Jason Cruz Velasco
Public Health
Hello All, my name is Jason Cruz Velasco, and I am currently completing my senior year. I currently work as a Community Health Worker at St. John's Well Child & Family Center providing COVID-19 education to communities. I am very excited to part of the HERE center and have the opportunity to learn more about the health disparities in the San Fernando Valley.
Emely Pineda
Political Science
Emely is a graduating senior majoring in Political Science at CalState Northridge. She has experience in government, political campaigns, and nonprofit organizations. Emely is passionate about uplifting underserved communities, specifically through healthcare reform in the policymaking process. She plans to pursue a career advocating for health equity in California and beyond. On her spare time she enjoys rock climbing and beach days.
Ashlyn Southerland
Public Health
Ashlyn Southerland is a CSUN undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She has worked in numerous community-focused nonprofit organizations and has dabbled in experiences pertaining to medicine, research, politics, education, and nonprofit leadership. In particular, many of Ashlyn's experiences have highlighted her extensive expertise in mental health resource provision, program development and evaluation, domestic and international outreach, qualitative and quantitative data collection, content writing, community advocacy, and curriculum facilitation.
At the Health Equity Research and Education (HERE) Center, Ashlyn aims to support her community and beyond through promotion of HERE Center initiatives. Her drive to increase awareness of high-impact programs, research, and resources fuels her hope of reducing the health disparities and inequities that plague the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities.
Alexsia Ishkhanianz
Psychology
I am a third year undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's in psychology. I am a proud first generation college student who is passionate about public health and anything relating to science! Some of my hobbies include cooking, reading, exploring the outdoors, and hanging out with the people that I am close with. Im looking forward to being an intern for the HERE Center and I cannot wait to learn more about research, health disparities, and ways to maintain and build equity!