2023 – 2024 Graduate Equity Fellows
Wynn Barnard
Master of Fine Arts in Animation
Wynn’s “work explores the ways that different social positionalities and political lineages manifest in tangible, embodied memory.” Their work provides “an opportunity to create spaces for queer and trans people to feel seen, contend with complex questions of power and identity, and most importantly to heal.”
Tuhina Bhattacharya
Master of Science in Biochemistry
Bhattacharya’s research focuses on cancer, “a global burden, causing millions of deaths worldwide. It is a big burden on society both emotionally and economically.” Specifically, her research investigates the SC66 molecule to understand how it inhibits or excites the protein kinase B (PKB) pathway. PKB is “involved in the regulation of cellular growth, metabolism, and survival.” “PKB inhibitors are an important and promising class of anti-tumor agents in cancer therapy.” Her findings can help advance the field by adding to the current understanding of SC66.She seeks to pursue a PhD after completing her MS.
Elizabeth Esquivel
Master of Social Work
Elizabeth Esquivel has continuously shown her dedication to serving diverse communities that have shaped her identity as a first-generation Mexican woman. Elizabeth has worked with LGBTQ+ youth, marginalized families, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Central to her service is “first acknowledging the historical and societal contexts in which [populations] exist, whether that entails simple language barriers to accessing basic rights, or the oppressive policies, institutions, and unequal justice that plague our bureaucracy” Elizabeth seeks to be “a compassionate and useful resource as a social worker,” “reforming the lives of historically marginalized community members.”
Carlos Fitch
Master of Arts in Equity, Education, and Social Justice
Carlos’ work explores “the trajectories and intersectionality of postsecondary LGBTQIA+ transborder students in rural borders.” Carlos “build[s] on existing research and adopt[s] a Queer of Color critique to offer a counter-narrative and counter-space of traditional depictions of the borderlands and [expand] on the Queer experiences in the borderlands.
Victoria Gray
Master of Arts in History
Victoria is an 8th grade history teacher pursuing their MA in history. Victoria conducts research ensure that her class “lessons reflect the current state of the field, while embedding culturally responsive pedagogy to engage and empower students.” Victoria’s teaching “challenges the traditional progress narrative of United States History by decentering the individual to encourage students to actively participate in bettering their communities.” “Ultimately, [her] goal …is to equip students with historical thinking skills needed to serve as active participants in their community.”
Manami Koizumi
Master of Science in Counseling Student Development in Higher Education
Manami “examine[s] the impact of intergroup dialogue on the equity, diversity, and inclusion beliefs toward AAPI college students, [with the goal of] reducing anti-Asian hate, creating a more just environment, and improving the mental health of AAPI students.”
Sea Krob
Master of Fine Arts in Art Photography
Sea (they/them) is a parenting, trans non-binary, photographer, and 4-hour public transit commuter who uses photography to exhibit inequities, give voice, and advocate for change.
Mei Louie
Master of Social Work
Mei will conduct research to support program and policy development intended to alleviate and address student basic needs, expand awareness of the associated social problems, and create equitable spaces for her peers to thrive and reach their fullest potential.
Emily Marquez
Master of Science in Chemistry
Emily studies “the catalytic process for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction for the advancement of production and storage of energy,” with the goal of providing “innovative solutions to the energy crisis.”
Manuel Rojas
Master of Arts in Philosophy
Manuel studies the philosophy of charity, justice, and personal virtue and relies on those philosophies through his community work in encampments of the unhoused. Manuel cleans abandoned encampments and offers food and shelter in hopes to “elevate the human spirit.” Manuel seeks to bring philosophy and an understanding of the world and humanity through philosophy via “free in-person philosophy courses to students in poor communities and to those who have been historically underrepresented in this field.”
Zack Sherwood
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Zach examines “which materials are most vulnerable to acid rain corrosion to improve the longevity of structures and aircrafts and benefit society.”
Leslie Saito
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Leslie’s dissertation focuses on the invisible tolls and covert racism that Asian American teachers endure in schools. This work is part of her overall commitment to fight for racial equity. Leslie is lead teacher at a school where she is “doing her part to decolonize the classroom.” She assists “teens addressing their identities of intersectionality;” “ensures that her students view literature (and the world at large) with a critical eye;” discusses “themes of White Saviorism or the White Gaze;” runs the anti-racism club; and works to “expand the literary canon to include marginalized voices.” Her goal is to foster an environment for her students that honors “the power of student voice and student-led activism.”
Karina Estrada
Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology
Karina is an advocate and educator who spent many hot childhood days in the Coachella Valley with her family picking crops. Now, as a master’s student in the speech-language program, Karina seeks to join the too few bilingual persons currently practicing and being trained as speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Fewer than 8% of all SLPs have bilingual proficiency despite the “growing number of culturally and linguistically diverse” individuals in need of speech-language services. Assessment and treatment resources for adult-Spanish speakers are particularly lacking. Merely translating current resources from English to Spanish neglects the specificities of culture and language. Thus, Karina is hard at work in creating tools and advocating for speech and/or language treatment goals that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. And, these efforts have not gone unnoticed, as her clients express “immense gratitude” for her work.
