Current Undergraduate Team
Gemma Huber
Gemma Huber is a third-year at The Ohio State University, majoring in biology with a minor in music. She is a member of the Women’s water polo team, women’s glee club, and teaches swim lessons through Ohio State. Driven by a deep commitment to women’s health and nutrition, Gemma is excited to contribute to a team focused on bridging the knowledge gap surrounding menstrual health and nutrition specific for women. Looking ahead, she aims to work in pediatric health, with a goal of becoming a physician or a dietitian.Gemma is a sophomore at The Ohio State University, majoring in biology with a minor in music. She is a member of the Women’s water polo team, women’s glee club, and teaches swim lessons through Ohio State. Driven by a deep commitment to women’s health and nutrition, Gemma is excited to contribute to a team focused on bridging the knowledge gap surrounding menstrual health and nutrition specific for women. Looking ahead, she aims to work in pediatric health, with a goal of becoming a physician or a dietitian.
Haley Haines
Haley Haines is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Nutrition Dietetics and plans to become a Registered Dietitian. This lab aligns with her personal interests as she hopes to specialize as a Sports Dietitian. ‘SHE IS’ is a great opportunity to learn and see firsthand how exercise and diet go hand in hand, in preparation for future professional goals. Along with the lab, she is also a part of the Honors program, EHE Ambassadors, Buckeye Food Alliance, and works at the Wexner Medical Center. Through these activities, she enjoys engaging with people on the basis of nutrition and holistic wellness.
Akshita Vaka is a fourth-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Environmental Health. She is interested in the SHEIS Lab due to its potential to advance women’s health through research and practical experience. Akshita hopes to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the lab to contribute meaningfully to improving women’s health outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys reading and exploring photography. Participating in this lab will provide valuable insights into women’s health challenges and innovative approaches to address them. This knowledge will be instrumental in shaping her ability to design, manage, and lead healthcare systems.
Yariela Nagy is a third-year Exercise Science major at The Ohio State University, aspiring to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant. Originally from Boston, she grew up with a love for food, fitness, health, and science, which encouraged her to become an undergraduate research assistant for SHEIS Lab. Along with being a research assistant, Yariela is a Resident Advisor, volunteer at the College of Dentistry, and a certified phlebotomist. On her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She believes SHEIS Lab is dedicated to bettering the lives of women by prioritizing understudied areas within women’s health and research. She is excited to work with a team of women driven to make an impact on science and healthcare.
Clara Carrocce is a second-year neuroscience major with minors in music and public health on the pre-med track at The Ohio State University. On campus, she is a the director of fundraising for Buckeye Food Alliance, an active member of the American Chemical Society and Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, a Student Wellness Volunteer, and a nationally certified phlebotomist. She plans to continue her education post-graduation by attending medical school specializing in emergency medicine. She’s incredibly passionate about women’s health, mental health, and improving our healthcare system as a whole. She hopes to make an impact one day in the medical field, and she believes that becoming part of the SHEIS lab could be the first important step. She loves that it aligns with her career goals and her passions, and she believes this knowledge will be instrumental in her career in the healthcare field and ability to serve others.
Chikodi Ibe
Chikodi Ibe is a fourth-year neuroscience major on the pre-med track with a minor in Spanish. She first joined the SHE IS lab through an internship and quickly fell in love with its women-centered mission. As an aspiring OB/GYN, Chikodi is deeply committed to improving health outcomes for women and has a strong passion for women’s health. She values the lab’s holistic approach, focusing on diet and exercise as key interventions, and has learned more about her own wellness through her experience in the lab. Chikodi is excited to contribute to the impactful work being done at SHE IS and is especially passionate about translating that work beyond the laboratory and into the community. Outside of the lab, she serves as a Resident Advisor at Blackburn and works as a lab assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Demonstration Lab. She also volunteers at several hospitals in Columbus and works as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). On campus, Chikodi is the President of Black Students in Psychology and Neuroscience, a Neuroscience Ambassador, and a Morrill Scholar. She looks forward to seeing how her diverse undergraduate experiences shape her future career in medicine.
Danielle Kincaid
Danielle Kincaid is a fourth year Biology major on a pre-med track at Ohio State University. She hopes to attend medical school and become a pediatrician following a gap year where she will spend time working as a medical assistant. She is a part of pre-med club on campus and enjoys volunteering. Serving others is her passion and she does so through her job as a certified nursing assistant and patient care representative for the past three years. Alongside serving as a crisis text line supporter helping those facing mental health challenges. She loves to work out and explore new cities. She is driven by a desire to bring awareness to women’s health and wellness where a lack of research dominates. Which made SHE IS labs the perfect place for her as she gets to take part in significant research to the field while aligning with her passions.
Olivia Powell
Olivia Powell is a third-year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She is majoring in Biology on the Pre-med track, with plans to pursue a career in anesthesiology. Passionate about women’s health and well-being, Olivia found SHEIS Labs to be the perfect environment to advance her medical research alongside like-minded, driven women while making a positive impact on women everywhere. She is a member of the Ohio State Track and Field team, where she competes in the short hurdles and dedicates over 25 hours a week to training and personal fitness. In her free time, Olivia enjoys weightlifting, exploring new boba spots around Columbus, and cooking with her roommate. She is thrilled to be a part of such an inspiring team and looks forward to contributing to the advancement of women’s health.
Tanaka Guyo
Tanaka Guyo is a third-year Health Sciences & Rehabilitation undergraduate student on a Pre-Dental track. Getting braces in her later years of life rerouted her passion for becoming a dental anesthesiologist. Wanting nothing more but to restore self esteem within everyone. Being part of SHEis Lab offers her the opportunity to explore women’s health and nutrition in a way that can deepen her understanding of holistic well-being, including her own. Away from the lab, Tanaka loves to work out, cook for her family, and is a retail pharmacy technician, which allows her to learn more about the drugs that will later be utilized in her course of work. Through this experience, she hopes to gain a new confidence in managing her health and empowering others to take control of theirs, both in and beyond the dental chair.
Ava Dow
Ava Dow is a fourth-year Health Sciences major with a minor in Biology on the Pre-Physician Assistant track at The Ohio State University, originally from Chicago, IL. Deeply passionate about health and wellness, Ava’s active lifestyle and strong interest in hormone regulation, nutrition, and women’s well-being led her to join SHEIS Labs. She is thrilled to contribute to research that prioritizes women’s health and closely reflects her personal and professional goals. She serves as President of the First-Generation Pre-Physician Assistant Platform at OSU, and works as a PCA at The James Cancer Hospital, in addition to being a CNA and trained Medical Assistant. In her free time, she loves to weightlift, create healthy recipes, and spend time with friends and family. Ava is very committed to becoming a compassionate healthcare provider and aims to use the knowledge she gains from SHEIS Labs to help reduce disparities in women’s health.
Isabella White
Isabella White is a senior majoring in biology on a pre-med track. She has always been passionate about women’s health, helping others, and making a meaningful impact in her community. Fueled by curiosity (and coffee, of course), she is pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a physician. She is an active member of the OSU community and is involved with various clubs, including OSU’s breakdancing club! She is a sister of Alpha Xi Delta social sorority, raises money for various philanthropies, and volunteers at local hospitals, including Johns Hopkins Hospital in her hometown of Baltimore. Joining SHEIS has been one of the highlights of her college career as it has furthered her love for science, research, and medicine, and she is beyond excited to continue her work here.
Chiara Petrazzuolo-Leiva
Chiara Marie Petrazzuolo-Leiva is a second-year honors and pre-medical student at The Ohio State University, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences. A Morrill Scholar, she aspires to become an anesthesiologist through the U.S. Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). Driven by a passion for service and healthcare access, Chiara joined the SHEIS Laboratory in January 2025, contributing to women’s health research while refining her clinical and scientific writing skills. She also conducted nanoparticle research through George Mason University and gained hands-on experience with Global Health Leaders in the Dominican Republic, where she took vitals and worked directly with primary care physicians. Chiara regularly shadows orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ryan Miyamoto and is a multi-year finalist in the United States National Chemistry Olympiad. At OSU, she serves as Director of Public Relations for Latine en Acción, volunteers with the Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry, and is active in the American Chemical Society and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, cycling, and spending time with family and friends.
Julia Jaworski
Julia Jaworski is a third-year Health Promotion, Nutrition, and Exercise Science major who is passionate about all things wellness and mind-body connection. As an English minor, she also loves to write and read! A highly motivated, hardworking student, Julia is excited to channel this energy into furthering women’s health research while building meaningful connections. With special interests in nutrition and the relationship between the physical body and breath and movement, she believes one of the most exciting parts about being involved with SHEIS is the opportunity to work alongside a team of similarly driven women. Bridging the gap in women’s health research is one of her biggest career goals. Outside of academic pursuits, you will probably find Julia practicing or teaching yoga at Ohio State gyms, reading a good book, taking a walk in nature, or caring for her friends. She is currently pursuing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification, enjoying cooking in her new college house, and serving on the Executive Board for Guiding Eyes for the Blind as the Social Media Chair and a puppy sitter.
Mehrukh Sofi
Mehrukh Sofi is a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University, majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-medical track. A Health Science Scholar, she aspires to pursue a career in medicine with a focus on surgery. Rooted in a commitment to service and healthcare equity, Mehrukh has been deeply involved in immigrant relief work, which strengthened her dedication to patient advocacy and community health. At OSU, she serves as President of the Surgical Student Association, where she leads events that give students exposure to surgical practice and expand opportunities in medicine. She believes she can also contribute to the SHEIS Laboratory, where she engages in women’s health research. She views this work to help break down stigma and create access to knowledge in communities where conversations about women’s health are often limited. Beyond leadership, Mehrukh actively pursues research and clinical experience. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends.
Anna Rindler
Anna Rindler is a second-year biology student on the pre-medicine track with a minor in Spanish. She is driven by a passion for serving her community and utilizing a holistic perspective of health to improve the well-being of women worldwide. The SHEiS lab has been an exciting opportunity for Anna because she has had the chance to work alongside similarly driven girls while helping advance women’s health. In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time outdoors, running, and spending time with friends and family. She is involved in many student organizations on campus, including the Ohio State Running Club and A Kid Again Club, and she volunteers at a local hospital. Anna hopes to apply what she has learned in the lab to her future career endeavors as a pediatrician and empower other women to take control of their health.
Raja Mohammed
Raja Mohammed is a fourth-year Speech and Hearing Sciences major at OSU. She is pursuing a career in medicine with a strong interest in addressing health disparities and improving access to care. Raja is particularly passionate about women’s health, an area that is often underrepresented in both research and medicine. She is excited to work with the SHEis Lab team and contribute to advancing women’s health research.
Britain Wilson
Britain Wilson is a fourth-year psychology major and public health minor on the pre medicine track. This is her first time participating in a research lab, and SHEIS was the perfect fit for her. Britain’s hunger for advocacy and social justice, specifically making healthcare more accessible to marginalized groups, drew her to this lab. She wants to be able to apply her growing expertise in behavioral studies and psychology to more of the clinical and wet lab side of things. Besides being a pre-med student, Britain is a resident advisor at Smith Steeb Hall, the president of The Black Student Association, and also works as a Recruitment Host for Ohio State Football and Undergraduate Admissions. Britain is ready to enhance her clinical and research skills and be able to change the world one study at a time.
Keelia Ryan
Keelia Ryan is a second-year student majoring in Biology with a minor in Human Anatomy on the Pre-Medicine track at The Ohio State University. She is a Nationally Registered EMT who will go to medical school in the future to become an OBGYN. On campus, she works as an office assistant in the dorms year-round, was an executive board member of the Towers Community Council as the Marketing Representative, fundraises for BuckeyeThon, is a peer-notetaker for SLDS, and is an active volunteer at the Lutheran Social Services Food Pantries. She is passionate about growing her knowledge of women’s health and spreading it to the community around her. She believes in putting in the work today so our future daughters can experience a world more knowledgeable of them.
Kelly McFadden
Kelly McFadden is a third-year College of Public Health student with a specialization in epidemiology. This is her first year being a research assistant with SHEIS Labs and she is extremely excited to be a part of an all-female team. In her free time, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with friends, playing intermural soccer, or trying new coffee shops around Columbus. She is passionate about advancing women’s health and addressing health disparities. Kelly’s long-term goal is to continue her clinical research journey and hopes to continue contributing to innovative studies that close gaps in women’s healthcare and empower women to make informed health decisions.
Manasa Boppudi
Manasa Boppudi is a senior at Ohio State studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. She is interested in the intersection of healthcare and policy, specifically in the role of lobbying on health and dietary requirements. She is a Morrill Scholar and is involved with Universal Health Aid Columbus on campus. She hopes to learn more about women’s health through the supportive community at SheIs!
Maya Santosh
Maya Santosh is a second-year Biochemistry major on the pre-med track, aspiring to become a surgeon. Her passion for women’s health led her to join the lab. She hopes to use the skills she learns in this lab and use it in her career, as well as to contribute in making healthcare more accessible for women. Outside of academics, Maya enjoys Formula 1, dancing, rom-coms, and volunteering at a local hospital. She also serves as Treasurer of Kannada Sangha (a cultural club) and is a member of the Buckeye Fusion dance team.
Cecillia Le
Cecillia Le is a third-year Chemistry major with a minor in Music on the Pre-Med track, originally form the Cleveland, OH area. She hopes to one day specialize in Cardiovascular Pediatrics. Cecillia joined the SHEIS Reseach Lab because she wanted to be part of a lab filled with others who are passionate about helping women understand their own bodies. She loves how the lab feels like a family- made of compassionate, driven individuals all working toward the shared goal of advancing women’s health. Outside of research, Cecillia enjoys baking, lifting, and spending time with her friends and family. She is also actively involved on the executive boards of a few health clubs and nonprofit organizations on campus and is excited to bring her passion and dedication to the SHEIS team.
Alumni
Vanessa Meola: 2024-205
Morgan Perce: 2024-2025
Rhea Garg: 2024-2025
Liliana Hritz: 2025 Spring
Alexia Kakanuru: 2025 Spring
Sarah Dada: 2025 Spring
Farren Miller: 2025 Spring
Elena Clary: 2025 Summer Intern
Sydney Paul: 2025 Summer Intern