Senate
Senate Members 2023-2024
Members of the PHSA Senate for the 2023-2024 academic year are listed below. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions for PHSA, please feel free to reach out to any member of the Senate. We look forward to hearing from you!
President - Rachael Brooks (She, Her, Hers); rachabr@umich.edu
Rachael is a second-year MPH student in Global Health Epidemiology and is also pursuing a certificate in social epidemiology. Rachael is from Birmingham, Alabama, where she also got her undergraduate degree from Birmingham-Southern College. In her undergraduate career, she received her BS in Biology, with a minor in Urban Environmental Studies and a distinction in Public Health Studies. Her current research interests include the environmental impacts of climate change and how they influence the transmission of vector-borne diseases, as well as environmental contaminants. For fun, she likes to travel and has spent the last three summers backpacking around the world.
Vice President - Kat LeVasseur (She, Her, Hers); klevass@umich.edu
Kat is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. She graduated from Kalamazoo College (located in Kalamazoo, Michigan) and is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her research interests include ecoimmunology and the impacts of climate change on vector-borne disease. She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and rollerskating.
Treasurer - Hannah Stovall (She/Her); hstovall@umich.edu
Hannah Stovall is a junior in the undergraduate program majoring in Public Health Sciences from Livonia, MI. Hannah is most interested in infectious diseases, immunizations, and racial disparities in health. After graduation, she hopes to continue her education by receiving an MPH in Epidemiology. She is looking forward to helping create a positive, welcoming SPH community. In her free time, Hannah enjoys exercise, baking, and reading.
Secretary - Allison Baumgartner (she/her); ambaum@umich.edu
Allison is a first-year MPH student in Global Health Epidemiology. Allison is from Raleigh, North Carolina, where she received an undergraduate degree in biostatistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health (with minors in chemistry and music). Some of her professional interests include global child health, infectious diseases, and community-based participatory research and interventions. As secretary, she hopes to provide a space for effective knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the SPH departments. Allison enjoys hiking, cooking new dishes, and exploring fun coffee shops in her free time.
Parliamentarian - Stephen Moss (He, Him, His); stcmoss@umich.edu
Stephen Moss is a second year MPH student in Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology. Stephen is originally from Providence, Rhode Island, although he has lived in Ann Arbor for the past five years while completing his undergraduate degree at U of M in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society. He is currently working on COVID-19 and influenza vaccine research, and hopes to continue researching infectious diseases after he graduates. As Parliamentarian, he hopes to ensure that PHSA works as effectively as possible to serve every student here at SPH. Outside of academia, Stephen enjoys running, reading, and playing the viola.
First-Year Representative - Sooyeon Oh (She, Her, Hers); sooyeono@umich.edu
Sooyeon is a first-year MS student in the Biostatistics Department. She is from Korea and completed her undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests are mental health, cancer, and clinical trials. As an International Student Representative, she hopes to support new international students to adjust to and engage in the university environment. She enjoys soap-making and journaling during her free time.
Undergraduate Representative - Kaitlene Poblete (She, Her, Hers); kaitpob@umich.edu
Kaitlene is a senior in the Undergraduate Public Health BS Program with a minor in Biochemistry. She is from Sloatsburg, NY and enjoys hiking. She is passionate about reproductive justice, sexual health, as well as health equity among immigrant and racially diverse communities. To further explore these interests, Kaitlene hopes to pursue graduate programs in Epidemiology or HBHE. As undergraduate representative, she looks forward to promoting undergraduate involvement with SPH and creating a community in our cohorts.
Doctoral Representative - Lauren Ward (She, Her, Hers); lmward@umich.edu
Lauren Ward is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. Originally from Kokomo, Indiana, she received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and her MPH in Tropical Medicine from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lauren's research interests include PFAS, occupational health, and infectious disease. She hopes to eventually become a research professor and is passionate about student engagement in the community beyond the classroom. As the doctoral representative for PHSA, Lauren hopes to create opportunities that encourage PhD students to get involved in SPH and amplify opportunities to connect the whole SPH community. Outside of academia, you can find her taking photos of wildlife or traveling to complete her goal of visiting thirty countries before she turns thirty years old.
International Student Representative - Tess/Yiqiu Shang yqshang@umich.edu
I'm Tess, a second-year Nutritional Science student specializing in dietetics. My future career goal is to improve children's nutrition and health status through education and treatment, from my genuine love for children. Beyond my studies, I'm passionate about music (singing, dancing, pipa and guitar), horror movies, traveling, experimenting with new dishes, and learning about foreign cultures and languages. I cherish connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and look forward to contributing to our shared goals in public health.
Biostatistics Chair - Kirill Sabitov (he/him); ksabitov@umich.edu
Kirill is a first-year MS student in the Department of Biostatistics. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Kirill has lived in Florida for close to 15 years - where he completed his undergraduate degrees in Cell & Molecular Biology and Statistics at the University of South Florida. Kirill is highly interested in applying precision medicine methods to oncology clinical trial design in hopes of improving their efficacy. As the Biostatistics Chair, Kirill hopes to make sure his department is connected to the broader SPH community. In his free time, Kirill enjoys playing tennis.
Environmental Health Sciences Chair - Leah Albers (She, Her, Hers); ljalbers@umich.edu
Leah Albers is a second-year MPH student studying Environmental Health Promotion and Policy and will be serving as the Environmental Health Sciences Department Chair this year! In her position, Leah hopes to promote further connection and collaboration across SPH. Before coming to Michigan, Leah completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa and is originally from Batavia, IL. Her research interests focus on the impacts of water quality on communities. She hopes to focus her career on how policy can be created and implemented to protect the environment from people, and people from the environment. In her free time, Leah can be found outdoors hiking or biking.
Epidemiology Chair - Mahdi Saab (He, Him, His); saabma@umich.edu
Mahdi Saab is a rising second year Master Student at the University of Michigan School of Public Health following the General Epidemiology track. Mahdi lives in Dearborn Heights, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan - Dearborn for his undergraduate education. Mahdi is highly interested in health disparities research as he believes understanding and addressing inequities that exist in healthcare outcomes is critical to receive equitable access to quality healthcare. Mahdi finds pleasure in visiting coffee shops and deeply appreciates nature. As the Epidemiology Chair Mahdi hopes to create a well established relationship with UM-SPH and Epidemiology students.
Health Behavior & Health Education Chair - Casey Cummings (She, Her, Hers); caseycu@umich.edu
Casey is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education. She is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and received her Bachelor's from Virginia Tech in Biological Sciences. Her public health interests include health equity, adolescent health, and community-centered engagement. In her free time, Casey enjoys reading, attending Michigan sporting events, and creating playlists on Spotify. She is excited to serve as the HBHE Chair this academic year and looks forward to working alongside the greater SPH community.
Health Informatics Chair - Manaswi Patil (she/her) manaswip@umich.edu
Manaswi is a first-year Masters in Health Informatics student with a keen aspiration to become a Healthcare Consultant. Actively enrolled in the program, Manaswi is enthusiastic about contributing to the dynamic intersection of health and technology. Outside class, you'll find her enjoying books and playing sports like tennis and volleyball.
Health Management and Policy Chair - 
(she/her) helenlxu@umich.edu
Helen is a third-year dual MHSA/MPH student studying health behavior and health education & health management and policy. She is originally from Buffalo, NY and attended the University of Rochester for her undergraduate degree in Public Health. Prior to graduate school, Helen worked on the development and implementation of grants to battle the opioid epidemic in rural and urban communities across New York State. Her research interests include increasing access to health care for underserved communities and racial/ethnic minorities.
Nutritional Sciences Chair - Karly Miller; karlymil@umich.edu
I am currently a first-year Master's student in Nutritional Sciences. I graduated with a B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition and a minor in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My end goal is to become a Registered Dietitian in a food service or product development setting. I believe food is at the center of humanity and is something we can all bond over. I look forward to becoming a Registered Dietitian in the near future so I can talk about food all day!
Population and Health Sciences Chair - Bridget Moss (she/her/hers); blmoss@umich.edu
Bridget is a 2nd year online MPH student. She was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio and now lives in Charlottesville, VA with her family. She has a BSN from Case Western Reserve University and a MSN from University of Virginia, where she works as a nurse practitioner. She is interested in environmental health especially climate change, equity and justice issues, policy, and gun violence prevention. She is excited to be the population and health sciences PHSA chair to represent non-traditional students. Bridget enjoys music, riding her bike, and traveling.
Graduate DEI Co-Chair - Kieu Anh Phan (She, Her, Hers); kieuphan@umich.edu
Kieu Anh Phan is a Second-year Dual Degree student, pursuing a Master of Health Services Administration and a Master Public Health in Global Health Epidemiology. She was born and raised in Vietnam and educated in Singapore. Kieu completed her undergraduate degree in Global and Public Health Sciences at Cornell University. Some of her professional interests include global health, climate change, health management and nutrition. She aspires to foster a welcoming and inclusive community in SPH through supporting intentional initiatives grounded on communication, respect, growth and celebration. In her free time, Kieu loves to explore new places, new recipes and meet new people.
Undergraduate DEI Co-Chair - Shichi Dhar (She, Her, Hers); shichid@umich.edu
Shichi Dhar is a senior in the Undergraduate Public Health program, majoring in Public Health Sciences from Midland, MI. She is interested in risk reduction and health promotion in marginalized communities through authentic research and community-centered efforts. As the Undergraduate DEI Co-Chair, she aims to amplify the voices of minority students and support purposeful DEI initiatives through SPH to foster a comfortable and safe learning environment. Outside of class, Shichi loves to play tennis and watch thrillers!
Graduate Professional Development Co-Chair - Mimi Li (she/her) mimili@umich.edu
Mimi is a first-year MS student in the Biostatistics program. Mimi is from China, but lived in Canada in the past few years where she was studying at the University of Toronto. Mimi double majored in Mathematics and Human Biology in my undergraduate degree. Mimi likes sports, reading, and roller coasters!
Undergraduate Professional Development Co-Chair - Marlee Sacksner (She/Her); marleeis@umich.edu
Marlee Sacksner is a junior in the Undergraduate Public Health BA Program and is also pursuing a minor in Gender and Health. She is from Bloomfield Hills, MI. Marlee is interested in health equity, mental health advocacy and awareness, and reproductive justice. She hopes to work in the health administration field after graduation. In her free time, Marlee enjoys going to the movies with friends, baking and cooking, and spending time with her family and her dog. She is excited to serve as the Undergraduate Professional Development Co-Chair and support every student in their professional development goals through effective communication and programming.
Graduate Service Co-Chair - Jessica Sears (She/her); jsearsa@umich.edu
Jessica Sears is a 2nd year Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology student in the MPH program. She is originally from California where she enjoyed reading books on the beach, crocheting in the sun, and attempting to try every fish taco place in San Diego. With a bachelors degree and various leadership positions from UCSD, she hopes to bring her experience and perspectives to PHSA as the Graduate Service Co-Chair. Within SPH, she pursues research in chronic diseases and loves anything data analysis related.
Undergraduate Service Co-Chair - Chloe Scott (She/her) schloe@umich.edu
Chloe Scott is a senior majoring in Public Health Sciences in the undergraduate program. She is from Shelby Twp, MI. Chloe is pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant, aiming to work in Women's Health. By working as a PA, she hopes to improve healthcare coverage gaps and to address social determinants of health in rural areas. Chloe enjoys reading, listening to music, drinking coffee, and spending time with her animals, friends, and family. As Undergraduate Service Co-chair, she hopes to bring together the SPH community as well as unite with the greater Washtenaw County community to make a positive impact on others.
Graduate Social Co-Chair - Olivia Brooks (she/her) oabrooks@umich.edu
Olivia Brooks is a second-year MPH student in General Epidemiology and is excited to serve on this year’s PHSA senate! She is originally from the Clarendon Hills, IL and received her Bachelor’s degrees in Human Health Studies and Ballet Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma. Her current research and interests lie in molecular epidemiology, genetics, and infectious disease. As graduate social chair, she aims to provide opportunities to facilitate meaningful connection between all students in the School of Public Health. In her free time, Olivia enjoys local art and music, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
Undergraduate Social Co-Chair: Farah Chouaib (She, Her, Hers); fchouaib@umich.edu
Farah Chouaib is a senior in the undergraduate program studying Public Health Sciences. She was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan. Farah plans to pursue a career as a physician assistant. She joined PHSA in order to integrate an undergraduate perspective and help voice her cohort's needs. Farah is interested in community-based health initiatives and disease prevention. As Social Co-Chair, Farah hopes to provide the public health cohort with several different stress busters and educational-rich events. In her free time, Farah enjoys cooking, playing tennis, volunteering at community gardens, and spending time with her family.