Smoke & Vape Free Scholars Initiative (SVFSI)
The first cohort of the SVFSI bring together students from Public Health Promotion, Psychology, and Sociology. Each one of them are recipient of a scholarship allowing them to expand their knowledge on tobacco control as well as being part of a UC Merced Research Group and a local public health department.
Lara Al-Jaser (Class 2023)
Lara Al-Jaser is a sociology major. Her interests include sexual health, consent, and reproductive rights.
She joined the SVFSI to gain both academic and applied experience on tobacco control health. She is an intern at the Stanislaus County's Health Services Agency. In addition, she is part of the Bortfeld Lab at UC Merced.
Asha Nair (Class 2023)
Asha Nair is a sociology major. Her interests include medical sociology and disability.
She join the SVFSI to get hands-on experience on health. Through this program, she is an intern at the Tuolumne Public Health Department. In addition, she is a research assistant at the Latch Lab under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Hahn-Holbrook.
Gianna Nunes (Class 2023)
Gianna Nunes is a public health promotion major.
She joined the SVFSI program to get involved with tobacco related research and professional field work experience. She is an intern at the Madera County Department of Public Health. In addition, she is a research assistant for Dr. Colin Holbrook at the UC Merced Cognitive Science Lab.
Monica Montenegro (Class 2023)
Monica Montenegro is a psychology major and minor in sociology. She is interested on health psychology and children's health.
She joined the SVFSI looking to have a positive impact in the community and to gain research and practical experience in the field of tobacco control. She is a research assistant under the supervision of Dr. Marc Beutel. She is an intern at the public health department of Merced County.
Jacqueline Villaseñor-Ramírez (Class 2024)
Jacqueline Villaseñor-Ramírez is a public health promotion major. She is interested on epidemiology and health psychology.
She joined the SVFSI program to gain research and professional experience. She is a research assistant at the UC Merced's Stress & Health Lab under the supervision of Dr. Matthew J. Zawadzki. She is an intern at Mariposa County's Public Health Department.
Please feel free to contact Dr. José R. Díaz-Garayúa and Dr. Meggan Jordan for references related to the SVFSI program.
Updated: January 09, 2024