We'd like to thank the following people for their contributions to our lab: 

Aria Grisham

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Aria is a B.S. in Public Health student from Albany, NY. After graduating in Spring of 2024, she plans to go on to pursue her Master's of Public Health. Aria spends most of her time either doing volunteer work or staying busy with her many clubs and activities, but in her free time enjoys listening to music, board games, hiking, and learning new things!

Purva Devendra Trivedi

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Purva is a physical therapist from India who has spent most of her time working as a PT engaging into community services and rehabilitation and now is pursuing her Master’s in Exercise Science at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She joined the Community Health Interventions Lab as a research assistant to use her experience working with the community and raising awareness while engaging meaningfully with people. She plans to work as a physical therapist after she’s done with her master and continue Community Rehabilitation. In her free time she likes to workout and read.

Mikayla Logan

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
My name is Mikayla Logan. I am currently a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and Health Behavior. I am a dual-degree student, meaning that I am also pursuing a Master of Social Work as well. My interests include maternal health and food access. I have served as a fellow for UB’s Social Impact Fellowship where I assisted a local non-profit in its efforts to expand its mobile farm truck through WNY. Along with this, I am one of the many faces behind the School of Public Health’s student ambassador program. 

Kalindi Thakral

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Kalindi is a dedicated individual with a passion for community health and rehabilitation. She has completed her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from India and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Exercise Science from University at Buffalo.

During her Undergraduate studies, she conducted two research projects that piqued her interest in research and Community health. She found a passion for community rehab and health and was keen to improve the well-being of the community. To further enhance her knowledge and experience, she joined the Community Health Intervention Lab as a Research Assistant. She is deeply committed to her work and is always looking for ways to help the community. Kalindi plans to serve the community by using her knowledge and experience in community health and rehabilitation to improve the lives of those in need.

Gina Mersereau

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
My name is Gina Mersereau. I am pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Community Health and Health Behavior. I graduated from UB with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, a B.A. in Spanish, and Public Health minor in May 2022. My areas of interest include increasing access to primary care, improving health at a community level, and addressing food insecurity as a means to improve overall health. I hope to pursue a career in community health that blends my interests of biomedical science, Spanish, and public health. My hobbies include drawing/painting, sewing, dog training, and playing saxophone and piano.

Alban Morina, MS

research coordinator/ data manager
Alban grew up in the Bronx and moved to Buffalo, where he earned a Master of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics from SUNY Buffalo State College. His previous experience in Higher Education Anchor Mission analytics helped foster a strong understanding of quantitative analysis needed for improvements to social programs related to nutritional and community health. Alban discovered a passion for using his math background to advance his interests in community health and health behaviors. As an analyst, Alban provided applied research to the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to inform the implementation and design of programs to support best practices and strengthen community health interventions such as SNAP-Education, teaching people to shop for and cook healthy meals. On his time off, Alban enjoys exploring Buffalo, watching Liverpool games, and reading recommended books. 
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Lianne Novak

Graduate Research assistant
Lianne is a first year MPH student (2020-21) in the Individualized Concentration.  She graduated Cum Laude from Michigan Technological University in Houghton Michigan with a  B.S in Mathematics and minors in Statistics and Leadership, though is originally from the Cincinnati Ohio area.  Her research interests lie in health disparities, access to healthcare and telemedicine, rural health, and improving opportunities to live a healthy lifestyle.  Outside of school, she enjoys crocheting, quilting and sewing, photography, watching volleyball and ice hockey, and playing music.

Andy Canizares

Graduate Research assistant
Born in Havana and raised in Buffalo, Andy is a graduate student at the University at Buffalo pursuing his dual-degree in a Master of Public Health (with a concentration in Community Health and Health Behavior) and a Master of Social Work. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University at Buffalo. His experiences prior to joining the lab include research and evaluation support for community health interventions for Black and LGBTQ+ populations. During his time in graduate school, Andy developed interests in the sociopolitical aspects of public health and social work, addressing fatphobia in public health, gender-based violence prevention, program evaluation, and organizing mutual aid for gender-marginalized people of color. In his personal life, Andy enjoys reading, creative writing, playing video games, and spending time with friends.

Hannah Premo

Alumni Graduate Research Assistant
Hannah is a second year MPH student, focusing in Community Health and Health Behavior and Public Health Policy. Originally from Central New York, they graduated from Binghamton University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish. Prior to joining the lab, they did bench science in a molecular biophysical lab at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The goals of the lab align with their vision to increase primary disease prevention and awareness, provide health education to the community, and champion social justice and equity in the Buffalo community. They enjoy playing video games, hiking, spending time with their Guinea pigs, and reading murder mystery and dystopian novels in their free time.

Jessica Burke, MPH

Alumni Graduate Research assistant
Jessica is a first year MPH graduate student in the department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Health and Health and Human services with a concentration in Community Mental Health and a minor in Sociology. Jessica is from Putnam County, New York and is interested in studying nutritional health disparities and reproductive health. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, spending time outdoors and attending concerts.

Camrin Brown

Alumni Undergraduate research assistant
Camrin is an undergraduate student at the University at Buffalo and graduating in May.  She is one of the undergraduate research assistants in the CHILab working on the Veggie Van study. Her interest in public health stems from her passion for social justice, community engagement, and improving health in vulnerable populations. She is also a pre-med student pursuing a career as an orthopedic physician and currently loves working as an EMT.  She also enjoy working with the CSTEP program at UB as a Campus Health Educator to inform the public on service learning and organ donation. She has always had an interest in mentoring and learning about how she can make a difference in my community. ​

Dhathri Srungaram

Alumni Undergraduate research assistant
Dhathri is an undergraduate student currently pursuing a bachelors degree in biotechnology and in public health. She is interested in gaining knowledge about community health interventions focused on nutrition to inform her premedical perspective. She is currently a research assistant in the Veggie Van Study and hopes that this will help her learn more about health disparities in the community.

Michael Austin, MBA

Alumni Business Sustainability Consultant
​Michael is a native of Rochester, NY, but has made a home in Buffalo since moving here to attend school at the University at Buffalo.  Michael is a dual PharmD/MBA student at UB, completed the MBA as of May 2020 and is set to complete the PharmD program in May 2021.  Coming from a background in healthcare, Michael is extremely motivated and inspired by the Veggie Van project and the positive impact that nutrition can have on community health and chronic health conditions.  He also has a passion for data modeling and data analytics and will be helping to improve sustainability for the Veggie Van program and the communities it serves.  In his free time, Michael enjoys outdoor activities, music, and woodworking.

Jenna Mattson

Alumni Graduate Research assistant
Jenna, a native from Albany, is a first year MPH student at the University of Buffalo in the department of Community Health and Health Behavior. Jenna graduated from the University at Buffalo in the Fall of 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health, and a minor in Counseling. Jenna is interested in working in underserved communities, and improving health conditions in low-income countries. Jenna hopes to study environmental health and epidemiology, and enter the Peace Corps upon graduating from the MPH program. She enjoys volunteering and getting involved within her community at home, and in Buffalo. In her free time, Jenna enjoys skiing with her friends and family, swimming, and music. 

Rosaura Romero

Alumni Research Data Coordinator/ Communication Manager
Rosaura is a Research Data Coordinator in Community Health Interventions Lab within the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions. She will also be pursuing an MSW in Fall 2021. Rosaura holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology and Health and Human Services with a concentration in Community Mental Health from the University at Buffalo. Rosaura works with our community partners in facilitating and implementing study protocols to understand if mobile produce markets can impact fruit and vegetable intake and other related health outcomes in lower-income and underserved communities. Rosaura was raised in Harlem, NYC and has a passion for social justice and community organizing. 

Kate Warner, MPH

Alumni Research Assistant
Kate is studying for her Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and Health Behavior.  She has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and Psychology with minors in Art and Spanish.  Her public health interests include addressing health disparities in refugee and immigrant communities.  She is involved with data collection and management in the Veggie Van Study.  Kate loves to run, travel, and paint landscapes of places she's visited.  

Sibaridibo Banuna

Alumni intern
Sibaridibo, a native of Buffalo, is an undergraduate student at University at Buffalo, majoring in Public Health. After graduating from the University at Buffalo, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in Public Health. She is interested in research related to reducing health disparities and improving food security in low-income communities. During her spare time, Sibaridibo enjoys planting vegetables in her garden, and volunteering at non-profit organizations.

Aaron Fanti

Alumni Research Assistant
Aaron is from Buffalo, New York and is entering into graduate school to attain is MPH with an epidemiology specialization. During his undergraduate collegiate career Aaron sported a 3.7 GPA, majoring in public health and minoring in nutrition. He is currently working on the Veggie Van study which aims to learn how mobile markets affect what people eat, as well as providing access to fruits and vegetables in low income neighborhoods. He plans to one day become a Research Scientist in which he can conduct his own epidemiological studies!

Monisha Afrooz, MPH

PHD Student
Monisha, a devoted doctoral student in Community Health and Health Behavior, aims to address global disparities through extensive research, sustainable practices, and community interventions. Originally from Queens, NY, Monisha holds a B.A. and MPH from Cornell University. Driven by a passion for positive change, she is pursuing a PhD, believing true success lies in enhancing individuals’ quality of life. Monisha actively seeks innovative solutions to societal issues, combining her advocacy for policy change with a commitment to making a lasting impact through problem-solving and an entrepreneurial drive. Beyond academia, she finds joy in nature, travel, and immersing herself in diverse cultures.
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We'd also like to thank Madison Cooper, Kaitlyn Lotito, Jocelyn Stooks, Seanna Pratt, Halle Sauer DPT MPH, Julia Schoonover, Deanna Gallister, Malkija Griffiths, Hoi Ki Kuet, Rose Thomas and Grace Van Vessem for their contributions to our lab.