Our Team

Rhea is a research assistant with the MARCH study, supporting the project by translating materials into Spanish and facilitating bilingual participant communication, and assisting with outreach to ensure resources are culturally and linguistically accessible, using her own multilingual talents to assist with communications.  

She is an MD/MPH student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine, focusing on maternal and child health, with experience in community health education, public health research, and working with multilingual populations. Rhea is motivated by reducing health disparities and expanding access to menstrual health education and anemia screenings.  

Alexander is a research assistant with MARCH, supporting community outreach, anemia screenings, participant communication, and translation. Alexander is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Public Health Sciences with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society with previous experience in program coordination and community health outreach.  

Alexander is driven by a commitment to expanding awareness and education around anemia and AUB. Outside of his work with MARCH and his studies, Alexander enjoys playing the electric guitar and drums.  

Karen supports MARCH by managing reporting, communications, and community-facing dissemination, ensuring that study findings are shared clearly and shaped by community insight. She also assists with MARCH recruitment and day-to-day coordination. 

Karen holds a Master of Arts with interdisciplinary training in political science, geography/ urban planning, and mathematics. She also has extensive experience in community health, public health ethics, and partnered research across both community organizations and academia. Outside of her work with MARCH, Karen has renovated a 100-year-old home in Detroit and enjoys restoring furniture in her spare time.

Esperanza is a dedicated clinical research professional with over six years of experience in health research, specializing in women’s health, community-engaged studies, underserved populations, and regulatory compliance. She currently serves as a Clinical Research Coordinator-Technician with the onWHARD team where she manages clinical studies, oversees regulatory processes, and leads tailored recruitment efforts.  

Esperanza holds a Master of Public Health from Ohio University a B.S. in Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences from University Autónoma de Nuevo León. Her commitment to health equity extends beyond research; she has also provided interpretation services for Hispanic and Latino patients in clinical settings. Passionate about advancing research that addresses health disparities, Esperanza brings technical expertise and a deep community focused perspective to her work.  

Kaycee is a research assistant on the PEACE and MARCH studies, amplifying women’s lived experiences with uterine fibroids, heavy menstrual bleeding, and anemia. Since Fall 2024, she has supported both studies through statewide community outreach, participant recruitment, survey distribution, data collection, interviews, and free anemia screenings. Through this work, Kaycee helps connect women with accessible health information while identifying gaps in care and understanding. 

She graduated from the University of Michigan in May 2025 with a B.S. in Biology, Health, and Society with a minor in Gender and Health. Passionate about public health and women’s health advocacy, she is committed to normalizing conversations about reproductive health and contributing to more equitable, accessible care. Fun fact: Kaycee can solve a Rubix Cube in less than two minutes. 

Navya is a dedicated team member of both the MARCH and PEACE teams as a research assistant. Navya wears many hats on the team; from recruiting, managing and retaining participants for Reproductive Sample Repository for Scientific Research (RSRSR) where she has also contributed to soon-to-be published research papers and has hands-on experience in the operation room. Nayva’s global work in women’s reproductive health has fueled her work for reproductive health disparity research, bringing her expertise to both MARCH and PEACE

Alongside her B.S. in Women’s and Gender Studies and minor Biology, Navya is also a certified doula. Using her interdisciplinary background, Navya is driven to bring attention, awareness, and results to investigating the possibility of decreasing the amount of AUB related anemia, specifically found in Black and Hispanic women through community-based participatory research. Navya’s talents reach beyond reproductive health; Navya is also classically trained as a singer and dancer.

Rithi is an undergraduate assistant for MARCH, bringing her expertise on public health research and reproductive advocacy, as well as providing graphic design tabling monthly initiatives, and providing anemia screenings. Rithi an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina in a 7-year accelerated undergraduate to MD program in partnership with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia where she was active in many programs with the purpose of advocacy for those in underrepresented demographic groups.  

Bringing family connections to reproductive health abnormalities, Rithi is dedicated to advocating and participating in community-based advocacy and research. Outside of her work with onWHARD, Rithi is involved with No Periods Left Behind a Menstrual Equity Group, and Student Government where she holds the position of Secretary of Health and Wellbeing overseeing this sector for over 40,000 students at University of South Carolina. Not only is Rithi a trailblazer in a healthier future for reproductive health, but she is also a trained singer and dancer.

Ingrid is a research assistant for MARCH with a degree from the University of Michigan in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. She works across several onWHARD projects with her roles ranging from community outreach and recruitment, and anemia screenings, to preparing study materials, coordinating meetings, and assisting with IRB processes.  

Ingrid is inspired by work that uplifts women’s health and brings meaningful change to the communities she serves. Ingrid also supports patient-centered research through the PRECiSE Stakeholder Advisory Group, ensuring studies are designed with patients in mind. Ingrid is also a proud aunt to her nephew and niece who are her favorite reminders to stay playful. 

Dana is a project coordinator across onWHARD’s programs (MARCH and PEACE), providing support for the project and team through various duties such as performing administrative duties that keep MARCH organized and running smoothly. Dana graduated from the University of Michigan in 2024 with her master's in social work and has worked with several non-profits such as Guaranteed Income to Grow Ann Arbor. 

Dana’s direct experience in community-based research organizations and projects servicing local communities gave her hands-on experience that aligns with the goals of MARCH. Dana is inspired by seeing the impact that comes from research rooted in community, education, connection, and empowerment. In her spare time, Dana is an avid reader of classic Russian literature. 

Ron is a key member of the Reproductive Sample Repository for Scientific Research (RSRSR) for the onWHARD program. Ron’s work specializes in creating a comprehensive sample library that supports inclusive, community-centered research via patient recruitment and consenting, sample coordination, processing, storage, and research collaboration. 

With over seven years on the team, Ron brings a strong background in biotechnology, holding a B.S. from Ferris State University. His work in reproductive health is driven by a personal connection and a commitment to advancing equity in reproductive health research. Ron’s love for science started at a young age as an award-winning Science Olympiad and has continued in his career to bring his expertise to reproductive research.  

Anca is a data manager in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with a background in programming, mathematics, and biostatistics. Her role focuses on supporting the department's statistics team through database management, "data wrangling", and analytical support across research efforts and 7 1/2 years as part of the OBGYN team. 

She holds a Master's degree in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University, and studied computer science in Romania, where she was born before moving to the United States in 200. Outside of work, Anca enjoys data-driven problem solving, traveling centered around great food, and activities such as escape rooms, puzzles, and video games.

Emily is the Community Engagement Manager for PEACE and MARCH, as well as a recent addition to the team. As Community Engagement Manager, Emily is responsible for driving collaboration efforts within the community to boost outreach and nurture relationships with stakeholders and research programs rooted in equity. Emily holds a B.S. in Biology and Public Health as well as an MPH in Global Health Epidemiology. Inspired by the community-based focused research done through PEACE, Emily plans to continue by fostering meaningful dialogue between research and the community.  

Emily’s global experience in public health extends from the local level to working for organizations focused on HIV prevention for marginalized youth in Cape Town, as a Peace Corp volunteer in Botswana where she built relationships in the community to reduce HIV infections, as well as serving FHI 360 to work on public health project that works to advance informed choices for HIV prevention for young women in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. Outside of work, Emily is co-executive director of Lunar Doula Collective, a local non-profit that aims to support people experiencing pregnancy loss.