Yesi Camacho Torres
By Kirsten onFOCUSIn her doctoral work, Yesi explores how social determinants including migration, poverty, and trauma influence the mental health of…
Abigail Underwood
By Kirsten onFOCUSAbigail’s research is centered on the reproductive justice framework that states all people should be able to choose to…
Natalia Coriano-Díaz
By Kirsten onFOCUSNatalia is interested in conducting research focused on Latina women’s reproductive and sexual health, and how these are influenced…
Natasha M. Lee-Johnson
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSLittle is known about Black women with intellectual disabilities and their experiences with sexual and reproductive healthcare. However, it…
Lastascia Coleman
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSLastascia's research interests include investigating the intersection of Medicaid policy and maternal racial and geographic health disparities. She will…
Danae Ross
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSBringing an interdisciplinary lens to the study of Black maternal/parental health, Danae's work centers the physical and mental health…
TyKera Marrow
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSThe general mistrust and anticipation of stigmatization that Black Americans feel in general, concerning the medical context and larger…
Sofia “Sofi” Cárdenas
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSIn her research, Sofi uses interdisciplinary methodologies to assess the intersection of biological and social processes impacting parent caregiving…
Mahader Tamene
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSMahader is dedicated to advancing health and justice in underserved and historically marginalized communities globally. Her research focuses on…
Jordyn Gunville, MPH
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSAs part of the program, Jordyn’s goal is to reduce infant mortality among American Indian infants through research examining…
Jessica L. Levasseur
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSJessica believes that all people have the right to a home and work environment safe from endocrine disrupting chemicals.…
Chevelle M. A. Davis
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSAs Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, "The decision whether or not to bear a child is central to…
Ariel Nicole Hart, MPH
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSAriel is committed to working toward a world where Black babies and Black birthing people experience holistic wellness and…
Anton L.V. Avanceña
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSSignificant financial and human resources are wasted on ineffective health programs, interventions, and policies; and this waste contributes to…
Kristi Roybal
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSThrough community-based research, Kristi hopes to inform policy and practice initiatives that reduce place-based barriers to health and improve…
The Program at a Glance
Who is Health Policy Research Scholars for?
Doctoral students from a variety of disciplines—such as urban planning, political science, economics, anthropology, education, social work, geography, and sociology—who are committed to using policy change to advance population health and health equity.
Applicants must be:
- Full-time doctoral students who are starting the second year of their programs in fall 2023 and do not expect to graduate before spring/summer 2026.
- From historically marginalized backgrounds and/or populations underrepresented in specific doctoral disciplines.
- Pursuing a research-focused discipline that can advance a Culture of Health.
- Interested in health policy and interdisciplinary approaches.
What do scholars receive?
- Annual award funding of up to $30,000 for up to four years or until they complete their doctoral program (whichever is sooner).
- Mentoring and training in health policy and leadership.
- Professional ties to public health and policy leaders and innovators from diverse fields.
- Opportunity to compete for an additional dissertationgrant of up to $10,000.
- Membership in a network of scholars and alumni for research and advocacy collaborations.
