Chrystal Spencer is a 5th year graduate student in the Biological and Health Psychology PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2018. Chrystal’s research explores how chronic psychological stress confers risk for vascular diseases in midlife, as well as the role that biobehavioral and sociodemographic factors play in explaining/modifying this relationship. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, and playing with her dog, Chimnee.

John Alo graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry in 2024. John's academic interests are in psychopathology, social psychology, and human physiology. He is also interested in understanding how neurological functioning impacts one's day-to-day experience, and how these conclusions can be used to inform community-focused translational research. In the future, John plans to apply to medical school and combine his M.D. with a research background in public health to accomplish medical reform and address key health disparities impacting marginalized communities. John spends his free time working out, practicing volleyball, and playing strategy games.

Carmell Beamon is a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Economics. She is interested in promoting public health care and is from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Her interests range from student government to club lacrosse. When she’s away from campus, she values time caring for her grandparents and preparing gourmet meals.

Isabel Contreras-Naranjo is a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Applied Developmental Psychology and minoring in Spanish Language. She was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is involved in other activities such as being a BRIDGES mentor (a first-year program at Pitt) and working with Generation Conscious (an initiative fighting hygiene insecurity on college campuses). Isabel’s academic interests include understanding and studying generational trauma in Latin American communities and other areas impacted by colonialism. In the future, she wishes to pursue a career related to developmental psychology, hopefully in a research setting or as a child/behavioral psychologist. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting, and going to antique shops!

Elena Crespo is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Rehabilitation Science and minoring in Spanish Language. Originally from the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, she works on campus as a student tour guide and is a BRIDGES mentor for students from historically marginalized groups. Her academic interests include human physiology, psychology, disability studies, and women’s health. In the future, she plans on applying to graduate school for Physician Assistant Studies and hopes to make a positive impact on her community as a Physician Assistant and healthcare provider. In her free time, Elena enjoys spending time outdoors, going for walks, baking, listening to true crime podcasts, and painting!

Yanelis Figueroa is a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in French and Criminal Justice. She was raised in a small town in Pennsylvania called Hazleton. Yanelis is involved in extra curricular activities such as Psychology Club and band. Her academic interests include Second Language Acquisition, Neuropsychology, and Forensic psychology. Yanelis is interested in research involved with how languages affect the brain and research on how race and disparities affect neurophysiology. In the future, she wishes to pursue a career in forensic psychology or any involvement of law enforcement with psychology. Yanelis’ fun fact is that she can speak 4 languages! (Spanish, English, French, Portuguese!)

Kafui Kemeh is a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Health Services and minoring in Social Work with a Certificate in Global Health. She was raised in Woburn, Massachusetts, which is located 20 minutes north of Boston. Kafui is involved in extracurricular activities such as BRIDGES and Rho Psi Eta, an academic pre-health sorority on campus. Her academic interests surround public health topics including global health, health equity, and community health. Kafui is interested in research involved with how low socioeconomic status (SES) impacts access to quality holistic health care. In the future, she wishes to pursue a career in public health with a focus on addressing poverty and its impact on health outcomes as well as creating affordable housing initiatives to reduce homelessness in communities. Outside of school, Kafui spends her free time reading, traveling, and keeping up with her favorite shows!

Nalani Kimbro is a junior majoring in Psychology and Exercise Science with a certificate in Sports Studies.  She is from Lathrop, California and currently attends the University of Pittsburgh. Her academic interests are in exercise and performance psychology and she is also interested in how disparities influence current and future access to exercise and positive health experiences. In the future, she wishes to pursue a career in Sport and Performance Psychology. Outside of academics, Nalani plays the piccolo in the Pitt Band and is involved in academic mentoring. In her free time she loves music, working out, and reading. 

Dextrius Williams Jr. is a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, double majoring in Neuroscience and Anthropology. Originally from Hamilton, Georgia, he works as an office manager at Shadyside Hospital and previously served as a Student Behavioral Assistant at Western Psychiatric Hospital. He is the Social Action Co-Chair for Pitt’s Black Action Society and Showcase Manager for Ya’Baso, Pitt’s African Dance Team. Passionate about neuroscience research, he focuses on mental health disparities, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the stress response system. He aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and contribute to the care and prevention of trauma- and stress-related mental disorders. In his free time, he enjoys sewing, designing clothing, dancing, singing, and making people laugh, with dreams of traveling the world.