Connect With Students

Aiden Chal is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences who received his Bachelors degree in Public Health Policy and Environmental Science and Policy from the University of California, Irvine in 2024. During his undergraduate journey, he partook in a diverse set of roles within the scopes of public health, sustainability, transportation, and research. His most pivotal role was his internship at the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Office of Transportation and Air Quality in Washington DC where he worked on website analytics and proposals for electric vehicle promotion programs. This would eventually lead to his decision in pursuing his MPH where he could further his education and hopefully return to the EPA and continue his passion for promoting environmental health. Aiden did his APEX Internship at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, focusing on environment, health, and safety compliance.  

Aiden is our Ambassador Program Coordinator for the 2025-26 academic year. If you'd like to get in touch with Aiden about ambassador collaboration, please reach out to him at fsphambassadors@gmail.com.

Kate Higashi is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Health Policy and Management. She earned her B.S. in Public Health from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2024, where she served as a research assistant for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Lab and presented an abstract at the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Inspired by the conference’s powerful female speakers, she developed a passion for advocating for women’s health rights. For her senior project, she served as the Public Outreach Chair at Martha’s Place Children’s Center, raising awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders among pregnant mothers in San Luis Obispo County—an initiative that earned recognition from the county’s Board of Supervisors. After four years on the Central Coast, Kate returned home to Los Angeles to pursue her MPH at her dream school, UCLA. She feels fortunate to work alongside dedicated professors and passionate peers, all committed to making healthcare a fundamental human right. Most importantly, the Fielding School of Public Health fosters a dynamic learning environment where she experiences the power of education every day.

Alberto is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. A proud Double Bruin, he earned his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Public Health from UCLA. Growing up in South Los Angeles inspired his passion for advancing health equity through research and community-based interventions. His previous work includes conducting HIV/STI structural intervention research with Team Klausner Saving Lives, serving as a Patient Navigator at Charles R. Drew University’s Center for AIDS Research and Education Services, and interning at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Office of Women’s Health. Alberto is passionate about using epidemiologic methods and health data to design culturally responsive interventions that improve access to care and health outcomes in marginalized communities. He looks forward to connecting with prospective students about the vibrant, mission-driven community at FSPH!

Razan Hammoudeh is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She is passionate about advancing equitable, culturally sensitive healthcare for marginalized communities. Her commitment to this work stems from firsthand experiences addressing vaccine equity gaps for Muslim communities during COVID-19, leading policy advocacy at UC Davis Bayanihan Clinic for underserved Filipino Veterans and the greater Sacramento community, and supporting tobacco control initiatives in Napa County.

At UCLA, she serves as President of the Public Health Student Association, Vice President of Professional Development for the Health Policy and Management Student Association, and a Graduate Student Researcher for the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center. These roles have reinforced her commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaged community within FSPH. She is excited to serve as an ambassador, continuing to connect students, faculty, and alumni in ways that strengthen the school’s impact and create lasting opportunities for collaboration.

Nena Ojukwu is a first-year Master of Data Science in Health (MDSH) student in the Department of Biostatistics. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Informatics, with a specialization in Health Informatics, from the University of California, Irvine, where she developed a passion for using data to address public health challenges. That passion grew during her NIH-funded internship with Wu Environmental Labs, where she analyzed two decades of temperature data to support climate-resilient public health planning. The experience inspired her to pursue her current program and deepen her skills in data science for health. Outside of academics, Nena has served in leadership roles that foster community and inclusion. She also enjoys working out, exploring new restaurants, spending time outdoors on hikes, reading, and hanging out with friends and family. Nena looks forward to connecting with fellow students and contributing to a supportive and collaborative community at Fielding.

Phoebe Kim recently graduated as a part of UCLA FSPH's inaugural undergraduate cohort in Public Health, and served as one of the first student ambassadors for the undergraduate major. She now continues her involvement as a first-year graduate ambassador while pursuing her MPH in the Department of Community Health Sciences. Her research experience includes working with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) as well as Latinx communities specifically in North County San Diego. Phoebe is particularly passionate about maternal and child health initiatives within refugee and immigrant communities, as well as addressing the health disparities that contribute to maternal mortality rates in the U.S. She is greatly looking forward to new and exciting ways to engage with the community at Fielding this year!

Anjali Kalidindi is a fourth-year Public Health (B.S.) major with a strong passion for environmental health sciences and their impact on human health. Committed to serving underserved communities, she serves as the Central Administrative Officer of the Fellowship for International Service and Health, coordinating biweekly trips to Maclovio Rojas, Mexico, to provide blood pressure and blood glucose screenings. Her interests center on preventative care and the ways environmental factors shape health outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations. Anjali is dedicated to fostering an inclusive space for all students to explore public health, engage in meaningful service, and contribute to a broader community dedicated to health equity.

Brody O'Malley is a third-year Public Health BS Major and is excited to contribute to the Fielding community as a part of the third undergraduate cohort at the school of public health. He has a strong interest in life sciences, particularly where they intersect with population health. As a San Diego native and UCLA student, he loves sunny weather, being outside, and exploring new places.

Miah Chao is a third-year Public Health (B.S) major and is thrilled to join the FSPH Ambassador team! She has been a passionate tobacco control advocate for six years, advocating for legislative change on the city, county, and state levels. Her research explores the intersection of substance use, HIV, policy, and health equity, particularly among youth and underserved communities. At UCLA, Miah leads student-driven public health initiatives as Co-President of Bruins Public Health, broadens access to preventative care through the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative, and coordinates undergraduate research involvement through the CTSI Research Associates Program. As an ambassador, she is passionate about fostering a sense of community and helping students find their unique path in public health.