Sara Ackerman, PhD, MPH, is a medical anthropologist, Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Director of Bioethics and Regulatory Support at UCSF’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Dr. Ackerman conducts empirical ethics research using qualitative
methods and public engagement to advance our understanding of how genomics, artificial intelligence and other emerging medical technologies shape the lived experience of patients, caregivers and communities.
Karen Chan Barrett, PhD, is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed at the Institute for Health & Aging (UCSF School of Nursing) and the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (UCSF School of Medicine). As an Auditory Cognitive Neuroscientist, Dr. Barrett’s research bridges neuroscience, music, and health to uncover the intricate relationships between artistic creativity, music perception, and cognitive aging.
Jess has a split appointment between the Institute for Global Health Sciences where she is the Management Lead in the Center for Pandemic Preparedness and the SON's Institute for Health and Aging where she serves as the Chief Administrative Officer.
Cristian Cervantes Aldana holds a B.A. degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and M.A. degree in Psychology from California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM). At CSUSM, Cristian worked in a behavioral neuroscience laboratory using animal models to study the effects of drugs of abuse. At UCSF, Cristian is the Project Manager of an NIH (u01) longitudinal study that aims to advance the field of mentorship science.
Sneha Challa is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Challa obtained her PhD in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from the University of California San Diego and San Diego State University. She obtained her MPH from the University of Michigan in Health Behavior and Health Education with a concentration in Global Health. Her research interests include studying the impact of gender norms on sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
JiWon Choi, PhD, RN, is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Health & Aging and the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences in the UCSF School of Nursing. Her research program focuses on developing innovative strategies to improve lifestyle health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) among vulnerable populations, including Asian immigrants and family caregivers of persons living with dementia. Dr. Choi received her PhD in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her post-doctoral training in the UCSF School of Nursing.
