“Working in The Substances and Sexual Health (SASH) Lab has been a dream come true and has allowed me to support Black girls through research designed for and by them. Dr. Ijeoma Opara, associate professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department and director of The SASH Lab has been an incredible mentor, teaching me how to blend research with advocacy in ways that truly uplift this community. Her guidance has shaped my love for mixed-methods research and my approach to public health. Being a part of this important work has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my time at YSPH. After graduation, I plan to head to Uganda through the Global Health Experiential Fellowship (GHEF) at Yale, where I plan to work on a research project exploring family planning attitudes and barriers among men in Buyende District. Alongside this, I’m excited to put my doula training into practice and support Black and brown communities in their birthing experiences.” - Olivia Francis, MPH ’25....