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Meet the Researchers

CURRENT RESEARCHERS (A-Z)

Maria Reza 

Maria Reza is a fourth-year first-generation undergraduate student from Los Angeles, CA. Maria is expected to graduate in Spring 2024 with a B.A. in Public Health with Sociology and Psychology minors. She is involved in on-campus organizations such as the Monarch Center,  Yosemite Leadership program, and the Public Health Society where she actively works to improve her leadership and social skills. Additionally, Maria served on the executive committee that organized the first-ever National Public Health Week at UC Merced. This upcoming school year will be her second year serving as the Historian for the Public Health Society on campus. Maria’s goal is to obtain a Master's degree in Public Health and become an advocate for healthcare access for underprivileged populations. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, picnicking at the beach, and trying new restaurants.

Projects: Self-efficacy for Writing in Health Communication; Impact of a Public Health Living Learning Community at a Hispanic-Serving Institution; Sense of Belonging in the Central Valley
Date: Spring 2023, Summer 2023 (UROC-SURF Program) - current
Email: mreza5@ucmerced.edu
 

Shweta Srinivasan 

I am a third-year Public Health major. I currently work for the Chemistry department as a learning assistant. I enjoy learning and being challenged by new things. In the future, I hope to attend medical school. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, watching TV, and going on runs with my dog.
 
Project: Self-efficacy for Writing in Health Communication; Sense of Belonging in the Central Valley
Date: Summer 2023 - current
Email: ssrinivasan14@ucmerced.edu
 
 

PREVIOUS RESEARCHERS (A-Z)

Angelica Cardenas

Angelica is an incoming fifth-year public health major from Modesto, California. She plans to pursue a master’s in public health after graduating and is interested in research topics such as health equity and health communication. In her free time, Angelica enjoys learning new cooking recipes and watching mystery shows.

Project: “Impact of a Public Health Living Learning Community at a Hispanic-Serving Institution”
Date: Summer 2023 (UROC-H Program)
Email: acardenas42@ucmerced.edu
 
 
 

Rewanshi Kumar

 
Project: Project-based learning: developing a health promotion program across the semester
Date: AY 2022-2023, UROC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Destiny Marquez

Destiny Marquez is a fourth-year undergraduate from La Puente, CA. She is expected to graduate in May 2024 with a B.A. in Public Health and a minor in Community Research and Service. After graduation, Destiny aims to begin her Master’s in Epidemiology. To prepare for this endeavor, she has joined the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute to conduct research on Living Learning Communities with Dr. Lindsay Crawford. Her ultimate career goals are to take part in research that can address social-economic factors and injustice correlated to poor health outcomes in underserved communities. When she’s not focused on her academics or career, Destiny is usually curled up with some hot tea and a good book.
 
Project: Impact of a Public Health Living Learning Community at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Date: Summer 2023
Email: dmarquez17@ucmerced.edu
 

Deija Moore

My name is Deija Moore. I am a third-year undergraduate student from Vallejo, CA. I am expected to graduate in Spring 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Science. I am a member of UC Merced’s Psi Chi chapter. I am also currently a part of UC Merced’s Psychology Honors Program, where I am studying the potential connections between Weight Stigma and Coping Behaviors Among College-Age Youth. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the intention to one day have a career providing care to children and adolescents with mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. My hobbies outside of school include Reading, Writing Short Stories, Binging Different Shows on Netflix and Hulu, and participating in different intramural sports.
 
Project: Impact of a Public Health Living Learning Community at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Date: Summer 2023 (UROC-SURF Program)
Email: dmoore32@ucmerced.edu