The University of Michigan Center for Global Equity is pleased to welcome our inaugural cohort of Impact Scholars. These early-career researchers are appointed for one- or two-year terms to help develop sustainable projects that advance their own particular research interest as well as the programming offered through the Center.
Each will work alongside faculty mentors engaged in one of the Center’s Challenge Groups. HaEun Lee, who recently completed her PhD at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, will engage with the Empowering Women and Communities group.
“For me, the focus of the Challenge Group dovetails with my own research interests and, more important, this was a chance to work with mentors that I look up to as a woman interested in global health,” Lee said. “That was one of the attractive things about this post-doctoral position—the ability to connect with so many faculty mentors within the Center that I admire.”
Lee will work primarily with associate professor of Learning Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology Cheryl Moyer, who co-leads the Empowering Women and Communities Challenge group with Laura Rozek, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Nutritional Sciences.
Joining Lee in the inaugural Impact Scholar cohort will be Leon Espira and Ryan Rego. Espira recently completed his PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Professor of Epidemiology Joe Eisenberg will serve as his primary mentor, and Espira’s work will be primarily linked to the Climate Vulnerability and Health challenge group.
Rego joins the Center having completed his PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Warwick. Associate professor of Internal Medicine Akbar Waljee will serve as Rego’s primary mentor. His work will align primarily with the Data Science challenge group.
“I liked the idea of being in a cohort and having two other counterparts to learn and work alongside,” said Lee. “I also liked that this is a brand new program at a relatively young Center. I find it exciting that I’ll be part of building something from the early stages.”