Our Team
Cohort 1 (2023-2024)
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Arionna Hall, Anniah Hill, Yazira Martinez, Blessing Samuels, Jhaden Seawood, and Sasha Weiden
Youth Researcher Bios
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Esmeralda Bustamante (Cohort 2)
I joined this project because it was an opportunity to help others and speak up for those who are unable to.
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Arionna Hall (Cohort 1 and 2)
I joined the Youth-to-Youth Empowerment lab because I think it’s important that the community centered in a research project is involved and informing the research itself. It’s also a great opportunity for me to learn more about public health and equitable research.
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Anniah Hill (Cohort 1 and 2)
The reason I joined this project is because I wanted to be able to be a voice for those who don’t have the opportunity to do so.
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Yazira Martinez-Dominguez (Cohort 1 and 2)
I joined the Youth-to-Youth Empowerment Lab to become a platform for my community and to be able to center the voices of youth of color within public health.
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Blessing Samuels (Cohort 1 and 2)
I want to uplift the voices of youth through our research and support communities in reaching a successful outcome. My childhood dream job was to be a game developer and I’m now excited to get to support communities with our research.
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Jhaden Seawood (Cohort 1)
I chose to join this research project because multiple members of my family have struggled with their mental health. And along with the others in my family, we have never understood it. And it’s important to recognize the significance of addressing mental health issues specific to this demographic, as they may face unique challenges and experiences. By participating in research, I may contribute to understanding these issues better, and ultimately improving the well-being of African American youth. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a zoologist because I had, and still have, a great love for animals and always wanted to help them in any way I could.
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Sasha Weiden (Cohort 1 and 2)
I'm interested in this research because I want to be a voice for Native youth, whose needs are so often left unrepresented and invisible in research. My childhood dream job was to be a Scientist.