Team

Arthi Ramakrishnan, MS, (she/her) is the Research Operations Manager for onWHARD. Arthi received her undergraduate degrees in Microbiology and Nutrition and Dietetics. She received her Masters in Clinical Research Administration and is also a Certified Clinical Research Professional. Prior to joining onWHARD, Arthi was a Project Manager for Cancer Quality Improvement Consortium and also has worked as Site Manager, coordinating multi-site, multi-institutional studies for Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) Network. Arthi enjoys listening to music, reading, gardening, hiking, and camping with her family. She likes to travel and loves road trips. Arthi also enjoys cooking and just hanging out watching movies. However, most of her time is devoted to her two boys and their activities.

Beatriz Aguilar, BS, (she/her) is a Research Laboratory Technician on the onWHARD team. She received a degree in Microbiology from the University of California (UC), Davis. Prior to joining the onWHARD team, she worked in a research laboratory in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research lab focus was looking into the impact of terrestrial parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii in the environment. Outside of work, Beatriz enjoys spending time with her family: her husband, Jose and their dog, Arya.

Gina Aliste, AAS, (she/her) is a Clinical Subjects Coordinator on onWHARD's ELLAS team. She hold an Associate's of Applied Science degree and is passionate women's health research, especially Latina health. Outside of work, Gina enjoys spending time with her family and travelling to new places.

Maggie Bailey (she/her) is a Research Assistant on onWHARD's ELLAS team. She is earning a degree in Biochemistry as well as French and Francophone studies from the University of Michigan. Outside of work, Maggie enjoys reading, travelling and learning languages.

Audrey Barick, MPH, (she/her) is a Clinical Research Coordinator on onWHARD's ELLAS team. She earned a Master of Public Health at the University on Michigan from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education with a specialization in Gender, Sexuality, and Population Health. Audrey's research interests include reproductive rights and reproductive justice, as well as national health policy. Prior to joining the onWHARD team, Audrey worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator on studies focusing on chronic disease. She previously served for one year in AmeriCorps as a Spanish-language interpreter for patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Heather Cameron, MPH, (she/her) is a Clinical Research Project Manager for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) Biorepositories, including Dr. Marsh's Reproductive Subject Registry and Sample Repository (RSRSR). She received her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan in 2011. In the past, she has worked in several research areas including maternal-child health, behavioral research, and pancreatic cancer. She is grateful that her career trajectory has turned back towards women's and reproductive health, and really enjoys working in the Department of OBGYN. In her free time, Heather enjoys cooking and eating (mostly eating), long walks with her husband and sometimes exercising.

Rocio Contreras, BS, (she/her) joined the onWHARD team as a Research Assistant for the ELLAS study in July 2019 after graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Latin American Studies from Wayne State University. During this time, she interned with American Heart Association, working alongside with the Multicultural Initiatives Director to incorporate health programs in elementary schools in Detroit. Rocio also worked as a research assistant for the Early Relationships Lab at Merrill Palmer Institute, which focused on the role of caregivers as a protective factor for children’s social and emotional development in at-risk settings. Rocio is passionate about working to raise mental awareness and physical well-being in underserved communities.

Weena Ekechukwu, BSc, (she/her) is a Clinical Subjects Associate on the onWHARD team. They received a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of British Columbia. Weena's research interests include personalized cancer treatment and medicine for enhancing fertility. Prior to joining the onWHARD team, they graduated and spent the summer working with autistic kids. Outside of work, Weena enjoys dancing, gaming, and socializing.

Charley Jiang, MS, (he/him) is a Statistician Senior for the onWHARD team at the University of Michigan, leading NEDS research projects. He is an experienced research veteran. His work involves managing large national data, research designs, conducting advanced statistical analyses, explaining complex data issues to clients with varying backgrounds, and matching the needs of research projects with the best current and developing statistical methods and practices. Charley earned his Master’s degree in Joint Program of Survey Methodology, University of Michigan and University of Maryland with focus on Statistics. He moved to the onWHARD team in 2019. Outside of work, he enjoys watching football games, reading, and adventure travels.

Jessie Kue, BS, (she/her) is a rising fourth-year medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine who is currently on her year-off to pursue a Master of Clinical Research, co-sponsored by MICHR and the SPH department of epidemiology. Prior to medical school, she obtained a BS in biological chemistry from Evangel University. She plans to apply into an OBGYN residency next year, and her long-term goal is to merge her interests in clinical research (particularly as it relates to health disparities) and clinical practice. She is excited to be developing the skills to become a physician-scientist this year. Her hobbies include salsa dancing, cooking new recipes, and watching Netflix movies with a bowl of kettle corn popcorn in hand.

Sabriyah Mir (she/her) is a Research Assistant on onWHARD's RSRSR team. They are a junior undergraduate from University of Michigan. Sabriyah's research interest include neuroscience, psychology, and public health. Prior to joining the onWHARD team they worked with the DRPP team in the School of Education. Outside of work, Sabriyah enjoys dancing, reading, drawing, and trying new food with friends.

Maya Millette (she/her) is in her sophomore year at the University of Michigan's School of Literature, Science, and the Arts. She has been a part of the onWHARD research team for over a year and has worked on many of the projects going on such as ELLAS, RSRSR, and Omics. Before joining onWHARD, Maya did research in the Conrad Jobst Vascular Research Laboratory studying the effects of e-cigarettes on abdominal aortic aneurysms. At U of M, she is hoping to major in Public Health Sciences as a pre-med undergrad as well as continue her research journey with onWHARD. Outside of research, Maya just spent the summer abroad in China going through an intensive language course at Nanjing University- she is hoping to use her new Mandarin skills in the workplace sometime in the future.

Nabila Naeb, MD, MA, ARDMS, (she/her) is a licensed Sonographer who has been utilizing her skill set for over 15 years. She has a Medical Degree from Germany which permits her to work in this specified field. Although heavily equipped in all forms of research, Nabila specifically involves herself with women's research. Before committing to the onWHARD team, she had been branching out between different hospitals and assisting them in tasks that are relevant to her field. In addition to working in the medical field, Nabila is a top tier peace activist for her native homeland and adores traveling around the world to help diversify her portfolio.

Jasmine Nevarez, MSPH, (she/her) is a Student Assistant on onWHARD's ELLAS team. She received her BA in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Masters in Science of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is currently a medical student at the University of Michigan. Jasmine's research interests include health education interventions, women's health, and improving patient-centered care. Prior to joining the onWHARD team, she worked as a coordinator for the California Prenatal Screening Program. Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys baking, reading Japanese comics, and playing with her cute cat.

Jayne Reynolds, BA, (she/her) is a Clinical Subjects Coordinator working on the RSRSR, SOAR, and SELF II Adj studies. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology from Colorado College. Jayne's research interests include health disparities, sex education, and access to health care. Before joining onWHARD, she lived and taught English in Bogotá, Colombia for three years and researched Flammulated Owls in Colorado. Outside of work, she enjoys playing soccer, trivia, and cooking.

Nicole Sekula, BA (she/her) is a medical student researcher on onWHARD’s ELLAS team. Prior to medical school, she earned a degree in Neuroscience from Bowdoin College and worked as a Research Assistant at the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, conducting research on Alzheimer’s Disease. She is passionate about women’s health and research. In her free time, she enjoys painting and exploring the many restaurants in Ann Arbor.

Marolyn Valenzuela, BGE, (she/her) is a Research Assistant on onWHARD's ELLAS Team. She received her Bachelor's in General Studies from Eastern Michigan University with emphasis in Nutrition and Health. Some of Marolyn's research interests include diabetics and adiposity tendency in minority groups, as well as its social and nutritional determinants. She previously volunteered at Gleaners Food Bank as a Nutrition Instructor. Camping is another passion of hers, making the Great Lakes region a top favorite.

Kun Yang, MD, (he/him) is the Basic Science Research Lab Manager on onWHARD team. He received his MD degree from Kunming Medical University in China. His research interests include uterine fibroid pathophysiology/genetics. He is also interested in health disparities in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, and ovarian reserve. Prior to joining the onWHARD team, he did ovarian cancer research. Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar for fun.