ABOUT ME

I am a public health scientist and grassroots organizer working in service to protect the health of communities and advance their needs. 

I worked as a researcher in antibiotic resistance, infectious disease, and vaccinology before transitioning to public health in 2015. While attending UC Berkeley for my Masters in Science in Global Health and the Environment, I married my previous research with new foci in environmental health, policy, and drinking water/sanitation. Since 2017 I’ve been working in toxic chemicals to inform federal- and state-level policy. 
For the past 15 years I’ve been actively involved in grassroots movement work in North Carolina and the Bay Area. Much of my focus has been on reproductive justice, Black resistance and liberation, queer liberation, anti-imperialism, environmental justice, worker justice, and Third World liberation.  For the past two years I’ve co-led the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, using my technical skills to support communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including incarcerated populations and seafarers. I am deeply committed to a practice of transformative justice, transparency, and accessibility.
I am a grassroots organizer working in public health, not the other way around. I view my work in public health as a service to advance and support the needs of communities impacted by environmental degradation, state violence, and historic negligence. Building deep trusting relationships and investing in the expertise of those with lived experience is at the core of my practice.

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

The University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health (2017)

Masters in Science in Global Health and the Environment

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2013)

Bachelor of Science in Biology | Minors: Chemistry, Electronic Communication Journalism

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Environmental Protection Specialist

US Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights

Washington, DC | November 2023 - Present

  • Contribute scientific and policy expertise in toxics and environmental justice on regulatory workgroups.
  • Advance the Agency understanding of the science around social stressors (social susceptibility/social vulnerability factors) into risk assessments. 
  • Engage in multiple cross-agency relationships and communities of practice.

Science Associate, Science & Policy

UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment

San Francisco, CA | March 2019 - November 2023

  • Conduct chemical policy research to inform public comments to federal and state level agencies.
  • Publish research around chemical policy, systematic review, occupational health, and environmental justice. 
  • Represent the organization's technical policy vision to key stakeholders such as regulators, policymakers, and the public.
  • Manage and coordinate a network of 200+ scientists, academics, and clinicians to use their expertise to contribute to policy change.

Health and Economic Consultant

Berkeley Economic Advising and Research LLC, UC Berkeley Dept. of Agricultural Resource Economics

Berkeley, CA | December 2018 - June 2019

  • Researched and gathered opportunities around environmental economics and international development for BEAR LLC. 
  • Supported development of  proposals and advised on public and environmental health oriented projects.

Science and Policy Associate

Green Science Policy Institute

Berkeley, CA | October 2017 - December 2018

  • Led and managed workgroups for a variety of chemical consumer safety policy projects around flame retardants. 
  • Reviewed and translated scientific research for regulators and other relevant stakeholders. 
  • Evaluated and recommended change for state and federal chemicals policy. 
  • Maintained strategic relationships with other non-profits, governmental bodies, and private industry.

LEADERSHIP

Alliance of South Asians Taking Action | Co-Coordinator, Member

Davis Putter Scholarship Fund | Board Chair

Young Climate Leaders of Color | Advisory Board Member

South Asian Public Health Association | Board Member, Advocacy Committee Co-Chair

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Public Health Association

International Society for Environmental Epidemiology

Society for Epidemiologic Research



Cover Photo - Brooke Anderson Photography | @movementphotographer