Current CHPR Master's Students

Emily Amundson

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! 

Katie Bick

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. 

Mandeep Chahal

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!

Amelia Chen

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.

Phil Delrosario

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. 

Juliah Shay Kim

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.

Nicole Jackson

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.

Christopher Martin

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). 

Paolo Martin

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 4^th 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!

Amia Nash

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.

Allison Nguyen

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).

Devika Patel

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!

AJ Rios

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.

Linn Aasly

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.

Sabina Aliev

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.

Tatiana Baquero Devis

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.

Shreyas Bharadwaj

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.

Michelle Chin

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!

Seo-Ho Cho

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.

Coraal Cohen

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.

Amanda Cooper

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.

Tessa Eckley

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. 

Mark Freeman

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.

Yihan Hu

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!

Lina Khoeur

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.

Caleb Kumar

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.

Cecilia Lang-Ree

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.

Adrienne Lazaro

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.

Mika Limcaoco

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!

Ani Movsisyan

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.

Tiondrae Pier

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!

Brittany Pike

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.

Ambri Pukhraj

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.

Chris Rodriguez

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.

Betsy Sachs

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.

Dilpreet Sahota

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!

Robert Shi

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.

Muzz Shittu

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. 

Annie Robinson Woods

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.

Samantha Wong

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.

Sylvia Zhang

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!

Juliana Baratta

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.

Andrea Nadosy Bunt

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.

Steven Crane

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!

Molly Fischer

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.

Sheryl Fuehrer

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.

Trey Hale

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. 

Addison Himmelberger

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. 

Vanna Hovanky

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.

Cynthia (Cindy) Jung

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!

Min Joo Kim

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.

Amy Li

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.

Ted Miclau

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.

Monique Nguyen

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!

Katie Plummer

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!

Mark Sanders

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.

Irina Soviani

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.

Isi Umunna

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.

Mauranda Upchurch

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. 

Lauren Wegner

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.

Sophia Xiao

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.

Alexis Amano

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.

Enrique Cazares-Navarro

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.

Stephanie Cho

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!

Sara Damore

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!

Julia DiTosto

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!

Ashlyn Gary

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. 

Rhana Hashemi

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.

Kawena Hirayama

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!

Tiffany Jow

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.

Mariko Kelly

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!

Alexandra Kennedy

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.

Manali Kulkarni

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.

Oksana Kutsa

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.

Linette Kwon

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!

Joanna Langner

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.

Jessie Moore

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.

Ann Nguyen

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!

Anjali Wignarajah

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!

Natalie Yu

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.