Ben McConniel is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a degree in Communication and Leadership with a minor in Sports Media. With a keen interest in public relations, Ben is passionate about using strategic communication to drive positive change within an organization. He hopes to utilize this experience to pursue a career in marketing, particularly in the nonprofit industry. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ben enjoys cooking all kinds of recipes, lifting weights, and watch football with friends! LinkedIn.
Category: User Research Team
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Juliana Carreiro-Oliver, University of Chicago
Juliana is a third-year student at the University of Chicago studying Public Policy and History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine (HIPS). Through conversations with her mother, a registered nurse, she found her passion in health policy focused on improving healthcare systems to be more equitable and accessible, especially in minority-populated areas. With this passion, she is focused on improving maternal health, creating more community-based interventions, and improving equity and accessibility in hospital care and treatment for minorities. Juliana has previously worked in city government, aiming to develop more progressive legislation for the greater Chicago area, and worked on Capitol Hill, helping many Democratic members of Congress with their campaign efforts. She is super excited to be a Student Fellow with ACE to help voters learn about Public Health policy that affects the day-to-day lives of people everywhere. Outside of work and academics, Juliana loves the NYT crossword, listening to music, and trying new restaurants around Chicago.
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Olivia Scott,University of Pennsylvania
Olivia Scott is a pre-medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in neuroscience. Her focus is on the convergence of medicine and technology to enhance healthcare delivery, and policies governing technology implementation in healthcare systems. These interests were ignited during her experience as a Cadet in Emergency Medical Services. In EMS, she directly observed the transformative impact of technology on medical outcomes. She joined ACE to explore technology policy and related research while contributing to the mission of promoting informed, democratic engagement.
Olivia is eager to delve into this field of research and prepare herself to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare field. She has prior experience in research through her completion of the AP Capstone Program which involves writing research-based essays and conducting a year-long research-based investigation. Beyond academics, Olivia enjoys playing sports, spending time with friends, traveling, and being outdoors. LinkedIn
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Enson Pan, Northwestern University
Enson Pan is a sophomore at Northwestern University studying Social Policy and Economics. Starting out in Public Forum debate, Enson was exposed to various theoretical resolutions— from proposing laissez-faire market-rate housing to universal price ceilings on pharmaceutical drugs—igniting his interest in political science. Now an undergraduate, Enson leverages his speech and debate background in the collegiate Model UN circuit, translating the once hypothetical into the practical. Through drafting mock legislation on climate change, international relations, and most closely to him, public health, Enson continues to engage in the most pressing issues of the 21st century while highlighting the possibilities that impact-based solutions have to offer. At ACE, Enson hopes to use his research as an agent of unification, reminding young voters about the importance of access, well-being, and quality of life through healthcare. Outside of work, Enson enjoys running and playing beach volleyball along the shores of Lake Michigan. Linkedin
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Laiba Mehmood, Rutgers University
Laiba Mehmood (she/her) is a sophomore at Rutgers University, where she is part of the Honors College and pursuing a major in political science. She actively contributes to the university community as a member of the Muslim Student Association and serves as a peer mentor, fostering unity and building bonds within the student body.
With a passion for environmental advocacy, Laiba has gained experience as an Environmental Legislative Advocate for a research project in Camden, NJ. In this role, she conducted in-depth research on environmental legislation, engaged with diverse community members, including residents, factory workers, and city council members, to understand their perspectives on Camden’s environmental issues. This experience sparked her interest in policy and governance, as it allowed her to connect with people across different sectors while deepening her understanding of the complex dynamics of urban environmental challenges.
As a Student Fellow, Laiba is eager to further develop her research skills and explore her personal interests in the world of political science, policy-making, and government. Linkedin
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Akansha Bojjam, UT Austin
Akansha Bojjam is a public health major at UT Austin with a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. As a certified emergency medical technician, Akansha is part of Longhorn EMS, and she is also involved in student government as part of the Natural Sciences Council, where she serves on the Community Involvement committee. Akansha also works in the DIY Diagnostics Lab to develop an accessible and low cost test for oral HPV. As an aspiring physician, Akansha values interdisciplinary interests, and is encouraged to explore various fields of study as part of the Polymathic Scholars Honors program. She is highly interested in public policy, and plans to design an interdisciplinary field of study centered on geography, public policy, and healthcare. As a Democratic Governance student fellow, Akansha is passionate about evidence-based policy making, and hopes to study the effect of public policy on the development of cities and their populations. LinkedIn
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Michael Akoto, Rutgers University
Michael is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Rutgers University, with an expected graduation in May 2026. His academic background includes a comprehensive range of courses, such as data structures, algorithms, discrete structures, statistics for research, and linear algebra. This has fostered a strong foundation in computational thinking and problem-solving, which aligns with his growing interest in cybersecurity and data analysis. Professionally, Michael has gained valuable experience as a Customer Service Representative at Burlington, where he honed his communication and organizational skills. He also volunteered at the University of Allied Health Sciences in his home country Ghana, contributing to meaningful research in the student community. Michaels research interests lie at the intersection of cybersecurity, data protection, and information technology. He is particularly drawn to the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and how they intersect with national security. This focus drives his desire to develop robust systems that safeguard sensitive information and critical infrastructures. He is also interested by the ethical and societal implications of data security, particularly in governmental roles where the protection of public and national data is important. Beyond academics, Michael enjoys making beats and exploring creative avenues in music production.
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Licheng Zhao, University of Rochester
My name is Licheng Zhao. Feel free to call me Lucas. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at the University of Rochester, Simon Business School, with an expected graduation in December 2024. My professional interests lie in data analytics, SEO, and business intelligence, and I have strong proficiency in tools like SQL, Python, Tableau, and Google Analytics. I also have experience in digital marketing, including boosting organic traffic and conducting A/B testing. Outside of work, I’m passionate about fitness, particularly muscle building and shaping. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn
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Zachary Pozolo, Wayne State University
My name is Zachary Pozolo. I am a senior at Wayne State University majoring in marketing and minoring in psychology. Outside of academics, I love to go hiking, camping, fishing, and do anything involving the outdoors.
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Vianna Rodgers, University of Texas-Austin
Vianna Rodgers is a Government major from the University of Texas at Austin, and is also double minoring in Business & Law, Justice, and Society. Her interest in policy and government grew into a passion for Constitutional and Criminal Law, which she will use to protect the rights of the people in her community. In addition to her studies, she was the Chair of the General Assembly Plenary Committee for Central Texas Model United Nations, and will serve as a Crisis Director in the upcoming semester. She also had the privilege of acting as the Michigan delegate at Arizona State University School of Law’s inaugural Model Constitutional Convention. Outside of school, Vianna enjoys baking cinnamon rolls and playing a good game of Dungeons and Dragons.