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Meet The Team
Minal Patel, PHD, MPH
Director
Dr. Patel is a Professor in the Department of Health Behavior & Health Education (HBHE) at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Patel's research has established her reputation as a scholar at the intersection of social determinants of health and chronic disease. Her research can be grouped into two interconnected themes: Financial burden and unmet social determinants of health as factors that influence poor health outcomes; interventions focused on removing access to care barriers, alleviating financial burden and unmet social needs, and supporting chronic disease management. She explores these themes in a wide range of chronic conditions. Dr. Patel has a strong track record of stakeholder collaboration in large-scale intervention projects and practice-based teaching, both with community- based, healthcare delivery, and health-serving organizations.
Dr. Patel serves on the evaluation team of Michigan's expanded Medicaid program, co-directs the Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health Core of the Michigan Center for Diabetes and Translational Research, and is as an Associate Director of the National Clinicians Scholars Program at the University of Michigan.
In 2017, Dr. Patel received the Early Career Achievement award from the Behavioral Sciences and Health Services Research Assembly of the American Thoracic Society. Dr. Patel also served as an Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine through the National Academy of Medicine from 2018-2021.
Project Coordinator
Allyson Brown, MS
Allyson joined the team in October 2020. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Masters of Science in Public Health Education, and is currently pursuing a second Masters in Library and Information Science from Kent State University. Her responsibilities focus on project coordination and qualitative analysis.
What motivates you to do this work?
The motivation I have for helping others fuels my work, and I believe the research we put forth can influence policy and best practices that achieve better quality of life and health equity within communities.
PhD Student
Victoria H. Davis, MSc
Victoria joined the team in August 2023. She has a BSc degree in Psychology and Health Studies and a MSc in Health Services Research, Health Outcomes and Evaluation from the University of Toronto. She has experience conducting research in the fields of global health and HIV, psychology, and healthcare. More recently, Victoria has worked with patients and patient partners on opportunities to intervene on unmet social needs in health and social settings.
What motivates you to do this work?
I believe that research can help to identify novel approaches to promote health equity and inform the development of impactful and anti-discriminatory interventions, policies and programs. I am passionate about working alongside patients and communities, health and social equity, and policy and program evaluation.
Recruitment & Data Collection Coordinator
Shantel Moore, BA
Shantel joined the team in 2019. Shantel received her BA in Psychology from Fisk University in Nashville, TN. She is responsible for implementing and coordinating recruitment for study projects, developing protocols, patient data management, and incorporating strategies to facilitate the successful recruitment and retention of interventions.
What motivates you to do this work?
Knowing that I am contributing to making the world a healthier place for every person I encounter, not just in the research space. It becomes personal when I remember that we're helping someone else's mother, father, sister, brother, etc. It's about improving the quality of life and longevity for the people closest to us.
Project Manager
Stephanie Thompson, MSW
Stephanie joined the team in August 2023. Originally from Austin, Texas, she received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Texas State University. She moved to Michigan in 2006 and received a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Stephanie provides the team with project management and coordination of evaluation activities.
What motivates you to do this work?
I enjoy projects that address and minimize health disparities through a health equity and social lens. This work allows me to use my skills and experience to highlight best practices in implementing and sustaining large scale initiatives that promote health and wellness. I also enjoy leading projects, developing efficient operations, resolving challenges, and ensuring goals for research and evaluation projects are met.
Research Assistant
Chandra Behr
Chandra joined the team in 2025. She is currently pursuing a Master of Health Informatics degree at the University of Michigan.
What motivates you to do this work?
When I was in undergrad, I took a class on the globalization of biomedicine. This course made me think deeply about ethical dilemmas and systemic health disparities within healthcare systems and ignited my interest in public health. I am particularly passionate about using data to improve health outcomes for vulnerable communities. With this research, I hope to advance health equity practices and make a positive impact on public health programs.
Research Assistant
Lily Gibbons
Lily joined the team in 2025. She is currently in the process of obtaining her B.A. in Law, Justice & Social Change and Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.
What motivates you to do this work?
I am deeply motivated to contribute to creating a society where healthcare is accessible to all. To me, healthcare is a fundamental human right. I believe that by addressing and reducing health disparities, we move closer to a more just and equitable future.
Research Associate
David Chang, MSW
David joined the team in 2025. He received his Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
What motivates you to do this work?
My motivation comes from a place where health should be accessible to anyone at any time. There are many barriers that many people face when receiving the health care they need and I hope to contribute to breaking those barriers. I want to envision a future where health care becomes more accessible so that everyone can live a healthier and happier life.
Project Coordinator
Charlotte Guttrich, MPH
Charlotte came to the team in 2022 and holds a bachelor of science degree in cellular and molecular biology from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame and a master of public health degree from George Washington University. Charlotte provides project coordination and supports qualitative analysis.
What motivates you to do this work?
After working in cancer research, I was motivated to move into public health after witnessing the health disparities rampant in our healthcare system. I am particularly motivated to address disparities surrounding health literacy and access to care for chronic conditions and surrounding women's health. I am further inspired by how our work ties into national and local efforts to affect change across a multitude of facets and the collaborative nature of working in public health.
Research Associate
Alexander Simon, MS
Alex joined the team in 2025. He received his BS in Biology from Arizona State, and his MS in Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan.
What motivates you to do this work?
At its core I believe strongly that increasing equity in healthcare is a noble pursuit. However, the solutions are not always transparent. Research in this field is meaningful because it has the capacity to be a powerful agent of change as we seek to better understand and subsequently override systemic inequities ingrained in the healthcare system and give people more self agency in their healthcare outcomes.
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Research Assistant
Guanghao Zhang
Guanghao received their MS from the University of Michigan. Their main responsibilities are assisting the team in finding the proper statistical approach, conducting statistical analyses, and drafting the statistical method section.
What motivates you to do this work?
My passion for public health is rooted in my desire
to implement statistical approaches to help researchers solve real-world public health
problems. I find fulfillment in contributing my expertise to uncover insights that inform
impactful public health interventions. This drive to make a tangible difference in
communities through the application of statistical methods fuels my dedication to public
health work.
Research Assistant
Cassie Couch
Cassie joined the team in 2024. She is a current freshman at the University of Michigan studying Biology, Health and Society on a pre-medical track.
What motivates you to do this work?
My motivation closely follows my belief in health equity and my desire to prioritize the human narrative in medicine. Being a part of this team has allowed me to study health through an interdisciplinary lens, understanding social context and law, rather than analyzing issues through a purely biological approach. Contributing to this research team brings personal connection to this field of healthcare, encouraging me to invest myself in my work.
Research Assistant
Bhavana Iyengar
Bhavana joined the team in 2025. She is a senior receiving her BS in Biochemistry and Statistics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.
What motivates you to do this work?
I am mainly motivated by my desire to help people. Working in Public Health and specifically this team means that I will be part of a greater cause that focuses on health equity. Though change is slow, knowing that I am part of a larger group of people that are working to create that change motivates me to be engaged and committed to the work we do. Seeing the positive impact, no matter how small, reminds me that every step forward matters. I’m inspired by the collaboration and dedication of others in this field, and it pushes me to bring my best efforts every day to support meaningful change.
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Research Assistant
Meghana Lanka
Meghana joined the team in 2024. She is pursuing a dual degree in Neuroscience and Community & Global Health at the University of Michigan.
What motivates you to do this work?
Working in Public Health allows me to have a tangible impact on improving health outcomes and advancing equity. I am driven by a strong belief in the power of prevention and health education to empower individuals and communities. By bridging gaps in care, I aim to ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind and have the resources they need to take control of their well-being.
Research Assistant
Shaina Tudayan
Shaina joined the team in 2025. She will be receiving her BS in Biology Health and Society from the University of Michigan.
What motivates you to do this work?
I like that the focus of Public Health is improving the well-being of communities and addressing health disparities. Through research, I know that the work I will be doing will help me learn how to better heal, support, and strengthen people. There are many ways to help people and I think that Public Health will enable me to help ensure that everyone, both within and beyond my community, has the chance to thrive.
Research Assistant
Cyrena Matingou
Cyrena joined the team in 2024 as a MPH student in Health Behavior and Health Equity. She graduated with her BA from the University of Virginia with a major in Global Public Health.
What motivates you to do this work?
I believe that health researchers should center principles of equity and ethical community engagement in all of their work. I am thrilled to be a part of projects that partner with community organizations and provide resources to help community members carry out health promotion programs. I would like to continue this type of research after I graduate and am grateful that I can contribute to such meaningful work while building skills as a student.
Research Assistant
Aya Yahya
Aya is currently pursuing a BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Michigan. On the team, she assists with transcribing qualitative data.
What motivates you to do this work?
Working in Public Health gives me an outlet to combine my understanding and passion for science and improving social inequities. My motivation for this work comes from the want to improve health outcomes in my community by focusing on prevention and education because I feel like those go hand in hand to promote a healthy future.
Team Assistants (Our Pets!)
Baxter
Minal Patel's Havanese
Baxter's calling in life is to protect our home from packaged deliveries (even chewy.com boxes), cars pulling up in our driveway, and cars and visitors in other people's driveways. Aside from this sense of duty, he likes to express his autonomy by leading the walks and sleeping in when his parents have to get to work. He is skilled at patiently staring you down until you provide him with what he feels he is owed- a treat.
Bridgette
Allyson Brown's Pittie Mix
Bridgette loves a good belly rub, the wind in her face as she sticks her head out of the window on car rides, and her nightly dental chew treat. Bridgette’s hobbies are monitoring the squirrel population in the backyard and sniffing every blade of grass on walks.
Bishop
Shantel Moore's Shih Tzu
Bishop is super sweet and likes to play with other dogs and kids. Once he is done playing he might run out of energy, because he forgets that he’s an old dog, and will probably look for a bed to nap under.
Mr. Kitty
Stephanie Thompson's Cat
Mr. Kitty is a super soft, tuxedo wearing, american short hair. He's an old man who now loves to snuggle, sleep, and follow his mom around. He's indoor and outdoor and enjoys exploring our 4 acre property. Although old, he's still fierce. He protects his family and territory from other animals and still likes to hunt.
Remy
Lily Gibbon's Australian Labradoodle
This is Remy! She is a 4-year-old Australian Labradoodle and Michigan football's biggest fan!
Nash and Opry
Cassie Couch's lab mixes
Nash (brown lab mix) and Opry (black lab mix) are polar opposites. Nash is always happy to meet new people and will cuddle with you until you force him off. Opry, on the other hand, is scared of everything from trash cans hairbrushes. Nevertheless, both Nash and Opry love to chase each other around in their backyard and going for walks.
Alumni Team Members
Shifa Malik, Alyssa Loria, Theodora Vorias, Sarah Sheskey, Alyssa Abbate, Kiyah Mills, Katherine Worthington, Claire Roberge, Arya Desai, Navdeep Kaur, Leah Bailey, Kelly King, Geila Rajaee, Nikki Isaacson, Maddy Wierenga, Samantha Guagliardo, Samantha Kasselman, Sydney Vo, Kshama Puranik, Sophia Viola, Sasha Tretyakova, Omar Siddiqui, Laila Odeh, Chris Oshana, Michelle Torby, Diamond Buchanan, Lucy Duan, Maria Fernanda Cruz, Omar Fehmi, Maricruz Moya, Caitlin Miranda, Julie Tobi, Lindsay TerHaar, Lisa Mei, Emmanuel Saint-Phard, Dylan Kilby, Anna Bowie, Kendall Billig, Daniel Juaregui-Volpe, Jessica Uruchima, Caitlyn Wayment, Cassie Gaskins, Ashya Smith, Kayla Muschong, Ian Lang, Theresa Kowalski-Dobson, Teck Sheng, Zaineb Alattar, Stephanie Sigale, Alexandra Dulin, Jessica Lin, Julieta Saluzzo, Alison Jensen, Suzanne Meller, Angela Song, Kathleen Kraus, Aparna Yechoor, Jennifer Vichich, Lizelle Salazar, Meagan Shallcross, Yanyn Cao, Samantha Nikirk, Megan Collado, Micah Aaron, Wei Hao, Amanda Elaro, Paul "Bud" Dailey, Andy Checo
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