Center for Global Health
Student Advisory Board
Neeka Nazari
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Bioethics
Involvements on Grounds: Madison House Medical Services, Global Development Organization, Jefferson Area Children’s Health Improvement Program
Hobbies: Hiking, horseback riding, playing soccer, spending time with friends and family
Why are you involved with global health? Since taking my first public health class 2nd year, my love for global health and equity has skyrocketed, in large part due to my experience as a CGH Scholar in 2017. Global health is a reality, a commonality, and something that connects everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity, or gender. Its inclusivity is what makes it so important to me, and I hope to use that passion to educate and empower people at UVa and beyond for a stronger, healthier, and more equal world.
Head Student Liaison
Navya Annapareddy
Global Health Month Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Biomedical Engineering
Involvements on Grounds: Engineering Student Council, Madison House, Cavalier Daily
Hobbies: Sketching, watching movies/short films
Why are you involved with global health? I'd like to live in a world where we can connect directly with people across the globe over the net and find that they have access to the same sources of healthy living that we enjoy in the United States. Global health equity can become a right, and not a privilege if we each step-up, and connect with others, whether that be abroad or at home. I also love exploring other cultures and taking away broader perspectives.
Rebecca Rainey:
Global Health Month Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Biology
Involvements on Grounds: Madison House Medical Services, The Cavalier Daily, Gamma Phi Beta, Future Physician Assistant Society, Bioethics Society
Hobbies: Running, cooking, hiking, reading/writing, photography
Why are you involved with global health?
I discovered my passion for global health after coming to UVA and attending CGH events. In an increasingly globalized world, I realize that it is more crucial than ever to consider the interdisciplinary factors that go into healthcare and the wellbeing of humans across the planet. Global health excites and inspires creativity in me, and I want to be a part of the movement to facilitate discussion on the subject.
Simran Budwar:
Global Health Month Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Anthropology
Involvements on Grounds: Madison House, Roller Derby, Washington Society, PIH
Hobbies: Watching movies, reading, badminton, watching soccer
Why are you involved with global health? I am fascinated by infectious diseases!
Vanessa Ford
Graduate Student Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, School of Medicine
Hobbies: Hiking, trying new foods, practicing yoga
Why are you involved with global health? Reader’s Digest version: I hope to be a global health physician and continue my global health education in residency.
Graduate Student Committee
Sterling Tran
Year/School/Major: 4th, School of Medicine
Involvements on Grounds: UVA Fitness Clinic
Hobbies: Watching Netflix shows, playing soccer
Why are you involved with global health? Providing care for those in need
Sara Krivacsy
Global Health Case Competition Committee Head
Year/School/Major: 3rd, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Anthropology
Involvements on Grounds: America Reads, University Dance Club, University Democrats, Conflux Journal
Hobbies: Spending time outside on the lawn and going to concerts in Charlottesville
Why are you involved with global health? The interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of global health allows me to work as part of a team to solve diverse, multifaceted challenges that could not be solved alone!
Rebecca Rainey
Global Health Month Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Biology
Involvements on Grounds: Madison House Medical Services, The Cavalier Daily, Gamma Phi Beta, Future Physician Assistant Society, Bioethics Society
Hobbies: Running, cooking, hiking, reading/writing, photography
Why are you involved with global health? I discovered my passion for global health after coming to UVA and attending CGH events. In an increasingly globalized world, I realize that it is more crucial than ever to consider the interdisciplinary factors that go into healthcare and the wellbeing of humans across the planet. Global health excites and inspires creativity in me, and I want to be a part of the movement to facilitate discussion on the subject.
Piper Shifflett
Special Events Committee Head
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Biology, Global Public Health, and Bioethics
Involvements on Grounds: Peer Health Educators, Planned Parenthood, One Less, Alpha Chi Omega, Peer Teaching, Stall Seat Journal, Coalition Against Eating Disorders and Exercise Concerns
Hobbies: Hiking, exploring Charlottesville, going to concerts
Why are you involved with global health? I am interested in understanding the social factors that drive the biological spread of disease.
Nataya Flament
Journal Club Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Anthropology and Health & Wellbeing
Involvements on Grounds: Hoos For Health, Madison House
Hobbies: Drinking coffee and reading books in the Alderman Café
Why are you involved with global health? I'm interested in global health because I believe that it's important for all humans to have the resources and education necessary to live a healthy life. I'm excited to be part of CGH SAB to join in on discussions and events to learn from others and have a space to express questions and ideas.
Megan Eisenfelder
Special Events Committee
Year/School/Major: 3rd, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Development Studies and Biology
Involvements on Grounds: Virginia Riding Team, Sustained Dialogue and Independent Research
Hobbies: Riding horses, taking spin classes, playing with dogs
Why are you involved with global health? Global health to me means challenging issues that create health disparities within our country and around the globe. Specifically I am really interested in the intersections between the environmental health and human health. I believe that you can only be as healthy as the land you live on.
Nanki Kaur
Global Health Month Committee Head
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Development Studies
Involvements on Grounds: UVA-Town Two Collaboration; Unsung People; Alpha Chi Omega
Hobbies: Trail running and working out
Why are you involved with global health? I am really interested in health promotion in a holistic sense, especially thinking of creative solutions that are feasible within low-resource settings.
Lauren Falk
Graduate Student Committee
Year/School/Major: 3rd, School of Medicine
Involvements on Grounds: International Medicine Club, Women in Medicine, Family Medicine Interest group, volunteer at Charlottesville Free Clinic
Hobbies: Biking, hiking, reading novels, gardening
Why are you involved with global health? I'm not sure I can pinpoint why I am interested in global health other than saying working with lady-folk across the world is amazing and I'm hooked on getting people quality healthcare. I first jumped into global health work after going to Ghana as undergrad. Since then, global public health and medicine have been an intricate part of my life and have been a common theme in the work that I pursue. I love working with different community-based groups both domestically and abroad to develop dialogue and solutions to inequalities in health access and availability.
Maeve Winter
Journal Club Committee
Year/School/Major: 3rd, College of Arts and Sciences, Studio Art and Biology
Involvements on Grounds: Madison House, dance instructor, research
Hobbies: Drawing, dancing, reading, traveling
Why are you involved with global health? I’ve spent a lot of time working in healthcare institutions in different communities and I think through collaboration healthcare can improve worldwide.
Madeline King
Special Events Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, Undergraduate School of Nursing
Involvements on Grounds: Greens to Grounds, Pi Phi, Nursing Students Without Borders, National Student Nursing Association
Hobbies: Cooking, reading, running, napping, eating
Why are you involved with global health? As a nursing student, I am constantly learning about issues in global health and health care. While this information is important, I am itching to make actual strides in making a difference. Just being taught about these discrepancies in global health is not enough for me. I am often disheartened by my classes' one-sided perspective on the way the healthcare system works, and I am interested in participating in dialogue that expands my horizons on this topic. As I am pursuing a very hands-on healthcare career, I hope to be able to take my skills abroad and to deliver quality health care to more than just my immediate neighbors. I want to bring my voice, the voice of nurses, to the conversation about ways to improve global health. I want to move beyond the classroom basics and to participate in interdisciplinary discussions about the possible solutions. Each profession and perspective is so unique and so valuable, and I would hate to see only the nursing side of this discussion throughout my time at UVA. I’m hoping to look for solutions to the problems surrounding social determinants of health and how those can create such discrepancies in quality of life internationally.
Kerry Ross
Graduate Student Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, Graduate School of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader Program
Involvements on Grounds: Compassionate Care Initiative
Hobbies: Hiking and traveling
Why are you involved with global health? I love experiencing similar health issues through the lens of different cultures and health systems. Very similar challenges can lead to different solutions in different contexts!
JP Baker
Graduate Student Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, School of Medicine
Involvements on Grounds: UVA-Guatemala Initiative, Virginia Wellness Initiative, Insulin Titration Program
Hobbies: Playing golf and basketball, traveling
Why are you involved with global health? Global health represents an excellent opportunity to collaborate with and learn from people around the globe, with the common goal of increasing wellness world-wide.
Jessie Amick
Global Health Case Competition Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Anthropology
Involvements on Grounds: PHE Intern, Safety and Wellness Committee of Student Council, GlobeMed, Salsa Club
Hobbies: Salsa dancing, finding fun coffee shops, watching documentaries on weird topics with my friends
Why are you involved with global health? There is inequitable distribution of resources around the world and this is prominent in health. Global health recognizes this and makes attempts to make amends so everyone can have a right to a healthy life. It applies cultural understanding with innovation to allow unique solutions to some of the most pressing problems.
Jean Nunez
Global Health Cases Competition Committee
Year/School/Major: 3rd, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Social Entrepreneurship
Involvements on Grounds: Conflux Global Health Research Journal, Charlottesville Free Clinic – Latino/Night Clinic, Happy Kids, Healthy Kids @ UVA
Hobbies: Coaching kids soccer, making art, hammocking, hiking, playing the ukulele, reading through the Hemingway book list, and cooking Peruvian foods for friends new and old to try (alfajores for the win)
Why are you involved with global health? Global health's nature of incorporating the social, political, economic, and environmental contexts of any health problem is powerful. It is an amazing field that equips individuals with the knowledge to ensure that our healthcare system serves our minority communities. Personally, global public health has challenged me to reject medical injustices related to the lack of access to healthcare for Hispanic communities in Virginia and in Latin America, especially treatment for adult/senior patients with chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Golda Houndoh
Global Health Case Competition Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Development Studies and Women and Gender Studies
Involvements on Grounds: Autism Theatre Project, Spectrum, Zeta Tau Alpha, Young Women’s Leaders Project, First Year Players
Hobbies: Yoga, musical theatre, reading
Why are you involved with global health? I have a passion for global health because the disparities which exist in access to health care throughout the world is appalling and I want to do my part in ameliorating those disparities!
Jacklyn Chen
Journal Club Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Economics
Involvements on Grounds: College Council, Second Year Council, Madison House, Circle K, Grace Christian Fellowship
Hobbies: Completing jigsaw puzzles, going on food adventures, surfing YouTube, hanging out with friends
Why are you involved with global health? Before coming into college, I knew that I wanted to be in the health field. In high school, I was very active in my school’s Key Club and served as the President as well. One of our main projects throughout the year was raising money for UNICEF through the Eliminate Project, which focused on raising awareness and combating maternal and neonatal tetanus in third world countries. Throughout the whole process of fundraising and raising awareness, that’s when I began to have a different outlook on the world around me. I have been so blessed to live in the United States where I can afford to see doctors and have necessary vaccines. From being on the frontlines, I was given the opportunity to do research in infectious diseases for two summers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, which has provided me with another perspective as well.
Elana Filipos
Global Health Month Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health
Involvements on Grounds: Best Buddies, Take Back the Night
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, traveling, spending time with friends and family, listening to podcasts
Why are you involved with global health? Global health impacts everyone. From clean water and healthy food, to safe housing and breathable air, every person on this planet is a reason to believe in public health. Tackling health issues through a global health lens means striving for the best health outcomes for everyone across the globe and giving a voice those who have been, and continue to be, marginalized. I'm interested in global health because health is a human right. I want to be a part of an initiative that works to break down barriers to opportunity and strives to advance the health of populations around the world.
Erica Stephens
Global Health Case Competition Committee
Year/School/Major: 2nd, College of Arts and Sciences, Major TBD
Involvements on Grounds: Second Year Council, Black Student Alliance, American Medical Student Association, Daniel Hale Williams Pre-Medical Society
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, watching Grey’s Anatomy, and writing
Why are you involved with global health? Global Health combines my love for travel and passion for creating health as a basic right. The advocacy for health as a human right provides for the benefit of our population–the human population–both locally and globally. Global Health allows me to advocate for change while striving to improve the quality of life on a mass scale.
Austin Thomas
Journal Club Committee
Year/School/Major: 3rd, College of Arts and Sciences, Biology
Involvements on Grounds: Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, Pharmacy Technician, Charlottesville Free Clinic, American Medical Student Association
Hobbies: Drinking coffee, traveling for nearly free by chasing credit card points, amateur radio operating
Why are you involved with global health? As someone who has been involved in treating various patient populations as a pharmacy technician, I have witnessed first hand the gross inequalities that exist in regards to socioeconomic status and access to health resources. Working with CGH, I hope to start conversations on Grounds regarding issues such as these and provoke solutions to these disparities.
Chung Do Kim
Global Health Month Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Development Studies
Hobbies: Dancing
Why are you involved with global health? Engaging international leaders and students in global health makes the world a smaller place and we are truly working together under one initiative, which is to make the world safer and accessible for all.
Brooke Albertson
Special Events Committee
Year/School/Major: 4th, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health and Bioethics
Involvements on Grounds: GlobeMed
Hobbies: Exploring Charlottesville and finding new mom&pop restaurants and shops, hammocking on the Lawn or around Grounds, hiking, running, playing soccer
Why are you involved with global health? The medical field has always been of interest to me, but after taking classes that exposed me to global cultures and issues, I have realized it is not the physical biology or chemistry that has held my attention. The fascinating part is the humanitarian aspect, the impact that disease has on people and societies and how politics, environmental science, gender, race, economic status, and other themes interact to impact the well-being of people all across the world. Even though disease is responsible for almost all of the social issues we face today, public health is rarely addressed outside of its own domain. Diseases impact so much more than just the health of a person, and the social application of public health is so much greater than just treating one patient or focusing on one disease. I am interested in global health because health and diseases have shaped the world to be what it is today, and its global importance can no longer be ignored.
Cherise Green
Graduate Student Committee Head
Year/School/Major: 4th, School of Medicine
Involvements on Grounds: SNMA, CMA
Hobbies: Hiking, baking, watching TV
Why are you involved with global health? I was born in Jamaica and feel closely connect to the health of people in Jamaica as well as around the world.
Airi Price
Special Events Committee
Year/School/Major: 1st, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Public Health (intended)
Involvements on Grounds: SGI Club, Global Public Health Club, Swim Instructor
Hobbies: Swimming, traveling, and roller coasters (or any adrenaline rush)
Why are you involved with global health? For me, my two biggest passions in life are medicine and traveling. Global health has given me numerous opportunities to integrate those two interests. Through organizations associated with global health, I have already gained numerous opportunities to expand my perspectives on culture, politics, and humanity, as well as further understand my role as a global citizen - one of such opportunities was a once-in-a-lifetime public health trip to Nicaragua!
Aubrey Doede
Graduate Student Committee Head
Year/School/Major: 3rd, PhD Nursing
Involvements on Grounds: Conflux Journal
Hobbies: Working out and playing with my pet rabbit
Why are you involved with global health? I am interested in the intersection of health and environment, and environmental events tend to affect those in developing countries the most impactfully.