Research
Independent and collaborative inquiry grounded in credible sources.
Community Health
Service, health education, and outreach centered on real needs.
Health Data
Survey analysis and evidence-based exploration of health patterns.
Clinical Exposure
Observational and volunteer experiences in healthcare environments.
// ABOUT MAYA
My Journey Into Health Sciences
“Health is shaped not only by biology, but by what people know, what they can access, and whether they feel heard.”
My interest in public health began with a simple question: why do people with the same health needs often have very different outcomes? Through coursework, volunteering, and student-led research, I began to see how education, communication, environment, access, and community resources shape preventive health. I am especially drawn to health equity, data analysis, and human-centered ways of making complex information useful.
Research • Data • Service
Public Health
Community Health
Health Data
Preventive Care
Health Equity
Service
Public Health
Community Health
Health Data
Preventive Care
Health Equity
Service
// ACADEMIC INTERESTS
Areas of Exploration
Exploring prevention, health education, and population-level health challenges.
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Prevention & Education
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Population Health
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Community-Based Inquiry
Understanding how access, socioeconomic conditions, and community resources shape outcomes.
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Access & Opportunity
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Social Determinants
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Community Resources
Learning how biology, disease mechanisms, and prevention connect across scales.
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Human Biology
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Disease Mechanisms
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Laboratory Learning
Using surveys and basic analysis to identify patterns and communicate findings responsibly.
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Survey Design
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Pattern Recognition
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Data Storytelling
Exploring how technology and human-centered design can improve health experiences.
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Accessible Technology
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Human-Centered Design
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Clear Communication
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Student-led inquiry
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Survey + literature review
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Reflection guides each next step
// MY PROCESS
How I Approach Health Questions
I try to connect evidence with lived experience, remain honest about limitations, and communicate what I learn in clear language.
Start with Evidence
Use credible research and data before forming conclusions.
Listen to Communities
Understand the experiences and barriers behind the statistics.
Look for Patterns
Use surveys and visualization to identify meaningful trends.
Communicate Clearly
Translate complex health topics into useful, accessible information.
// LEARNING IN ACTION
Selected Experiences
Community Health Volunteer
Supported local wellness outreach and accessible health education activities.
Public Health Summer Program
Studied epidemiology, prevention, and population health through an academic program.
Health Club Leadership
Helped organize student discussions and awareness activities around adolescent wellness.
Hospital Volunteer Experience
Observed how communication, navigation, and support shape healthcare experiences.
// FEATURED RESEARCH PROJECT
Understanding Barriers to Preventive Healthcare Among Adolescents
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Lack of awareness about preventive services
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Cost concerns and uncertainty about coverage
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Transportation and access challenges
From a Question to Four Findings
A student-led project combining anonymous survey responses with a review of public health literature.
Why might teenagers and young adults delay preventive healthcare, even when services could help them stay well?
Survey + Literature Review
126 Anonymous Responses
// WHAT CHANGED MY THINKING
Community Impact & Reflections
REFLECTION 01
“During outreach, I learned that a clear handout is only useful if it answers the questions people are actually asking. Listening first changed both my language and my research questions.”
REFLECTION 02
“I expected cost to dominate every response. Instead, uncertainty about what preventive care includes appeared again and again. The data challenged my assumption and pointed toward education as part of access.”
// QUESTIONS WORTH FOLLOWING
