people

Adriana Nunez, PhD, has worked in public and private sectors, focusing on data and process analysis to enhance clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and healthcare efficiency. As part of the Health Services Research and Policy unit at the University of California Merced, she focused on evaluating public health interventions for rural and underserved communities in California. She also worked as an epidemiologist for Mariposa County and the Yosemite Gateway Area Coordination team, contributing to the COVID response by establishing data-sharing mechanisms with neighboring counties to inform health policies and strategies. As senior consultant for the Behavioral Health Data Project (BHDP), she applies evidence-based technology assessment tools to enhance decision-making. She possesses a medical degree and masters degrees in healthcare quality management and health economics.

Bobby Chakalov is a PhD Candidate in the Public Health Sciences Graduate Group at UC Davis. He is a first-generation immigrant from Bulgaria. Bobby’s research interests include Policy Evaluation, Health Disparities, Health Inequities, Socioeconomic Determinants of Health, and Vulnerable Population Health. Bobby is also interested in using nontraditional data (Big Data) sources for academic research. Currently, Bobby’s research examines health care experiences of sexual minority immigrants in the United States. Bobby’s previous research includes examining the long-term health outcomes of the New Deal program, characterizing the discourse of #MeToo movement on Twitter through text analysis, and studying the effects of union membership on health outcomes.

Dr. Zarate-Gonzalez is a recent PhD in Public Health graduate with an emphasis in Health Economics. Her research work is a community-engaged scholar who combines her background as a trained economist and public health researcher to improve our understanding of public health issues. Her dissertation work focus on the health economics of air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley, which is one of the most polluted regions in the nation. Prior to joining UC Merced, she was the Deputy Public Health Director of Madera County. Gilda also worked for Tulare County Public Health, Fresno County Behavioral Health, and Tulare Local Healthcare District in the Central Valley, as well as at an Urban Native American health center funded by Indian Health Service.

Kimberly Bristow is an undergraduate at UC Merced and is pursuing a bachelor's in psychology. She was born and raised in Merced County. Currently, Kimberly is a research assistant providing additional support to the research team.

Mamata Pokhrel is a public health professional, researcher, and trained Ayurvedic physician. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health from theUniversity of California, Merced, and a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She previously worked as a Project Coordinator at the Merced County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), contributing to Community Health Assessment (CHA),Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), strategic planning, the county’s public health accreditation process and tobacco cessation projects. She is a research affiliate member of the UC Merced Health Sciences Research Institute(HSRI) and in the past served as General Secretary of the Public Health Student Executive Board at UC Merced. Her research spans diverse areas, including the prioritization of health needs in California counties, food insecurity among Afghan refugees, cardiometabolic risks in young Asian American adults, and vector-borne diseases. Her research interests include health services research, health equity, healthcare systems, cardiometabolic disease, health and behavioral economics. With experience across both healthcare and public health systems, she is committed to improving health outcomes and addressing health disparities on a global scale.

Marisela Yepez is a PhD student in psychologicalsciences with training in health psychology, behavioral science, and publichealth. She studies how family roles, communication, and everydaydecision-making influence health behaviors. Marisela partners with communityhealth workers to strengthen local health programs and support wellness acrossCalifornia’s Central Valley.

Dr. Sandhu recently received her PhD in Public Health fromUC Merced. Her research interests include examining factors affectingaccess to healthcare services, utilization of healthcare services, strategiesto enhance the quality of these services, and exploring the role of digitalhealth interventions in providing high-quality, integrated, and coordinatedhealthcare services, particularly for medically underserved populations.

Dr. Fabian is a research scientist for the CaliforniaChildren and Families Commission (CCFC), where he conducts research andevaluation focused on early childhood outcomes, health disparities, andpolicy-driven public health interventions. His work involves analyzing largedatasets, generating actionable insights, and contributing to evidence-basedpolicy recommendations that support the well-being of children and families.Before joining the CCFC, Dr. Fabian was a research scientist at UC Merced, wherehe pursued his PhD and conducted research on substance use and its impact onvulnerable populations.

Dr. Theresa Spezzano holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from UCMerced, specializing in behavioral economic approaches to promote healthydecision-making. With over 15 years of experience, she has significantlycontributed to the development and evaluation of community health programs inthe San Joaquin Valley. Her expertise spans expanding local food systems, youthnutrition, and K-12 school-based health curriculum development. She has taughtuniversity-level courses in health promotion, health communication, personalhealth, and U.S. health systems. Her notable projects include garden-enhancednutrition education, sustainable farm-to-school programs, sugar tax initiativesto reduce sugary beverage consumption, and the creation of local food hubs toincrease the availability of locally grown produce in schools. Previously, sheserved as the Nutrition Family and Consumer Science Advisor for Stanislaus andMerced Counties and the Health Equity Officer for Precision Medicine at CalHHS. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Stanislaus County Commission for Women and Central Valley Community Resources. Her work continues to impact community health positively, fostering healthier environments and behaviors.