits, fueling my curiosity and motivation for promoting cultural competency and addressing unique challenges faced by women and immigrant communities. These values drive my research interests, work in community-based health interventions, and advocacy for equitable health policies and legislation. I'm extremely excited to explore these interests further through pursuing the Contemplative Science subtrack!

In my free time, I enjoy frequenting cozy coffee shops, discovering new food places, taking care of horses and riding for the Stanford Equestrian Team!