Connect With Students

Phoebe Kim 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 second-year graduate ambassador while pursuing her MPH in the Department of Community Health Sciences. Her experience includes Community-based Participatory Research initiatives with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) as well as Latinx communities around the world, violence prevention efforts through a partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and hospital administration at Olive View Medical Center. 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. Phoebe completed her APEx internship at Kaiser Permanente South Bay within their Consulting Services department, partnering with clinical, operational, and administrative leaders in SGPMG to execute strategic initiatives that improve organizational performance. She is greatly looking forward to new and exciting ways to engage with the community at Fielding this year! 

Phoebe is our Ambassador Program Coordinator for the 2026-27 academic year. If you'd like to get in touch with Phoebe about ambassador collaboration, please reach out to her at fsphambassadors@gmail.com.

Allison Liang is a first-year MPH student in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. She received her Bachelor's degree in Design with a minor in Entomology from the University of California, Davis in 2020. She started her public health journey as an intern with Dr. Eugene Tseng, where she applied her design expertise to develop technical illustrations and animations used as evidence in environmental enforcement cases. Her interest in insects and curiosity for public health later led her to work for The County of San Diego’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, where she worked in the detection and control of agricultural pests. She then joined into the Department of Environmental Health and Quality as a laboratory technician for the Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT). Through FSPH, she hopes to build a stronger technical foundation in public health. Outside of UCLA, Allison enjoys exploring LA’s dance and art communities, hosting events, and looking for bugs.

Makena Umnas is a first-year MPH student in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She earned B.A.s in Public Health and Psychology, with a minor in Public Policy, from UC Berkeley in 2024. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant at the School of Public Health and as a Director’s Office Intern at the California Department of Public Health, where she developed a passion for advancing health equity through policy change. After graduating, Makena served as a Program Coordinator for Richmond Area Multi-Services’ Asian and Pacific Islander Mental Health Collaborative, a network of six grassroots organizations providing free mental health services to Asian and Pacific Islander communities across the San Francisco Bay Area. She is excited to pursue an MPH at UCLA as well as serve as an ambassador and connect with the Fielding School community!

Nena Ojukwu is a second-year Master of Data Science in Health (MDSH) student in the Department of Biostatistics at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She is passionate about using data science to answer meaningful clinical questions, improve the way patients receive care, and support clinicians. Her interest in this work began during her NIH-funded research at the Wu Environmental Health Lab at UC Irvine, where she analyzed two decades of environmental temperature data to better understand their impact on public health. At UCLA, Nena is a Graduate Student Researcher in the Medical Imaging Lab, where she develops machine learning and deep learning models using electronic health record data to support clinical decision-making. She also serves as Co-President of the Public Health Student Association and Co-President of the Biostatistics Student Association, where she enjoys bringing people together, cultivating a supportive community, and creating opportunities that help students succeed both personally and professionally. Outside of academics, Nena enjoys strength training, traveling, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to continuing to support current and prospective students while contributing to the supportive and collaborative community at Fielding.

Ravinder Rai is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Community Health Sciences. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2024, with degrees in Sociology and Asian American Studies, and a minor in Poverty, Inequality, and Social Justice. The field of public health drew her in because it highlighted collective health and protection for all communities. She is specifically interested in immigrant/refugee health, the effects of assimilation and racism, juvenile justice, health literacy, and education. For her APEx, Ravinder worked with UCLA Health CalAIM as a Research Interviewer for a study examining patient experiences in recuperative care settings across California. Through this opportunity, she learned firsthand the importance of elevating patient voices and generating insights that inform programs, policy, and care delivery for some of our most vulnerable populations. She also serves as Co-President of the Community Health Sciences Student Association, striving to cultivate connection and support through events, elevate student voices, and help students evolve personally/professionally through diverse opportunities. As a first-generation student from the Central Valley, Ravinder is committed to promoting spaces of belonging (while simultaneously warding off the infamous imposter syndrome) and bolstering lived experiences. In her free time, Ravinder enjoys running, hiking, going to concerts, exploring different restaurants/cafes in LA (she highly recommends Sidóh Cafe!), and spending quality time with loved ones.

Sukrity Ojha is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Epidemiology. She earned her B.S. in Public Health Studies from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, with a minor in Business Administration. While completing her undergraduate degree, Sukrity worked at the Multnomah County Health Department, where she supported public health improvement initiatives through data analysis, qualitative research, program evaluation, and an assessment of immunization access among underserved communities. For her APEx placement, she joined UCLA’s Biobehavioral Assessment and Research Center, where she contributes to mixed-methods research on medicinal cannabis use and supports participant retention for the EpiLove Study, a longitudinal digital cohort examining HIV care engagement and viral suppression. Originally from Nepal, Sukrity’s experience as an international student has shaped her commitment to creating welcoming and supportive spaces for students from diverse backgrounds. She looks forward to connecting students with resources, building a strong sense of community at Fielding, and helping others make the most of their UCLA experience.

Brody O'Malley is a fourth-year Public Health BS Major and is excited to continue contributing 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.

Courtney Ralph is a fourth-year Public Health (B.A.) major at UCLA. She began her academic journey at MiraCosta Community College, where she earned associate degrees in Psychology and Liberal Arts: Mathematics and Science. She is pursuing a B.A. in Public Health to bridge her interests in psychology, medicine, and population health, with a particular interest in addressing health disparities and improving mental health outcomes. As a transfer student, Courtney is passionate about making the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health community welcoming and accessible for students from diverse educational backgrounds. She is excited to serve as a Fielding Ambassador, connect with prospective and current students, and share her experiences as a member of its third undergraduate cohort. As a San Diego native, Courtney loves spending time at the beach, getting lost in a good book series, staying active, and making memories with friends. Her ultimate goal is to help fellow Fielding students feel connected and develop a sense of belonging during their time at UCLA.

Emily Fujiwara is a third-year Business Economics major and Public Health Minor at UCLA. She is passionate about the intersection of business, healthcare, and public health, with a particular interest in improving access to quality care through innovation and strategic problem-solving. Throughout her time at UCLA, Emily has been involved in student organizations, consulting clubs, and internships that have strengthened her interest in addressing real-world challenges through collaboration and data-driven decision-making. As a Fielding School of Public Health Ambassador, she is excited to connect with prospective students, share her experiences, and help others discover the opportunities and supportive community that UCLA Public Health has to offer.