Student Health Advisory Committee
SHAC Ambassadors
The SHAC ambassadors assist in all areas of the committee. The ambassadors are often the faces of the SHAC committee attending events to students about health and wellness, advocate for policies to benefit student health on campus and empower students to be agents of change within the campus community.
Major: HSSP
Hi! My name is Lisa, and I am from Burlington, MA. I am currently a sophomore studying HSSP and am so excited to be apart of SHAC. I joined SHAC because I am very passionate about preventative medicine and educational awareness regarding health/wellness for students. Outside of SHAC, I am a member of Chak De Bollywood Dance Team and work as a biology lab assistant.
Major: Pre-Med
Chiamaka is a pre-med student at Brandeis University, studying Neuroscience and Biology. Chiamaka joined SHAC because of her passion of spreading mental health awareness, and increasing accessibility to Brandeis Counseling Center and Health Center services. She is an EMT for Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps (BEMCo), Treasurer of National Society of Black Women in Medicine, (NSBWM), Event Coordinator for Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), and Executive Board Officer for Co-Ed Volleyball. In her free time, she loves to read manga, watch anime, play volleyball, and cook.
Major: Biochemistry Minor: Italian Studies
Hi! My name is Jenna Wild and I am a sophomore from Evanston, Illinois. I joined SHAC to help students better understand the resources available to them regarding their mental and physical health. Outside of SHAC, I am a member of the Brandeis Swim and Dive team and am a lifeguard at Linsey pool. I am so excited to be on SHAC!
Meet the Committee
Major(s): Psychology, English and Politics
Hi! I'm Fairooz Abida, a sophomore at Brandeis currently planning on majoring in Psychology, English, and Politics. In my free time when I'm not a busy college student, I like reading and writing. Whether it be on international politics, race, gender, and disability discrimination, basketball, psychology or true crime! I love karaoke with friends, playing basketball, playing the ukulele, and cooking and tasting food from all different parts of the world!!
Hi! My name is Raiya Bann, and I am a business and psychology student. I am originally from San Diego, CA, and Las Vegas, NV. I joined SHAC because, during my time at Brandeis, I have come to understand the importance of mental and physical health awareness more than ever. When I learned that SHAC encouraged students to speak out and create change, I immediately joined because I wanted to ensure voices are heard, students are supported, and that they know people genuinely care and are dedicated to being that helping hand.In my free time, I enjoy knitting, crocheting, watching TV, and exercising. Currently, I am the founder and president of the probationary club Unsolved Hour, a member of the TAMID consulting track, and co-president of Active Minds.
Hi! I'm Mehraveh (she/her), a Master of Public Policy student at the Heller School with a background in Nutrition. In the GSA, I serve as the Director of Programming, working to create inclusive events that support student wellbeing and help build a stronger, more connected graduate student community. I care about helping students better understand the health resources available to them and making it easier for everyone to access the support they need. I'm excited to be part of SHAC and help make our campus a healthier and more supportive place for students.
Major: HSSP
Hi! My name is Raymond, and I’m a pre-med junior majoring in HSSP. As a pre-health
student, I’m eager to better understand how healthcare is delivered across different
settings. By joining SHAC, my goal is to contribute to enhancing the quality of the
Student Health Center, while also learning what makes a healthcare practice truly
successful and serving my peers in the process.
On campus, I’m involved with Brandeis Mock Trial, the Brandeis Emergency Medical
Corps (BEMCo), and Partners in Health Engage. Off campus, I conduct research and
volunteer in various community health opportunities.
Major: Biology & HSSP
Hi! I’m Isabella, a pre-med junior double majoring in Biology and HSSP. As a pre-med student, I am deeply committed to ensuring that all students have access to essential support and resources. By joining SHAC, my goal is to enhance awareness, reliance, and support within the student community, both on and off campus. On campus, I am part of the Cantonese Club (C2B) and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE). Off-campus, I volunteer at several hospitals and am training to be an EMT.
Major: Biology
Hi! My name is Thomas, I’m a senior Biology student looking to pursue a career in medicine. Some hobbies of mine are rock climbing, basketball, and guitar. I’m from San Francisco, California and looking forward to working with SHAC this year!
Major: HSSP Minor: Psychology
Hey everyone! My name is Gabrielle and I'm from Conyers, Georgia. I joined SHAC to improve accessibility to medical services for students that are traditionally overlooked in the healthcare system. Outside of SHAC, I serve as a Community Advisor, am a member of the Campus Activity Board, and am on the Platinum Step Team. In my free time you'll find me drawing, crocheting, or hanging out with friends.
Major: Arts & Sciences
My background includes work with non-profit organizations focused on helmet safety for kids, and bioengineering research, which have enriched my perspective on healthcare and policy. I am particularly interested in understanding health leave policies, improving telehealth accessibility on campus, unifying the health departments, and supporting low-income and nontraditional students. I joined SHAC to leverage my diverse personal, academic, clinical, and research experiences to enhance student health services at Brandeis.
Major: Linguistics & NEJS
Hi! My name is Yotam (he/him), from Durham, North Carolina. Even though I'm not studying biology or HSSP, it's super important to me to contribute to a healthy and affirming environment for everyone on campus, particularly by increasing equitable access to care to underserved students. I'm a member of Triskelion, the creative writing club, and the ballroom dance club. You can also find me reading, writing, and engaging with Jewish life on campus!
Major: Biology, Minors: Business and Psychology
Hi! My name is Jaya Nalluri, and I’m a sophomore majoring in Biology with minors in Business and Psychology. Through my involvement in wellness initiatives and community service, I’ve become interested in improving healthcare and wellness resources that better support students. By joining SHAC, my goal is to help improve the accessibility and awareness of campus health resources while also learning more about how student health services operate. I'm pretty involved on campus and some of my hobbies include dance, music, and art! I also volunteer and direct with several organizations supporting underserved communities, which has strengthened my commitment to community health and service.
Majors: Biology and HSSP
Hello, my name is Victoria Sanchez, I am from Flushing, New York. I joined SHAC to serve as a bridge between students and the resources that they can use on campus to maintain and support their mental and physical wellbeing, after going through my own health struggles during my time on campus. Outside of SHAC, I serve as a Community Advisor, Media Technology Services assistant and enjoy going to climbing or cheer team practices!
Hello! As someone who believes in the importance of mental health initiatives, awareness of resources, and destigmatization of reaching out for help, SHAC was a group I knew I wanted to be a part of. I joined SHAC to make the Brandeis campus a place where my fellow students could acquire these mental health resources. Aside from SHAC, I am also involved in the Adagio Dance Club, Pottery club, WBRS Radio, and work as Sunday School teacher at Temple Shir Tikva. In my free time I love spending time with friends and family, traveling, and dancing.
I am very passionate about spreading awareness for mental health and I love promoting self care. I joined SHAC because I want to work in the mental health field in the future and want to spread awareness and promote positivity. In my free time I love to paint, read psychology books, do self care, and explore cities especially Boston. Besides SHAC, I am a TA at Lemberg Children's Center, I am involved in the American Cancer Society club on campus, the mental health club Active Minds, and a new member of the sorority Delta Phi Epsilon.
Majors: HSSP and Biology
Hi! My name is Jessica Zhang, and I’m a junior majoring in HSSP and Biology. I’m passionate about public health, women’s health, and improving healthcare access for underserved communities. I'm excited to make a meaningful impact on campus health and wellness. Outside of SHAC, I am part of a member of the badminton club and research assistant. In my free time, I love to hang out with friends. I look forward to learning more and contributing to SHAC’s mission!