Current Students
Cohort 2025
A proud product of the CSU system, Alexa earned her BSPH at California State University, Northridge, and her MPH at Sacramento State. She is passionate about advancing the public health workforce and promoting professional development through a systems thinking approach that strengthens organizational capacity and sustainability across the field. She serves as a community advisory board member for Sacramento State’s Department of Public Health.
Deeply committed to uplifting the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community, Alexa served as the 2025 Co-Chair & Program Director of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health (in affiliation with the American Public Health Association). In 2025, she was selected as a SPARC fellow with APPEAL, where she engaged with leadership and capacity-building activities focused on the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community and health advocacy.
Alexa is dedicated to health equity, accessibility, and workforce development and strongly believes in “meeting people where they are” to improve community health outcomes.
Kristen previously served as an Epidemiologist I/II, leading responses to multiple infectious disease outbreaks—including Zika virus, shigellosis among persons experiencing homelessness, monkeypox, and elements of the COVID-19 response. These experiences shaped her interest in organizational leadership, crisis coordination, and system-level problem solving. She has authored peer-reviewed publications, contributed to countywide communicable disease reporting, and frequently presents at state and national conferences on overdose surveillance innovation and applied epidemiology.
Kristen holds an MPH in Hospital & Molecular Epidemiology and a BS in Brain, Behavior, & Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Executive Management at San Diego State University, where she focuses on executive leadership, strategic management, and the development of sustainable, data-driven overdose prevention systems.
Her recent projects include serving as the Survey and Data Champion for the Employee Engagement Survey campaign, where she advanced data-driven insights to improve staff experience and organizational culture. She also leads efforts to enhance the employee experience across SFDPH and serves as Program Manager for Project INVEST (Innovations that Value Equity and Strengthening Teams), a workforce development initiative focused on building foundational capabilities.
Previously, Meme worked at the California Department of Public Health, managing influenza and COVID-19 vaccination programs for diverse populations. She is skilled in Lean methodology, program evaluation, and data analysis, with a focus on promoting equity and improving organizational effectiveness. Her research explores workforce inequities affecting immigrant families and examines how holistic health strategies, such as mindfulness & meditation, and integrated care, can strengthen resiliency and improve health outcomes.
Outside of work, Meme enjoys kickboxing, listening to music, and spending time with her two children.
She holds a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Regine currently serves as a Research Specialist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a Healthcare Analyst Consultant with Anadach group where she supports health systems strengthening and policy projects across Africa.
Beyond her professional work, Regine is the founder of MeyoCare, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to healthcare, promoting disease prevention, and supporting community health initiatives in low-resource settings.
Her career and studies reflect a deep commitment to health equity, data-driven policy, and sustainable healthcare systems. Through the DrPH program, Regine aims to strengthen her leadership in global health and drive measurable impact in advancing equitable health outcomes across Africa and beyond.
Simrann’s research interests lie at the nexus of artificial intelligence and epidemiology—leveraging data-driven insights to enhance disease surveillance, resource allocation, and health equity. She envisions developing scalable, technology-informed strategies that strengthen preventive care and improve access in underserved populations.
Pursuing the DrPH at San Diego State University represents the next step in her commitment to translating research into impact. Through advanced training in leadership, policy, and implementation science, she aims to bridge scientific innovation with community-centered solutions that advance population health on a national and global scale.
At Naval Medical Center San Diego, I designed population health data structures that unified information across clinical and administrative systems. I introduced the clinical value of InBody weight metrics to Defense Health Agency leaders, created a clinical research database that strengthened both population health insights and fiscal accuracy, and restored complete data integrity for critical reporting. I also contributed to artificial intelligence pilot projects and supported efforts that increased vaccination engagement among minority Veterans groups at the San Diego VA.
As a DrPH student, I aim to leverage my clinical and data architecture experience to advance health equity for marginalized communities. I plan to examine homelessness in San Diego, explore whether improvements among Black Americans represent true progress or surface level change, and use Generative AI to convert unstructured clinical and research data into information that can be understood, trusted, and used.
Cohort 2024
Adriana Mogannam is a doctoral student in the inaugural cohort of the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at San Diego State University, with a concentration in Global Health Management. She holds a Master of Public Health in Global Health from California State University San Marcos and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from CSU Fullerton. Currently, she serves as a Quality Systems Analyst at Johnson & Johnson Vision, where she manages document control and ensures compliance with regulatory standards to support the development and delivery of high-quality medical devices. In this role, she also leads trainings, mentors colleagues, and collaborates with cross-functional teams across R&D, Regulatory, and Clinical Affairs. Previously, Adriana worked as an Incident Investigator at both Cal Poly Pomona and the County of Orange, where she led more than 3,500 COVID-19 case investigations and worked closely with county and state health officials to ensure protocol adherence and timely interventions. Her background also includes experience in public health communication and delivering patient-centered support in clinical and academic settings. Her public health interests include health equity, women’s health, cardiovascular disease prevention, and infection control. Through the DrPH program, she aims to grow as a strategic public health leader capable of addressing complex challenges across sectors and communities. She is passionate about using data, policy, and collaboration to drive measurable improvements in health and make care more equitable and effective.
Christopher O'Malley, MPH, CPH, is the Chief of the Community Health Statistics Unit (CHSU) for the County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), Public Health Services (PHS) Department. Additionally, Chris is a second-year student in the Doctor of Public Health program at San Diego State University. Chris previously served as an Epidemiologist with the County of San Diego for six years. Before joining the County, Chris worked as a researcher at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC), initially on the Millennium Cohort Family Study and later with the Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP) and the U.S. Military HIV Research Program. Chris is also a United States Navy veteran, having served honorably for over eight years.
Danielle Sharp is a public health professional with a decade of experience in multidisciplinary development processes, progressive programming, and strengthening organizational operations. Her experience is rooted in the community and she currently serves as the Director of Policy and Partnerships for Partners In Health, Lesotho. Danielle is an expert in facilitating intercultural, global collaboration between diverse stakeholders to transform systems and generate equitable access to quality health care. With a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Economics, Masters of Public Health, and as a Doctorate of Public Health candidate for SDSU, Danielle is grounded in the belief that quality health care is a universal human right and committed to strengthening health systems to provide equitable health care to all.
Jasmine DeGuzman Lacsamana, MPH, joined Archstone Foundation in 2015, bringing with her a decade of experience in nonprofit organizations and academic research, along with a strong foundation in community-based public health interventions. At the Foundation, she has led the design and implementation of a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity and long-term sustainability of Adult Day Services programs to better support family caregivers. Currently, Jasmine manages a diverse grant portfolio focused on advancing equitable care coordination and fostering the integration of health and social services.
Lilly Sabet is the Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety at San Diego State University and a DrPH student in Executive Management. She is passionate about creating healthier, safer environments through collaborative, people centered leadership. Lilly brings a systems focused lens to her work, integrating evidence based strategies into organizational decision making and operational improvement. Her current research interests include organizational leadership, risk management, and Total Worker Health.
Maria Angela Soto, MPH, CPH, brings over 14 years of experience at the NYC Department of Health, where she currently serves as Director of Workforce and Community Engagement. In this leadership role, she guides a dynamic and expanding team focused on strengthening public health workforce capacity and cultivating meaningful connections with diverse stakeholders across New York City. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building inclusive and responsive systems that meet the evolving needs of diverse communities. As a DrPH student in the Global Health Policy track at San Diego State University, Maria Angela is expanding her scope to include border health and international policy work. She aims to apply the insights and expertise gained from serving one of the most diverse urban populations in the U.S. to broader global contexts. Her academic interests are shaped by real-world challenges and driven by a passion for equity, empowerment, and cross-sector collaboration. Maria Angela’s vision is rooted in the belief that thoughtful engagement, strategic leadership, and cultural humility are essential to advancing public health outcomes—locally and globally. She is excited to contribute to SDSU’s vibrant doctoral community and to deepen her impact in public health systems beyond city borders.
Ms. Lessard has nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare management and is a Certified Healthcare Executive and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is currently the Practice Manager for Internal Medicine at UC San Diego Health. Ms. Lessard has held previous leadership positions at Neighborhood Healthcare (FQHC), Scripps Green Hospital, Mountain Health, Inc., Medstar Research Institute, University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Healthcare. Ms. Lessard lived in Veracruz, Veracruz from 1995 to 1997 prior to the start of her healthcare leadership career at Johns Hopkins Healthcare in Baltimore, Maryland. She has served in many volunteer positions with the American College of Healthcare Executives local chapter, ACHE – San Diego including President of the chapter for two consecutive terms. Ms. Lessard earned her Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Social Ecology at University of California, Irvine and a Master of Public Health, Health Services Administration at San Diego State University, School of Public Health. She is a process improvement Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and is also a Lecturer at San Diego State University School of Public Health, Health Management and Policy. Ms. Lessard is a California native and grew up in East County San Diego where she currently resides.
Matthew Lui is the Laboratory Manager at the County of San Diego Public Health Laboratory, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the laboratory’s diverse and critical programs. He manages a team of dedicated professionals who work to protect public health through timely and accurate laboratory testing, supporting disease surveillance, outbreak response, and environmental monitoring. A San Diego transplant from Los Angeles, #GoDodgers Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Public Health from MCPHS University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Executive Leadership at San Diego State University, focusing his studies on public health systems, equity, and preparedness. Matthew is deeply passionate about sports, laboratory infrastructure, security, and public health response. He has led and supported projects to improve laboratory resilience, modernize diagnostic capabilities, and ensure continuity of operations during emergencies. He focuses on ensuring that laboratory infrastructure is purpose-built to support both the operational needs of public health laboratories and the health of the San Diego community. With experience in both private and public sectors, Matthew brings a balanced perspective to operational management, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and innovation. He strives to create an environment where staff feel supported and empowered to deliver high-quality public health services. Through his leadership, Matthew remains committed to advancing laboratory excellence and ensuring the San Diego community is safeguarded by a strong, secure, and responsive public health laboratory.
Michael Rainone, MSPH, is a health systems engineer and public health strategist with expertise in healthcare delivery, organizational design, data governance, and technology integration. He advises senior leadership on aligning enterprise health IT with strategic goals, advancing interoperability, and optimizing system performance across federal, academic, and private healthcare sectors. His work spans population health, care coordination, and health information exchange, with a track record of leading high-impact, cross-functional initiatives. Michael is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate at San Diego State University, specializing in executive management; he holds a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with a concentration in health policy and management, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Health from Muhlenberg College. He is a Fellow of both the Weiss Fellowship in nonprofit board governance at Muhlenberg College and the Alumni Career Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, where he mentors graduate students in strategic planning, workforce readiness, and professional growth. His training includes Lean Six Sigma, project management, healthcare systems engineering, and advanced analytics, reinforcing a mission to build integrated, future-ready health systems that deliver equitable, efficient care.
Priya Singh is an experienced scientist and public health professional with a strong background in regulatory oversight, environmental science, and food safety. She currently serves at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), where she leads a multidisciplinary team in hazardous waste inspection, enforcement, cleanup and remediation, and environmental compliance. In this role, she oversees strategic planning, performance evaluation, training, and resource management in alignment with state and federal regulations. Prior to joining DTSC, Priya worked as a Senior Scientist at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, where she coordinated FDA contracts, analyzed food safety data, and managed compliance with federal food regulatory standards. She has also contributed to state environmental initiatives at CalEPA and held teaching positions at UC Davis and Contra Costa College. She holds a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Global Leadership from Colorado State University, a Master of Plant Sciences, and a doctorate in Soils and Biogeochemistry from UC Davis. Her research has focused on microbial community resilience, nutrient cycling, and sustainable agriculture. She has earned multiple fellowships and has presented her work at national conferences. She remains committed to advancing science-based policy and integrated environmental health systems.
Seth Weldon, MPH, BEAM, is a public health and healthcare leader committed to advancing health equity, systems transformation, and patient-centered oncology care. He currently serves as Director of Oncology Support Services, Survivorship, and Prevention at Nebraska Methodist Health System, where he leads strategic, data-driven initiatives aimed at improving cancer screening, early detection, and supportive care services. His work integrates evidence-based practice with implementation science to reduce disparities and enhance health outcomes across diverse populations. Seth’s academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of public health leadership, health system strengthening, and equitable access to care. As President of the Great Plains Colon Cancer Task Force, he directs regional initiatives focused on community-based colorectal cancer prevention and early detection, particularly among historically marginalized populations. His experience also spans local public health departments, nonprofit community health organizations, and academic medical centers, where he has led quality improvement efforts, secured and administered grant funding, and designed trauma-informed and culturally responsive care models. He holds a Master of Public Health in Public Health Administration and Policy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. He is certified in public health law, trauma-informed care, healthcare ethics, and recently completed the BEAM certificate through the University of Miami. Currently pursuing his Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Global Health Management at San Diego State University, Seth is focused on applying systems-level thinking and implementation frameworks to strengthen global and domestic health equity efforts.
Tanya Penn, MPH, CPH, is the Director of CEDR, the SDSU Center for Empowerment and community-driven Research, and serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health. Her work focuses on strengthening the research ecosystem by partnering with communities and industry leaders to ensure representation in clinical trials. Additionally, Tanya has made significant contributions to expanding the public health workforce by supporting the development of programs that hire and train Community Health Workers (CHWs) to address critical public health issues, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also led the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency's CHW training program, enhancing public emergency response measures for the county’s most vulnerable populations using the CHW model.Tanya holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California Santa Barbara, and earned her master’s in public health in Epidemiology from San Diego State University. Ms. Penn is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at San Diego State University, focusing on health equity and advocating for systemic reforms to improve access to healthcare and community services.
Zaynab Minawi, MSc, is a global public health professional and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at San Diego State University. She brings a decade of experience in health systems strengthening, service delivery, and research across Sudan, Tanzania, and the U.S. Her work spans infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and mental health integration. Zaynab has supported initiatives with USAID, WHO-aligned teams, and national research institutes. She holds a Master’s in Global Health from Georgetown University and is passionate about community-based solutions, culturally responsive care, and advancing health equity in underserved populations.
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SDSU School of Public Health
San Diego, CA 92182-4162