Class of 2024: Meet five undergraduates championing health equity in Los Angeles and beyond

Over the past four years, students in the Global Health and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention programs, have immersed themselves in courses, research, and initiatives laying the foundation for careers in health. Having begun their college education during the height of the pandemic, this cohort exhibited resilience in their pursuit of higher education and commitment to addressing looming health challenges. Meet a few undergraduates from the dynamic Class of 2024 dedicated to addressing health disparities and promoting health across communities.

Lareen Abu Tayeh

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

“During my studies in biological sciences, I realized that I was not adequately equipped to understand and effectively work towards eliminating existing health disparities,” says Lareen Abu Tayeh, a progressive degree student in the Master of Science in Global Medicine program. “This realization prompted me to switch my major to specifically focus on these issues and gain a more comprehensive perspective on the healthcare field. Through my coursework, I have had the opportunity to delve into concepts such as health promotion for minorities and underserved populations, cultural diversity in medicine, and general public health issues.”

During her time at USC, Abu Tayeh conducted research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles exploring adolescent perspectives on various mobile health interventions. Similarly, she was involved in a comprehensive study on the prevalence of cataracts in northwestern Panama. Beyond her classes, she volunteered at Keck Hospital of USC and Luskin Orthopedic Institute for Children. “I assisted patients with their clinic experience, as well as healthcare workers in preparing and sanitizing patient’s rooms. I have also been an active member of the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program, where we educate underserved communities of Los Angeles about kidney disease and offer free health screenings.”

Abu Tayeh is an aspiring physician. After graduation, she intends to study for the MCAT and work as a medical assistant or scribe.

Caroline Ash

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Global Health

“Growing up, I was fascinated by infectious diseases like Ebola and SARS,” shares Caroline Ash, a progressive degree student in the Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology program. “I was also passionate about food security in the United States and abroad. Today, my interests lie in applying biostatistics and data analytics to solve public health problems.”

During her time at USC, Ash conducted research at USC’s mHealth Collaboratory, which sparked her interest in health behavior research. “This experience showed me the value of interdisciplinary collaboration,” she says. She joined the lab as a directed research student and ended her time as a project co-specialist for the HeartSteps study, a intervention that encourages regular walking.

Outside the classroom, Ash served as a Keck Student Ambassador where she met fellow students, fostered mentorships, and connected with advisors, professors, and alumni. She tutored at Student-Athlete Academic Services and was involved with Scholars Leading Scholars. She is currently interning at Kaiser Permanente exploring social health analytics. Next year, she will complete her graduate degree in applied biostatistics and epidemiology.

Kennis-Grace Mrotek

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Global Health

“My passion for Global Health bloomed from an early desire to explain phenomenon that I initially thought were just biological,” explains Kennis-Grace Mrotek. “I first became extraordinarily interested in the study of infectious disease after watching the movies Contagion and Outbreak. As I dug deeper into my questions about this topic, I realized that addressing them required an interdisciplinary approach to holistic health, integrating well-being in social, cultural, economic, and political spheres.”

Mrotek’s most impactful educational experience at USC involved studying abroad at Maastricht University, Netherlands. “I enrolled in classes focused on transitional justice recovery following atrocities or major conflicts, migration studies, and european human rights crises. “I engaged in fascinating conversations around optimization of physical, mental, and social health, but with perspectives and approaches I had never used in the States,” she says.

Throughout her studies, Mrotek was involved with Flying Samaritans, a club that sets up a free health clinic for residents in Tijuana—across the border from San Diego. She has also been involved with Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA), working in the infectious disease research division. “Throughout the pandemic and its aftermath, I was a part of CHLA’s cohort of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overcoming COVID-19 investigators. She also volunteered with WaterDrop LA distributing water to unhoused populations on Skid Row.

Mrotek is an aspiring doctor, who hopes to pursue a career in human rights and health equity supporting underserved populations impacted negatively by social injustice, including migrants or homeless folk.

Danette Ralota

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

“After doing a public health summer internship in high school, I realized just how broad the field of health was,” shares Danette Ralota. “There are so many ways to approach certain health issues, and public health allows individuals to be creatively bold in how they reach solutions. I am interested in providing direct healthcare to underserved families, as well as advocating for them through policy and research-driven efforts.”

Ralota’s most impactful education experience in this program was learning about the intersection of medicine and public health. “The topics concerning bias and prejudice in Dr. Ashely Bennett’s course on the ‘Biological Basis of Disease’ revealed the jarring reality of medicine in contemporary society and further fueled my passion in this field.”

During her time at USC, Ralota was involved in Keck Student Ambassadors (KSA), Health Sciences Education Program, Southern California Health Consulting Group, Trojan Health Volunteers, and Our Savior Parish’s Creative Team. “I also assisted clinical visits for USC’s Real-Time Eating Activity & Children’s Health Lab, and volunteered with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Transforming Care at Bedside Program and Optum’s Human Connection Initiative,” she says.  After graduation, Ralota will work as a medical scribe and study for the MCAT in preparation for medical school.

Pedram Zamanpour

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Global Health

Pedram Zamanpour’s interest in global health was sparked when he learned about health as a global issue instead of a case-by-case approach at the physician level. Zamanpour is a progressive degree student also enrolled in the Master of Finance degree program at the USC Marshall School of Business. During his time in this program, Zamanpour enjoyed learning about ‘Toxins, Politics and People.’ One highlight of his time at USC, was creating a podcast and video production company. After graduation, Zamanpour will complete his master’s degree.

Learn more about how the Keck School of Medicine is celebrating the Class of 2024.