With a new school year comes a new cohort of Women’s Health Research at Yale Undergraduate Fellows. This year, seven ambitious undergraduates join us to explore women’s health and the influence of sex and gender on health through scientific research with mentors in a variety of fields. Our 2024-25 Fellows include:
Zaharaa Altwaij | Yale College 2025
Major: History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health (Gender, Reproduction, and Body Track)
Mentor: Lisa Freed, MD, FACC
Project Topic: Women’s Heart and Vascular Program
“Through the WHRY fellowship, I hope to examine novel and diverse approaches to women’s health. As a future healthcare provider, I am excited to embark on this journey with support from my mentors and a like-minded community focused on such relevant and pressing issues.
Kira Berman | Yale College 2025
Major: English (Premedical Track)
Mentor: Sara Luciano
Project Topic: WHRY Student Blog, “Why Didn’t I Know This?”
“As an aspiring physician majoring in English, I am eager to combine my medical and literary interests to advocate for women's health. I’m grateful for this mentorship and to be a part of this committed community.”
Aeka Guru | Yale College 2025
Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Global Health Studies Certificate
Mentor: Kelsey Martin, MD
Project Topic: Medical School Curriculum
“I will continue to research the integration of sex and gender differences into the medical school curriculum so that future physicians can diagnose and treat both women and men better. I am grateful to be a part of the WHRY community and receive mentorship from physicians who are passionate about advancing women's health.”
Chernice Mbogori | Yale College 2025
Major: Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Political Science
Mentor: Marc Potenza, PhD, MD
Project Topic: Understanding Immigrant Women with Addictive Concerns Through Their Lived Experiences
“Being a WHRY Fellow presents an opportunity to research and design culturally sensitive studies investigating women's health and the intersection of varying identities amongst women. The chance to collaborate with a team of experts to develop my research skills in this area is something I am greatly looking forward to.”
Alexis Ramirez-Hardy | Yale College 2026
Major: Humanities
Mentor: Manuel Paris, PsyD
Project Topic: Abriendo Caminos: Engaging Latinx Communities Through Culturally Responsive Peer Delivered Motivational Interviewing
“As an aspiring physician passionate about addressing the unique needs of communities of color, I am incredibly excited to immerse myself in public health work and developing low-cost, culturally informed health interventions with WHRY!”
Andrea Rix | Class of 2026
Major: Molecular Biophysics and Chemistry
Mentor: Samit Shah, MD, PhD, FACC, FSCAI
Project Topic: Improving the Diagnosis of Heart Disease in Women
“As an aspiring research scientist, I aim to expand the narrow body of research surrounding conditions that predominantly affect women. Through this fellowship, I am excited to gain the tools and experience to advance my goal of combating the stigmatization and neglect of women’s health.”
Kayla Yup | Class of 2025
Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health (Science Journalism)
Mentor: Caroline Johnson, PhD
Project Topic: PFAS Exposure and Sex-Differences in Colorectal Cancer Metastasis
“I'm excited to learn from scientists at the forefront of disrupting the male-centric lens on research. I look forward to investigating sex differences related to PFAS – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances – and cancer!”