Lab Alumni
Sierra
Teadt
Sierra is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Public Health and also holds an MPH from the University of Washington. During her time in the DRB Lab as an undergrad student she worked as a research assistant studying adolescent sexual health and new media as a means of health promotion, learned project management skills and published a Scoping Review.
Shawtaabdee
Chakaborty
Shawtaabdee is a Class of 2022 graduate from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. She is currently a medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. As a pre-health student, she participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and has long been committed to addressing disparities in dentistry and medicine.
Dipita
Das
Dipita Das is a Class of 2021 graduate from the University of Michigan, where she majored in Gender in Health with a minor in Community Action and Social Change. She participated in the 2019 Women & Gender Summer Research Program and recently earned her Master’s degree in Higher Education from the University of Michigan School of Education. Dipita remains passionate about equity and advocacy in academic spaces.
Rico
​
Ozuna-Harrison
Maya
Smith
Maya Smith is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Medicine and will start her residency in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the fall at UC Davis. While in the DRB Lab, Maya worked on the MASCS II project. Maya is interested in gender and health and decreasing the current inequalities facing adolescents and young adults today.
Nia
Lundkvist
Nia Lundkvist is a graduate
of Spelman College in Atlanta GA,
Ethel Waddel Githii Honors Program. She majored in Comparative Women’s Studies with a minor in Social Justice Activism.
Nia participated in the 2018 Women & Gender Research Opportunity Program.
Jordan
Humphrey
Jordan Humphrey is a graduate from the Unversity of Michigan's School of Kinesiology, with a BS in Bimolecular Science, pre-pharmacy major. Jordan participated in the 2019 Winter Semester for UROP
Rico
Ozuna-Harrison
Rico Ozuna-Harrison is a graduate of the University of Michigan College of LSA and is currently a medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. As an undergraduate, he was a pre-med student and a walk-on member of the University of Michigan Men's Basketball Team. As a research assistant for Dr. Burns, Rico contributed his talents in scholarly writing, photography, website design, and led several focus groups with insight and dedication.
Salisha Baranwal
Salisha Baranwal is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Literature, Science, and Art. While she aspires to further her career in medicine, she has an interest in social media and its influences. While in the lab Salisha managed DRB social medias, and was in charge of advertisement for MASC II, and designs for the UMICH yearbook and the DRB lab. She currently is a graduate student at Vanderbilt University
Kedar
Johnson
Kedar Johnson is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Trained in focus group procedures and the use of our interview guide, questionnaire design, data analysis. He also assists in the development of manuscripts. He enjoys health and wellness, fitness, running and working with youth. Kedar currently works as a nurse at Michigan Medicine
Kourtni
Carty
Kourtni Carty is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. As a member of the DRB Lab, she focused on organizational management and social media outreach, gaining valuable experience related to the health and well-being of underrepresented populations. Kourtni currently works as a Labor and Delivery Nurse in New Jersey and has begun a Master’s Nurse-Midwifery program at Rutgers University.
Keith
Johnstone
Keith Johnstone graduated from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business with a major in Business Administration and a minor in political science. Keith has a mission to make an impact in his community and assist clinics in providing underserved clientele with what they need. He led the focus groups for the Young Men's Health Matters Program and was a
co-author on two manuscripts in the lab.
Rebecca
Abaddi
Rebecca Abaddi is a graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program/ pediatric nurse practitioner practice track. She currently works as an nurse practitioner in the State of Washington where she specializes in pediatric urgent care and emergency medicine. During her time at the DRB Lab she conducted in-depth interviews and worked on qualtiative data analysis.
Alexis
Paisley
Alexis Paisley is a graduate of the University of Detroit Second-Career Nursing BSN program. Alexis played a key role in the DRB staff by coding and aiding in logistical assessments to ongoing projects and papers. She currently works as a nurse at Michigan Medicine
Lindsay
Miles
Lindsay Miles is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. During her time in the DRB Lab, she pursued her passion for advancing health among teens and young adults. Lindsay contributed to the lab with her strong skills in managing social media platforms, designing and refining surveys, creating infographics, and conducting collaborative literature reviews. She currently works as a Labor & Delivery Travel Nurse and is based in Nashville, TN. Lindsay recently got married and continues to bring compassion and expertise to every patient she cares for.
Sandy
Arena
Sandy Arena graduated from the University of Michigan School of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in the Honors Program. Sandy will be attending Columbia University for the MPH program in Health Policy and Management! During her time in the lab Sandy worked on the Stay Safe project and submitted a manuscript that is currently under review.
Nidhi
Kandi
Nidhi is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing and currently works as an Emergency Room Nurse. Originally from Cupertino, California, she contributed to the Stay Safe project during her time in the DRB Lab. Alongside Sandy Arena, she earned the Best 2022 Undergraduate Research Presentation award at UMSN Research Day for their outstanding work.
Rakira
Urquhart
Rakira Urquhart graduated from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts with a Bachelor of Science degree in Gender and Health on the Pre-Med track. Rakira will be attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to pursue an MPH in Community Health Education
Payton
Harvey
Payton Harvey is a senior in the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health studying Public Health Sciences. She has a deep interest in health informatics, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health. She is committed to a career working towards eliminating health disparities in underserved and marginalized communities.
Julian
Lanum
Julian Lanum graduated from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. Julian will continue to work with Dr. Burns in her lab, volunteer around Ann Arbor, and find a position working in the healthcare field!
Mackenzie
Adams
Mackenzie Adams, MPH is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She managed projects within the DRB Lab focused on young men’s sexual health, new media interventions, and community-academic partnerships. She is now now a PhD Student in the Health Behavior Health Equity Department at the U of M School of Public Health. Her primary research interest is the mental health and well-being of youth, particularly those who experience disparities in access to care.
Obiari Ugwu-Uche
Obiari graduated from the University of Michigan with a dual degree in Information Science specializing in UX and Cognitive Science Philosophy. She has professional experience in sex and gendered research, interest in HCI and computational neuroscience AI research, and is a Posse Scholar and LS&A Honors Student.
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Yi-Chia
Hwang
Yi-Chia Hwang, MPP is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Public Policy. She managed projects within the DRB Lab focused on new media interventions and community-academic partnerships. With a passionate commitment to public service, Yi-Chia's research primarily focuses on enhancing sexual health and advancing health equality for marginalized populations.
Freda Frimpong
Freda Frimpong is a graduate of the University of Michigan majoring in Gender and Health, with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society. Through her coursework and research endeavors, Freda has developed a foundational understanding of public health and health policy that has enriched her commitment to improving public health issues and addressing health disparities. She is interested in continuing to explore ways to improve health equity for marginalized communities.
Chichi Amanze
Chichi Amanze graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track, plus a minor in music. She has a passion for working with youth and adolescent health, and she is committed to improving access to healthcare in underserved communities.
Sean Garland
Sean Garland is a graduate from the University of Michigan with a degree in psychology with a minor in business, and plans on attending medical school after graduation. He is dedicated to making a difference in expanding quality healthcare services to underserved communities and destigmatizing support for mental health.
Rishabh
Rao
Rishabh Rao is a 2025 graduate of Troy High School and will be attending Brown University. During his time with the DRB Lab, he contributed to newsletter and social media content and developed a strong interest in community-based health and the research process.
RJ
Skyes
RJ Skyes is a rising junior at the University of Michigan majoring in Biology, Health, and Society on the Pre- Medical track. He is a member of the Michigan Marching Band and Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. He is deeply committed to enhancing accessibility and ensuring equitable healthcare for underrepresented communities.
Sumayah Ahmed
Sumayah Ahmed is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Biomolecular Science. She is interested in medicine with a focus on health care disparities in local marginalized communities.
Lauren Burnside
Peter Thabet
Peter Thabet is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. He is currently a second-year medical student at the University of Michigan Medical School. Peter is pursuing a career at the intersection of medicine and public health, with a commitment to serving and advocating for his communities and other marginalized populations.
Lauren Burnside is an alumna of the University of Michigan, where she earned dual degrees in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and Afroamerican and African Studies. A former participant in the Student Opportunities for AIDS/HIV Research (SOAR) Program, Lauren is deeply committed to advancing healthcare access for marginalized communities, with a focus on racial, sexual, and gender minorities. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Yale University.
Erika
Quibell
Erika Quibell is a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan’s School of Nursing. She has a driving passion for the youth and adolescent populations, especially in underserved communities. Upon graduating and gaining experience, she plans on becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Hadas
Kluger
Hadas Kluger is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology. She is managing research projects within the DRB lab before attending Washington University in St. Louis to pursue her Master’s in Social Work. Hadas is a proud alumna of the SOAR (Student Opportunities for AIDS/HIV Research) program. Hadas has a passion for community-engaged research, specifically surrounding sexual and mental health for sexual, racial, and gender minorities.
Madisyn Travis
Madisyn Travis is a rising senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Public Health Sciences and Spanish. Madisyn is a member of the Student Opportunities for AIDS/HIV Research (SOAR) Program and is passionate about epidemiology. She aims to uncover the factors behind unequal health outcomes and develop strategies to improve health equity in underserved communities.
Sandra Manhan
Sandra Manhan is a Nurse-Midwifery Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at the University of Michigan. She is passionate about addressing health disparities in minority communities and working to implement policies to improve outcomes in Black maternal health from a global perspective .
Malia Davis
Malia Davis is a rising senior majoring in Public Health Sciences. She is passionate about advocating for underserved communities and challenging the systemic barriers that contribute to health disparities. After graduation, Malia plans to pursue nursing, where she hopes to provide compassionate, culturally responsive care and be a voice for those too often overlooked in the healthcare system.
Fiona Young
Fiona Young is a graduate from the University of Michigan with a degree is Biology, Health, and Society. She is passionate about getting involved directly with communities to learn about their unique needs in terms of healthcare. As a hopeful future health care practitioner, she would like to be involved in community-based research and be a proponent for health equity.
