Cohort Members

University of Texas at Austin | May 2025

B. S. in Kinesiology w/ Certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling and Pre-Health Professions

I'm a rising junior from Dallas, TX, studying Exercise Science. I've always loved science and mingling with people, so (with a little nudging from my African side) I believed that a medical doctor would be a fitting profession for me, that is until I discovered that public health could better fulfill those criteria. My work as a research assistant in the TX STRIDE lab working with diabetics propelled me towards public health and a concentration in biostatistics. Data makes our world go round, from social media to flights to athletics. I want to be a part of analyzing and interpreting the masses of health data, specifically, to provide the best care for those who need it. Although I won't be working with patients one-on-one, the idea of a large-scale impact of biostatistics on whole communities of people is far more rewarding to me. 

Fun Fact: The year I turned 18, I spent a month by myself in South Korea studying fitness and sports. Made a lot of really good friends and fond memories! ~

The University of Southern California | May 2026

B. S. in Global Health, Minor in Visual Narrative Art

Hello! My name is Torriana Avery and I am a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California. I am a Global Health major on the epidemiology track with a minor in Visual Narrative Art. I've been extremely interested in all things disease-oriented since I was a child. With shows like Monsters Inside Me fueling my interests! Aging research is one of many areas of research that interests me due to the often unequal treatment of underprivileged communities.

Fun Fact: I love to draw! It is a huge passion of mine aside from health studies.

The University of Maryland, College Park | May 2024

B. S. in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Neuroscience; Bachelors of Science in Government and Politics

My name is Yael, and I am a rising senior at the University of Maryland, College Park. I am pursuing a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Physiological Neuroscience, as well as Government and Politics. As a member of the Gemstone Honors Program within the University’s Honors College, I have been working alongside my undergraduate peers to enhance cancer detection for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Within the Gemstone Honors Program, I also serve as a Director for our Alumni-Mentor Partnership Program, a teaching assistant for first-year students, and a peer mentor. I came to realize the importance of statistical data and experimental design in achieving these goals. As a Neuroscience student, my interest in aging research has expanded as I learn more about the role that quality sleep plays in maintaining our neural health and how computational neuroscience can help us visualize it.

Fun Fact: English is my third language!

Spelman College | May 2024

B. S. in Psychology

Hi Everyone! My name is Alexa DeVilmé and I am a junior Psychology major on the Pre-med track at Spelman College in Atlanta Georgia. I completed research last semester at Morehouse School of Medicine using Biostatistical data to analyze if there is a correlation between depression symptoms and marijuana usage disorder in Black Men. With being a Psychology major I am extremely passionate about mental health awareness and public policy change. I have a personal interest in aging research after seeing both my grandfathers live their life now with Parkinson's disease.

Fun Fact: I have a tiny dog named Sparkle who will be turning 15 years old in August.

Brooklyn College (CUNY) | December 2023

B. S. in Health and Nutrition Science, concentration in public health

I have a background in health and nutrition science, as well as public health, but it wasn't until I took a biostatistics class that I truly saw the potential of data science in producing reliable research. Currently, I work as a research coordinator in the immigrant health lab at Brooklyn College and have gained a lot of experience in the research process. However, I'm excited to attend graduate school to become a highly competent biostatistician and public health researcher. I'm particularly interested in chronic and aging-related diseases. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to producing credible and reliable data that can inform and improve public health policies.

Fun Fact: My name means girl born on Tuesday in Twi, a Ghanaian dialect

Howard University | May 2025

B. S. in Mathematics, concentration in Applied Mathematics and minor in Computer Science

Hi, I’m Taliyah Griffin. I am currently a rising junior at Howard University majoring in mathematics with a concentration in applied math, and a minor in computer science. So far, my courses have been focused on pure mathematics, and I have some programming experience in Python. I’m interested in biostatistics because I’ll be able to see how concepts in math can go hand and hand with topics regarding public health. While I have little experience in public health, age-related diseases are important to me because I’ve seen dementia’s impact firsthand through my great-grandmother.

Fun Fact: I love picking up new hobbies, and I’m currently trying to learn how to do my own nails.

California State University, Los Angeles | Spring 24

B. S. in Public Health, Minor Bioinformatic

Hello, my name is Krystal, and I am from Cal State LA. I am a junior, majoring in Public Health and minoring in Bioinformatics. I first learned about statistics in high school and became very interested in it. After participating in various research projects, I discovered a special interest in biostatistics and using machine learning to develop mathematical models to analyze different data. I am also interested in spatial analysis and hope to learn more about aging and aging-related issues in PQAR to analyze future trends. I am very enthusiastic about trying different things and learning about different perspectives because I believe that every individual's thoughts are unique. 

Fun Fact: I can speak three different languages, my MBTI is ENFJ, and I am an empathetic person and a good listener.

Cornerstone University | December 2022

B. S. in Biology, Minor in Mathematics

I am interested in statistical methods involving community health studies in areas such as tobacco, obesity, diabetes, cancer prevention and control, diabetes, and its complications. I grew up in an area where healthy lifestyle choices were not promoted or taught. Health lifestyle turns into a life trap.

Fun Fact: I will be a dad in January.

California State University - East Bay | May 2023

B. S. in Public Health

When I took Epidemiology in Spring 2021 my professor shared a story where a colleague he knew that was a primary care provider returned to school to obtain his MPH. This colleague made the decision after treating the same patient twice they had been a victim of gun violence twice within the span of one month, and realized the issue was beyond treating the patient individually. I learned about how Public Health entails mitigating and improving challenges at an upstream approach and level and working towards developing initiatives, programs, and policies that aim to help communities thrive at a population level. I learned confounders and mediators what can constitute a confounder and mediator and how they're categorized in each sector. Epidemiology is necessary for driving that foundation to highlight the necessity of mitigating current public health challenges.

Fun Fact: I'm born and raised in the Bay Area but have never been to Alcatraz.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | June 2022

B. A. in International Development | Minors in Global Health and Global Studies

Hi, I’m Stephanie! I recently graduated from UCLA, where I studied International Development and earned double minors in Global Health and Global Studies. I am passionate about bridging the gap between clinical and preventative oral health care for underserved populations, which is in great part due to my personal experiences navigating care as a low-income daughter of Mexican immigrants in Compton, CA. Oral health is such an important indicator of systemic health and aging, so I am super excited to be learning more about how to use quantitative methods to better understand this. In the future, I hope to pursue an MPH/DDS degree and become a public health dentist/researcher. Until then, I’m earning my post-bacc and pursuing my hobbies—right now I am learning how to hand-sew and tailor my clothes!

Fun Fact: I had lunch with U.S. astronaut Leland Melvin by chance when I was seventeen! He’s the one who took his official NASA portrait with his dogs. :)

Fort Lewis College | May 2023

B. A. in Public Health, Minor in Chemistry

Hello! My name is Jessica Sanchez and I am from Santo Domingo Pueblo and a member of the Navajo Nation, tribal communities located in New Mexico. As a recent graduate from Fort Lewis College, I have had the opportunity to merge my passion with impact and contribute to improving healthy communities. This includes pursuing work that aligns with the core values that I was taught growing up and placing emphasis on kinship and intentionality. Through my research and internship experiences within the field of public health, I have learned research and evaluation tactics that integrate Indigenous methodologies into community work. Additionally, I have made it a priority to remain cognizant of the communities represented and continue to work toward maintaining data sovereignty. Understanding how data has the capacity to create change in terms of health equity has broadened my interest in learning how to make data accessible and ensure all marginalized populations are represented. Essentially, my goal is to return to the communities that are congruent with those who helped influence my upbringing and further advocate for the health of future generations.

Fun Fact: I have run 6 half marathons!

University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus | May 2023

B. S. in Computer Science

Hello, my name is Michael and I am a senior in Computer Science at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. My research interests in biostatistics, public health, and aging are to help people with their longevity, specifically in Alzheimers. In particular, I want to help people from Puerto Rico because we have a growing elderly population. Other interests are in mortality prediction after natural disasters. My goals are to pursue graduate studies in fields related to biostatistics, bioinformatics, or computer science.

Fun Fact: I have a rabbit called Luna.