Shane Trujillo
By Kirsten onFOCUSBroadly speaking, Shane's research aims to amplify the reality of triumphs and challenges that queer and trans people of…
Samyu Comandur
By Kirsten onFOCUSHow do reproductive healthcare clinics respond to anti-abortion protests? How do anti-abortion protests and counter-organizing strategies affect the quali…
Tania Nasrollahi
By Kirsten onFOCUSTania’s research focuses on sexual and mental health, as well as the disproportionate impacts of stigma on marginalized people.…
Joseph A.D. McBride
By Kirsten onFOCUSJose’s societal vision encompasses a culture with reduced sexual harm for all individuals, and he is particularly interested in…
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…
Clarice J. Hampton
By Kirsten onFOCUSClarice‘s research aims to improve the social conditions of black women living with HIV who are disproportionately burdened by…
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…
Alejandra Arrieta
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSAlejandra is committed to researching social determinants of health, with a focus on predictors of gender inequalities in health…
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…
Aliyah Middleton
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSStreet-based sex work is a criminalized and highly-stigmatized form of sexual labor. Women of color, particularly Black women, are…
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…
Kristefer Stojanovski
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSKristefer Stojanovski’s research examines structural causes to health disparities among ethnic, racial, sexual, and gender minorities. During his doctoral…
Jennifer McGee-Avila
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSJennifer has participated in internships with the California Medical Association Foundation working on a project involving HPV, HPV vaccination,…
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.
