iCHASM Alumni

Elizabeth worked as a graduate research assistant for the iCHASM team while obtaining her MPH at Washington University in St. Louis. Currently, she works as a healthcare consultant with Navigant, where she focuses on government-level healthcare strategy, specifically helping with design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of healthcare programs and reform initiatives. Elizabeth is interested in institutional policy and how such policies affect behavioral change.

Veronica was a graduate research assistant with Dr. Cavazos’ team. She completed her undergraduate degree at St. John’s University before obtaining her MPH at Washington University in St. Louis, with a specialization in epidemiology/biostatistics. Currently, she researches and evaluates projects related to tobacco control and chronic disease as a Data Analyst at the Washington University Center for Public Health Systems Science. Her interests include epidemiology, biostatistics and data visualization.

Ms. Chen was a research assistant at the iCHASM lab over the summer, which was her first research experience. She is a rising high school senior at John Burroughs School and is interested in public health policy and East Asian studies.

Jayla Johnson worked with the iCHASM team through the ASPIRE internship commenced through Washington University. She currently is a junior at Harris- Stowe State university, where she plans to graduate with a bachelors degree in biology. Following Harris-Stowe she hopes to pursue a MD-PHD partnership program. 

Bianca worked with the iCHASM team as a NIDA Summer Intern. She is a senior at Columbia University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her research interests include social media and mental health, with a specific interest in the relationship between depression and self-identity as a result of the need for a positive self-image online. Bianca hopes to attend graduate school in Fall 2018 to pursue a Ph.D. in Social Psychology.

Kiriam is an international medical graduate from the Republic of Panama. In May 2017, she received her MPH with a Global Health concentration from Washington University. Currently, she is pursuing residency training in Pediatrics. She has an interest in addressing health disparities that exist in developing countries and plans on working to facilitate access to healthcare for low-income and disadvantaged children.

Biva Rajbhandari was an iCHASM research assistant. She currently works as an Analyst at the Child Investment Fund Foundation in New Delhi, India. As an Analyst, Biva conducts research for her team on the latest issues surrounding children’s health and rights in South Asia. She also oversees projects in India that aim to improve access to healthcare and education for children. Biva completed her undergraduate degree at Grinnell College before obtaining her MPH and MSW at Washington University in St. Louis. She is interested in using research to evaluate interventions to advance human rights and access to quality health care around the world.

Miss Savoy had her first research-related experience with the iCHASM team through her internship with Washington University’s ASPIRE program. She currently attends Fisk University in Nashville, TN, Bria is a psychology major and plans on becoming a clinical neuropsychologist.

Mr. Smarsh worked with the iCHASM team as a part of Washington University’s IPH Summer Research Program. He is a graduate student pursuing his MPH at the University of Michigan, where he also completed his undergraduate degree in 2012. Mr. Smarsh has experience studying psychiatric disorders through neuroscience and biology, plans to study medicine, and is passionate about interdisciplinary healthcare.

Sriram is a senior at Marquette High School. He participated in a summer research program at Dr. Cavazo’s lab in the Summer of 2019. Sriram will attend a 6 year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City starting in Fall 2020. 

Currently, she is a Technical Advisor at the University of Minnesota where she works with researchers across the country who are interested in utilizing Medicare and Medicaid administrative claims data for research. Kidist completed her undergraduate degree at Macalester College before obtaining her MPH at Washington University in St. Louis, with a specialization in epidemiology/ biostatistics. She is interested using both qualitative and quantitative data to address pressing public health issues, both globally and locally.

Jessie was a research assistant at iCHASM. She is currently pursuing her MSW from the Brown School at Washington University with a concentration on children, youth, and family issues. She specializes in promoting effective management strategies in the field of social work and public health. She has worked in various community-based programs focusing on the improvement of children’s health and wellness.

Samantha is an undergraduate student at Washington University pursuing a B.A. in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Psychology. She has worked with the iCHASM team on and off since she was in high school and is happy to be back again this semester to help with all the ongoing research projects in the lab.