Masters in Public Health Student Profiles

Laura Adame

Degrees: B.S., Molecular Environmental Biology, UC Berkeley, 2021

Professional Interests: Health Education and Promotion, Environmental Health, Environmental Justice, Health Disparities in Underrepresented Communities, Health Policy

Background/Interests: Laura saw her family experience health inequities. Her community had little health care access, rampant health care issues, and language barriers that prevented people from trusting and accessing medical facilities. This pushed Laura to advocate and serve communities who lack appropriate health care services via the creation of culturally accessible materials for communities. Laura has worked with Federally Qualified Health Centers and with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement to help communities gain health care knowledge via educational sessions, care plan creation, preventative screenings, and accesses to basic needs. Laura is interested in developing solutions to healthcare problems specifically tied to environmental issues that affect health longevity.

Entry Year: 2024

Claire Anderson

Degrees: B.S. Behavior and Health, Minor in Public Health, Boston University 2024

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Health Policy, Aging and Brain Health, Social Determinants of Health, Mental Health, Health Literacy

Background/Interest: Claire’s interest in public health began during the COVID-19 pandemic, like many of her peers but it started for a different reason than one may think. During lockdown, Claire’s grandmother moved into a long-term care facility due to her Alzheimer’s disease progression. She eventually passed away during Claire’s freshman year of college, but this experience stayed with her. Seeing her mother struggle to take on the role of primary caregiver and learning about the high costs of long-term care insurance in the US inspired Claire to learn more about gerontology. In her spare time, Claire loves to try new dessert places, spend time with friends and family, and travel!

Entry Year: 2024

Simranpreet Bains

Degrees: B.S., Biological Sciences, Minor in Global Disease Biology, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Inequities, Preventative Healthcare, Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Health Concerns among Unhoused Populations, Lifestyle and Nutrition Education

Background/Interests: Simran is passionate about serving marginalized communities with a lack of access to adequate healthcare. As an undergraduate, Simran was a volunteer in Bhagat Puran Singh Health Initiative and Imani Clinic where she was the Women’s and Gender Health Specialty Clinic Coordinator. She also worked in the basic needs committee to serve the unhoused population in Oak Park, Sacramento through health education and care package distributions. She is pursuing an M.P.H to gain knowledge to continue to address health disparities prevalent in underserved communities. Simran hopes to pursue a career as a physician to implement cultural humility in patient care.

Entry Year: 2023

Ruby Bal

Degrees: B.S., Human Development, University of California Davis, 2015; M.S., Community Development, University of California, 2024

Professional Interests: Food Insecurity & Access, Sustainable Food Systems, Nutrition Education, Community Based, Participatory Research, Community Health, Health Education and Promotion, Health Disparities in Underserved Communities

Background/Interests: Ruby’s interest in public health began while working with the Health, Education and Promotion unit at UC Davis. After a decade of working in holistic student support, she witnessed the challenges students face in balancing their academic pursuits and basic needs, particularly in nourishing themselves. These experiences sparked her interest in basic needs and community wellbeing, leading her to pursue a Master’s in Community Development where she deepened her understanding of food systems, food security, food access and community health. She believes the food we consume, the price it costs, the places we shop and how food is grown imp­act community health. She hopes to strengthen her ability to create and implement community-driven, community-centered and culturally responsive nutrition education and programs.

 Entry Year: 2024

Kelsey Mary Bas

Degrees: B.S. Global Public Health, Dominican University of California, 2024

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Health Disparities amongst Marginalized Communities, Disease Prevention, Health Education and Promotion, Social Determinants, Biostatistics

Background/Interest: Kelsey found her passions in public health when she first volunteered at the food pantry with the Ritter Center. From there, she has spent her undergraduate years as a Global Public Health major working alongside the community by interning as a coordinator for Ritter Center’s diabetes program as well as the Marin County Health and Human Services to educate important public health issues for healthcare professionals. Kelsey hopes to further her passions in community service by perusing an MPH to bridge the gaps in health inequities.

Entry Year: 2024

Kandace Ly Bui

Degrees: B.S., Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Health Education and Promotion, Preventative Healthcare, Pediatrics, Aging and Brain Health

Background/Interests: Growing up in Sacramento with a large immigrant Vietnamese family, Kandace developed a passion for health advocacy early on. Influenced by her work with children in VN CARES, she realized the importance of teaching healthy habits. Inspired by her cousin's struggle with an autoimmune disease, she researched environmental factors affecting health in the Lein Laboratory. Her encounters with her unhoused neighbors in Sacramento Street Medicine deepened her commitment to addressing health disparities. She aims to gain expertise in public health principles and policies, hoping to advocate for and provide quality care for underserved communities as an aspiring physician.

Entry Year: 2024

Melissa Claire Cabana

Degrees: B.A. Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved and Marginalized Communities, Epidemiology (Social Epidemiology and Chronic Disease Epidemiology), Social Determinants of Health, Community Health, Preventative Healthcare, Biostatistics, Health Policy, Health Education & Promotion.

Background/Interests: As the daughter of Filipino immigrants and having grown up in the California Central Valley, Melissa’s interest in Public Health developed from her identity and personal experiences witnessing the health disparities of the communities she was a part of. After graduating, Melissa engaged in non-profit work in South Stockton, CA, bridging health resources and education to underserved areas and advocating for equitable health policies. Melissa now looks forward to developing her knowledge and skills with an M.P.H. to apply towards a career that focuses on culturally sensitive epidemiological research aimed at improving the health of marginalized communities.

Entry Year: 2024

Jocelyn Canty

Degrees: B.S., Animal Science (Physiology), University of California Davis, 2019

Professional Interests: One Health, Community Wellness, Sustainable Food Systems, Food Insecurity and Access, Healthy Eating, Environmental Justice, Land Use, Health Education and Promotion, Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Women's Health, Reproductive Health, Biostatistics and Data Communication

Background/Interests: Jocelyn's introduction to public health occurred after learning about One Health concepts during her undergraduate studies at University of California Davis. With a diverse background, her interests surround the intersections between food systems, land stewardship and animal-human health. She is particularly focused on how these factors contribute to accessibility to healthy and culturally appropriate foods, in addition to their impacts on community wellness. Her commitments to democratized health education and data communication are rooted in the belief that a multifaceted approach and diverse perspective is integral in finding holistic solutions to public health issues that our communities face.

Entry Year: 2023

Julia Carrillo

Degrees: B.S. Human Development, B.A. Chicana/o Studies, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis 2023.

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Sexual and Reproductive Programming, Women’s Health, Health Education, Mental Health, Diabetes Prevention, Food Security, Health Equity.

Background/Interests: Julia is a first-generation Chicana college student from Castroville, CA. Her Interest in Public Health began once she realized how vulnerable her community is to health disparities related to labor-intensive jobs, lack of health education, and limited access to healthcare. She believes that the way health education is distributed amongst marginalized communities lacks cultural humility alongside the research practices implemented. She was involved in research as part of SOAR lab and served as a tutor in the Davis Bridge program. Julia plans to return to her community with the knowledge she gains from the MPH program to promote preventative healthcare.

Entry Year: 2024

Alexandra Mia Castro

Degrees: B.A., Chicana/o Studies, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, 2022

Professional Interests: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Racial/Ethnic Health Inequities, Infectious Diseases, Health Education and Promotion

Background/Interests: Alexandra's interest in the public health field began while volunteering with her local NAACP chapter. Acting as a member of the NAACP's Executive Committee and a position on the Health Committee helped her grow her passion for community health. Her father's multiple myeloma diagnosis unveiled a firsthand experience of health inequities within her personal circle and ignited an interest to help serve communities who were facing the same struggle. She hopes to dive deeper into health disparities, inequities, and public health emergency work. In her free time Alexandra enjoys adventuring with her dog and trying new foods.

Entry Year: 2022

Anureet Kaur Chahal

Degrees: B.S, Microbiology, Minors in Public Health and Chemistry, San José State University, 2024

Professional Interests: Oral Health, Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Preventative Healthcare, Health Education and Promotion, Epidemiology, Health Policy, One Health Background/Interest: Anureet’s interest in public health ignited as she learned about oral health disparities, through her time building rapport with patients as a dental assistant. Through her various dental experiences and academic enrichment, Anureet learned that dentistry and public health, which she once viewed as separate fields, intersect in support of oral health. With her volunteer work at her Gurdwara, place of worship, Anureet saw first-hand the role of powerful external determinants for oral health and the positive effects of implementing public health measures in a clinical setting. As an aspiring dentist, passionate about understanding the stories of patients and social health integration, Anureet wants to pursue an MPH to create equitable and holistic oral healthcare and well-being. When she is not studying or working, you can find Anureet catching up on sleep, sipping on a latte at a coffee shop, or going through old pictures and videos.

Entry Year: 2024

Sneha Chand

Degrees: B.S. Public Health: Community Health Education, California State University Sacramento, 2021

Professional Interests: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Women's Health, Food Security, Health Education and Promotion, Social Determinants of Health, Health Disparities in Underserved and Immigrant Populations, Community -based Participatory Research

Background/Interest: Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in South Sacramento, Sneha understood health inequities at an early age. After working with local nonprofits like Alchemist CDC and Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, as a board member and program coordinator, she saw firsthand the public health issues that plague her community, which grew her need to pursue an MPH. As an MPH student, she is excited to learn more about successful health education and promotion methods. Ultimately, Sneha hopes to become a program planner, focusing on health campaigns that better address health disparities affecting women and people of color.

 Entry Year: 2024

Ariana Celine Cuevas

Degrees: B.S, Health Science: Community Health Education, California State University, Long Beach, 2019

Professional Interests: Healthcare Disparities in Underserved Low-Income Populations, Chronic Disease Management, Health Education and Resources, Community Health, Social Determinants of Health, Infectious Diseases, Preventative Medicine, Food Insecurity & Access, Healthy Eating, Promotion of Healthy Living for Geriatric Populations and Children

Background/Interests: Ariana has witnessed the health inequities her family has gone through as monolingual Spanish speakers. Her interest to help others began when taking care of her grandmother at a very young age. Working for the Good Samaritan Hospital as a Comprehensive Stroke Center Intern, Ariana's passion for health education grew. Working alongside a population over the age of 50 and teaching them how to prevent disease, encouraged her to continue her work with underserved populations for an increase in life expectancy. With her MPH, she also hopes to lead other nurses into understanding what it means to be part of the public health field and help patients.

Entry Year: 2024

Jessica Dhaliwal

Degrees: B.S., Biological Sciences, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Healthcare Disparities in Underserved Low-Income Populations, Preventative Medicine, Chronic Disease Management, Health Education and Resources, Community Health

Background/Interests: Growing up in a community where health disparities were high and the quality of care was low, Jessica was drawn to learning more about issues in public health. During her time at UC Davis undergrad, she became more involved as a volunteer at Shifa Community Clinic and saw the positive effects of implementing public health measures in a clinical setting (e.g. providing a translator, health education, and cultural competency) to alleviate health disparities for low-income, immigrant, and uninsured patient populations. As a future physician, she hopes to provide equitable and individualized medicine while advocating for underrepresented populations in healthcare settings.

Entry Year: 2023

Hind Eliyana

Degrees: B.S, Clinical Nutrition, University of California Davis, 2018. M.Sc. Nutritional Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem 2020

Professional Interests: Global Health, Maternal and child health outcomes, nutrition, race and socioeconomic health disparities, leadership in public health

Background/Interests: As a first generation Palestinian American, Hind is interested in studying racial health disparities and working with underserved communities. After receiving her B.S in Clinical Nutrition from UC Davis, Hind lived in Jerusalem where she attended a graduate program in Nutritional Sciences and later began teaching at Birzeit University in Palestine. Working in Palestine, Hind wanted to pursue a career in public health working towards improving maternal and child health, especially in low resourced and emergency settings.

 Entry Year: 2024

Hanna Enomoto

Degrees: B.A., International Studies (Global Environment and Health) & B.A., Spanish, University of Michigan, 2023

Professional Interests: Community Health, Global Health, Health Policy, Health Education and Promotion

Background/Interests: Hanna’s interest in public health developed when she was an undergraduate at the University of Michigan. Originally a Nursing student, Hanna transferred to double major in International Studies and Spanish where she was able to pursue her passions of public health, the human experience, and health policy from a different perspective. With her participation in this program and her past clinical experiences, Hanna hopes to reimagine a new healthcare system that promotes equity and access by bridging the gap between theory, policy, and patient-care experience. Hanna enjoys pickleball, baking, traveling, and rewatching the same tv shows!

 Entry Year: 2024

Brenda Laticia Gonzalez Vargas

Degrees: B.A., Sociology and Psychology, University of California Davis, 2010

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Chronic Illnesses, Women and children's health, Population health interdependence, Health Policy, Preventative Healthcare, Equitable Healthcare, Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, and Health Education.

Background/Interests: Raised in Oakland, California, Brenda Gonzalez is deeply passionate about public health, driven by her firsthand experiences of disparities. Over thirteen years in a non-profit organization, she created summer camps for underserved children, facilitated COVID-19 vaccination enrollments, aided refugees in accessing healthcare/employment, provided mental health services for the FACES for the FUTURE program, and as a Research Associate at UCSF, contributed to a study of mouthwash effectiveness against COVID-19. Pursuing a Master of Public Health at UC Davis, she seeks to immerse herself in epidemiology and global health, advancing her impact on the future of public health.

 Entry Year: 2024

Sulin Ruby Gonzalez

Degrees: B.S. Public Health Promotion, California State University Stanislaus, 2024

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Chronic and Infectious Diseases, Environmental Health, Health Equity, Environmental Equity

Background/Interests: Sulin’s interest in public health can be attributed to her personal experience living in the Central Valley of California and witnessing the local health disparities amongst marginalized communities. Environmental equity became a personal topic of interest after her experience as a research assistant on a study focusing on the perceptions of air quality among Merced and Stanislaus County residents. Through this research, Sulin learned firsthand how crucial fair access to clean air is for the well-being of communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by air pollution. This experience reinforced her commitment to addressing health disparities and improving environmental health.

 Entry Year: 2024

Hector Guzman

Degrees: B.A., International Studies, Minor in African Studies, University of California San Diego, 2019

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Biostatistics, Global Health Security, Disease Surveillance, Tropical Diseases, HIV/AIDS, Cancer

Background/Interests: Hector’s interest in public health began during his career working with refugee communities. He witnessed how conflict, disasters, and poverty all have lasting impacts on resettled refugees and immigrants in the US. Hector became curious about the varying social determinants of health within different cultural groups. The proud son of immigrants himself, these experiences led him to pursue an MPH in Epidemiology to understand how to prevent and mitigate emerging infectious diseases. Hector has professional experience in migrant humanitarian work, partnership building, and community outreach. He hopes to use his MPH to pursue a career as an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist.

 Entry Year: 2024

Erin Hardy

Degrees: B.S., Global Disease Biology, University of California Davis, 2019

Interests: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender-Affirming Healthcare, Harm Reduction, Critical Care Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Clinical Research

Background/Interests: Erin is a Northern California native and UC Davis alum who has spent that last 4 years working in critical care research at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Working at a public hospital in the capital of California has given Erin experience with an extremely diverse population of patients, and it has provided insight into the struggles of many communities with respect to healthcare accessibility and utilization. Erin plans to continue working as a clinical research supervisor while earning her Master's in Public Health with the goal of strengthening her understanding of healthcare systems and epidemiology.

 Entry Year: 2024

Alyx Heredia

Degrees: B.S. Public Health: Community Health Education, California State University Sacramento, 2024

Professional Interests: Infectious Disease, Epidemiology, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Sexual and Reproductive Health Equity, LGBTQIA+ Health, Health Equity, and Global Health.

Background/Interests: Alyx found interest in learning about infectious diseases and epidemiology after enduring the COVID-19 pandemic while working the healthcare field. Alyx’s experiences with at-risk patients and studying the health inequities of marginalized groups led them to work towards a future where disease prevention is available to everyone in an equitable way. Alyx hopes to use their MPH to pursue infectious disease epidemiology while advocating for health resources in underrepresented communities.

 Entry Year: 2024

Mariam Janeth Hernandez Mendoza

Degrees: B.S., Biological Sciences, Public Health Minor, University of California, Davis 2024

Professional Interests: Health Disparities, Preventative Medicine, Social Determinants of Health, Health Administration, Health Promotion, Clinical Research, Global Health, Community Health Education and Promotion

Background/Interests: Mariam is a first-generation Mexican-American student with an interest in clinical medicine and health disparities; Mariam aims to combine her passion for public health and medicine to create a positive impact in the lives of underserved people and communities. As the daughter of a disabled parent, Mariam experienced firsthand along with her family several struggles and disparities within the healthcare system. With over a decade of experience taking care of her family members along with several internships in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Stanford Medicine, and Dignity Health her passion for pursuing Public Health grew. Mariam holds a strong background in leadership and advocacy which she plans to help her be a better advocate for her communities.

Entry Year: 2024

Leah Katharine Hoffpauer

Degrees: B.S, Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, Minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, University of California Davis, 2024

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Sexual and Reproductive Health, LGBTQ+ Health, Neurology/Neurodegenerative Diseases, Harm Reduction, Social Determinants of Health

Background/Interests: Leah’s interest in public health began as she started volunteering at the student run clinic, Joan Viteri Memorial Clinic, as an undergraduate at UC Davis. She was able to work with a wide range of community members to provide accessible healthcare to underserved populations, including individuals seeking gender-affirming care and providing harm reduction resources to unhoused populations. Leah looks forward to gaining a more holistic understanding of health disparities throughout the MPH program, in order to provide unbiased and preventative care as an aspiring physician.

Entry Year: 2024

Eman Ibrahim

Degrees: B.S, Psychology, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2020

Professional Interests: Health Policy & Law, Preventative Medicine, Behavioral Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Health Economics, Epidemiology, Health Equity

Background/Interests: Eman’s interest in public health first blossomed as a volunteer at a local clinic, where she assisted in providing mental healthcare services to underserved populations. After graduation, she began her career as an Integrative Behavioral Health Program Manager at a health center in Sacramento. In this role, she spearheaded the development and implementation of quality initiatives aimed at enhancing access to preventative care. It was during this period that she found her passion for advocating for equitable healthcare access and promoting comprehensive wellness initiatives. With an MPH from UC Davis, she aims to further expand her impact in these areas.

Entry Year: 2024

Tayf Mohammed Islam

Degrees: B.S., Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, Minors in Economics and Public Health, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Global Health, Community Health, Environmental Health, Health Education and Promotion, Health Services Administration

Background/Interests: Tayf is interested in using technology to improve healthcare outcomes in developing countries, inspired by witnessing healthcare challenges during his upbringing in Bangladesh. His experience as a programmer at UC Davis, where he developed and managed complex databases in Student Affairs Assessment, has equipped him with a strong foundation in data management, crucial for making informed decisions in healthcare settings. Tayf’s interest in health informatics, specifically electronic health records, mobile health applications, and telemedicine, demonstrates a strategic focus on improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency through technology. Combining his technical expertise with a passion for public health, Tayf aims to develop health informatics solutions tailored to address the specific needs of developing countries, where innovative solutions can make a significant impact.

Entry Year: 2024

Berenice Jacobo Zurita

Degrees: B.A. Communications Studies and B.S. Public Health Promotion, California State University Stanislaus, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Undeserved Communities, Social Determinants of Health, Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health.

Background/Interests: Berenice was born in Mexico and immigrated with her family at the age of 4 to California. She encountered the impact of language barriers amongst primary care physicians and their patients. After encountering these experiences, she set out to do two things. One, learn about how to communicate with people through leadership and persuasion. Two, learn how to educate people about public health. She has been able to put her knowledge into action, through her involvement in a non-profit organization that aims to target underserved communities. Coming from an immigrant background and first-generation, she plans to pursue an M.P.H. to expand her knowledge about public health and assist in the evolving field of Epidemiology.

Entry Year: 2023

Jasmine Kaur

Degrees: B.A., Psychology, Minor in Public Health San Jose State University 2021

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Health Policy, Health Administration, Health Education and Promotion, Preventative Healthcare

Background/Interests: Jasmine is passionate about working in public health to help make healthcare more accessible to communities that face health disparities. She first became interested in working in healthcare when she started volunteering at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Hospital. Seeing so many individuals struggling to get healthcare services due to language barriers and financial challenges, grew her interest to help make healthcare more accessible for these marginalized communities. Jasmine is pursuing her M.P.H. to get a better understanding of our healthcare system so she can help address health disparity and promote health education.

Entry Year: 2023

 Mahlet Berhanu Kebede

Degrees: B.S, Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, 2023

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Policy, Infectious Diseases and Global Health

Background/Interests: Mahlet's interest in public health stemmed from her childhood living in Ethiopia and witnessing the negative impact of preventable infectious diseases in her community. After moving to the United States, Mahlet's interest in public health grew as she volunteered in Sutter cardiac rehabilitation center where she learned the importance of preventative policy and education in tackling heart disease. By acquiring a master’s in public health degree, Mahlet hopes to expand her knowledge on how to implement public health measures to prevent the spread of disease in underserved communities globally.

Entry Year: 2024

Aron Kishore

Degrees: B.S, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. Minors: Global Disease Biology, Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Diabetes and Obesity Prevention, Health Education, Food Security, Infectious Diseases

Background/Interests: Aron was born in the Fiji Islands and moved to the United States in 2016. Coming from a Pacific Islander background, he has witnessed the challenges his community faces when it comes to healthcare access. At UC Davis, he was involved in research at the Contreras Lab. He also served as a monitor at Shifa Community Clinic, where he assisted in providing primary care services to the uninsured populations. His experience working at Shifa has reaffirmed his passion for becoming a Primary Care Physician, and he hopes to utilize the knowledge he gathers from the M.P.H program to break down barriers in medicine in the future.

Entry Year: 2023

Zeenat Kumar

Degrees: B.S, Human Biology, minor Public Health, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Health disparities among underserved communities, preventative healthcare methods, Health Education for immigrants and refugees, Juvenile reform policy

Background/Interests: As a first-generation immigrant student, Zeenat is dedicated to addressing health disparities in underserved communities. His role as an Aggie Public Health Ambassador at UC Davis fueled his passion for public health, inspiring him to found the Juvenile Caduceus Clinic (JCC), a student-run clinic serving low-income youth in Sacramento, Alameda, and Yolo counties. By pursuing a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Zeenat aims to gain expertise in preventive healthcare, equipping himself to tackle health issues effectively. He plans to integrate this knowledge into his future medical career, striving to improve healthcare outcomes for marginalized populations.

Entry Year: 2024

Mia Leyva

Degrees: B.S. Health Science, California State University Sacramento, 2024

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Preventative Healthcare, Health Education and Promotion, Community Health, Health Equity

Background/Interests: Mia's interest in public health began during COVID-19 when looking into disparities in COVID health outcomes in racial/ethnic minority groups. During her undergraduate career, she learned about lack of health care access, education, and resources in many of these communities. As a Mexican-American, she has witnessed these disparities in the lives of her family and those around her. Because of this, she is passionate in addressing health disparities in underserved communities and aims to do so with her education. As an MPH student, Mia hopes to learn more about social determinants of health and gain experience in the field. Apart from educational and professional aspirations, Mia enjoys working out, spending time with her dog, and going on walks.

 Entry Year: 2024

Jose Luis Lopez Garcia

Degrees: B.S., Global Disease Biology, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, 2020.

Professional Interests: Health in Underrepresented Minorities, Environmental Health, Health Effects from Pollutants, Epidemiology, Preventative Health Care, Public Health Education, Migrant Health, One Health.

Background/Interests: Jose immigrated from Mexico at a young age. His interest in public health stems from witnessing health inequities in his community. Since he joined UC Davis, he has worked on projects such as the WHAT-NOW study, which aims at understanding the effects of wildfires across populations in California; and the ORALE project, which provided COVID-19 resources to underserved minorities in the California’s Central Valley. Jose hopes that with his M.P.H. he can use his knowledge to continue serving underrepresented minorities and help bring them closer to health equity. During his free time, Jose enjoys gardening, reading, and exercising.

Entry Year: 2024

Jesus Magana

Degrees: B.S. Human Biology & B.A. Chicano/a Studies, Public Health Sciences minor, University of California Davis, 2024

Professional Interests: Environmental Health, Particulate Matter/Nanoparticles, Pediatric Health, Maternal and Child Health, Oncology, Community Health, Health Education and Promotion

Background/Interests: Growing up in the Inland Empire, Jesús has firsthand experience with the health disparities that have affected his immigrant family and surrounding community. As an undergraduate student at UC Davis, his interest in public health sparked while volunteering at Clínica Tepati, a student-run clinic addressing the healthcare gap in the Latino community of the greater Sacramento area. His passion for public health deepened during the study abroad Latinx Health Internship in Oaxaca, Mexico, where he learned about rural health injustices, showed various clinical settings, and worked hands-on to combat vector-borne diseases. With his MPH, Jesús aspires to address environmental health injustices in underrepresented communities.

Entry Year: 2024

Jesus Magdaleno

Degrees: B.S., Psychology, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2021

Professional Interests: One Health model, Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Mental Health Promotion, Health Disparities

Background/Interests: Born in Mexico and raised in the Napa Valley, Jesus comes from an immigrant family and is a first generation college student. His interest in Public Health began while attending UC Davis for his undergraduate degree and volunteering for Knights Landing One Health Center. Jesus held various positions throughout his years at Knights Landing such as, One Health Chair, Community Representative, and Telehealth Monitor. After graduating, Jesus worked as a Reproductive Health Specialist and Clinic Flow Coordinator for Planned Parenthood Northern California, where his interest in health disparities among vulnerable and underserved populations grew. Outside work and academics, Jesus enjoys playing soccer, going on runs, and photography

Entry Year: 2023

Mallale Mahmood

Degrees: B.S., Human Biology with a minor in Public Health, University of California Davis, 2022

Professional Interests: Health disparities among underserved communities, preventative healthcare methods, Health Education for immigrants and refugees, Disease Control/Epidemiology

Background/Interests: Mallale's interest in public health stemmed from her own struggles as a first generation student who came from a low-income background. She was inspired to pursue an M.P.H. after declaring a minor in public health sciences and developing a passion for establishing a positive impact on the lives of others. After realizing the lack of health education resources for minorities, she co-founded a student-run clinic at UC Davis called Juvenile Caduceus that focuses on providing assistance and care to adolescents in the greater Sacramento area and Yolo County. She is excited for this new chapter in her life as an M.P.H. candidate in hopes of using her knowledge to her benefit when she undergoes a career as a physician. In her spare time she loves playing the piano and learning new languages while spending time with her family :)

Entry Year: 2023

Dalton Drake Manbeck-Mosig

Degrees: B.S., Global Disease Biology, University of California Davis, 2024

Professional Interests: Vector Biology, Epidemiology, Longevity, Health Outreach & Communications, Health Disparities, Health Education

Background/Interests: Dalton's interest in public health began in elementary school and continued throughout his undergraduate studies, where he began his work in vector biology, where he currently develops age grading tools for invasive mosquitoes at UC Davis's DART laboratories. With his MPH, he intends to become an epidemiologist in order to mitigate the impact of vector-borne and other infectious diseases on marginalized communities. He is also interested in public health outreach, especially reducing the spread of health misinformation.
In his spare time, he enjoys D&D, board games, spending time with his dog, and hiking with friends.

Entry Year: 2024

Anika Mohanty

Degrees: B.S., Neuroscience, Santa Clara University, 2023

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Neurodegenerative and Age-related Diseases, Chronic Diseases, Health Disparities

Background/Interests: Anika's interest in public health grew throughout her undergraduate years studying Neuroscience at Santa Clara University. Through working as an EMT, Anika was able to experience and learn about how socioeconomic disparities plays a huge role in a patient's health and treatment. Also, she conducted research concerning the comorbidities and mortality rate of heart transplant patients who contracted COVID-19. As an M.P.H student, Anika hopes to learn more about how to properly treat those with neurodegenerative and age-related diseases by looking at risk factors, their prevalence in certain populations, and the health disparities surrounding them.

Entry Year: 2023

Daisy Montoya

Degrees: B.S, Molecular and Medical Microbiology, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2024

Professional Interests: Health Inequities/Disparities within Underserved Communities, Structural Drivers of Health, Community Health, Cancer Research, Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate and Accessible Health Education

Background/Interests: As the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, Daisy is passionate about educating, empowering, and serving her Hispanic/Latinx community. Witnessing how the social determinants of health shaped the risks and quality of her family's life, Daisy was inspired to reduce health disparities among underserved communities. She leveraged her bilingual skill sets to improve the health communication within the Spanish-speaking community as a Spanish translator and health educator at Clinica Tepati, and developing HPV-related cancer prevention education for community health educators. Daisy hopes to gain the skillsets necessary to address the disparities that burden underserved communities through community-based public health initiatives.

Entry Year: 2024

Paolo Nardi

Degrees: B.S., Health Science, Emergency Medical Services, Academic Certificate, Biomedical Ethics, Idaho State University, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Global health, and Health Policy

Background/Interests: Paolo has worked in healthcare in various roles for several decades; most recently he has served the city of Sacramento as a firefighter/paramedic providing prehospital care in one of the busiest 911 systems in the western United States. Seeing first-hand how poverty, trauma, violence, homelessness, and substance use adversely affects our local communities, especially communities lacking resources and public health infrastructure, Paolo intends to utilize his MPH to broaden community-based approaches to health promotion and harm reduction. In addition to assisting the community here in northern California, Paolo would also like to help persons in developing nations, understanding acutely how positive the impacts of public health are on preventative medicine globally.

Entry Year: 2024

Christine Nguyen

Degrees: B.S., Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Disparities in primary care, health disparities among the neurodivergent population, preventative and holistic healthcare, equity in healthcare, autism and ADHD, social determinants of health, clinical and public health research

Background/Interests: Christine's interest in public health started when she dropped in on an M.P.H info session. After her time in EMRAP, she better understood the health disparities that are present among the underserved and in clinical research. This drove her to pursue a public health minor. One lesson she learned was how education is one of the most important social determinants of health. Christine serves as a mentor with the Redwood SEED Scholars, where she witnessed how a chance at a postsecondary education can help students with intellectual disabilities drive. She hopes to use the M.P.H to gain the knowledge she needs to practice as a physician who values holistic health.

Entry Year: 2023

May Nguyen

Degrees: B.S, Human Biology, University of California Irvine, 2024

Professional Interests: Mental Health, Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Social Determinants of Health, Public Health Nutrition, Safety & Health, Health Policy

Background/Interests: After volunteering at free health clinics hosted by MEMO (Medical, Educational Missions & Outreach), May became more aware of the healthcare inequalities that plagues the underprivileged populations in Orange County. As someone with immigrant parents who experienced the same hardships, May found her passion in becoming a voice for the underserved communities, aspiring to work in preventative programs that aim to improve their mental and physical wellbeing. May is also passionate about mental health as shown through her university ventures: a student researcher under the University Imaging Cognitive Lab to study the brain scans of mass shooters, an avid volunteer for the Crisis Text Line, and a leader in the Associated Students of University California Irvine (ASUCI) Mental Health Commission.

Entry Year: 2024

Daniel Pasillas-Pablo

Degrees: B.S., Public Health Promotion, California State University Stanislaus, 2023

Professional Interests: Social Determinants of Health, Health Equity, Health Behavior, Nutrition, Disease Prevention, Health Policy

Background/Interests: Initially from Chino Hills, CA, Daniel’s passion for public health developed after moving to the Central Valley and researching drug use among young adults with CSU Stanislaus’ McNair Scholars Program. He also gained professional experiences as a research assistant evaluating the application of an AI chatbot assistant in epidemiology courses and as a member of the university’s Student Health Advisory Committee. Daniel aims to apply skills and knowledge gained from his Master’s Program to address health inequities in local and underserved communities through public health research. In his free time, Daniel enjoys time with family, discovering new music, and alpine skiing.

Entry Year: 2023

Smriti Pathania

Degrees: B.S., Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Smriti is passionate about working towards increasing access to preventative healthcare resources for immigrant, underserved, and marginalized communities. She would like to learn more about infectious, chronic, and gastrointestinal diseases. Smriti is interested in community health, health education, preventative medicine, harm reduction, and social determinants of health.

Background/Interests: Smriti was born in India and immigrated at the age of 8. Witnessing how language barriers and socioeconomic factors created healthcare disparities for immigrants, she felt compelled to work towards increasing access to preventative healthcare resources in a culturally competent manner. During undergrad, she volunteered with Bhagat Puran Singh Health Initiative (BPSHI) to conduct free mobile clinics, and as Health Coach with Recognizing Illnesses Very Early and Responding (RIVER) to provide remote coaching during the pandemic. As an aspiring physician, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of social, economic, and systemic issues impacting access to healthcare through her MPH. Smriti also enjoys being in nature, listening to music, and spending time with loved ones.

 Entry Year: 2024

Dilprit Kaur Pooni

Degrees: B.S. Human Biology, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2024

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Preventive Healthcare, Community Health, Epidemiology

Background/Interests: Growing up in Yolo County, Dilprit observed inequalities that community members faced while trying to access healthcare. Through her involvement with Clinica Tepati, she observed the interactions between clinical care and public health measures that ensure underserved populations receive preventive care. During her time at UC Davis for undergraduate, she also joined the Whitmer Lab, where she researched the relationship between military service and cognitive health. Her involvement in clinic and research led her to pursue an MPH degree. With her MPH, she hopes to gain knowledge on addressing health disparities that disproportionately affect underserved populations and disease prevention.

Entry Year: 2024

Alejandra Ramirez

Degrees: B.S, Global Disease Biology, Minor in Environmental Policy and Planning Analysis, University of California, Davis, 2021

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, One Health, Health Disparities in Low-Income Communities, Climate Change Health Impacts, Women's Health

Background/Interests: Alejandra's interest in public health started after dealing with healthcare insecurity throughout her childhood. Her passion for health equity then grew after witnessing how racial and environmental injustice impacted her community's health. This drew her to the concept of One Health, which led to her dedicating her time as an undergraduate towards studying health improvement. She worked as a public health ambassador during the Covid pandemic and volunteered at a Covid testing center. She is now excited to return to UC Davis and learn the skills and qualities needed to pursue a career in epidemiology.

 Entry Year: 2024

Carmelita Ramirez

Degrees: B.A. Sociology, Minors in Mexican American Studies/Spanish, San José State University, 2014

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Health Equity, Community Based Care, Social Determinants of Health, Breast Cancer Prevention

Background/Interests: Carmelita is a first-generation college graduate, a UC Davis Health employee, and a breast cancer thriver with a passion for health equity. Her work experience spans various fields, including healthcare, human resources, and education. She developed her passion for public health while working on a community-based project addressing vaccine hesitancy among underserved communities. Her experience with breast cancer further solidified her commitment to public health, specifically focusing on Latinas access to breast cancer prevention and treatment. Outside work, Carmelita enjoys being a dog mom to Lola, her mini Xoloitzcuintli, often teaching her new tricks or sewing her new clothes.

 Entry Year: 2024

Sohrab Razai

Degrees: B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Minor in Public Health Science, University of California Davis, 2022

Professional Interests: Health disparities among immigrant and refugee populations, Social Determinants of Health, Community Healthcare for underserved/underrepresented populations, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease prevention and treatment, providing access to comprehensive healthcare resources for underserved immigrants, bridging language and cultural barriers in healthcare, immunizations for underserved populations.

Background/Interests: Sohrab is a first-generation Afghan that grew up in Sacramento. The son of immigrants from Afghanistan, he experienced healthcare disparities faced by the Afghan community. As a UC Davis undergraduate, Sohrab joined Shifa Community Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. He became a lead in the Vaccine clinic. Sohrab coordinated pop-up vaccination events to reach the underserved throughout Sacramento. His dedication to providing healthcare for vulnerable populations have led him to become the Clinic Manager of Shifa Clinic. Sohrab’s ambition is to become a physician, and the MPH will provide him the knowledge for mitigating health disparities among the underserved.

 Entry Year: 2024

Gloria Rodriguez

Degrees: B.S. Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, B.A. Psychology, Minor in Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, 2024

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, especially within Latine Communities, Community Health & Promotion, Preventative Medicine, Social Determinants of Health

Background/Interests: From a small town in the rural Central Valley, Gloria was raised by her hardworking family of Mexican immigrants and is a first-generation college student. Her interest in public health was discovered while taking courses at UCD and was introduced to how social determinants and other complexities have a great impact on health, which differs from the traditional medical model of health. During her time at UCD, Gloria also volunteered for the Knight’s Landing One Health Center, which granted her the privilege and opportunity of being a Community Outreach chair and taking a lead on community-centered projects in this rural town. As an MPH student, she is interested in research on health disparities among vulnerable and underserved communities. Gloria aims to eventually return to the Central Valley and use her education and skills to give back to her community. 

 Entry Year: 2024

Edgar Romo

Degrees: B.S, Nutrition and Dietetics, Cal State Long Beach 2011

Professional Interests: Global Health, Food Policy, Health Disparities in underserved communities

Background/Interests: Edgar's interest in Public Health was developed and put into practice over the last ten years while working with the Office of Samoan Affairs and San Bernardino Public Health and leading the development and implementation a variety of community health programs and procuring funding to ensure sustainability. Such programs increased food security and physical activity for the NHPI population, Increased Breast-feeding rates for Latinx communities and improved nutrition knowledge for underserved communities.

 Entry Year: 2024

Sheila Samperio

Degrees: B.S., Health Science, Minor in Kinesiology, California State University Fullerton, 2018

Professional Interests: Leadership Development, Organizational Change Management, Trauma Informed – Responsive Leadership, Health Equity, Health Education and Promotion, Social Determinants of Health, Behavioral Health.

Background/Interests: Sheila grew up in Southern California and moved to Sacramento after completing her undergraduate studies to join the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). She began her career as an entry level analyst and has since advanced to a specialist, managing diverse projects ranging from administrative to policy and program initiatives. Currently, Sheila manages the rollout of the Trauma Responsive Leadership Development Program which offers employees training and support in trauma-informed practices. Her experiences have fueled her passion for leadership and inspired her to pursue a Master of Public Health degree at UC Davis. Sheila aims to leverage her education and experience to develop into a transformative leader in public health. Sheila’s core values of humility, equity, and respect guide her personal and professional journey.

 Entry Year: 2024

Caitlin Schweller

Degrees: B.A., Kinesiology with an emphasis in Health Promotion and minor in Sociology, Saint Mary's College of California, 2023B.A., Biology, University of Tampa, 2019

Professional Interests: Food Insecurity, Health Promotion, Social Determinants of Health, Health Education, Community Health, Nutrition

Background/Interests: In her Freshman year of undergrad Caitlin began working with her campus food pantry at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She immediately became passionate about supporting the nutritional needs of underserved populations. Caitlin has also tutored students online who have struggled in school due to financial constraints, limited familial support, and other socioeconomic factors which has made her feel that her purpose in life is to support and work with others who don't have the means to support themselves. She wants to work directly with community members to be a partner in getting them the resources they need.

Entry Year: 2023

Neha Singh

Degrees: B.S. Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, 2021

Professional Interests: Neha's professional interests include Clinical Research, Health Education, Preventative Healthcare, Community Health and Health Disparities.

Background/Interests: Neha’s interest in public health started when she participated in the UC Davis Prep Medico Summer Program. It ignited her passion for medicine, public health and clinical research. Her undergraduate journey and her experiences as a Clinical Trials Navigator for the UC Davis Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement deepened her commitment to pursuing a career that merges both healing and preventative healthcare. Neha aims to integrate a holistic approach to advancing public health, where findings from research informs community health practices and insights from community, in turn, shape future research directions.

Entry Year: 2024

Alejandro Tapia

Degrees: B.S, Global Disease Biology, B.A, Psychology, Minor in Chicano/a Studies, University of California Davis, 2024

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Preventative Healthcare, Social Determinants of Health, Infectious Disease, Equitable Healthcare, Mental Health
Promotion.

Background/Interests: Alejandro’s interest in public health stems from being raised by immigrant parents where he witnessed the health disparities his family went through. Wanting to give back to the Latino community Alejandro volunteered at Clinica Tepati a UC Davis student-run clinic where he served as the mental health committee co-head. Alejandro’s public health interest only kept increasing once he conducted research as part of the UC Davis Undergraduate Public Health Scholar Program. Alejandro is committed to helping solve health disparities in his community via research, education, and outreach reasons why he decided to pursue an MPH.

Entry Year: 2024

Muhammad Tariq

Degrees: B.A. Political Science, University of California, Davis

Professional Interests: Muhammad is interested in health disparities and preventative health advocacy for under-served communities such as immigrants, LGBTQIA+, Muslim Americans, and communities of color. Muhammad is interested in harm reduction efforts and direct community outreach in the areas of diabetes, skin cancer, and heart disease for communities of color and immigrant communities. Muhammad enjoys qualitative and quantitative research and wants to help create initiatives and programs for preventative care for the communities he inhabits and advocates for.

Background/Interests: As an immigrant, Muhammad saw his family struggle to navigate an inequitable healthcare system. Muhammad was inspired to develop culturally aware and relevant healthcare models to reduce medical barriers and increase culturally appropriate care. Muhammad fell in love with public health taking classes with Dr. Taylor and Dr. Garcia where he was exposed to benefits of using public health to educate underserved advocate for minority communities and through outreach and culturally aware and relevant policies. Muhammad volunteered at the Joan Viteri Memorial Clinic where he learned about harm reduction and meeting people where they are at. Muhammad has experience with quantitative and qualitative research.

Entry Year: 2023

Prishha Thiagarajan

Degrees: B.S., Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior, Double Minor in Public Health & English, University of California Davis, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Social Determinants of Health, Social Justice, Health Concerns among Unhoused, Low-Income, and Incarcerated Populations, and Community & Population Health

Background/Interests: Prishha is passionate about serving marginalized populations with inadequate healthcare. As an undergraduate clinic intern and coordinator, she volunteered extensively at UCD’s Bayanihan Clinic. Upon observing the stark disparity in specialized care access, she successfully spearheaded the creation of an ophthalmology clinic to support underinsured patients’ continuity of care. Additionally, through her service and social justice initiatives, she has volunteered with other underserved populations such as incarcerated survivors and breast cancer patients. Through this MPH, she aims to better understand and address health determinants, advocate for health equity and culturally sensitive care, and design community-based interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Entry Year: 2024

Franklin Tran

Degrees: B.S. Public Health, University of California San Diego, 2022

Professional Interests: Epidemiology, Health Disparities in Marginalized Populations, Chronic Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Biostatistics, Health Disparities, Health Equities

Background/Interests: Franklin was born and raised in the Bay Area, where his interests in serving communities and healthcare advocacy began through his contribution towards local student-led community service groups. Studying public health at UC San Diego, Franklin found his passions in Epidemiology through his student research assistant position at the Golomb Group Research, where he contributed to research studies involving veterans with gulf war illness. Franklin enjoys playing video games such as League of Legends and Valorant with his friends, and watching anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Hunter x Hunter.

Entry Year: 2023

Berenice Vences

Degrees: B.S., Public Health, California State University, Fullerton, 2023

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities; especially within Latinx communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Education and Promotion, Social Determinants of Health, Community-engaged Research

Background/Interests: Berenice’s interest in the public health field began while growing up in an immigrant community where poverty-stricken families like her own, did not have the means to live in a privileged neighborhood where quality healthcare was accessible. This realization compelled her to volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps National Network for the COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Clinics in her hometown. Acting as a volunteer, she served as a Spanish-speaking translator and managed to schedule appointments for hundreds of predominantly low-income and underrepresented families. Berenice is determined to pursue a career in public health to help predominantly Latinx and underserved communities.

Entry Year: 2023

Safa Zahid Uraizee

Degrees: B.S., Public Health - Community Health Education, California State University Sacramento, 2023

Professional Interests: Community Health, Health Education and Promotion, Health Disparities in Diverse and Underserved Communities, Global Health, Disease Prevention, Age-Related Diseases, Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health, Equitable Healthcare

Background/Interests: Safa's interest in public health began during her undergraduate career, where she developed a passion for addressing health disparities and promoting health education. As the daughter of South Asian immigrants, she has witnessed the healthcare challenges faced by marginalized communities. During her internship at CDPH, Safa assisted in a project aimed at improving living conditions for low- and moderate-income households in under-resourced communities vulnerable to climate impacts such as extreme heat and poor air quality. Her volunteer experiences at Kaiser Permanente and as a medical assistant have reinforced her determination to be part of the collaborative effort to improve healthcare outcomes. Safa is excited to pursue her MPH to further her understanding and knowledge of culturally sensitive healthcare and health disparities. She hopes to enhance her career in medicine and promote health equity. In her free time, Safa enjoys spending time with her cat, baking, hiking, and exploring new coffee shops.

Entry Year: 2024

Paola Vidal-Espinoza

Degrees: B.S. Global Disease Biology, University of California Davis, 2020

Professional Interests: Gender Health, LGBT Health, Harm Reduction, Intersectionality, Community Health, Health Policy

Background/Interests: Paola's interest in public health comes from observing the healthcare barriers her immigrant parents faced. This led to her majoring Global Disease Biology at UC Davis to better understand the challenges her community experiences. She served two AmeriCorps terms as a Pediatric/Perinatal Coordinator and became involved at a Trans/Queer Youth Clinic at the SF Department of Public Health. An aspect she hopes to address in her career is stigma present in the LGBT community, which has devastating impacts on health outcomes. Her goals of M.P.H. is to inform health policies, educational trainings, and curricula to teach about the needs of transgender/non-binary people.

Entry Year: 2023

Helena Allendoerfer Wetzel

Degrees: B.S., Chemistry (Biochemistry focus), Willamette University, 2021

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Mental Health, Harm Reduction, Health Policy, Social Determinants of Mental Health, Outreach and Education, Drug Development, Epidemiology, and Data Communication

Background/Interests: Helena’s passion for public health combines her greatest interests: chemistry, data science, social justice and scientific communication. While at Willamette University, she explored DNA nanomachines for potential use as rapid cancer detection tools in Dr. Cooper Battle’s lab. Upon receiving the Webber Scholarship her senior year, she designed and taught science lessons to local fifth graders. Helena quickly realized her passion for science communication and public outreach which sparked her interests in the public health realm. Helena's personal experience within the mental health system has inspired her to aid underserved populations, with a specific research focus on mental health.

Entry Year: 2024

Jordan Williamson

Degrees: B.A., Psychology & Chicanx Studies, University of California Davis, 2018
M.Ed, Student Affairs, University of California Los Angeles, 2021

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Preventative Medicine, Community Health, Health Administration, Correctional Medicine, Social Determinants of Health

Background/Interests: Jordan's journey into public health began early, inspired by his Salvadoran godmother's experience receiving healthcare from a mobile clinic alongside other farmworkers. During his undergraduate years at UCD, he worked as a Spanish translator at Imani Clinic, where he witnessed firsthand the health inequities faced by his family and community. While at UCLA, he founded Spanish in Healthcare. This organization aimed to bridge language barriers in healthcare and support an orphanage in Tijuana, MX. Jordan is dedicated to empowering communities of color, advocating for marginalized voices in healthcare and reducing health disparities. His aspiration is to encourage underrepresented groups to pursue higher education in healthcare, envisioning a future where diversity plays a central role and drives change in addressing social determinants of health.

 Entry Year: 2024

Alex Zhornitskiy

Degrees: B.A., Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley, 2011, M.D., Drexel University College of Medicine, 2016

Professional Interests: Health Disparities in Underserved Communities, Global health, and Health Policy

Background/Interests: Alex's passion for public health has been closely interwoven with his clinical practice in both local and global health settings. He is particularly interested in fostering equitable access to healthcare among underserved populations throughout Sacramento for colon cancer screening and conditions 

Entry Year: 2024