OUR LAB MEMBERS
Lameya Rahman
Position within the lab: Research Assistant, Team Leader for Trauma and Pregnancy
When did you join the lab? June 2021
Projects: Trauma-Informed Care, Male IPV, Trauma and Pregnancy
Major/occupation/level of schooling: Intending to Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences, on the Pre-Health Track at Hunter College
Why’d you join the lab? I joined the Empower Lab because I am incredibly inspired by this lab’s mission to approach the issue of gender-based violence through a scientific approach. It is critical to see research mixed in with advocacy efforts to help deal with many of the public health issues in our society today.
Excited to see yourself do: I am excited to be a part of a dedicated and passionate team of individuals while we work together to better understand SGBV. I also look forward to building my research skills and understanding ways to apply research to improve health inequities that significantly impacts the lives of many individuals.
Fun fact: I’ve rescued a baby pigeon and watched it learn how to fly!
Nicole Munoz
Position within the lab: Associate Director of Research, Team Leader for Asylum/TIC
When did you join the lab? Spring 2023
Projects: Asylum/TIC, EMPOWER Clinic, Trauma and Pregnancy
Major/occupation/level of schooling: Pursuing a B.S. in Global Public Health & Biology with a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Why’d you join the lab? I joined the Empower Lab due to my strong desire to get involved in public health research, as I would love to gain a new perspective that I can implement for the rest of my medical career. I found it interesting how lab members worked to question established healthcare constructs like that of screenings health care systems used to investigate gender-based violence perpetrated among men. I also appreciated not only the diversity of sexual health topics being investigated but also the lab’s commitment to empowerment by having a predominantly female team. Throughout my life, reproductive health and the importance of gender equity has been a recurring theme, which is why I decided to join in order to better comprehend my lived experiences and future aspirations.
Excited to see yourself do: I hope that by analyzing data and learning how to interpret those findings, I am able to adopt a more holistic perspective and understanding of trauma and SGBV as a whole. I’m eager to familiarize myself with the intricacies of the lab’s mission in order to grow into a more well-rounded individual and professional as well.
Fun Fact: I have a Bichon Frise puppy named Astro after the Houston Astros Baseball team!
Annette Milu
Position within the lab: Research Assistant
When did you join the lab? May 2023
Projects: Male IPV, EMPOWER Clinic
Major/occupation/level of schooling: Pursuing a B.A. in Global Public Health with a concentration in Anthropology.
Why’d you join the lab? I joined the lab because of its commitment to researching the healthcare needs of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through an intersectional lens. As a Kenyan immigrant, I’ve been unfortunately exposed to the high prevalence of SGBV in my home country, particularly female genital mutilation (FGM). Consequently, I’ve developed a strong passion for addressing health disparities and advocating for equitable maternal and women’s health. Through the Empower Lab, I’m eager to gain a lot of invaluable knowledge and transferable skills to make myself become a better advocate for those impacted by SGBV.
Excited to see yourself do: I’m excited to gain relevant experience in public health research and improve my skills in data collection and analysis. Additionally, I’m grateful to work and be a part of a motivated team that shares a similar passion for sexual and gender based violence advocacy.
Fun Fact: I love learning languages! I’m currently learning Arabic and hope to be fluent soon!
Sophia Onadja
Position within the lab: Associate Director of Research, Team Leader for Advocacy
When did you join the lab? Fall 2023
Projects: Advocacy, EMPOWER Clinic, Sugar Dating
Major/occupation/level of schooling: Pursuing an MPH in Global Health at NYU
Why’d you join the lab? I was immediately drawn to the lab because of its focus on research related to gender-based violence, sugaring, and sex trafficking. I have a strong desire to contribute to the healing and empowerment of others. My previous work with commercially sexually exploited children has shown me the critical role that confidence, safety, and self-esteem play in restorative pathways to healing. By combining my passion for direct care and advocacy, I aim to expand my knowledge and expertise in research through collaboration with individuals who are conducting transformative studies.
Excited to see yourself do: I'm excited to be actively engaging in research on these topics. I'm looking forward to gaining expertise in various areas, including hypothesis generation and development, crafting advocacy materials, building manuscript writing skills, and enhancing my quantitative data analysis abilities within SGBV research.
Fun Fact: I lived in my father’s hometown Niamey, Niger, for the first year of my life.
Berfin Guzel
Position within the lab: Research Assistant, Team Leader for Sugar Dating
When did you join the lab? Fall 2023
Projects: Sugar Dating, Trauma & Pregnancy, Advocacy
Major/occupation/level of schooling: Pre-med at NYU Tandon studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Junior)
Why’d you join the lab? As an international student from middle-east and a woman in STEM, I always seek to be part of a multidisciplinary environment where people from different backgrounds can present their unique views to reach a long-term solution. The diverse student body of the lab, as well as the way they approach the intersection between sexual and gender-based violence and health, is a valuable opportunity that perfectly aligns with my aspirations as a future physician. The step-by-step methodology used in the lab, from literature reviews to quantitative analysis, makes the findings not only credible but also sustainable, both of which are essential to address SGBV.
Excited to see yourself do: Having a background in engineering and being a part of wet lab and dry lab experiments, I can’t wait to contribute to the quantitative analysis aspect of the projects while learning more about project development and manuscript writing!
Fun Fact: After studying abroad in Australia, Antarctica is now the only continent that I haven’t been to!
Kate Tolleson
Position within the lab: Research Assistant
When did you join the lab: Spring 2024
Projects: Trauma & Pregnancy, EMPOWER Clinic
Major/occupation/level of schooling: M1 at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. BS in Chemical Engineering with a minor in psychology from Clemson University in 2022. MS in Applied Health Research and Evaluation from Clemson University in 2023.
Why’d you join the lab? I am planning to become an OB/GYN physician and am specifically interested in maternal-fetal medicine. I hope to gain skills in research and teamwork through the Empower Lab that will prepare me to be a leader of research in the field in my future career. I also hope to learn more about sexual and gender based violence, trauma in pregnancy, and other areas of women’s health so that I can provide the best care to my future patients. I also have a lot of previous experience in mentoring roles and am very interested in learning more about women’s health topics so that I can work to empower and support women throughout my career.
Excited to see yourself do: I’m most excited to learn about female asylum seekers and how trauma affects pregnancy. I have a lot of previous experience working with pregnant people- I currently volunteer as a birth doula- and I deeply understand how intertwined mental health and pregnancy can be. Additionally, since moving to NYC I have been very interested in learning more about the migrant crisis and how to best support the many women and pregnant people who are coming to New York for refuge. These topics will both teach me so much that I will be able to take with me into my future practice, and I’m excited to continue learning more.
Fun Fact: I am a big lover of fantasy books and I am currently reading the Throne of Glass series!!
Sarika Vura
Position within the lab: Research Assistant, Team leader for EMPOWER Clinic
When did you join the lab: Summer 2024
Projects: Trauma & Pregnancy, EMPOWER Clinic, Male IPV,
Major/occupation/level of schooling: MPH at NYU, Concentration in social and behavioral sciences
Why’d you join the lab? I was drawn to the EMPOWER Lab because of its focus on gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, which reflected my own commitment to combating these pressing issues. The lab's multidisciplinary approach fosters innovation and collaboration, which I think are crucial for developing sustainable solutions in this field. My graduate studies have deepened my interest in addressing health disparities, particularly within marginalized communities, and the lab provides me with the ideal platform to both learn and contribute effectively.
Excited to see yourself do: I'm excited about delving into the complex dynamics between trauma and pregnancy, and equally excited about collaborating with the EMPOWER Clinic. I have always had a keen interest in women's health and I'm eager to uncover how diverse factors interact to impact pregnancies. But most of all, I'm looking forward to contributing to research that addresses crucial societal issues while nurturing my own growth as a healthcare professional.
Fun Fact: I can speak 4 languages!
Sophia Bueno
Position within the Lab: Research Assistant
When did you join the lab: Summer 2024
Projects: Advocacy, Male IPV, Asylum/TIC
Major/Occupation/Level of Schooling: Junior at NYU CAS pursuing a degree in Biology on the pre-med track with a minor in Web Development
Why’d you join the lab? I have always had an interest in women’s health and the Empower Lab’s mission to research SGBV and advocate for informed care for women, especially those who have suffered trauma, strongly resonates with me. I appreciate the lab’s commitment to diversity and intersectionality, both of which are crucial in providing comprehensive healthcare and other services to those affected by SGBV. The lab’s culture of teamwork and uplifting women is admirable and I am eager to be a part of such an accomplished team of women.
Excited to see yourself do: I am excited to gain experience in public health research and advocate for those affected by trauma and SGBV in order to become a more informed and well-rounded person and physician in the future.
Fun fact: I love all forms of visual art, but especially painting!
Sameeha Hasan
Position within the Lab: Research Assistant
When did you join the lab: Summer 2024
Projects: Advocacy, Asylum/TIC, EMPOWER Clinic
Major/Occupation/Level of Schooling: Sophomore at NYU CAS pursuing a degree in Biochemistry on the pre-med track
Why’d you join the lab? The Empower Lab uniquely combines three main interests of mine: academia, advocacy, and medicine. It allowed a prospect for me to carry my passion for South Asian and Muslim women’s rights and justice into applications in healthcare, especially in the realm of SGBV, an undiscussed problem in my community. I resonated with the Lab’s message of opening conversations between patients and providers and looked up to the young women researching this cause.
Excited to see yourself do: I am excited to expand my coding skills on REDCap, and learn how to improve my scientific writing, reading, and analytical skills. I would also love to write a blog post in the future!
Fun fact: I love to hike!
Azalia James
Position within the Lab: Research Assistant
When did you join the lab: Fall 2024
Projects: Asylum/TIC, Sugar Dating
Major/Occupation/Level of Schooling: Sophomore at NYU CAS pursuing a degree in Global Public Health and Sociology on the pre-med track
Why’d you join the lab? I joined the lab because of the opportunity to work with clinical data from survivors of human trafficking and female genital cutting. I am eager to analyze this information to dive deep into information regarding the incidence of these issues through a sociological lens and to contribute to relaying critical insights to doctors about the need for trauma-informed care. I have been passionate about raising awareness of human trafficking for a long time, and this lab’s commitment to supporting those affected by these underrepresented issues made it clear to me that I needed to be part of it.
Excited to see yourself do: I am excited to familiarize myself with scientific literature and manuscript writing on topics that I am truly passionate about. I hope that as I progress in the lab, I will be able to write about a substantial finding that the team and I have and make a contribution towards advancing care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Additionally, I aim to use these findings to amplify my advocacy for the healing and recovery of survivors.
Fun fact: I am super into SFX makeup and right now I’m learning how to recreate more looks!
Melany Kelly Dishmey
Position within the Lab: Research Assistant
When did you join the lab: Fall 2024
Projects: Male IPV, Sugar Dating
Major/Occupation/Level of Schooling: Sophomore at NYU CAS pursuing a degree in Psychology on the pre-med track
Why’d you join the lab? Care that goes beyond physical health is one of the key points they make in their lab, and that aligns with my overall holistic approach towards health and social equality. As I’ve delved into the field of public health research, I’ve discovered my passion for advocacy, especially toward more vulnerable populations. Therefore I welcome any opportunity to learn more about social determinants of health. The more I learned about Empower Lab the more captivated I was towards their mission for advocacy, trauma-informed care, and GBV which is traditionally an under-researched public health issue.
Excited to see yourself do: I am excited to grow in the field of research, and familiarize myself with the problems that a lot of urban populations face, as well as to gain more skills and experience in data analysis, hypothesis generation, scientific writing, among other useful research skills. As well as getting to work with an amazing team!
Fun fact: I can trick-pin a rifle (AFJROTC)!
Reeya Kansra
Position within the Lab: Research Assistant
When did you join the lab: Fall 2024
Projects: Male IPV, Asylum/TIC
Major/Occupation/Level of Schooling: Junior at NYU CAS pursuing degrees in Biochemistry and Gender & Sexuality Studies on the pre-MD/PhD track
Why’d you join the lab? I joined the Empower lab in the hopes of bridging my passion for research and women’s health from the lens of sexual and gender based violence. Throughout my life I have seen first hand the implications of Gender Based Violence and am fortunate enough to be in a position now where I can use education and research skills to learn, problem solve and tackle sex-based violence. Further, my coursework in Gender and Sexuality Studies has largely focused on understanding the problem where most classes fail to provide a solution. To me, research is one of those solutions to complex issues and Empower gives me the opportunity to apply my education tangibly.
Excited to see yourself do: Work with other passionate and like minded individuals while applying my academic education to research that makes a difference. I cannot wait to gain the relevant public health research that compliments my wet-lab experience so that I can hopefully get one step closer to becoming a research physician!
Fun fact: I used to be a standup comedian!