Student Research & Engagement

The Health Equity Institute works closely with students to provide hands on research training on grants, works-in-progress, and through our student training activities.

A core activity is the Health Equity Student Scholars Program. The annual spring program pairs students in a research experience with HEI faculty from our cross-college community of scholars. Each student works with a faculty mentor on a faculty's research and also attends the professional development seminar hosted by the Health Equity Institute to advance student research.  HEI holds a HEI Research Showcase each May to feature students' oral or poster research to the health equity community. 

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.

Lillia Sosa, Public Health

Kaylena Katz, Public Health

Kelly Shea, Economics

Kody Jones, Economics

Angelou de Bedout, Economics

Sinaí Gomez, Public Health

Lizzy Iconomopulos, Women and Gender Studies