Meet the 2025–2026 Dhablania and Kim Family Global Medicine and Health fellows

The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at Keck School of Medicine of USC is proud to introduce the 2025–2026 Dhablania and Kim Family Global Medicine and Health fellows, thanks to continued generous support. Six students will have the opportunity to conduct research and clinical work in a country of their choosing, deepening their understanding of global health issues through hands-on experiences. The fellowship plays a key role in fostering cross-cultural learning and equipping fellows with the tools to make meaningful contributions to communities worldwide.

Name: Kirandeep Chhokar, MPH

Research Country: Greece

Project Title: Exploring Health and Well-Being Among Refugee Women

Project Description: A mixed-methods study will be utilized to identify key factors influencing refugee women’s health and well-being in Greece’s migrant camps. The study will explore the relationship between length of stay in the camps and the overall health status of displaced women, among other contributing factors. It will also consolidate data on the lived experiences and unique challenges refugee women face on a day-to-day basis, providing insight into unmet needs and gaps in available services. The findings of this study will help identify priority areas for health education and support the development of future public health strategies in collaboration with local NGOs, community organizations, and public health professionals.

Mentor: Kelika Konda, MHS, PhD

Name: Tiffany Lin, MD

Research Country: Cambodia

Project Title: Neurology Clinical Education & Epilepsy EEG Research

Project Description: My project has two objectives: (1) to deliver formal clinical neurology education to medical students in Cambodia, and (2) to conduct research on implementation of electroencephalography (EEG) in the treatment of epilepsy in Cambodia. Our team has had a long-standing partnership with a medical school in Phnom Penh, which currently lacks a structured neurology curriculum. As part of this collaboration, I will lead a one-week intensive course covering the neurological exam, diagnostic approach, and management of common neurological conditions. I will also provide additional education resources that can be used throughout the year. The second component of the project focuses on assessing the impact of a recently donated EEG machine at the National Pediatric Hospital. During our 2024 visit, we provided the hospital with its first EEG device—an essential diagnostic tool previously unavailable, leaving clinicians to rely solely on clinical assessment. I plan to return one year later to evaluate how access to EEG has affected diagnostic accuracy, treatment decisions, and overall patient care. Given the limited availability of EEG, I will also investigate how patients are selected for testing and how epilepsy care is adapted in resource-constrained settings. Ultimately, this project seeks to reduce healthcare disparities, promote knowledge exchange, and enhance neurologic care delivery in underserved communities. By supporting and empowering local medical professionals, I hope to improve neurologic care and contribute to better outcomes for patients in Cambodia.

Mentor: Leigh Ramos-Platt, MD, Soma Sahai-Srivastava, MD

Name: Iris Isabel Martinez, BSN- RN, MPH (she/her/ella)

Research Country: México

Project Title: Exploring Health Outcomes of Deterrence-Based Immigration Policies in Clinics and Shelters Along the U.S. – Mexico Border

Project Description: Currently, 281 million people—3.6% of the global population—live outside their home countries, often driven by war, violence, climate disasters, and political or economic instability. For many, migration is not a choice but a matter of survival. The U.S.–Mexico border, the world’s deadliest land migration route, sees migrants face extreme risks, including violence, exposure to harsh environmental conditions, and limited access to food, water, and healthcare. Migrants are also vulnerable to trafficking, gender-based violence, and worsening chronic illnesses due to prolonged stress and lack of medical support.

This initiative will be a deeply collaborative endeavor, engaging not only the staff of our partner organization but, most importantly, the local community in Tijuana. Recognizing the sensitive context in which we operate, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of care, confidentiality, and safety to protect all participants—especially those living or working in the region.

This project aims to highlight health disparities among migrants at the U.S.–Mexico border and provide evidence of how deterrence-based immigration policies harm their physical and mental well-being. It also seeks to advocate for this underserved population by demonstrating how current policies undermine basic human rights and public health standards.  This project will add to the current body of evidence that urges policy change.

Mentor: Laura Ferguson, PhD, SM, MA,  Todd Schneberk, MD, MS, MA

Name: Niranjan S. Bhatt, BS, MPH

Research Country: India

Project Title: Increasing Awareness and Benefits of Probiotics for Prevention & Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Rural Indian Children

Project Description: This project objective is to improve the prevention and treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD) in rural Indian children by increasing awareness about the role of probiotics. AAD is a widespread issue in these communities, often caused by the overuse or misuse of antibiotics and a general lack of awareness about gut health. Probiotics—beneficial bacteria that help restore the natural balance of the digestive system—have been proven to reduce the risk and severity of AAD. Despite their effectiveness, probiotics are rarely used or recommended in rural areas due to limited knowledge among healthcare providers and caregivers. To address this gap, the project will implement a program focused on education and outreach. It will educate, train physicians, nurses, and community health workers on the clinical benefits of probiotics, while also engaging families and caregivers to promote better understanding of gut health. The program will assess existing knowledge, identify barriers to probiotic use, and advocate for incorporating probiotics into standard treatment protocols, ultimately supporting more sustainable and child-friendly healthcare practices in rural India.

Mentor: Susanne Hempel, PhD

Name: Andy Liu, MD candidate

Research Country: Botswana

Project Title: Exploring the Genomic Epidemiology of Syphilis in Southern Africa

Project Description: Syphilis remains a major global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to timely diagnosis and treatment is limited. An effective vaccine could significantly reduce the global burden of this disease. This project aims to generate genomic data from strains of

Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (T. pallidum), the syphilis-causing spirochete, circulating in Southern Africa, a region where the disease is endemic yet underrepresented in existing genomic databases. As part of a multi-country, cross-sectional study, clinical teams across Botswana and South Africa are enrolling patients with suspected syphilitic genital lesions, collecting swab samples, and isolating T. pallidum DNA. Genome sequencing will be conducted at a central laboratory in Botswana, with subsequent genomic analyses focused on assessing strain diversity, constructing phylogenetic trees, and examining potential vaccine targets such as the T. pallidum outer membrane protein genes. By filling a critical gap in the global syphilis genomic landscape, this work will enhance our understanding of the molecular biology of syphilis and support the development of a broadly protective vaccine.

Mentor: Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH

Name: Chinazo Onyema, BA, MD candidate (Class of 2028)

Research Country: India

Project Title: Sources of Lead Exposure, Dietary Patterns, and Their Impact on Maternal and Children’s Blood Lead Levels in Meghalaya, India: A Contribution to the India-Lead Elimination Action Partnership (i-LEAP) Initiative

Project Description: This research project, conducted in collaboration with the India-Lead Elimination Action Partnership (i-LEAP), investigates environmental and dietary contributors to lead exposure among pregnant women and children in Meghalaya, India. In addition to assisting in conducting lead exposure assessments, a major focus of my role will be piloting a dietary questionnaire that evaluates calcium and iron intake as potential modifiers of lead absorption. I will also train local field staff to ensure consistent and sustainable data collection. Overall, the findings will contribute to targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing lead-related harm in vulnerable populations.

Mentor: Howard Hu, MD, MPH, ScD