About Us

Director, Ambulatory Medicine Clerkship and Health & Societies Thread, UA College of Medicine Tucson

Physician: Geriatrics, Internal Medicine in GGP Division, Dept of Med, Banner- UA College of Medicine Tucson

I love to learn from students, patients, and community members. Having gone to elementary through high school in a rural county in the midwest, I came to really value the practical knowledge and the lived experiences of my neighbors. At my friends’ dinner tables, their parents who were farmers and factory workers shared insights and wisdom that are often absent in the academic world. As a physician and educator, some of my favorite “aha” moments came from hearing the observations and questions posed by those who came to the clinic with real-world problems in a complex lived experience. I believe that the scientific grounding is strongest when combined with the practical boots-on-the-ground experience and that a shared discussion, with equal respect is the key to helping medicine, health, and communities thrive.

I received my MD from University of Illinois College of Medicine and internal medicine residency at University Hospital-Cleveland/Case Western with fellowships in geriatrics (Univ of Wisconsin) and integrative medicine (Univ of Arizona).

Associate Prof of Public Health, University of Arizona, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

My passion is vectorborne diseases and specifically how the environment influences the distribution and spread of disease. Working with the AZ Climate & Health team allows me to merge my research interests into an application to hopefully improve health for the future. I am inspired to integrate strong scientific evidence into real-world applications. Climate change is a ‘wicked’ problem, but one which I believe we can address – if we have the courage to do so.

I received my PhD from Yale University and my MPH from the George Washington University. I was a post-doctoral fellow at Oxford University and the US CDC.

Operations Director, Project Manager

I am very passionate about addressing the direct and immediate impacts of climate change. I grew up in Tucson, which ranks among the fastest-warming cities in the nation and has been designated as one of the cities most impacted by the “megadrought” in the area. In college in the Pacific Northwest, I saw how unprepared many in more temperate areas could be for extreme heat during the 2021 heat wave. That climate catastrophe resulted in the failures of local infrastructure not built with the extreme heat in mind, and brought on hundreds of deaths.

With prior experience in medical writing and production, I was eager to take part however I could in addressing the challenges our climate faces, and to help the vital work this team does in educating and advocating for community health.

I received my BFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Associate Professor of Practice, University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine

After graduating from veterinary school, I worked with an international animal health organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This experience ignited my passion for veterinary public health and One Health, setting me on a dynamic career path that has encompassed food production, food safety, policy development, educational outreach, and academia. I believe that the climate is a One Health challenge that demands collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and communities. I'm deeply passionate about engaging my students in a One Health approach to address this urgent issue.

I received my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. Following that, I completed an internship with the World Organisation for Animal Health in Paris, France. In 2010, I earned my Master in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Minnesota and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

One Health

My interest in the health-related effects of climate change and our food system led me to return to school to pursue an MPH in the field of One Health recently.  My passion is working with people and organizations whose work spans the intersection of the health of humans, animals, and our shared home. I love being a part of local organizations working towards improving access to unprocessed diets, increasing community green spaces, supporting climate-friendly agriculture, and ensuring clean and plentiful water. This shows me that there are win-win solutions for humans, animals and the environment. My work with AZ Climate & Health has provided the opportunity to help spread the word about how we can help improve people's lives in our current climate and ways we can work to make the world a better place for future generations.

I received my MD from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, completed a pediatrics internship at Loma Linda University, completed my Pathology residency and fellowship training as well as my MPH at the University of Arizona.

Veterinary Medicine Lead

Veterinary medicine has been my profession and my passion for 45 years. I entered the profession as an unskilled but hopeful candidate for the field as a technician and receptionist in small animal medicine. My quest for a career as a veterinarian started just 2 years after Canine Parvovirus (CPV) emerged as a global epidemic of deadly disease in dogs, which was likely a mutation of a similar virus found in cats. Soon after, I participated in a study/research semester at the Biochemical Genetics Department of the Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Tennessee. To study these sorts of viruses and mutations at the time, brilliant men and women there had to hand-sequence DNA. Now we have sophisticated DNA testing available with a cheek or nasal swab and a chair-side rapid test modality. 

The drastic effects of a known disease skipping into an unrelated but close contact species are more concerning and more likely to occur given the effects of climate change. My generation has helped precipitate this crisis. The least I can do is to become educated and to help educate others to best address what is coming, and what is already in front of us.

Environmental Research Lead

MD Candidate, Class of 2024

I am a mixed-race Navajo-Filipino M.D./Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. My Ph.D. utilized environmental analytical chemistry to build culturally appropriate collaborations with Tribal/Minority/Rural (TMR) communities across the Western United States, especially in Arizona. I have served TMR communities since 2011 working on a wide range of environmental health issues, from water quality research to advocacy on behalf of these communities. In addition to this work, I am passionate about teaching, mentorship, and sharing knowledge. 

Environment and Advocacy Lead

MD–PhD Candidate, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

During my undergraduate years, I developed a strong passion for public health. The summer after graduating from college, I conducted research with the Mpoma Community HIV/AIDS Initiative as a member of the nonprofit, GlobeMed. Our research team conducted biweekly surveys in rural villages in Uganda to gather information on water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in each of these regions. From this experience, I was exposed to the intersection between the environment and community health and was inspired to continue this research on a global and local level. Since then, I have assisted in studies that investigate the occupational health hazards faced by Latinx migrant farmworkers, how WASH practices affect gender equity and empowerment, and the predictors of microbial household water quality in sub-Saharan Africa. My MPH thesis focused on collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data on the WASH issues faced by residents of Imperial Valley, California in order to inform future policies and interventions. I’m extremely excited to be joining Dr. Melissa Furlong’s lab for my PhD research years.

I earned my bachelor's degree at UCLA and my MPH at UCSD. While pursuing my MD and PhD degrees at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, I hope to utilize my past experiences and the future knowledge I will gain to improve patient care in underserved communities. I am honored to be a part of this team!

Veterinary Outreach Lead, DVM Candidate Class of 2025

I received my bachelors degree from the California State University, Chico in Animal Science and moved to Tucson after where I am now a second year veterinary student at the University of Arizona, College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, I plan to pursue a small animal rotating internship with the eventual goal of obtaining a zoological medicine residency and becoming boarded in zoological medicine. 

I am originally from Northern California where I grew up with horses, which spurred me into pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.  I volunteered at an animal sanctuary working with exotic wildlife such as big cats, wolves, foxes, reptiles, bears. This sparked my love and interest in wildlife and zoological medicine and passion for conserving our world's endangered species. In Tucson, I completed an animal care internship at the Reid Park Zoo working with rhinos, zebras, and giraffes. With these experiences and my education, I have seen the impact climate change has on an ecosystem and how much it impacts our endangered species. I hope to incorporate the effects of climate change into my work with species conservation in my future career.

Rural Health Lead

MD Candidate, Class of 2026

I am a Phoenix native and recently moved to Tucson for medical school at UA COM-T. Prior to this, I went to college in Bozeman, Montana where I received a degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Hispanic Studies. In addition to studying, I enjoyed all the outdoor activities Montana has to offer, and I realized how the climate and extreme temperatures impact my health. I saw how the effects of this are amplified in vulnerable and underserved populations while working in rural Montana during the pandemic. 

On a global scale, I have witnessed hardships across the world and am passionate about bridging the gaps to minimize disparities related to access to healthcare and education. It is my goal to work with interdisciplinary teams to support underserved and vulnerable communities everywhere. It is a pleasure to work alongside this brilliant group toward our shared goals.

Animal Education Lead, DVM Candidate Class of 2025

My long-standing love for animals and the environment has guided me towards the fulfilling path of becoming a veterinarian. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. My academic journey took an exciting turn when I participated in a study-abroad program in Costa Rica, which focused on tropical biology and conservation, where I learned just how much humanity relies on the health of our environment.

After completing my undergraduate studies, I delved into the world of veterinary care, gaining valuable experience at various small animal and exotic animal hospitals. The hands-on nature of my work fueled my desire for further education, leading me to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine.

My interests lie in exotic animal and wildlife medicine, environmental science, and clinical pathology, and I hope to make significant contributions at the crossroads of veterinary medicine and human and environmental health.

MPH Student – Global Health, University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health

Graduate Assistant for Outreach, Podcast Host, Content Creator

My passion is working with adolescents and their adult allies in rural communities to foster youth-centered health initiatives that promote positive behavior choices through life-skills education. By teaching life skills to youth, we empower them to use their decision-making and problem-solving skills to benefit themselves, their families, and their communities and to work towards mitigating the effects of climate change.  I saw this firsthand as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guyana. From 2018 to 2020, I served as a health volunteer in a coastal town where many of my students lived in river-bound villages and their families depended heavily on crops for income. As climate change has affected every aspect of the world, Guyana is starting to see a shift in timing and abundance for its rainy and dry seasons. I worked with my students to teach them about environmental health and how they can be climate health advocates even in rural communities.

I received my Bachelor of Science in Health Science with minors in International Studies and Health from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, and I am a Certified Health Education Specialist®.

MD Candidate, Class of 2025

Secretary - Tucson Medical Student Government

Representative - Pathways in Health & Medicine Committee

Hannah Rosch Newton is a third-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. She was raised on Long Island, NY and she received a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Sussex in the UK.  Her interests surround primary care, geriatrics, public health, sustainable healthcare practices and narrative medicine. She is passionate about the intersection between health disparities and aging, including the impact of climate change on older adult populations, and hopes to pursue further public health studies focused on improving access and quality of healthcare for underserved aging populations. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, hiking and running, reading as well as plant-based cooking. 

Community Liaison, Operations Manager

MD Candidate, Class of 2025

I’m a 4^th year medical student passionate about the integration of climate change and health. This interest began during a summer at the USDA, working on an entomology research project in Maricopa. During my time there, I worked with local farmers. Having grown up on a farm in India myself, this experience really hit home for me.

In medical school, I joined the UofA rural health distinction track, serving Native American tribes and learning about their cultures and the importance of nature. I hope to bridge healthcare knowledge gaps for underserved populations and foster community trust through active listening and engagement.

In my current role, I am working to grow our community connections, layout the internal structure of our organization, and supporting grant writing/pitching initiatives.

MD Candidate, Class of 2025

As the American born daughter of two Jamaican immigrants and the step daughter of a Bajan immigrant, I was always raised knowing my wellness is connected to the land I stand on. At birth, it is of cultural importance to us to bury one’s umbilical cord under their family home to establish one’s roots. I have had the blessing and absolute privilege to live off the mainland USA for most of my life in Alaska and Hawaii learning from indigenous people and familiarizing myself with living off the land. Having an understanding of our impact on the earth and thus the earth’s impact on us is global, as well as an overall passion of mine. I attended the University of Texas El Paso where I graduated as a BUILDing Scholar with my degree in Cellular Molecular Biochemistry. My goals as a future physician is to provide healthcare that is accessible and culturally literate to all walks of life whether that is directly or through continued efforts of connecting our health to the health of the planet.

MD Candidate - Class of 2027

I am originally from Flagstaff, AZ. In my time as an undergraduate at the U of A, I really learned to love my desert home, and all the biodiversity it has to offer, but still miss the mountains. My passion for climate health began at a young age while traveling with my family and seeing how other countries were so deeply impacted by our changing climate. I was known for collecting trash rather than shells due to my deep love of sea turtles. However, my passion blossomed when I began teaching climate sciences to middle school students, and I realized that it is possible for single individuals to make a change.

My interests in medicine include geriatrics, integrative medicine, and public health. I am still undetermined for my specialty and so far love everything I learn. When I am not studying I am enjoying my hummingbird feeders, thrifting, or attending local events. 
I am so honored to be a part of this team and stand by other amazing student scientists and begin my impact in climate health.

Indigenous Education Lead

MD Candidate, Class of 2025, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

As a member of the Cherokee nation, I am passionate about collaborating with native communities to improve our collective future. I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ which has provided me with a connection to the desert environment and the people that have traditionally lived here. As a native of Arizona, I am committed to caring for our natural environment. As an alum of Yale University, where I studied the History of Science and Medicine, I was given the opportunity to study how social and political factors greatly affect science and medicine and has allowed me to expand my thinking on pursuing science to connect us and improve our world. I am currently a fourth-year medical student pursuing a residency in family medicine. My current focus is education, highlighting community-based programs that are centered around sustainability.