HPM PhD Students

Kim’s research investigates the risk and protective factors shaping suicidality among LGBTQ+ veterans, intending to inform targeted prevention strategies.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2022
Research Interests: Mental health; suicide; prevention; LGBTQ+; veterans.

Glendedora uses research to advance policies that prevent injury disparities and promote equity within transportation systems.

Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2022
Research Interests: Transportation safety; injury disparities; transportation equity.

Jirka researches policies and interventions at the intersection of public health and public safety to improve health, well-being, and other outcomes for various populations, including vulnerable individuals.

Pronouns: he/him/his
Year Started in HPM: 2022
Research Interests: Public health and public safety; drug policy; criminal legal system; substance use; opioids; policy evaluation; program evaluation.

Rebekah studies the public health impacts of gun violence and family separation, centering equity in understanding how grief, trauma, and systemic violence affect diverse families and communities. Her work seeks to inform policies and interventions that reduce harm and promote resilience.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2025
Research Interests: Gun violence; family separation; grief and resilience; health equity; trauma recovery; diverse family structures; public health policy.

Lauren researches the relationship between hospital community investment and community-level health outcomes with an emphasis on social drivers of health.  

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2021
Research Interests: Health equity; hospital pricing; community benefits; health care disparities; quality of care; neighborhoods and the built environment; implementation science.

Maria's research focuses on mental health—one of her current projects is examining the association between the legalization of medical cannabis and related mental health outcomes.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2021
Research Interests: Mental health; prevention; mental health services.

Valerie focuses on research around expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder and comprehensive programs, particularly in the pregnant and parenting population.

Pronouns: She/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2022
Research Interests: Substance use; access to care; medication for opioid use disorder; disparities; pregnant and parenting individuals.

Yiqing uses economic methods to study the impact of paying family caregivers on older adults and the caregiving workforce.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2022
Research Interests: Health economics; long-term care; caregiving; home and community-based services.

Joy’s research examines how occupational licensing regulation affects labor market outcomes and patient well-being. She also works to evaluate and implement interventions designed to improve the health of women and children in low-income contexts.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2025
Research Interests: occupational licensing regulations, women's health, children's health

Emily’s research focuses on advancing and strengthening the ethical commitments made to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities in health care, research, and policy.

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year Started in HPM: 2025
Research Interests: Indigenous health, Indigenous data sovereignty, public health ethics, health equity