Baltimore Action Projects

• Community Partner: Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition
• Project Title: "Implementation and Promotion of Health Equity Resource Communities"

Islam Ahmed is a seasoned public health specialist with over eight years of experience in behavior change initiatives and improving health services uptake in some of the world’s most challenging humanitarian and emergency contexts. With expertise spanning roles at UNICEF Sudan, the Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, and academia, Islam has consistently championed equity in health interventions, ensuring vulnerable communities are at the forefront of health service delivery. Islam’s passion for community engagement and participation fuels her work. Known for her approachable demeanor and exceptional interpersonal skills, Islam thrives on building meaningful relationships and fostering connections that drive positive change.

• Community Partner: Family Recovery Program
• Project Title: "Racial Disparities in FRP Family Treatment Court Success"

Francesca Caramazza is a full-time MPH student concentrating in Health Systems and Policy. She is from Boston, MA and received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Health Studies from Bryn Mawr College. After graduating, Francesca worked at Massachusetts General Hospital in clinical research in the Infectious Diseases Division. Her previous research experience centers around sexual and reproductive health and infectious diseases. Francesca’s primary public health interests include sexual and reproductive health, harm reduction, and translation of research to policy.

• Community Partner: Asylee Women Enterprise
• Project Title: "AWE Food Access Project"

Elias Chan (he/him) is a second-year MHS Candidate in the Department of Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from SUNY ESF in 2021. After completing his undergraduate studies, Elias worked as a COVID-19 Coordinator, deepening his passion for epidemiology. He has broad interests in public health and is particularly drawn to exploring how multiple disciplines can intersect, especially regarding public health issues related to environmental health. These interests, coupled with his experiences as a first-generation Asian American and member of several marginalized communities, have fueled his dedication to addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations. He is eager to collaborate with Asylee Women’s Enterprise to support their efforts in promoting food security and delivering nutrition education to asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and forced migrants. 

• Community Partner: Parks & People, Inc.
• Project Title: "The Equitable Network Trail: Increasing Green Spaces in West Baltimore"

Alison Chang is a full-time MPH student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, currently in between her 3rd and 4th year of medical school at UC San Francisco. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Princeton University in 2020. She is particularly interested in the impact of climate change on health and improving community resilience to the warming world through community-based work and effective policy interventions. She is eager to partner with SOURCE, Parks & People, and the local community on an empowering initiative that seeks to improve equitable access to green spaces in West Baltimore. Outside of academics, she enjoys frequenting farmers’ markets, browsing Facebook marketplace and thrift stores for secondhand finds, trying new recipes, and staying active.

• Community Partner: SPARC
• Project Title: "Community Outreach Expansion Strategy Development"

Naomi is currently pursuing her MPH at Johns Hopkins. She holds a Bachelors’ degree in Public Health and International Development. Following her undergraduate studies, Naomi worked in the prevention department at a Federally Qualified Health Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. There, she focused on sexual health and harm reduction with particular attention to Hepatitis C and HIV. She is eager to deepen her work in harm reduction with the SPARC Center in Baltimore and to further her public health studies at Johns Hopkins.

• Community Partner: Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
• Project Title: "How to Scale Community-Driven & Equitable Electrification Retrofits for Low-Income Housing in Maryland & Beyond"

My name is Dhruthi Mandavilli, and I am a first year ScM student in Biostatistics at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. I am originally from Eugene, Oregon. I received a B.S in environmental science and a B.A. in public health at UC Berkeley, and I hope to bring this interdisciplinary perspective to my work with SOURCE. In the past, I did research on the impacts of gentrification on bird populations and developed educational environmental health resources for the state of California. I have also participated in many service-learning projects around the Bay Area. My main interests are in environmental health justice, food systems, sustainability, one health, and public health data. During my free time I like to read, paint, and spend time with friends.

• Community Partner: Good Harvest
• Project Title: "Food Access Mapping for Equity, Evidence, & Policy"

I am a student at the Bloomberg School of Public pursuing my MPH with a certificate in Food Systems, the Environment, and Public Health and a certificate in Community-Based Public Health. Before starting this program, I worked in health policy consulting in Washington, DC for 3 years, where I focused on federal policies related to Medicare, food and nutrition-related health insurance benefits, and social determinants of health. While in DC, I also worked part-time for a local organic produce farm, volunteered with Food Rescue DC, and participated in the DC Master Gardener Program. I hold a BA in economics from Hamilton College.

• Community Partner: MissionFit
• Project Title: "MissionFit: Outreach Strategy and Brand Kit"

My name is Caroline Nguyen (they/them/their), and I am a student in the full-time MPH program at the Bloomberg  School of Public Health. Prior to studying at BSPH, I was a research assistant at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, where I assisted in data collection and analysis for studies to improve physical education and nutrition in elementary schools in California. My interests in public health include community-based participatory research, adolescent health, and LGBTQ+ health. Outside of school and work, I like weightlifting, composing music, and taking photos of the cats in my neighborhood.

• Community Partner: Light of Truth Center, Inc.
• Project Title: "Infectious Disease and Training Project"

Kwabena Ansah Odei-Kumi is a dedicated and passionate physician with an MBA (Management & Organization development) and extensive experience in managing communicable and non-communicable diseases. I'm dedicated to advancing global health, and health equity particularly in cardiovascular medicine and infectious disease. My commitment to excellence drives me to serve humanity through research, advocacy, policy implementation and innovation.

• Community Partner: Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School
• Project Title: "Increasing Access to Health Insurance for Immigrant Adolescents and Eligible Family Members"

Asrah Rizvi (she/her) is a first-year MSPH student in the department of International Health concentrating in Social and Behavioral Interventions, interested in immigrant/refugee/migrant health, racial justice in health, and women's, children's, LGBTQ+ health. She graduated from Barnard College with a major in Neuroscience & Behavior and a minor in Race and Ethnicity Studies. Asrah has worked in the Translational Neurobiology of Development Lab at Columbia University Medical Center as well as with the Asiyah Women's Center (rehabilitation for immigrant, BIPOC, AMEMSA survivors of intimate partner violence).

• Community Partner: Dayspring Programs, Inc.
• Project Title: "Addiction and Overdose Resource Manual"

Sanaah Yousef is a first-year MSPH student in Population, Family, and Reproductive Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside, where she focused on health and population policy and foreign and international policy. Sanaah's previous research experience focused on immigrant women of color and their access to healthcare in the United States. Her current research interests are women's sexual and reproductive health in low-to-middle-income countries.

• Focus Area: Addiction and Overdose 
• Community Partner: Intersection of Change
• Project Title: "Martha's Place"

Kathleen is a current MHA student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Improving lives and addressing industry challenges drive Kathleen’s passion for healthcare administration. Kathleen received a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, with a minor in Economics from Emory University. During this time Kathleen worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for Central EMS Headquarters and as an intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) intern. Kathleen understands the importance of engaging with her local community alongside her educational pursuits to gain a deeper understanding of the populations she hopes to serve throughout her career. Kathleen’s ultimate goal, and primary reason for her dedication to healthcare administration and SOURCE, is to elevate her knowledge and skills to help as many people as possible.

• Focus Area: Addiction and Overdose 
• Community Partner: Pride Center of Maryland
• Project Title: "Pathways to Recovery: Linking Patients to Medication"

My name is Ayush Kumar (he/him/his) and I'm a full-time MPH student at the Bloomberg School of Public Health concentrating in Infectious Diseases and aiming for a certificate in Community-Based Public Health. Before starting at BSPH, I was 3 years into a 4-year MD program at UCSF School of Medicine. My areas of interest include harm reduction, LGBTQIA+ health, houselessness, and disability rights and justice. I aspire to be an infectious disease physician promoting health equity and providing care for underserved urban communities, with the ultimate goal of uplifting and empowering as many of their lives as possible through healthcare and advocacy. I'm excited to have the opportunity to be here, to share my passion for community with my peers, and work with some amazing community-based organizations to see their visions for Baltimore come together!

• Focus Area: Addiction and Overdose 
• Community Partner: HEBCAC
• Project Title: "Dee's Place"

James "Keoni" Morris is a current MHS student in the Metal Health department of the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He received his B.S. in Criminology and Psychology from Florida State University. His previous research experience focused on the determinants and outcomes of harmful alcohol use and emotion dysregulation. His current interests surround mental health services in low-income and underrepresented populations. He is also interested in unique statistical methods for analyzing both individual and community-level health behavior data. Outside of research, James enjoys playing soccer, chess, and speed running video games.

• Focus Area: Adolescent Health
• Community Partner: Banner Neighborhoods
• Project Title: "Engaging Youth in Sports"

My name is Ella, and I am a full-time Master of Public Health student concentrating in Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health. I am originally from Oak Park, Illinois, and I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Amherst College in 2021. Prior to studying at Johns Hopkins, I worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Center for Women’s Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. My primary interests are in public mental health, health communication, and health behavior. During undergrad, I was a captain of my track and field team, which has fostered my passion for promoting emotionally healthy relationships with physical activity. For fun I like to try new restaurants, go to museums, and watch the Green Bay Packers.

• Focus Area: Food Systems for Health
• Community Partner: Asylee Women Enterprise
• Project Title: "Food Access Project"

Laura Sofia Valderrama Figueroa is a second-year MSPH student in the Human Nutrition program at the International Health Department at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She was born and raised in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and graduated from Iowa State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Spanish minor. After completing her undergraduate degree, she worked as a research assistant in animal research and infectious diseases.   As a graduate student, Laura is passionate about academic and community engagement in Baltimore. She serves as a Bloomberg Student Ambassador and a member of Science in Action. Through Science in Action, Laura teaches and shares her passion for STEM with William Paca Elementary School students, specifically using her native Spanish-speaking background to offer interactive lessons to Spanish-speaking students. She was selected as a 2023 Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Disease RISE Summer Fellow through the Kennedy Krieger Institute. As a RISE fellow, she completed a health equity research project evaluating the potential health disparities across outbreak investigation data linked to animal contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Enteric Zoonoses Activity team. Upon graduation, Laura hopes to complete a fellowship in infectious disease, health equity, or nutrition before pursuing an MD degree specializing in internal medicine.   

• Focus Area: Food Systems for Health
• Community Partner: Baltimore Food Policy Initiative
• Project Title: "Understanding Food Access in Urban Planning"

Courtney Wheeler, MPH is a first year DrPH student in the Health Equity and Social Justice Track. She completed her MPH at Saint Louis University College of Public Health and Social Justice with a joint concentration in Behavioral Health/Health Education and Epidemiology. She also has a graduate certificate in Sustainable Urban Planning from George Washington University. Courtney currently works on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Food is Medicine (FIM) initiatives in the DMV area.  She has an interest in urban agriculture, in particular BIPOC farmers as well as the intersection of food and health. She hopes to contribute to creating a sustainable and equitable food system and is excited about the opportunity to work with the Food Policy and Planning Division in the Baltimore City Department of Planning.

• Focus Area: Adolescent Health
• Community Partner: MissionFit
• Project Title: "MissionFit Coach Recruitment"

Lyndon Wood is an MBE student at BSPH and is also playing for the Johns Hopkins varsity women’s soccer team in the fall. Prior to JHU, she graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest University in May 2023 earning her BS in Biology with Honors and a minor in chemistry. While at Wake, she was a D1 athlete on the women’s soccer team, served two years as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee President and held a seat on the ACC Student Athlete Advisory Committee. In undergrad, Lyndon worked as a clinical research assistant for two years at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, a part-time nanny, and a youth soccer coach/trainer. She was a 4 year recipient of Dean’s List and ACC Honor Roll recognition and was awarded the ACC Top 6 for Service award for outstanding community service efforts in both 2019 and 2020.