Melissa DeJonckheere is the lead investigator of MYHealth and an Assistant Professor in the University of Michigan’s Department of Family Medicine. Her research focuses on community-engaged and adolescent-centered approaches to health equity. From her experience teaching adolescents in an under-resourced special education classroom, she is driven to actively mentor youth to make the transition to college and pursue science careers. She likes to spend most of her time outside and talking to her dogs.

Lisa Vaughn is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine/Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and of Educational Studies at the University of Cincinnati. Lisa’s research focuses on group process and participatory and qualitative methodologies that engage community stakeholders in the research process. She has cultivated several successful CBPR community-academic partnerships and has concrete expertise in establishing co-researcher and youth-driven models of research engagement. When not working, Lisa loves to do collage art and spend time with her kids at musical and theater performances. She is currently taking tap dance lessons to further embarrass her teenager!

Tammy Chang is an Associate Professor in the University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine and the founding director of MyVoice. MyVoice is the text message poll that is used in MYHealth to collect data from a large, national sample of youth. She actively mentors numerous students to fill the pipeline of future health researchers. She loves being in nature, hanging out with her family, and eating ice cream!

Matt Diemer is a Professor of Education in the Combined Program of Education and Psychology at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on how historically marginalized young people develop and how they challenge external barriers in school, work, and politics. He is working on a place-based STEM education program in Southeast Michigan that emphasizes the relevance of science for the cultures and communities of young people. In his free time he likes to coach youth soccer and play in “old man” soccer leagues.

Alison Allen has over five years of experience conducting educational research in formal and informal settings with school leaders, teachers, and students. At Rockman, she primarily works on evaluations of projects related to STEM education and teacher development. In her free time she loves to play with her kids in nature and visit coffee shops around town.

Jaime has spent years working with community organizations, nonprofits, housing associations, and local businesses at the local level to support street play on low-rise estates. Jaime uses participatory and art-based frameworks, storytelling in music, movement, and dance, and nature-based methodologies to partner with and empower organizations and community members who are ready to engage and expand the horizons of childhood.

Sam Chuisano is the MYHealth program manager and a Research Specialist in the Department of Family Medicine at University of Michigan. Her research interests include chronic illness, maternal-child health, and underrepresented groups. Outside of work, you can find Sam spending time with her dog Lily in the summers and bundled up quilting or knitting in the winter.

Marika Waselewski is the program manager for MyVoice and a research project manager in the University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine. Her research interests are in the use of technology to improve public health outcomes and quality of care. In her free time Marika enjoys cheering on Michigan sports, laughing with friends, playing with her baby boy, and being active!

Bianca Barraza is a second year undergraduate student at University of Michigan from Chicago, IL. Bianca’s intended major in Public Health while on a Pre-PA track.

Hasan Khan is a senior undergraduate student at University of Michigan studying Brain, Cognition, and Neuroscience. Hasan is planning to apply to medical school in the next cycle. Hasan grew up and currently lives in Dearborn, Michigan.

Hannah Knoll is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Michigan studying Biology, Health, and Society. She is graduating in Spring 2023 and plans to apply to medical school. In her free time, Hannah enjoys spending time with her friends and family, biking, reading, and playing with her two dogs!

Keji is a freshman undergraduate student at the University of Michigan. Keji was born and raised in Michigan and originally connected with Dr. DeJonckheere as a high school student in the Wolverine Pathways program.