Student Advisory Board

The students and recent alumni on our Student Advisory Board help shape Center for Health Communication programs, ensuring they are grounded in student needs. 

Elissa Scherer - MPH in social and behavioral sciences at Harvard Chan School of Public Health

Elissa Scherer

Communications Coordinator
Center for Health Communication

Elissa Scherer (she/her) is the Center for Health Communication’s Communications Coordinator and a second-year MPH student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. In her role as the Communications Coordinator, Elissa works to curate the Center’s digital presence, publish the Center’s newsletter, and evaluate the Center’s programs and services. In her time at Harvard, Elissa … Continue reading “Elissa Scherer”

Photo of CHC student advisory board member Sarthak Agarwal

Sarthak Agarwal

Doctoral student, Population Health Sciences
Department of Nutrition

Sarthak Agarwal (he/him) is a first-year doctoral student of Population Health Sciences with a focus on Public Health Nutrition. Before joining Harvard, he graduated with a Master of Public Policy specializing in Food and Nutrition Policy from the University of Minnesota and studied food science during his undergraduate. His academic interests include food security and … Continue reading “Sarthak Agarwal”

Photo of center program assistant Connor Dowd

Connor Dowd

Alum (Harvard College Class of 2023)

Connor (he/him) graduated from Harvard College in 2023 with a BA in Applied Mathematics and Biology. While at Harvard he wrote for both the Harvard Crimson and Harvard Chan School’s Center for Health Communications. Currently a computational associate at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Connor is interested in studying the impact of genetics … Continue reading “Connor Dowd”

Headshot of Natalie Ezem

Natalie Ezem

Natalie Ezem (she/her) is a student in the Master of Science in Global Health and Population program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Prior to her time at Harvard, she received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with minors in Global Health and Chemistry from Duke University. Natalie also has extensive experience in … Continue reading “Natalie Ezem”

Disha Ganjegunte, Harvard Chan School student and CHC advisory board member

Disha Ganjegunte

Masters student, Global Health and Population
Department of Global Health & Population

From El Paso, Texas, Disha Ganjegunte is a current student in the Masters of Global Health and Population program at Harvard Chan School of Public Health. She graduated from Texas Tech University double majoring in Nutritional Sciences and General Studies; with minors in Chemistry, Biology, and Theatre:Acting. As a first-generation student in the US, Disha … Continue reading “Disha Ganjegunte”

Photo of Sylvia Hartmann

Sylvia Hartmann

MPH student
Department of Health Policy and Management

Sylvia Hartmann (she/her) is a Master’s student in the Department of Health Policy and Management. A medical doctor with a degree from Charité Berlin in Germany, Sylvia has more than six years of experience in climate change and health and planetary health. She co-founded the German Alliance on Climate Change and Health, serving as its … Continue reading “Sylvia Hartmann”

Photo of CHC student advisory board member Sarah Henkel

Sarah Henkel

Alum (MPH Class of 2022)
Senior strategist, 21 Grams

Sarah Henkel (she/her) is a communication strategist and received her MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2022. As a student at Chan, Sarah focused on health communication and literacy in order to drive health equity and community-driven engagement. For her practicum, Sarah worked with a Boston-based … Continue reading “Sarah Henkel”

Photo of CHC student advisory board member Kynza Khimani

Kynza Khimani

MPH student
Department of Global Health & Population

Kynza Khimani (she/her) is a first-year Master’s student in the Department of Global Health & Population. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in May 2022, where she studied Physiology & Neurobiology and Public Health. As an undergraduate student, she conducted research examining the experiences of children and families with PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Disorder), … Continue reading “Kynza Khimani”

Photoillustration of Samuel Mendez

Samuel Mendez

Doctoral student, Population Health Sciences
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Sam’s research focuses on the intersection of health communication, media, and technology. Their dissertation examines the use of AI-driven tools in health literacy assessments, as well as ways to understand health communication beyond the transfer of information. As a student advisory board member, Sam is looking forward to contributing their viewpoint to better link students … Continue reading “Samuel Mendez”

Katherine Rapp, Center for Health Communication student advisory board memeber

Katherine Rapp

MPH student
Generalist program

Katherine Rapp (she/her) is a first-year student in the Master in Public Health Generalist program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she brings experience in both science and communications. She currently works as a communications strategist for nonprofits, medical associations, and patient advocacy organizations at JPA Health, a public relations agency … Continue reading “Katherine Rapp”

Headshot of Jordan Tralins

Jordan Tralins

Jordan Tralins (she/her) is a first year Pathways medical student at Harvard Medical School. Before coming to Harvard, Jordan received her undergraduate degree in Human Biology, Health, and Society from Cornell University with minors in Health Equity and Human Development. As an undergraduate student, Jordan founded The COVID Campus Coalition, a grassroots organization that was … Continue reading “Jordan Tralins”

Sarah Wang, MPH candidate at Harvard Chan School, and CHC student advisory board member

Sarah J.M. Wang

MPH student
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Sarah J.M. Wang (she/her) is a first-year master’s student of Social and Behavioral Science with a focus on Public Health Nutrition. Before joining Harvard, she was a Vice Chair of the California Public Interest Group (CalPIRG) at the University of California, Irvine, where she helped lead the “Stop the Antibiotic Overuse” campaign. She is also … Continue reading “Sarah J.M. Wang”

Photo of center advisory board member Meng Meng Xu

Meng Meng Xu

MPH student
Department of Health Policy and Management

Meng Meng Xu (she/her) is the Clinical Director of Eye Services at the South Boston Community Health Center and a faculty member at the New England College of Optometry. She has 10 years of experience delivering eye care to underserved communities and designing international educational programs in eye care.  She also mentors international students on … Continue reading “Meng Meng Xu”