Public Health Emerging and Engaging Leaders (PHEEL) Awards

Dr. Andrew Anderson

PhD'19 (Health Services Research), MPH, BS

Dr. Andrew Anderson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He studies the role of payment policies in shaping healthcare access and outcomes, particularly for groups facing disproportionate health risks. Before joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Anderson was an assistant professor at Tulane University, a research scientist at the National Committee for Quality Assurance, and a director of quality measurement at the National Quality Forum. Dr. Anderson earned a PhD. in health services research from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he studied care coordination and health system performance.

Renee D. Carter-Perpall

MPH’21 (Public Health)

Renee Carter-Perpall, DPM, MPH, works as the Specialty Medical Director of Podiatric Medicine at UNITY Healthcare, Inc as well as continuing a private podiatry practice in Bowie, Maryland. 

Over the course of her career, Dr. Carter-Perpall has had a significant impact on the field of public health, focusing on addressing health disparities and improving healthcare access for underserved populations. She earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from Kent State University, and served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Health Service Corps (1982–1984). Dr. Carter-Perpall pursued an Executive Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Maryland (2017–2021), and as a member of the Maryland Public Health Association and the American Public Health Association, she became actively involved in advocating for policies and initiatives aimed at improving public health infrastructure and reducing health inequities. She is a fellow at the American College of Podiatric Medicine (FACPM).

Dr. Dana De Silva

PhD '20 (Maternal & Child Health)

Dane De Silva, Ph.D., is the Director of the Division of Population Health Data with the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Family Health Services in Richmond, VA, where he supervises epidemiologists and evaluators across a variety of non-infectious disease programs, including maternal and child health, chronic disease, injury and violence, and environmental health epidemiology. He and his team provide consultation on all epidemiological and evaluation efforts related to programs in the Office of Family Health Services. Prior to this role, he served as the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiologist and Family Violence Programs Manager with the Virginia Department of Health.

Dr. De Silva is an experienced population-health researcher rooted in the life course and reproductive justice frameworks, and his research interests include the intersection of social determinants of health with maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. He is passionate about using data in innovative ways to answer research questions that will help inform programs and policies to support the MCH population. He earned his Master of Public Health with a focus in Maternal-Child Health/Perinatal Epidemiology from the University of British Columbia, and his Doctoral degree in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Maryland.

Akeem J. Henry

BS'19 (Public Health)

Akeem J. Henry is a dedicated medical student, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity in healthcare. He holds a degree in Public Health Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he also minored in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Throughout his academic career, Akeem has prioritized mentorship and fostering diversity within the field of medicine. In 2017, he co-founded the Minority Males in Medicine Symposium at UMD, a diversity and networking initiative that continues today through the Charles R. Drew Premed and Pre-health Society.

In 2015, Akeem launched Mission to Medicine, a YouTube channel that provides valuable insights into the medical field. More recently, he expanded his platform to include a podcast that explores essential topics, including the non-traditional paths to professional school. His audience consists of parents, career changers, and aspiring medical professionals who seek guidance in navigating the healthcare industry. Currently, Akeem is a second-year medical student at Meharry Medical College, with the aspiration of becoming a surgeon.

Akeem is also an expert in branding and marketing, particularly for creatives and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their social media presence. Prior to medical school, he founded and managed the Top Tier Shiners, a distinguished dance group that has performed across the United States and overseas. Additionally, he served as the graphic designer and marketing director for his clothing brand, Riches & Royalty. Today, he serves as the media director and podcast host for Mission to Medicine. His long-term goal is to expand the reach of Mission to Medicine and build a media company dedicated to providing accessible, informative content for those aspiring to careers in healthcare.

Dr. Chandria Jones

PhD'14 (Behavioral & Community Health)

Dr. Chandria D. Jones is a Principal Research Scientist in Public Health and Affiliate Staff in the Center on Equity Research at NORC at the University of Chicago. She is a nationally recognized expert in culturally responsive and equitable evaluation, with a career spanning over 20 years in designing and evaluating public health interventions to improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Dr. Jones specializes in behavioral health, health equity, health communications and fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive partnerships in research.

Jones’s work is characterized by her commitment to bridging research with real-world impact. She is the Co-Investigator of The Positive Adolescent Interpersonal Relationships (PAIR) Study, a national longitudinal cohort study exploring factors that strengthen family, friendship, and romantic relationships among diverse youth. She also serves as a key contributor to initiatives with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), focusing on systems-level evaluation and implementation science.

A proud alumna of the University of Maryland School of Public Health, Jones continues to contribute to the field through publications, training development, and mentorship of emerging public health leaders. She is deeply passionate about addressing health disparities and advocating for community-driven solutions.

Dr. Leena Malayil

PhD'19 (Toxicology & Environmental Health)

Dr. Leena Malayil is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health at the University of Maryland. She earned her PhD in Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences from UMD and an MS in Toxicology from the University of Georgia. She also holds an MS in Microbiology and a BS with a triple major in Chemistry, Zoology, and Microbiology from universities in India. As an environmental health scientist, Dr. Malayil is dedicated to exploring how environmental exposures impact the human microbiome and health outcomes, with a particular focus on addressing public health challenges related to water reuse. 

She serves as the Co-Director of the Maryland Safe Drinking WATER Study, leading efforts to assess the microbial quality of drinking water in underserved communities across Maryland. Additionally, she is a Co-Principal Investigator of the Global FEWture Alliance, where she spearheads the Nepal FEWture Team’s projects and the UMD Global STEWARDS Undergraduate Program, bridging local and global research efforts in food, energy, water, and public health. Her research employs cutting-edge molecular and sequencing technologies to explore antibiotic resistance and bacterial communities in diverse environments. Her work has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, contributed to international collaborations, and informed strategies for sustainable water use and food safety.

Additionally, dedicated to advancing diversity in STEM, Dr. Malayil has mentored students from underrepresented communities and directed internship programs designed to inspire the next generation of scientific leaders. She also teaches a global classroom focusing on water, food, and global health, integrating students from international institutions such as Kathmandu University in Nepal and Mbeya University in Tanzania.

Lauryn Perpall

MPH'22 (Health Practice & Policy)

Lauryn Perpall is a dynamic public health professional, health communicator, and emerging nurse leader with a passion for advancing health equity and empowering underserved communities. She currently serves as the Operations & Outreach Specialist for The Health, Environmental, and Economic Justice Lab at the University of Maryland, where she leads communications strategy, manages federally funded environmental justice projects, and drives outreach efforts that connect science, policy, and community action.

Lauryn brings over five years of experience in public health and program management, with a background spanning federal research, community health education, and nonprofit leadership. As a former Cancer Research Training Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, she supported scientific research in cancer prevention and environmental epidemiology, contributing to several manuscripts and national health equity initiatives. Her passion for community impact led her to found The Public Health Record, a social impact organization committed to health education, advocacy, and resource distribution in communities of color.

Lauryn holds a Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice and Policy from University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with minors in Leadership Studies and Nanoscience from Hampton University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree, with plans to earn a Doctor of Public Health in Implementation Science. Her career goal is to bridge the gap between clinical care and public health program implementation to improve chronic disease prevention and outcomes through culturally relevant, community-rooted strategies.

Recognized for her leadership and service, Lauryn is a recipient of the 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Award and State of Virginia Health Education Award. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the American Public Health Association, and the Boston Congress of Public Health.

Driven, thoughtful, and community-centered, Lauryn is committed to building a future where all people—regardless of zip code or background—have access to quality care, trusted information, and healthier lives. 

Kimberly Stinchcomb

MPH'16 (Environmental Health)

Kimberly Stinchcomb, MPH, is currently the Manager of Community Impact and Assessment at the Prince George’s County Health Department. Her role involves engaging community partners to drive positive change through the Prince George’s County Healthcare Action Coalition. She leads efforts to develop the Community Health Improvement Plan, collaborating with stakeholders to address community health priorities identified in the Community Health Assessment, while ensuring adherence to Accreditation standards.

Dr. Deanna Barath

MPH, PhD ’22 (Health Policy and Management)

Dr. Deanna Barath, MPH, PhD, is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor within the Public Health Program at Florida State University. Her multifaceted role extends beyond the classroom, encompassing leadership positions as the Director of Community Outreach and the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) Accreditation Coordinator. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Barath is the visionary CEO of DeliBerate Strategies, LLC, a distinguished public health consulting agency. Her expertise lies in a diverse array of areas, including health services, policy development, advocacy, program planning, and quality improvement.

Fabian Doñate

MHA '20 (Health Administration)

Fabian Doñate is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, holding a BS in Public Health, and he furthered his education by earning a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Elected in 2022, Senator Doñate currently represents Nevada's 10th Senate District in Clark County. This district includes prominent areas such as the Las Vegas Strip, Harry Reid International Airport, UNLV, and Central-East Las Vegas. Notably, during the 82nd Legislative Session, Senator Doñate assumed the role of Chair for the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, demonstrating his commitment to addressing critical issues in public health and human welfare within the state.

Monique Thornton

MPH'13 (Community Health)

Monique Thornton, MPH, is the founder and CEO of Let's Talk Public Health, a Washington, DC-based public health communication and marketing consultancy. Through Let’s Talk Public Health, she provides resources, products, and services that help students, professionals, and organizations to effectively and creatively engage with people around public health topics and issues.

Martin Gesheff

MS'10 (Community Health) 

Mr. Gesheff received his BS in community health from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, College Park in 2010, and his MS in clinical research organization and management from the College of Medicine at Drexel University. He began his career at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore as a researcher with the Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research and the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics and was instrumental in supporting operations and developing a robust research portfolio. Mr. Gesheff also served as a program manager with Battelle Memorial Institute’s Health Business Unit responsible for the Baltimore Public Health Research Laboratory, providing clinical trial subject matter expertise and supporting contracts for the FDA, CDC and US Army.

Mr. Gesheff in his current expanded role at LifeBridge Health helps research flourish across the health system. He oversees research at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics (RIAO) and supports Physician Investigators within the Department of Research. He is a dedicated mentor to research staff and takes great pride in supporting academic research that is routinely presented and published.

Ayana L. Langston

MS. MD'13 (Kinesiology and Exercise)

Ayana L. Langston, MS, MD is a December 2013 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Public Health as well as the College of Mathematical and Natural Sciences. She earned a bachelor’s of science in biology as well as a bachelor’s of science in kinesiology and was a part of the College Park Scholars Program. Originally from Prince George’s County, Maryland, Ayana is the youngest of three children. She always knew she would pursue a career in medicine due to her dedication to service and love of women’s health. Ayana is a proud alumna of the Eta Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and a US naval officer. She graduated with a master’s in biomedical sciences and a medical degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine and is currently pursuing a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. 

When Dr. Langston is not seeing patients at the hospital or mentoring minority premedical students, Ayana spends most of her time hanging out with her older sister, who is also a UMD graduate, and her nephew. She enjoys dance of all styles, Bikram yoga, watching independent films and creating medical content and healthcare discussions for her social media. She is excited to resume her global travels—both recreational and service related with the US Navy—with her favorite travel companion in tow, her dog Theodore.

Mariano Kanamori, Ph.D. '13

Assistant Professor, Division of Prevention Science and Community Health
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Dr. Kanamori is a Latino epidemiologist who researches social networks and ways to reduce HIV and substance misuse in Latino populations. His research has been implemented in Peru, Africa and the United States. As a PhD student at UMD, he received several awards including a Dean’s Scholar Award, Chair’s Scholar Award and the University of Maryland Distinguished Dissertation Award.

Following graduation in 2013 from UMD, Dr. Kanamori completed a postdoctoral program on Latino HIV and substance misuse at Florida International University. He joined the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in January 2018.

Dr. Kanamori has published how immigration policies and enforcement actions are changing the structures and dynamics of Latino farmworkers’ social networks, and how these changes are influencing increases in women’s alcohol dependence and children’s marijuana use. His research is analyzing the role social networks have on the evolving opioid epidemic among Latino farmworkers. He has developed a novel spatially-explicit social network model, called PrEParados, that merges four social network methods with spatial analysis to address the intertwining epidemics of HIV and substance misuse.

Dr. Kanamori’s advice to current UMD students is “Don't be afraid to ask for mentorship. Some doors may not open but the right ones will. There are many public health professionals who are committed to mentoring the next generation. I have mentors and colleagues from all over the world!”

Rebecca Rehr

MPH ‘12 (Environmental Health)

Rebecca Rehr is the director of the Climate for Health program at ecoAmerica, where she works to build public support and political will for climate solutions. Climate for Health is a network of leaders from across the health sector demonstrating visible health leadership on climate change. Rebecca is currently also serving on the American Geophysical Union’s GeoHealth Section leadership and is a governing counselor for the Environment Section of the American Public Health Association. 

Ms. Rehr previously worked in state-level environmental health advocacy, managing a portfolio that included pesticide use, lead poisoning and fracking, while facilitating multidisciplinary collaboratives on environmental justice and natural gas infrastructure. At that time, she also chaired the Maryland Public Health Association Advocacy Committee and served on the Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities. Rebecca also served a two-year fellowship in the Office of Children’s Health Protection at the US Environmental Protection Agency.  

She holds a BA in environmental studies from Franklin and Marshall College and a master of public health from the University of Maryland School of Public Health Institute for Applied Environmental Health. Originally from Baltimore, Rebecca lives with her husband in Washington, DC where she has taken up needlepoint as a hobby during the pandemic.

Ms. Maya A. Walker '13

Family Science, UMD School of Public Health
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSAgov), HHS

Maya Walker is a Public Health Analyst for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Community Based Outreach workforce division. At HRSA Maya works to improve health outcomes and achieve health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce, and innovative, high-value programs. Maya has been able to support community organizations in administering thousands of Covid-19 vaccinations in underserved communities.

Prior to HRSA, Maya was the Manager of Health and Wellness Programs for the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy where she addressed inequities to improve health outcomes through food access and education. Maya managed the only year-round farmers’ market in Ward 7 of Washington, D.C. With the support of her amazing colleagues, she was able to distribute over 3,000 subsidized produce bags and 20,000 meals during the current covid-19 pandemic.

Maya is also currently assisting Black Nurses Rock and the Be the Match campaign to increase bone marrow donations within Black communities. This has created the opportunity for her to continue on the ground outreach to improve health inequities in underserved communities, her deepest passion. She believes that true success is not measured by individual achievements but how you are able to positively impact others.