Krystal currently works as the CHANGE Lab coordinator. She assists with day-to-day administrative tasks and supports ongoing research projects in the lab. She joined the CHANGE Lab in 2024 after completing her undergraduate and graduate education at Northeastern University, where she earned a Master of Public Health. 

Her research interests include integrating public health and psychology to advance health equity among adolescents and young adults. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, listening to music, and exploring new places in Boston. 

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. 

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.

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.

Simran is currently a graduate assistant in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University, where she is completing her M.S. in Applied Psychology. She previously obtained her B.S. in Psychology at Drexel University.

Simran’s research interests are focused on the mental health of children and adolescents, specifically the impact of trauma on youth mental health and culturally sensitive mental health interventions for diverse youth populations. Outside of classes and research she enjoys climbing at Rock Spot and reading.

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.

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.

AnnKirsten is a second-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!

Anthony is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. He is a second 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!

Arianna is a 3rd year majoring in Health Sciences and Business Administration and is the current co-op with the Institute of Health Equity and Social Justice Research and the CHANGE lab.

Her interests include public health, advancing health equity, and exploring the intersection of healthcare and business administrative practices.

Diya is currently working as a research assistant in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Diya is a second 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.

Gloria is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Gloria is a second 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. 

Jade is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Jade is a third 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. 

JC is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as an undergraduate research assistant. JC is a second year ('27) majoring in Health Science & Psychology.

JC is interested in addressing complex urban challenges like homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and healthcare accessibility. He has a desire to bridge psychological research, where we can understand the inner workings of a rigid healthcare system and how this system is built on certain ideals and morals, with healthcare policy to create sustainable, impactful, and inclusive change for Boston’s underserved communities. Outside of research and school, JC loves to try new restaurants with friends, work out, travel to new places, and relax in the sun.

Kiera is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Kiera is a second-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!

Kimberly is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a 2nd-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!

Lucy is a current second 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.

Mia is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as a health equity intern (HEI). Mia is a second 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. 

Sena is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a third-year ('26) with a major in Behavioral Neuroscience.

Sena's research interests include determining the root cause of inadequate healthcare across underserved and underrepresented individuals across the globe, and the intersection of healthcare advocacy and health policy as it pertains to cognitive health. In her free time, Sena enjoys cooking, listening to music, and exploring the city.

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.

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.

Diego is a second year ('27) with a major in psychology and minors in Arts and Mindfulness Studies.

Diego's research interests include mental health, particularly among youth and adolescent communities, and the well-being of youth and adolescents in minority and at-risk communities. Outside of classes and research Diego enjoys bouldering at Rock Spot, reading, and crafts.

Elizabeth is a lab affiliate for the Spring 2025 semester in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a third-year ('26) with a combined major in Behavioral Neuroscience and Philosophy. 

Elizabeth's research interests are in cognitive wellbeing and the use of technology, like artificial intelligence, in the realms of health care, health informatics, and neuroscience. Elizabeth also enjoys being outside, traveling, reading, and trying new restaurants and cafes!