Meet the class of 2030!
Aliya Ahmadi (she/her) grew up in Minnesota as the daughter of immigrants from Iran, then attended the University of Minnesota as an undergrad studying physiology. She has contributed to four publications on traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. She also completed a needs assessment project at the free clinic where she volunteers, examining the social needs of cardiology patients and systematically trying to describe how those needs influence their care. For fun, she enjoys embroidery!
Kira Anderson (she/her) grew up in Minnesota and then attended Portland State University, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in public health. She has worked in clinical research to define disease course and identify prognostic factors in rare genetic disorders of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and Parkinson’s disease. For fun, she enjoys cycling and choral music.
Ashley Chon (she/her) grew up in West Linn, OR, and went on to study biology at Gonzaga University. During her time there, she cultivated her passions for medicine and public health through the Health Equity Circle, leading efforts to pass a rule for multilingual prescription labels. Shortly after, she became involved with the American Cancer Society, advocating for early cancer detection programs. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and snowboarding.
Mayen Dada (she/her) grew up in Virginia and then obtained her BA at Concordia University in Portland. She has contributed to published research on hepatitis C screening in women and environmental health, and worked on a diabetes project examining health systems. Mayen is proud of being a mom to two kids. For fun, she enjoys dancing and choreography.
Grace Graham (they/she) grew up in the Portland area, then went to Georgetown University where they completed their BS with a focus on health policy. Grace completed research on the association between housing and HIV medication adherence and had two publications related to that work. For fun, Grace enjoys rock climbing, hiking and bookmaking.
Zenaz Sarkari (she/her) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and spent part of her childhood in India before returning to California. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychobiology with a minor in global health from UCLA. Zenaz also co-authored a publication in the British Medical Journal on telemedicine and quality improvement. For fun, she enjoys bread baking and hiking!
Jasmine Shigeno (she/her) grew up outside of Vancouver, WA then attended Willamette University for her undergrad, majoring in public health. Her senior capstone was a review of methods related to reducing maternal mortality and a case study examining an integrated model of care. She loves to read and crochet for fun!
Lindsey Smith (she/her) grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado and earned a Bachelor of Arts in molecular biology from Colorado College. Before coming to OHSU, she worked in partnership with a community organization in Kenya working to destigmatize HIV/AIDS. She also worked on a COVID communication project and a Tribal health project with the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and CDC Office of Health Equity. For fun, she enjoys playing tennis and video games and going to coffee shops.
Sadie Van den Bogaerde (she/her) grew up near Sacramento, CA and then attended the University of Washington studying marine biology. Before coming to OHSU, she was working in clinical rheumatology research, contributing to 3 publications. She has volunteered as a ski patroller during the winter seasons and as a staff member at a local shelter. Sadie loves to mountain bike, ski, rock climb and hike for fun!