Jennifer Riekes is a dedicated public health professional and urban planning student pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health Policy and Urban Planning at the University of California, Irvine. Her commitment to equity in healthcare policy and community-focused research shapes her academic and professional journey. Jennifer has gained significant legislative experience as a Legislative Assistant with the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association and as a Legislative Intern for Senator Dianne Feinstein. These roles involved advocating for critical healthcare legislation, such as the Healthy Cardiac Monitoring Act and the NIH IMPROVE ACT, and fostering collaboration among legislators, stakeholders, and community members. Her research endeavors include investigating HPV vaccine hesitancy with Dr. Suellen Hopfer and analyzing urban transportation data to inform city planning initiatives. These projects have honed her skills in qualitative and quantitative research and policy analysis. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Jennifer is passionate about spending time outdoors, exploring new hiking trails, and volunteering in community initiatives. She is driven by a vision to bridge gaps in healthcare access and urban planning, ensuring that underrepresented communities are equitably served.
Category: Public Health Team
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Vaidehi More, Ohio State University
Vaidehi More is an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University pursuing a dual degree in Public Policy and Biology on the pre-med track. She is particularly interested in research focused on healthcare access, with an emphasis on free clinics and the challenges they face in providing care to underserved populations. Her interest in this area began through her volunteer work at various free clinics, where she witnessed firsthand the difficulties these clinics encounter in securing adequate resources and funding. This experience inspired her to explore ways to improve the sustainability and efficiency of free healthcare services. Vaidehi’s academic background combines her passion for healthcare with a strong foundation in policy analysis and scientific research. She aims to bridge the gap between healthcare policy and clinical practice, working toward innovative solutions that enhance access to care for vulnerable communities. Outside of her academic pursuits, Vaidehi enjoys learning to play new instruments, currently proficient in the violin and piano. She also enjoys exploring different coffee shops and is trying to visit at least one in each state of the nation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaidehimore
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Hope Minor, University of Iowa
Hope is a fourth-year student at the University of Iowa pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, French and Chemistry Minors, and a Sustainability Certificate. During her time as a student at the University of Iowa, Hope has undertaken multiple volunteer projects related to local food systems, specifically with a food pantry in Coralville, Iowa, and through a service position with AmeriCorps in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hope has also worked on improving sexual misconduct policies at the University of Iowa through her position as the co-chair of the Student Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct (SACSM). She and her fellow committee members review and revise campus sexual misconduct policies and inform their fellow students of available resources if they have experienced harm. The university’s faculty Anti-Violence Coalition (AVC) tasked SACSM with giving a student voice to harm reduction on campus by improving sexual misconduct policies. Hope’s interest in improving public health policy grew from these experiences. They inspired her to pursue a future career in public health policy.
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Mahabuba Masud, Barnard College
Mahabuba Masud is an undergraduate student at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is studying Urban Studies with a concentration in Public Health. She is passionate about developing equitable healthcare policies to serve vulnerable communities. On campus, she is an admissions representative and a peer mentor to incoming first-generation and low-income college students. She is also the recipient of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. She has previously worked for the Office of Senator Gillibrand on various health policy projects and provided constituent services to the people of New York. At ACE, she hopes to use her public health research skills to educate young voters about vital healthcare legislation and news. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in public service at the intersection of public health and advocacy. Outside of work, Mahabuba enjoys spending time with her family and friends and exploring museums in New York City.
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Taylor DeLac, George Washington University
Taylor is a Public Health Master’s student at George Washington University, specializing in Health Policy at the Milken Institute School of Public Health. She holds both a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (B.S.P.H.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she graduated in 2024. Having grown up in Western North Carolina, she witnessed the impacts of low health literacy and is now a dedicated advocate for more effective communication between U.S. policymakers and the general public. Taylor’s professional background is rooted in non-profit work, including assisting with the development of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) pilot program for the American Red Cross. In addition to her work with ACE, she is involved in tobacco regulation research and passionate about the de-stigmatization of substance use disorders.
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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.