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Current Students

  • Student Research Assistant Margaret Dunne smiles at camera while posing outdoors

    Margaret Dunne

    Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant | Ph.D. Student | Fall 2024 Cohort

    Margaret is a first-year Ph.D. student. Before beginning her doctoral studies, Margaret worked at Westat, a contract research organization, where she managed a CDC-funded project that worked to estimate the effectiveness of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines in the US. She also has research and applied public health experience addressing dengue in the Philippines and HIV/AIDS in Botswana. Her research interests include improving preparedness for and responses to future pandemics – with a focus on community engagement. She holds a Master of Science in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Global Health from Georgetown University.

  • Student Research Assistant Christopher Semancik smiles at camera while posing in front of an office wall.

    Christopher Semancik

    Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant | Ph.D. Student | Fall 2025 Cohort

    Chris is a first-year epidemiology PhD student whose research interests include emerging infectious disease modeling, pandemic preparedness, serology and transmission, genomic epidemiology, and pharmacoepidemiology. Prior to his doctoral studies, Chris worked as an IRTA Research Fellow at NIAID/NIH and as a Research Intern at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. His research has integrated epidemiologic, genomic, immunologic, and geospatial approaches to examine prevalence, risk factors, and viability of vaccines and other interventions associated with emerging infectious diseases and chronic diseases, such as COVID-19, filoviruses, nontuberculous mycobacteria, and cancer. Chris holds an MPH in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and a BS in Biology, both from Tufts University.

  • Student Researcher Mira Guth smiles at camera while posing outside.

    Mira Guth

    Pandemic Center Student Researcher | PhD-MPH Student

    Mira Guth is an PhD-MPH student in anthropology and public health at Brown University. Her research focuses on emerging intersections between human, animal, and environmental health, as well as how scientists and policymakers are responding to health threats that cross species borders. She is interested in how livestock veterinarians, farmers, and other actors navigate the interface of animal agriculture and public health, exploring themes of multispecies care, expertise, and health governance on a changing planet.

  • Student Research Assistant Yuliya Velhan smiles at camera while sitting in a chair in an office setting.

    Yuliya Velhan

    5-year UG/MPH Program (Public Health/Epidemiology); Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; 2023 Summer UTRA

    Experience working with the Pandemic Center, in their own words:

  • Student Research Assistant Aaron Johnson smiles at camera while standing in front of a gray background.

    Aaron Johnson

    Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant | Second year MPH

    Aaron Johnson is a second-year MPH student in the School of Public Health. He earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Mathematics from Howard University. His research interests center on Maternal and Child Health, with a particular focus on Adolescent and Young Adult Health. Aaron is deeply committed to advancing community health, health security, and health equity for marginalized and disenfranchised populations. His passion for public health is grounded in experiences through internships at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Kennedy Krieger Institute, as well as collaborations with the Delta Research and Education Foundation and the NIH All of Us Research Program.

  • UTRA Clara Baisinger-Rosen smiles at headshot while posing outdoors.

    Clara Baisinger-Rosen

    Fall 2025 UTRA

    Clara is a Junior studying Public Health and Literary Arts. She is interested in health communication and storytelling. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Clara produces public health media with the Brown Political Review, volunteers with Providence mental health organizations, and oversees social media creative direction for a local climate-centered art studio. 

  • UTRA Anne Change stares at camera while posing in front of white backdrop.

    Anne Chang

    Spring 2026 UTRA

    Anne is a junior studying Neuroscience and Public Health. She is interested in pandemic preparedness, biosecurity, and understanding how public health systems shape the prevention, treatment, and outcomes of neurological disease. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Anne conducts research with the Fallon Lab, serves as Vice President of the Brown University Orchestra and Korean American Student Association, and volunteers at Rhode Island Hospital to provide patient care. 

  • UTRA Samuel Eskander smiles at camera posing in a outdoor setting at night.

    Samuel Eskander

    Spring 2026 UTRA

    Sam is a sophomore at Brown studying International and Public Affairs and Health and Human Biology. He is interested in global health, health policy, health systems optimization, and biosecurity. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Sam is a policy analyst focused on overdose prevention with the Brown Initiative for Policy and a research assistant with radiation oncologists at Rhode Island Hospital.

  • Student Research Intern Hallel Abrams Gerber smiles at camera while posing outdoors

    Hallel Abrams Gerber

    Student Research Intern

    Hallel Abrams Gerber is a sophomore studying Psychology and Education Studies with a focus on learning and development for child and adolescent populations. She is passionate about mental health, care equity, and resource access. Outside of the Pandemic Center, she is part of the Levari Lab, and she works with the BRIDGE Program, through the Alpert Medical School. She also serves as the Managing Editor for an international undergraduate research journal and writes on behalf of the Brown Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences.

  • Student Research Intern Brianna Lucas smiles at camera while posing in front of a bookcase.

    Brianna Lucas

    Student Research Intern

    Brianna is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience and Public Health. Her research interests include health equity, prevention and implementation science, and social determinants of health, with a particular focus on maternal/child and elderly populations. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Brianna is a volunteer at Clinica Esperanza, works on campus as a lead peer career advisor and Meiklejohn leader, and serves on the executive board of Black Christian Ministries.

  • Danica Damoah stands 3/4 turn smiling at camera while standing in front of a white wall.

    Danica Damoah

    Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant | Sophomore

    Danica is a sophomore studying Public Health and International and Public Affairs at Brown. She is interested in Africa's journey to epidemic and pandemic preparedness, the development of global health systems infrastructure and broader biosecurity challenges. Outside of the Pandemic Center, Danica chairs the Student Advisory Board for the Africa Initiative at the Watson School and is Senior Director of Engagement for the 180 Degrees Social Impact Consulting Club. 

Student Alumni

  • UTRA Melia Lee looks at camera while sitting in an office building.

    Melia Lee

    Summer 2023 UTRA
  •  UTRA Johan Enrique Ayala smiles at camera while posing in front of a white backdrop.

    Johan Enrique Ayala

    Summer 2023 UTRA, Johan graduated in 2024.
  • Student Research Assistant Tao Burga, turns behind him to look at camera while posing in front of a brick building.

    Tao Burga

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; Class of 2024
  • Student Research Assistant Sabrina Chwalek smiles at camera while posing in an open field.

    Sabrina Chwalek

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; Class of 2024
  •  Student Research Assistant Mimi Haripottawekul smiles at camera while standing in front of a white backdrop.

    Ariyaporn (Mimi) Haripottawekul

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; Class of 2024
  • Student Research Assistant Alice Im smiles at camera while posing outdoors.

    Alice Im

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; Class of 2024
  • Student Research Assistant Adam Kuzee looks into camera while standing at a beach during sunset.

    Adam Kuzee

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; Class of 2024
  • Doctoral Candidate Jorge Ledesma smiles at camera while posing outside of a campus buidling.

    Jorge Ledesma

    Epidemiology Doctoral Candidate. Jorge arrived at Brown as part of the Fall 2020 cohort and successfully defended his dissertation in April of 2024.
  • Student Research Assistant Maddie McCarthy smiles at camera while posing in front of a brick building.

    Maddie McCarthy

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; Class of 2024
  • Student Research Assistant Kiran Rodrigues smiles at camera while standing in front of a building.

    Kiran Rodrigues

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; Class of 2024
  • Teaching Assistant Julia Braeunig smiles at camera while standing in front of a gray backdrop.

    Julia Braeunig

    Former Pandemic Center Teaching Assistant; MPH class of 2025
  • Student Research Assistant Doha Maaty smiles at camera while posing outdoors.

    Doha Maaty

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; MPH class of 2025
  • Student Research Assistant Robert Dettman smiles at camera while posing outdoors.

    Robert Dettman

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant | Ph.D. Student | Fall 2024 Cohort
  • Student Research Assistant Maria Pieruccini smiles at camera while posing in a 3/4 turn inside a campus building.

    Maria Pieruccini

    Former Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant; MPH class of 2025
  • UTRA Ruviha Homma smiles at camera while posing outdoors.

    Ruviha Homma

    Summer 2025 UTRA
  • UTRA Huyen Nguyen looks into camera with glasses on her head posing in front of a white backdrop.

    Huyen Nguyen

    Summer 2025 UTRA
  • UTRA Mary Claire Warren smiles at camera posing in front of a white backdrop.

    Mary Claire Warren

    Summer 2025 UTRA
  • Student Research Assistant Kyoungmin Lee (Kris) smiles at camera while posing inside an office building.

    Kyoungmin (Kris) Lee

    Pandemic Center Student Research Assistant
  • UTRA Porter Culp smiles at camera while posing in front of a campus building.

    Porter Culp

    Fall 2025 UTRA
  • UTRA Mathieu Greco smiles at camera while posing outdoors.

    Mathieu Greco

    Fall 2025 UTRA
Brown University School of Public Health
Providence RI 02903 401-863-3375 public_health@brown.edu

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