The School of Public Health Student Government (BPHSG) serves as a bridge connecting students with the administration and faculty, facilitating communication and keeping students informed about School affairs. Outside of this BPHSG plays a role in enhancing the BPH community by organizing events centered around professional growth, community bonding, networking, and various other activities.
Get Involved
- We’re always interested in connecting with people who would like to plan events for the BPH community—contact us if you have ideas!
- Have feedback, comments, or concerns that you’d like to share with us? Send us your thoughts with this anonymous BPH Student Government Listening Box.
- If you are interested in becoming involved with Student Government events and activities, fill out this interest form.
- If you are interested in any of the committees run by the School, let us know and you can attend with a BPHSG representative.
- For specific information about committees, see Part VI of the Faculty ByLaws Document
2023–2024 Student Government Representatives
Student Government Co-Leads
Kevin Ru
MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Kevin Ru (he/him) is a second year MPH student in Epidemiology & Biostatistics with a focus on Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology. Originally from Orange County, California, he graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Society and Genetics. He is interested in chronic disease disparities, particularly in relation to EHS/occupational exposures. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, watching anime, and trying new food/boba spots!
Alana Acuña
MPH, Health Policy & Management
Alana (she/her) is a second-year Health Policy and Management student in the two-year MPH degree program. She is originally from San Diego and graduated with her B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2022, also from UC Berkeley. She has worked in healthcare administration, volunteered in Ghanaian medical clinics, and researched a vaccine platform for gonorrhea. In her free time, Alana enjoys going for hikes around the Bay Area and trying new baking recipes.
Communications
Sydney Dougan
MPH, Public Health Nutrition
Sydney (she/her) is a first-year Public Health Nutrition student. She is originally from North Carolina and relocated to the Bay Area in 2023. Before starting her degree, she worked in state politics managing campaigns and developing policy. In her free time, she loves baking, exploring the Bay, and reading.
Arleth Escoto
MPH, Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology
Arleth Escoto (she/her) is a first year MPH candidate in the Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology concentration program. Originally from Calexico, CA, she graduated from UC San Diego spring of 2023. Before joining the program, she spent the last few years researching how to effectively implement strategies that will minimize the health inequities faced by underserved populations when accessing COVID-19 testing resources. In her free time, she enjoys reading, attending concerts, and baking.
Budget & Finance
Elijah Martinez
MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Elijah Martinez, currently a first-year MPH student in epidemiology and biostatistics, graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico in 2020, majoring in Biology and Psychology. Following graduation, he held roles as a campaign strategist and non-profit program director in Albuquerque, NM. Now at Cal, Elijah anticipates conducting epidemiological research on infectious diseases as a stepping stone towards his PhD aspirations.
Victoria Mesquita
MPH, Health Policy and Management
Vicky (she/her) is a second-year Health Policy and Management student in the two-year MPH degree program. She is originally from Salvador, Brazil, but has lived in the Bay Area for the majority of her life. She graduated with her B.A. in Political Science in 2019 from UCLA. After undergrad, she worked in graduate medical education at the Stanford School of Medicine, running residency and fellowship programs for the department of medicine. In her free time, Vicky enjoys going to the movies and hanging out with her dog, Milo.
Events Committee
Samar Robleh
MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Samar Robleh (She/Her) is a 2nd year graduate student in the Epidemiology & Biostatistics program. Prior to that, she graduated from San Jose State University in 2022 with her BS in Public Health with a concentration in Population Data Science. Her past work experiences include working with a mental health non-profit, contact tracing for LA’s Public Health department, and teaching STEM education to children from underserved communities in her hometown of San Jose. Her hobbies include yoga, reading, and finding new food spots to enjoy in the Bay.
Alice Bruno
MPH, Health and Social Behavior
Alice (she/her) is a first-year MPH candidate in the Health and Social Behavior Program. She is passionate about improving community health through culturally sensitive, human-centered, and participatory strategies that prioritize people’s unique needs and viewpoints. She has spearheaded a campaign to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health in Sicily, Italy, and has been involved in various research projects centered around health equity. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and loves a good cup of coffee!
Nimita Gaggar
MPH, Interdisciplinary
Dr. Nimita Gaggar (she/her) is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health (General) at the University of California, Berkeley. She is from Mumbai, India, with a strong foundation in dentistry and an illustrious career in healthcare management of more than 5 years. She has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to improving healthcare systems and promoting community well-being. With a heart for mentorship and social initiatives, Nimita enriched the work environment by guiding and mentoring more than 100 budding dentists, fostering an atmosphere of growth and collaboration. Her commitment extended beyond the clinic doors, as she organized and conducted monthly free dental and health checkup camps at schools, colleges, and housing societies. Outside of her professional endeavors, her interests encompass travel, running and cycling.
Education Policy and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) Representatives
Elicica Morris
MPH, Health Policy and Management
Elicica Morris (they/she) is in the MPH Health Policy and Management with various interests in increasing and improving health outcomes for folx at the margin. Originally from Boston, MA, Elicica previously lived in Los Angeles, working in program and project management in the private and public sectors. Their recent work includes; COVID-19 vaccine uptake amongst our unhoused neighbors and HIV prevention and treatment within at-risk populations with the LA County Department of Health Services/Public Health, respectively. In their free time, they love moving their body (whether it’s yoga, biking, rollerblading, surfing, you name it!), cooking for loved ones, and co-creating well-being programming @uniqualcollective.
Tyler Houvener
MPH, Health Policy and Management
Tyler Houvener (he/him) is a second year MPH candidate in the health policy and management concentration. Originally from New York he graduated from Stony Brook University in 2020 with a degree in biology. He has an extensive background in healthcare delivery and management and moved to the Bay Area in 2022 to attend Berkeley. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, film, music, and exploring different local restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Sabrina Coaxum
MPH, Interdisciplinary
Sabrina Coaxum (she/her) is a first-year MPH candidate in the Interdisciplinary concentration. A native East-Coaster, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland- College Park and a Master of Health Science in Biomedical Sciences from Quinnipiac University. She is passionate about addressing health inequities in the pediatric population, specifically amongst underrepresented ethnic communities. She aspires to use her knowledge of public health to start a medical non-profit organization upon completion of her postgraduate education. In her downtime, Sabrina enjoys searching for the best cupcake bakeries and bubble tea shops, crafting, and teaching her cat new tricks.
Yahna Williamson
MPH, Health and Social Behavior
Yahna Williamson (she/her) is a second year MPH student within the Health and Social Behavior program. Growing up near an oil refinery in Richmond, California, Yahna gained firsthand insights into the profound impact of environmental factors on individual health. Now, she is dedicated to working to reducing preventable health issues that disproportionately affect people of color due to systemic racism and environmental injustice. In her free time, she enjoys painting, sewing, exploring nature, and discovering new restaurants to try around the Bay Area!
Steering Committee Representative
Stellamaris Nwihim
MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Stellamaris Nwihim is a Nigerian-American and 1st year MPH Epidemiology/Biostatistics student. She graduated from CSU, East Bay in 2021 where she majored in Health Sciences (Public Health concentration). Before returning to graduate school, she worked to provide social services to vulnerable populations and also created/implemented wellness programs. Owing to her passion for nutrition, she wrote & published her first nutrition cook book centering on Nigerian cuisine. Stellamaris is interested in preventive health with a focus on understanding how food and the environment impact health outcomes. She enjoys spending time in nature, cooking and traveling.
Sustainability Committee
Havah Aisha Isray
Undergraduate
Havah Aisha Isray (she/her), is a junior studying Public Health and intending on a double major in Environmental Economics and Policy. Being raised in Richmond (CA) has inspired her to integrate the principles of environmental and social justice into my career work. She is passionate about environmental health and safety because it combines her concerns for the well-being of people with her dedication for promoting sustainability. In her spare time, I like being in nature, trying new foods, hanging with friends, and reading dystopian novels.
Undergraduate Representatives
Kelly Lin
Undergraduate
Kelly Lin (she/her) is a senior studying Public Health. Growing up in Oakland, California, she is passionate about community, maternal, and social determinants of health. She plans on attending graduate school for her Master’s in Public Health upon graduation. Kelly enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, attending concerts, advocating for health equity, and spending time with friends outdoors.
Andrew Perera
Undergraduate
Andrew Perera is a third year undergraduate studying Public Health and Molecular & Cell Biology. He grew up in Southern California, less than 15 minutes away from Disneyland. As the son of immigrants from Sri Lanka, Andrew is passionate about global health and advocating for the fair treatment of minorities in today’s healthcare system. He is also interested in addressing unmet healthcare needs in the community, such as medicine noncompliance. Outside of academics, Andrew loves trying new foods, drinking tea/coffee, and going on peaceful walks.
Eizen Nicole Malvar
Undergraduate
Eizen Nicole Malvar (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Public Health. She is passionate about health advocacy and advancing health equity and accessibility across diverse communities. She’s particularly interested in the preventative and curative aspects of direct patient and population healthcare. She is from San Jose, California and in her free time loves enjoying boba, trying new foods, traveling, shopping, dancing, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family. Upon graduating, Eizen plans on pursuing her Master’s in Public Health, specifically in public health nutrition.