Jordan Elmowitz has been working at UC Berkeley since December 2019, specifically supporting the Molecular & Cell Biology and Integrative Biology undergraduate programs, as an Academic Advisor. Prior to joining the Biosciences Divisional Services here at UC Berkeley, he worked as an Academic Advisor at California College of the Arts, on the San Francisco and Oakland campuses. Jordan is originally from the Hudson Valley area of New York and received a BFA in Photography and Sculpture from The College of Saint Rose, in Albany, NY. In his freetime Jordan enjoys art, music, traveling, new food experiences, third-wave coffee, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and his two beautiful pitbulls Marty & Chenille.
Kevin is originally from Southern California, but his educational pursuits brought him to the Bay Area in 2012. Prior to joining the School of Public Health, he served as an International Student Advisor at Berkeley Extension where he advised international students on their F-1 visa status. Kevin received his Bachelor’s in Sociology from UC Berkeley and his MBA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He enjoys providing personable advising and ensuring students have an excellent experience during their studies at his alma mater. Outside of the office, Kevin enjoys running and cycling around the East Bay; reading non-fiction about politics, society, and history; and staying connected with family and friends, both at home and abroad.
Carol is originally from Southern California and completed her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in Social Welfare. She became interested in nutrition while working at an internship at a local WIC program. After earning her MS in Nutritional Sciences at Boston University and completing the dietetic internship at Boston Medical Center, Carol worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital as a clinical dietitian in oncology and weight management. She began her role as Program Manager for PHN in 2012. Outside of work, Carol is busy with her three young kids and loves cooking and baking, entertaining friends and family, and spending time outdoors on sunny days!
Jessica Ko started the program manager position August 2021. She has over 7 years of supporting and coaching students with an access and equity lens. Her previous roles were in education tech at Code2040, Mills College, and Data Science Undergraduate Studies on campus. She has a Master’s Degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Social Justice and Diversity from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and a BA in Sociology from University of California, Santa Barbara. She was born and raised in the Bay Area, especially Oakland Chinatown. During her free time, she loves to hike, eat, and scroll through tik tok for 5–6 hours.
Lauren Krupa started at BPH in February of 2020, just before the pandemic shutdown. She joined the Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the Master of Development Practice (MDP) program and currently serves as the Director of Student Services. Lauren has been on campus since 2015 and has worked in graduate student advising for the last 13+ years. She earned a MS in Clinical Psychology from Cal State Fullerton and a BA in Psychology from Villanova University (go Cats!). Lauren is originally from South Jersey and in her free time loves spending time with her beautiful cat Jane, gardening, and consuming more coffee than previously thought humanly possible.
Teresa Liu
Division and Program Manager, Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology Division
Teresa was born and raised in Hong Kong. She has a BA from HK and an MBA candidate. She enjoys working in an academic setting and has been with BPH since 2007. The best part of her job is to witness the growth and development of students. She is interested in cosmology and alternative medicine. She loves cats and dogs. And enjoys virtual traveling to different parts of the world seeing different landscapes, learning the people and their culture at the comfort of their home.
Tina Lu, MSW
Program Coordinator, Center of Excellence in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health and MCAH LEAP Training Program
Tina Lu is the Program Coordinator for the Center of Excellence in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) and MCAH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program.
Jessica Ross, MPH
Program Manager, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health; Assistant Director for the Center of Excellence in MCAH
Jessica Ross is the Assistant Director of the Center of Excellence in MCAH and serves as the MCAH Program Manager. She is an alumna of the MCAH MPH Program and received her BA in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies from Cal State Long Beach. As a first-generation and queer student, Jessica was committed to creating an inclusive community by mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. She is excited to continue providing support to current and future MCAH and Berkeley Public Health students. Her research interests lie in reproductive justice, intersectionality, sexual violence and harassment prevention, and LGBTQ+ health. Outside of work you can find Jessica rock climbing, FaceTiming with her niece, or weaving wall hangings.
Zoe P. Blalock is thrilled to be working in her role supporting Berkeley Public Health Online students. Holding a BA in English (minor in Musical Theater) from Sacramento State and an MA in Education: Social Justice & Equity from San Francisco State, Zoe is a dynamic professional with years of graduate student support services expertise. Her student-centered approach aims to empower all students to thrive academically and personally. She looks forward to connecting with you and being a member of your support team as you embark on your Berkeley Public Health journey. Her hobbies and interests include gardening, antiquing, exploring Bay Area cafes, and spending time with her pets – and she welcomes any appearances your own pets might make during Zoom calls together!
Darshani Johnson, MS
Senior Program Manager, Interdisciplinary / Public Health Nutrition
Darshani Johnson graduated with a BA in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz and an MS in Counseling from San Francisco State University. As a first generation, nontraditional transfer and re-entry student, she has first-hand experience in navigating winding and changing educational and career pathways. Darshani has now been in advising and coordinating roles in higher education since 2016, and has worked with both undergraduate and graduate students ranging from community college, CSU, and the UC systems. Within everything she does, Darshani always strives to be her authentic self with students and colleagues, and believes in the importance of continuous learning and creating a positive environment and innovative changes. In her off time she absolutely loves the outdoors, going on hikes, camping, and doing anything with her puppy.
Stephanie has been with BPH for 5 years within the Online/On-Campus MPH program and counting! She studied Health Education (now known as Public Health) at San Francisco State University. She enjoys advising, advocating for student needs and meeting wonderful students through her role. In her free time, she enjoys snacking, supporting local and small shops, observing plants, exploring new environments and spending time with her loved ones (furry friends and humans).
Allyse joined BPH Online in August, 2023, following nine years of experience working in higher education admissions and student services. She firmly believes in the transformative power of higher education and is passionate about supporting prospective student’s to achieve their academic goals. Allyse holds a BS in Business Administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and an MA in Organizational Behavior from Alliant International University. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks, live music and theater and, of course, trying new Bay Area restaurants.
Derric Bynum joined BPH in August 2023. Derric has worked in higher education for over 10 years, with eight of those working in admissions and recruitment. His love of working in higher education comes from interacting with, supporting, and inspiring students to pursue and persist in their educational journeys. “I deeply and personally understand that the road to and through students’ educational journey can oftentimes be difficult, and the support that students receive along the way can make or break student’s experience and sense of belonging during their time as a student. That is why I have found myself working in capacities that both encourage students to pursue their education and support during their education. In a way, these students inspire me to continue working in higher education,” says Derric. He earned his MA in higher education & student affairs from University of San Francisco and received BAs both in sociology and African & African American studies from UC Davis. Derric is a Bay Area native, born and raised in San Jose, CA. In his free time Derric enjoys hiking, cooking, training at the gym, binge watching his favorite shows and movies, and watching NBA games (especially the Warriors) in his free time.
Originally from Pasadena, CA, Lori is a UC Berkeley alumna with a BA in Public Health. She’s a non-traditional, first-generation transfer student from Pasadena City College. Currently, Lori serves as the Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator for Berkeley Public Health. Outside of work, she enjoys live music concerts, thrift shopping, and spending time in the sun, preferably by the water.
Patricia is from the San Fernando Valley and first arrived at UC Berkeley as a #firstgeneration college student. During her time at UC Berkeley, Patricia worked with multicultural student-initiated recruitment and retention centers and earned her BA in Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies from the Ethnic Studies Department. Patricia has been with the Public Health Undergraduate program since 2019 in hopes to support students in getting a degree and a college experience that is meaningful to them. Nowadays, Patricia can be found picking up too many hobbies at once (crochet, watercolor, lino block cutting, jewelry making) and reading (for fun!).
Lauren is originally from the central valley of California, however, she has called the SF bay area home since 2011. She has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from Sonoma State University and an MA in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. Lauren has worked in many different higher education institutions in the areas of new student orientation, student organizations, student government and leadership development, and academic advising. She’s a compassionate advisor and advocate for the undergraduate student population. When she’s not working, Lauren enjoys spending time with family exploring San Francisco and the bay area. She also loves crafting, baking and sudoku.