Student Research & Engagement

We work closely with students to provide hands on research training on grants, works-in-progress, and through our student training activities.

The Health Equity Student Scholars Program hosts paired student-faculty teams. Students works with  faculty mentor on research and professional development. A HEI Student Research Showcase is held each May to feature students' oral or poster research to the health equity community. 

HEI Scholar

Faculty Preceptor

Project Title 

Emily Gordis, Public Health

Karen Boyce, Health Promotion & Wellness

Evaluation Of Food Security Screening and Referral Program for SFSU Students

Ruth Eskias, Public Health

Alyssa Kubota, Computer Engineering

Developing Accessible Technologies for Disabled Students in Rural Communities

Mathew Sy, Economics

Alexis Martinez, Sociology and Sexuality Studies

Spatial Analysis of Secondary Data on Racial Disparities in U.S. Jails

Vivian Ortiz, Public Health

Supriya Misra, Public Health

Changing The Narrative About “Psychosis” in Immigrant Communities

Joshua Schmidt, Economics

Sepideh Modrek, Economics

Using Academic Literature to Scrutinize Court Cases Against the FDA’s Approval of Medication Abortion

Evelyn Garcia, Public Health

David Rebanal, Public Health

Decolonizing Research Through Photovoice: Dissemination of Findings for A Healing in Nature Intervention Study for BIPOC Transitional-Aged Youth

Stacy Isidro, Public Health

Emma Sanchez, Public Health

Relationship Between Languages Spoken at Home and Nutrient Intake in Asian American Children

Sofia Medina, Public Health

Emma Sanchez, Public Health

Relationship Between Birthplace and Nutrient Intake in Asian American Children

Health Equity Student Scholars’ Present Research at the HEI Research Showcase

A group of eleven students holding certificates, with Laura Mamo, professor on the far left.

The 2024 Health Equity Student Scholars presented research posters at the Spring HEI Research Showcase. Research projects focused on diverse projects, including rural healthcare, nutritional intake, abortion information provision, examining sanctuary healthcare praxis, abolitionist care, and food insecurity. The Student Scholar program provides health equity and research training to SFSU MA-level students. The spring scholars’ program pairs selected students with Faculty preceptors from HEI’s cross-college community of scholars. By working with faculty from various disciplines, students gain skills in different research methodologies and perspectives, fostering a more holistic understanding of health equity issues.

Congratulations 2024 Student Scholars:

  • Gomez, Sinay, MPH(C), Sanchez-Vaznaugh, Emma. Sc.D, MPH., Barba, Nancy. MPH. Department of Public Health. “Association between US Length of Residence and Nutrient Intake among Hispanics, NH-African American, NH- Asians, and NH-White Adults.”
  • Lilia Sosa, MPH(c) & Dr. Alyssa Kubota, Ph.D, Department of Public Health & School of Engineering. “Exploring equitable healthcare for special needs students in rural Inyo County, California.”
  • Kelly Shee MS(c), Sepideh Modrek, PhD. Economics Department & Health Equity Institute. “Information on abortion services on Student Health Center websites for a national sample of four-year public universities.”
  • Kaylena Katz, MPH(c), Laura Mamo, PhD Department of Public Health& Health Equity Institute. “Examining sanctuary praxis in the context of essential health care under attack.”
  • Kody Jones MS, Sepideh Modrek PhD. University Economics Department, Health Equity Institute. “Trends in Kinlessness Across Generations.”
  • Lizzy Iconomopulos, BA, MA(c) & Dilara Yarbrough, PhD. “Abolitionist Care: A Case Study of St. James Infirmary.”
  • Angelou de Bedout, Zubaida Qamar PhD, Department of Economics, Family, Interiors, Nutrition, and Apparel (FINA). “Association of Food Insecurity and Utilization of Food Security Resources with Race, Awareness and Financial Aid among Urban, Diverse College Students.”

Student Scholars 2023 - 2024

HEI Student Scholar
A group of students and faculty pose for a group picture.