HPA 22-23

Ami Dave is a part of the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program pursuing her undergraduate degree in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health studies as well as her Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization. She is fascinated in combining her interest of medicine and public policy to advocate for impactful change in Birmingham and around the world. 

Hi! My name is Aahil Rajpari, and I am a senior studying Political Science and Public Administration from Hoover, Alabama. I am interested in exploring health policy and advocacy, understanding how nonprofits and organizations work with government officials to create effective, lasting change for the Greater Birmingham community. I am excited to learn about how to become a better advocate for my community through working with these organizations!

Erik is a dual-degree MBA/MPH candidate who is passionate about studying the intersection of public health, technology, and business. He has over 5 years of experience professionally in healthcare technology and enjoys the opportunity to work on solving problems that help improve health outcomes. At UAB he has competed in the Global Health Case Competition and is excited to make an impact as a health policy ambassador.

Kristie Muya is a senior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in sociology and is on track to complete the MSMBS program in the spring. Kristie is in the GCL Honors program, a student leader in the Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs, and is passionate about addressing community needs through direct service. As a Health Policy Ambassador, she hopes to learn how to utilize her passions and academic background to promote health equity through policy.

Enrolled in the Health Behavior PhD program in the Ryals School of Public Health, Jamia Haynes is a 2nd year doctoral student, epidemiologist, and health management and policy professional. Jamia’s love for health policy is uprooted from her life experiences, community, and family. She is a native of West End, Anniston, AL, the city known for the Monsanto Company’s PCBs dumping grounds, Ft. McClellan, and Anniston Army Depot. Although PCBs were banned in the US in 1979 due to extreme toxicity and non-biodegradable materials, Jamia’s family had already suffered the consequences that increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and a plethora of other chronic illnesses. Jamia is passionate about all things public health and believes everyone— regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and educational background— should have access to healthy and sustainable living environments. Her long-term goal is to establish the Haynes Foundation, a non-profit healthcare clinic whose mission will be to serve marginalized communities to improve overall community health and healthy living with a vision to work towards access to comprehensive healthcare for the clients served.

Ritika Samant is a senior at UAB majoring in Neuroscience and Fast Tracking an MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior. She is passionate about both health intervention research, especially with regards to health disparities, and how that can inform health policy. In the future, she hopes to bridge public health and medicine by not only treating the patients in front of her but also the upstream factors that play into community health.

Mikayla Rigsby is a 3rd year in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program pursuing her Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization as well as her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience. Her passion for public health comes from her desire to address social determinants of health, improve minority health, and target health problems at their origin through policy work. She is excited to support community partners in their goals and learn more about policy implementation.

Hello! My name is Anantha, and I am a senior studying Neuroscience and Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Organization. My public health passions include environmental health as well as maternal and child health. As a health policy ambassador, I am excited to connect my experiences with healthcare communications, applied sciences, and community outreach to support an organization that improves health outcomes.

I am a sophomore Immunology major planning to pursue a Master of Public Health. I am passionate about the intersections of health equity, social justice, and government action.