MEET THE TEAM

Allison Cheung is a third-year medical student at the University of Michigan Medical School. Prior to medical school, she conducted research in Australia studying zoonotic diseases and served as an epidemiologist on the COVID-19 pandemic response for the Australian Department of Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from Yale University and is currently finishing a PhD in veterinary epidemiology with the University of Melbourne. In her free time, she loves to knit and drink hot tea.

Mary is a third-year medical student at the University of Michigan Medical School. She is interested in the social forces behind the inequitable distribution of infectious disease burdens, antimicrobial stewardship, and the changing landscape of infectious diseases in the context of climate change. In her free time she likes to birdwatch and recruit people to help her finish crossword puzzles.

Rachel is a second-year graduate student pursuing her Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Hospital & Molecular Epidemiology. Prior to attending the University of Michigan, Rachel received dual bachelor's degrees in Business and Health Studies from Bentley University. Her research interests are in infectious diseases, particularly vector-borne pathogens.

Rezwana is a 1st year Masters student focusing on Sustainability and Development in the School for Sustainability and Environment. She is interested in looking at the effect climate change has on human health and food systems. She is particularly interested in natural disasters and global fisheries. In her free time Rezwana enjoys reading webtoons and going to concerts. 

Lauren Ward is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Michigan. She holds a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (MPH&TM) from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Purdue University. Her research is focused on the health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – or “forever chemicals”- in U.S. firefighters and adolescents in Chitwan, Nepal. Lauren hopes to continue to pursue research that increases understanding of how environmental exposures impact immunity in vulnerable populations. 

David Grace is a PhD candidate in the School for Environment and Sustainability. His research addresses the role of traditional ecological knowledge and religion in forest management and sustainability.