Summer 2025 Interns

I am currently pursuing an MPH at Brown University with a concentration in epidemiology. My research background is in psychological trauma and I am particularly interested in psychiatric epidemiology, specifically, the physical and biological impacts of trauma. This summer, I am grateful to be working with Drs. Sara Lazar and Diane Joss at Massachusetts General Hospital. I will primarily be contributing to a review article on the impacts of mindfulness practice on the brain, focusing on the amygdala and hippocampus. Through this internship, I hope to strengthen my research writing skills and gain insights that will support greater independence throughout the research process. 

I have experience in evolutionary genomics and rare disease genomics, including genome-wide association studies, analysis of gene expression, and assessing common regulatory regions. Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s in Computational Biology and Statistical Genetics at the Harvard Chan School. My research interests include how social determinants of health intersect with genetic factors. This summer, I will be working with Dr. Dawn DeMeo at Brigham and Women’s Hospital investigating epigenetic plasticity and its dynamic influence by non-genetic factors, like optimism. I hope to learn how optimism impacts disease-associated traits, such as frailty and lung function in older populations.  I also aim to learn more about research at the intersection of positive health, health equity, and epigenetic epidemiology.

I am a recent graduate from Howard University with a B.A. in Psychology. This fall, I will be joining a master’s program in international relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. My research interests focus on understanding both emic and etic perspectives of illness and well-being in diverse global communities. I previously worked as a research assistant in the Global Community Health Lab, where I explored the experiences of families affected by HIV and cancer in India. This summer, I am excited to work with Dr. Christopher Celano at Massachusetts General Hospital through the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Program. I’ll be assisting with the MOVE WITH MEANING study, which examines a text- and audio-based intervention for midlife adults. I look forward to gaining hands-on experience with clinical screening and behavioral health research.

I am primarily interested in research that explores how social determinants of health affect healthcare access and delivery, specifically for under-resourced and marginalized communities. This summer, I am excited to be working with the Viswanath Lab under Dr. Dhriti Dhawan on a project partnering with the Salaam Bombay Foundation in Mumbai, India. The study seeks to gather data on health communication behaviors, availability of assets, and resilience of youth to determine the association of these factors with health and wellbeing for at-risk adolescents in Mumbai. I hope to learn more about promoting health equity through research and to gain experience in data analysis, manuscript development, and literature reviews.

My research focuses on developing and evaluating digital health interventions to promote mental and physical health among underserved populations. Drawing on my prior research experience, I am committed to advancing health equity by ensuring that individuals in need have access to the support and resources essential to their well-being. I will be working with Dr. Gloria Yeh at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on several clinical trials investigating mind-body interventions designed to promote healthy behaviors and improve health outcomes among individuals living with complex chronic conditions. Through this internship, I aim to strengthen my research skills in analyzing clinical data and deepen my expertise in implementation science. I also look forward to engaging with like-minded scholars and learning from diverse perspectives to enhance the impact and relevance of my work—contributing to a healthier and more equitable world for all.

I am a PhD student in Counseling Psychology at Boston University. My research focuses on psychological safety, systems-level belongingness, and identity-based empowerment to support mental health and well-being across educational, clinical, and community contexts. This summer, I will be working with Dr. Susan Peters at the Center for Work, Health, & Well-being at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. I will support a national research initiative exploring workforce well-being, organizational climate, and equity in public health systems, with a focus on understanding how mental health professionals thrive at work. Through this internship, I aim to deepen my mixed-methods expertise, build interdisciplinary connections, and translate data-driven insights into actionable strategies that promote inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe work environments.

I am an undergraduate candidate at Tufts University studying Clinical Psychology and Community Health, with a minor in Child Studies & Human Development. Through this intersection of disciplines, I have done research that looks at peace building and character traits that develop among survivors of trauma, particularly the Rwandan genocide. To build upon this interest and focus, I am working with Dr. Leslie John of the Harvard Business School to find literature regarding self-disclosure tendencies for her upcoming book release. Through this unparalleled internship opportunity, I look forward to strengthening my data collection and analysis skills, while also engaging in the development and publication of reputable research findings.

I recently graduated from UCLA with dual majors in Human Biology & Society and Asian American Studies and a minor in Community Engagement & Social Change. In the fall, I will be returning to UCLA for a Master’s degree in Asian American Studies—focusing on the health of Asian American communities. My research interests surround topics within health equity—including addiction and substance-use disorders, mental health, unhoused populations, racism, and Asian American communities. This summer, I will be working alongside Drs. Sara Lazar and Diane Joss on a meta-analysis of the effects of mindfulness and meditation on physiological brain structures at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital. Overall, I am looking forward to learning about the different pathways transitional research navigates to empower communities!

My research centers on how students and young adults navigate tensions between their thoughts, feelings, motivations, and behaviors. I explore varying levels of engagement, from mindless involvement to deep, transformative immersion, in contexts such as compulsive social media use and transporting experiences with music and art. This summer, I will collaborate with Dr. Ashley Whillans of Harvard Business School on a project examining embodiment as a multi-level process (at the individual, group, and organizational levels) to promote flourishing and well-being, and will engage in related work exploring aesthetics in the workplace. I look forward to contributing meaningfully to these projects, further developing my research skills, and building lasting connections.

I am a rising third-year PhD student at NYU Silver School of Social Work. My research focuses on child well-being, specifically understanding what works within children’s ecological systems to support positive developmental outcomes. This summer, I will assist Dr. Elizabeth Levey and the GRAPE team with data analysis, primarily for the PrOMIS study, a longitudinal cohort study examining maternal social and behavioral risk factors for adverse pregnancy and infant health outcomes. Through the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness Summer Internship Program, I hope to broaden my global health perspective, deepen interdisciplinary engagement to shape my dissertation, and strengthen skills in data analysis, manuscript preparation, and grant writing while building lasting mentorship and scholarly networks.

I am interested in well-being, positive psychology, digital media use, and social relationships. I am collaborating with Dr. Laura Marciano on the HappyB2.0 Project, which explores patterns of media use and indicators of well-being. Additionally, I am contributing to an analytic review project focused on the variability of media behavior. Working with Dr. Marciano can strengthen my skills in research dissemination, reporting, and team collaboration. It also enhances my ability to conduct literature reviews and expand my understanding of relevant scholarly work. Through this process, I will explore potential research directions and themes, identify trends and methodological approaches, and uncover gaps in the existing literature—ultimately supporting the development of future studies.