CHER welcomes new and current students for fall 2021
The Center for Health Equity Research and the Southwest Health Equity Research welcome new and current students to the fall 2021 semester. Read below for more information on them and find out what motivated them to want to earn a degree in public health.
Recently added students bios
Angelica Alvarado
Hometown: Arvada, CO
What is your program of study? Biomedical Science (BS) with minors in Chemistry and Spanish
When will you graduate? Spring 2022
Why are you interested in your program? I am interested in Biomedical Sciences because it provides the knowledge and experience needed to attend medical school and help families. Public health research through CHER has provided a new perspective on the health disparities of underrepresented communities. I look forward to joining a MD/MPH program in my near future to continue pursuing these two passions through research and service.
Chassity Begay
Hometown: Farmington, NM
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health, Indigenous Health Track
When will you graduate? Spring 2022
Why are you interested in your program? I found my passion in public health in the last year of undergrad, which inspired me to apply to the MPH program. I’m interested in learning about health disparities in Native communities and how I can become a resource for the community.
Jayme Biakeddy
Hometown: Fort Defiance, AZ
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health, Indigenous Health
When will you graduate? Spring 2023
Why are you interested in your program? My interest is in addressing the health inequities that persist amongst underserved communities. Through the MPH program, it has allowed me to understand areas of health through a holistic perspective to prevent disease and improve health.
Tressica Johnson
Hometown: Tuba City, AZ
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health – Indigenous Health
When will you graduate? Spring 2022
Why are you interested in your program? Being a part of this program will contribute to my professional development as a future Indigenous Public Health leader through my affinity for serving Indigenous people and underrepresented communities. I hope to implement my skills and knowledge into public health programs within Indigenous communities while considering the cultural qualities of Indigenous communities.
Christine Kirby
Hometown: Mebane, NC
What is your program of study? Interdisciplinary Health PhD – Health Equity emphasis
When will you graduate? TBD
Why are you interested in your program? My background in linguistic anthropology illuminates that there are many ways to improve healthcare starting with the doctor/patient encounter. I find this inspired me to return to school to promote better medical communication in NA/AI and rural Arizona populations.
Ashley Lazaro
Hometown: San Diego, CA. Currently residing in Phoenix, AZ
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health, Indigenous Health Track
When will you graduate? May 2022
Why are you interested in your program? I always knew that I wanted to work with underrepresented populations, especially coming from an immigrant family who had a lot of health complications. From my own personal experiences, it made my love for public health grow especially through undergrad. Now that I’m in the Indigenous Health Track program, I am excited to learn more about how to work and communicate with Indigenous communities in order to contribute to health education about certain health issues. Eventually, I would like to work with Indigenous tribes in the Philippines
Students who started in fall 2020
Missing is Janet Yellowhair
Jaime Begay
Hometown: Tuba City, AZ
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health – Indigenous Health
When will you graduate? December 2021
Why are you interested in your program? My commitment lies in improving the health of Native people, this program will allow me the opportunity to explore the underlying factors associated with overall wellness and how to effectively translate that into sustainable change.
Whitney Holeva Eklund
Hometown: Oakdale, PA
What is your program of study? Interdisciplinary Health PhD – Health Equity emphasis
When will you graduate? Spring 2022
Why are you interested your program? I am interested in health equity because I believe that everyone has the right to achieve their fullest possible health potential no matter their life circumstances. My goal is to promote health equity through the One Health approach, which is an understanding of the connection between the health of people, animals, and the environment.
Julia Gardner
Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
What is your program of study? Interdisciplinary Health – Health Equity and Psychosocial Health
When will you graduate? Spring 2023
Why are you interested your program? I am working toward a Ph.D. with the goal of becoming both an educator and a researcher.
Shawndeena George
Hometown: Tuba City, AZ
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health — Indigenous Health
When will you graduate? Spring 2022
Why are you interested in your program? I plan to return to the reservation in hopes of bringing awareness to disease prevention such as diabetes. I think it is important to address the health inequities on the Navajo Nation and focus on what can be improved.
Taylor Lane
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
What is your program of study? PhD – Interdisciplinary Health
When will you graduate? Fall 2021
Why are you interested in your program? I have a Master’s degree in Psychological Sciences, but am very interested in chronic health issues that underrepresented groups face. This program helps me to extend my interests from my Master’s through examining social-psychological issues that are embedded within chronic health issues while maintaining a focus on health.
Shaylynne Shuler
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
What is your program of study? Interdisciplinary Health – Health Equity emphasis
When will you graduate? Spring 2022
Why are you interested in your program? I am passionate about health equity and sexual/gender minority (SGM) health outcomes. This program provides me with the tools and foundation to address structural health inequities for marginalized groups.
Students who started in fall 2019
Carolyn (Carly) Camplain, JD
Hometown: Grants, NM
What is your program of study? Interdisciplinary Health PhD, Health Equity emphasis
When will you graduate? Spring 2021
Why are you interested your program? I am interested in bridging the gap between public health and the law. By pairing scientific research and law, it is possible to undo many of the structural and social determinants that affect individual’s health status that have been created by past laws and policies. Specifically, I am interested in utilizing law and policy to positively affect incarcerated and Indigenous populations’ health.
Amy Gelatt
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health – Health Promotion
When will you graduate? 2022
Why are you interested your program? I am interested in Public Heath because of the broad reach of the field. My particular interests are in the areas of environmental and occupational health which can be encompassed in larger issues, such as social justice, environmental racism, and climate change. I really like that this program allows for flexibility in my studies and that I can really pick and choose what I focus on.
Omar Gomez
Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health – Indigenous Health
When will you graduate? Fall 2021
Why are you interested your program? My interest in the MPH program is due to its interdisciplinary approach and is a stepping stone toward my ultimate goal of working with underserved communities both as researcher and, eventually, an MD. My experience as both an immigrant and an indigenous person greatly inspires me to solve inequalities in these communities.
Alexandra Elvira Samarron Longorio, RDN
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
What is your program of study? Master of Public Health – Health Promotion
When will you graduate? Fall 2021
Why are you interested in your program? Before the MPH program, most of what I knew about health was clinical in nature, which excluded knowledge that is critical to effectively promote and improve health. This program has allowed me to explore health and disease from a human perspective and understand how historical, political, and social context affects individual and community health.
Travis Pinn
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
What is your program of study? Interdisciplinary Health PhD
When will you graduate? Spring 2024
Why are you interested in your program? I was attracted to the program because of the great faculty and innovative program design, which will allow me to build a unique skillset for my research and professional goals.
Melinda Smith
Hometown: Arlee, MT
What is your program of study? Interdisciplinary Health PhD
When will you graduate? 2023
Why are you interested your program? This program will help me gain the skills, knowledge, experience, and credentials I need to advance in the field of chronic disease prevention and management community engaged research.