Jade currently works as the CHANGE lab coordinator. She assists in the daily tasks of the lab while also managing current projects. She joined the CHANGE lab in 2025 after completing her undergraduate education at Oglethorpe University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. 

Her research interests are centered on pediatric psychology, with a focus on chronic illness and promoting health equity for underrepresented adolescents. She enjoys reading, going to the gym, and drawing/painting. She is also an avid animal lover!

Zumana is currently working in the CHANGE lab as a graduate assistant. She is a first year Counseling Psychology doctoral student at Northeastern University. She received her bachelor's in Psychology and master's in Community and Trauma Counseling from Jefferson University.

Her research interests include community engaged research, liberation psychology, and promoting health equity justice, along with studying and developing evidence-based practices and interventions, for marginalized youth and adolescents. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching horror movies, and getting involved in her community!

Kia Vilchez Erickson is a Master of Public Health (MPH) student at Northeastern University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. Her research interests lie in investigating and implementing strategies to address health disparities, as well as the rising threat of infectious disease  related to climate change. In addition, her passion for long distance running has led her to explore the relationship between exercise and chronic disease. Her experience living and working in Guatemala for 8 years has given her an appreciation for community-focused participatory research and how the important role that community health workers can play in respectfully responding to the needs of community members. In her free time, Kia enjoys reading, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Taliyah M. Williams is a Master of Public Health (MPH) student at Northeastern University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science through the accelerated PlusOne program. She is passionate about advancing health equity, with a focus on the health of Black women and children, care quality, health policy, and the broader systems that influence access and outcomes.

With interests and experience across biotech finance, community-engaged research, and healthcare entrepreneurship strategy, Taliyah is exploring how real-world evidence, research, and policy can drive sustainable improvements in care for historically underserved communities. She is dedicated to addressing structural inequities and grounding her work in Black feminist thought.

Taliyah hopes to contribute to efforts that promote healthcare that is more equitable, accountable, and closely connected to the lived experiences of the communities it is meant to serve.

Jaidene is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as a Health Equity Intern (HEI). Jaidene is a fourth year ('25) majoring in health sciences and minoring in cultural anthropology. 

Jaidene's research interests include a variety of topics such as substance use and harm reduction as well as racial disparities in women's reproductive health. In her free time, Jaidene enjoys reading science fiction novels and crocheting. 

Laila is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Laila is a fourth year ('25) with a double major in health science and psychology and a minor in behavioral neuroscience.

Laila's research interests include several topics including mental health in adolescents and young adults, mental illnesses, substance use, and health disparities. Laila enjoys working out, listening to music, and trying new restaurants in her free time.

Sophie is a fourth-year Behavioral Neuroscience major on the pre-med track. She is passionate about global health research and health equity, and hopes to pursue a career that bridges medicine and research to improve access to care across the world. In her free time, she loves playing soccer, running, cooking, and spending time with her family in Lebanon.

Noah is a third year ('27) majoring in Data Science and Behavioral Neuroscience and is the current co-op with the Institute of Health Equity and Social Justice Research and the CHANGE lab.

His research interests include utilizing data analysis and technological tools—such as artificial intelligence and machine learning—to research and develop solutions that promote equity and diversity. Outside of the professional setting, Noah loves to explore restaurants from a wide variety of cuisines. He’s also a film enthusiast who enjoys movies of all genres and often goes into deep rabbit holes about them.

Mia is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as a health equity intern (HEI). Mia is a third year ('27) with a major in health sciences and minors in French and public health. 

Mia's research interests include researching HIV prevention and its effects on minoritized communities as well as how race and racism play into the health of different communities and what can be done to ensure equity and equality in those areas. Mia enjoys reading, shopping, and hanging out with friends. 

Kimberly is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a 3rd-year Health Science major with double minors in Nutrition and Cell & Molecular Biology. 

Kimberly's research interests include the impact of social determinants of health, such as food security, on diverse communities, cardiovascular health, and preventive care. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys playing tennis, painting, and trying new restaurants in Boston!

Jade is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Jade is a fourth year ('26) with a major in health science and a minor in human nutrition.

Jade's research interests include a variety of topics including children/adolescents, psychology, as well as movement and nutrition. Jade enjoys reading, going on walks, crocheting, baking, and traveling. 

Gloria is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Gloria is a third year ('27) with a major in health science and is on the pre-med track.

Gloria's research interests include chronic health conditions in minorities as well as exploring substance abuse tendencies in minorities, women, and youth. Gloria also enjoys going to the gym, playing piano, and watching various television series. 

Mateo is a Health Equity Intern and a third-year Health Sciences major (Class of ’27). His research interests include exploring the social and structural determinants of health, with the goal of reducing health inequities in underserved communities and advancing approaches to promote mental health and overall well-being. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, baseball, running, and playing music.

Trisha is currently working at the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a second year health science and psychology major who is also on the premed track.

Trisha’s research interests include the role of stigma in sexual health and HIV prevention efforts, along with maternal and children’s health, particularly in rural areas and disadvantaged communities. She is also interested in exploring how health literacy impacts health outcomes, including how empowered individuals navigate the healthcare system, communicate effectively with providers, manage chronic conditions, and follow treatment plans. In her free time, Trisha enjoys art museums, movies, concerts, and painting.

Allison is a 3rd year Biology major with a Spanish minor on the pre-PA track. Her hobbies including playing tennis, guitar, cooking, going to the gym, and spending time outdoors. Her research interests include finding and implementing strategies to eliminate health disparities in minorities populations, specifically non-English speaking, through preventive care as well as research on pediatric congenital heart defects.

Diya is currently working as a research assistant in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Diya is a third year ('27) majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Public Health.

Diya's clinical research interests include a variety of topics such as women's health, breast cancer, hormonal fluctuations, and circadian disorders. Diya enjoys spending time with friends and family in her free time along with painting and traveling.

Anthony is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. He is a third year ('27) with a major in biochemistry and minor in public health and is on the pre-med track. 

Anthony's research interests include understanding how identity and adversity in Latinx communities affect health outcomes and how to develop interventions/resources for underrepresented communities that are affected by health inequities. When Anthony isn't busy with classes or research, he enjoys taking walks and exploring new places in Boston!

Kiera is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Kiera is a third-year ('27) majoring in pharmaceutical sciences on a pre-medical track.

Kiera is driven by a commitment to health equity and supporting underserved populations. She focuses her research on neonatal and postpartum maternal care, social anxiety in adolescents, post-stroke mental health, the use of music therapy to aid memory, and HIV prevention and care in marginalized communities. Outside of research, she is the drummer and pianist in an indie-pop band called ne-on! In her free time, she also enjoys playing Stardew Valley, crocheting, filming and photography, listening to jazz piano, and cycling!

AnnKirsten is a third-year ('27) student majoring in Health Science with a minor in Global Health. Her research interests include black maternal health, how health inequities impact underserved neighborhoods especially the youth in those neighborhoods, and nutrition in marginalized communities. In her free time, she likes to read, do paint by numbers, and play her violin!

Ivana is a second-year undergraduate ('28)  student at Northeastern University, majoring in Health Science and Psychology. She has a strong passion for medicine, science, and community engagement. Ivana also enjoys music and spending time outdoors. As a Latina, her research interests include health disparities and their impact on diverse populations, as well as youth mental health and the importance of culturally sensitive interventions. 

Lucy is a current third year student ('27) majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Health Psychology, on the PreMed track. She is from Reading, Massachusetts and enjoys going on walks with her dog and spending time with friends in her free time. Her research interests include assessing the social determinants of health and how limited access to healthcare impacts different disadvantage communities, particularly women and children. As an aspiring physician, she hopes to make an impact in her local community of Boston by tackling the barriers to health experienced by those who need care the most.

Aminata is a 4th year majoring in Political Science minoring in Biology, graduating in 2025.  She is from New York. Her research interest includes understanding the impact of inadequate health care and finding ways to serve disadvantaged communities. Aminata is also interested in understanding cultural health differences as an aspiring physician. In her free time she likes to read and cook.