Online Master of Public Health Program

Ayman Azizuddin

aymanazizuddin@berkeley.edu
Available to meet by phone or Zoom

Ayman Azizuddin is a second-year OOMPH student in the Health Policy & Management concentration, passionate about improving the healthcare experience through better access, lower costs, and higher quality care. He works as a Data Consultant at Kaiser Permanente, where he analyzes public policy, economic trends, and business initiatives to forecast insurance membership growth—focusing on the Medicaid and Federal Employee markets across California. For his practicum, Ayman is leading a long-term project at Kaiser on developing a membership growth strategy for military veterans.

A proud double Bear, Ayman earned his BA in Public Health and Economics from UC Berkeley in 2022. Based in the Bay Area, he frequently returns to campus to study at the School of Public Health and connect with peers across the program and university. Outside of work and school, he enjoys producing beats and recording songs, hiking and biking, traveling near and far, geeking out over video games and anime, and exploring new cuisines.

Feel free to reach out to Ayman to chat about careers in healthcare data and analytics, breaking into roles at large health systems, or applying technical skills like SQL to real-world public health work.

Tywana Groce

tgroce@berkeley.edu
Available to meet by phone or email

Dr. Tywana Groce, DMD, FAGD is a dentist, entrepreneur, and public health advocate committed to advancing health equity. After earning her BS in Mathematics from Hampton University and Doctor of Dental Medicine from Temple University as a National Health Service Corps Scholar, she began her career serving underserved communities across South Carolina. She later founded Precision Dental, where she integrates family and cosmetic dentistry with a focus on access to care for Medicaid recipients and uninsured patients.

Dr. Groce has developed pipeline programs for minority students, mentors future dental professionals, and collaborates with coalitions to address oral health disparities. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UC Berkeley, with the goal of bridging clinical practice, research, and public health leadership.

Ruth Lopez

rnlopez@berkeley.edu
Available to meet by phone or Zoom

Hello, my name is Ruth Lopez, and I am a graduate student with a focus in interdisciplinary studies. Before discovering my passion for public health, I was a licensed cosmetologist and worked several different jobs trying to find my way. This journey taught me that it’s never too late to discover what truly inspires you, and it’s this perspective that I’m excited to share.

Today, I work as a Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor at the California Department of Public Health, where I lead a team dedicated to protecting community health through diagnostic testing. My work involves coordinating our lab’s response to viral diseases and emerging public health threats.

I am thrilled to serve as an ambassador for incoming graduate students. Having navigated a unique career path as a first generation college student, I am passionate about helping new students find their footing, especially those who may identify as non-traditional students. My goal is to be a supportive resource and help you feel confident as you successfully begin your own academic journey.

Marcela Mobati

marce2277@berkeley.edu
Available to meet by phone or Zoom

Marcela Mobati, una orgullosa inmigrante Latina de primera generación, is a 2nd-year MPH candidate in the OOMPH Program- Interdisciplinary Concentration, who plans to pursue a residency in dental public health. She holds a degree in dentistry and orthodontics from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (U.N.A.N.–León). Marcela is passionate about building bridges across systems by connecting communities, organizations, and policy to create more just and inclusive pathways for underrepresented communities.

With a dual background in clinical and non-clinical healthcare, Marcela brings experience addressing social determinants of health through community engagement, culturally responsive care, and advocacy that strengthens systems of care. Furthermore, she is especially committed to advancing equitable health opportunities by fostering inclusive partnerships and championing education as a key social determinant of health.

Her current work focuses on integrating oral health with primary care for Latine and Hispanic communities, and she also works at STAR-CA as an academic coach for college students. Moreover, she serves as a graduate research assistant at the Center for the Critical Study of the Health of Latinx Communities. Additionally, Marcela tutors English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students at Laney College, serves as a mentor and advisory board member at Berkeley Student Leadership Academy (BSLA), and is on the leadership council of LATIMGS Academy. Outside of her academic and community work, Marcela enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and practicing Zumba Latina.

John Rodrigo

jrodrigo45@berkeley.edu
Available to meet by phone or Zoom

During the pandemic I earned my MPH in Epidemiology & Biostatistics through the OOMPH program. Before that I completed medical school in Europe and trained as a Pathology resident at UC Davis Health; I now work as a research specialist with its Pathology Clinical Trials team.

I plan to return to clinical medicine and apply my MPH to patient care and system improvement. Outside work, I’m into scuba diving, hiking, and snowboarding. If you’re curious about my experience with the OOMPH program or my path, I’m always happy to share.

Mackenzie Saephanh

Mackenzie.Saephanh@berkeley.edu
Available to meet by phone or Zoom

Mackenzie is the proud daughter of Iu-Mien refugees and was raised in California’s Central Valley, where she developed a deep commitment to advancing health equity in rural and underserved communities. She currently serves as the Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator with UCSF Fresno’s Mobile HeaL program, a mobile clinic dedicated to reaching farmworker families, rural communities, and other vulnerable populations to provide free health services across Fresno County. She plans to pursue a career as a physician to continue serving and advocating for the Central Valley.

As a first year Master of Public Health student at UC Berkeley, Mackenzie is pursuing a concentration in Health Policy and Management while serving as a Rural Health Innovation Scholar and Policy Fellow. These experiences allow her to bridge her frontline work in mobile health with statewide and national conversations on health policy. Her passion lies in shaping sustainable, community-driven solutions that expand access to care for those who need it most.

As a proud Golden Bear, she looks forward to supporting future public health leaders and helping them find their place at Berkeley!