Our Team

^{Dr. Jerel P. Calzo (he/him) is a Professor in the Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science at SDSU, School of Public Health. Dr. Calzo is a developmental psychologist and social epidemiologist with expertise in community-based participatory research and the application of longitudinal and mixed-method approaches to examine social determinants of adolescent and young adult health and health disparities, particularly among LGBTQ+ youth. Dr. Calzo’s current projects focus on three distinct yet often overlapping lines of research: (1) determinants of health disparities in adolescent and young adult disordered eating and substance use; (2) promoting health and positive social development among LGBTQ+ youth; (3) the promotion of sanitation justice (i.e., access to safe, clean, public restrooms).}

^{Dr. Jennifer Felner (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science and the Undergraduate Program Director in the School of Public Health at SDSU. She is trained in health education, community health sciences, and social epidemiology. In her research, Dr. Felner leverages multiple methods (especially qualitative methods), critical epistemologies, and participatory research approaches to examine and intervene on the upstream determinants of health inequities among youth experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and LGBTQ+ youth. Dr. Felner’s primary research aim is to build community power to develop sustainable community health improvements that will mitigate and prevent health disparities and inequities. Prior to beginning a research and teaching career, Dr. Felner developed and implemented child maltreatment prevention programs in community-based and clinical settings.}

_{Jacob Carson (he/him) is a PhD Candidate in Public Health, Health Behavior studying the built environment, health equity, and policy. His research casts a wide net around the concepts of healthy and sustainable communities. He is also passionate about promoting macro-level change. For fun, Jacob enjoys the outdoors, blues and jazz, and has been a big part of the San Diego Parkour community for almost 10 years.}

_{Linda Salgin (she/her) is a Doctoral Candidate in the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. She is also a Sr. Program Manager at San Ysidro Health, a federally qualified health center serving San Diego county. Her research currently centers around tobacco cessation, specifically looking at how we can use implementation science methodologies to increase tobacco cessation among adolescents and adults. When she is not at work or school, she enjoys hiking with her dog, cooking, and traveling. She is looking forward to continuing her many projects in the ARCHES lab this year.} 

_{Andy Catalan Lim (they/them) is a second-year PhD student in the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, with a concentration in Health Behavior, at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. From Melbourne, Florida, Andy’s research centers on disparities in substance use and sexual health outcomes among adolescents. They primarily employ participatory approaches, working closely with communities to foster meaningful change. Andy is passionate about community-driven research and is always eager to explore innovative ideas and new collaborative opportunities. When not working in research, Andy enjoys reading, exploring new coffee shops, and catching up on reality TV.}

_{Alana Lopez (she/her) is a fourth-year student in the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, Health Behavior Track, at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Alana has been a member of the ARCHES Lab for nearly three years. Her research interests include community-engaged research, Latinx health, and tobacco-related health disparities. Outside of academia, Alana enjoys baking, spending time with their nieces, and playing soccer.}

_{Jide Famoyegun (he/him) is a Pre-Doctoral Student Collaborator and third-year doctoral student in the Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. His research explores the intersection of ethnic-racial identity development and bilingualism in Filipino and Vietnamese American children and young adults. He is deeply passionate about promoting bilingualism in early education and supporting the preservation of heritage languages within minoritized communities. In his free time, Jide enjoys making soups and attending concerts.} 

_{Jimmy Vazquez (he/him) is a Graduate Student Assistant and a Social Work masters student at San Diego State University, with a focus on community-based practice and liberation work. His interests include health equity and culturally responsive research that centers marginalized communities. Jimmy is passionate about building community rooted in mutual care and connection, and he believes in creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to care for one another. In his free time, Jimmy enjoys spending meaningful time with friends and family.}

_{Khushi Shah (she/her) is an Undergraduate Research Assistant and is a senior at San Diego State University pursuing a major in Public Health with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies through the Weber Honors College. As a San Diego native, she aspires to build a career in Healthcare Administration and Management. For the past two years, Khushi has been an active member of the ARCHES lab, where she has gained valuable experience in both qualitative and quantitative research within the field of Public Health. Her time in the lab has been incredibly rewarding and has deepened her passion for research and community health. Outside of academics, Khushi is an avid foodie who enjoys exploring new restaurants and matcha spots around San Diego.}

_{Max Moore (he/him) is an Undergraduate Research Assistant and a senior at San Diego State University, majoring in International Security and Conflict Resolution with a minor in Public Health. Originally from Sacramento, California, he is particularly interested in the ways housing and transit policy can be used to improve public health outcomes. In his free time, Max enjoys watching soccer and is a devoted Aston Villa supporter.}

_{Irish Edusada (she/her) is an Undergraduate Research Assistant and senior Public Health major at San Diego State University, from San Jose, California. In Fall 2025, she will begin her Master of Public Health program at SDSU with a concentration in Health Management and Policy. In her free time, Irish enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and exploring new recipes. She loves being part of the ARCHES team.}

_{Haleigh Barnett (she/her) is an Undergraduate Research Assistant and senior at San Diego State University, majoring in Public Health, originally from Clovis, California. In her free time, Haleigh enjoys watching TV with her fiancé, crocheting gifts for her family, reading, going to the beach, and spending time with her two cats. She is grateful to be part of a dedicated team working to support youth in San Diego.}

_{John Brunetti (he/him) is a Marketing and Social Media Intern and a senior at San Diego State University, majoring in Business Administration and Marketing. John has previously interned with the American Red Cross, has experience in community-focused outreach. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, exploring new restaurants, and visiting different beaches. As a native of Fairfield, New Jersey, John is a dedicated supporter of AS Roma and the New York Knicks. He also has a passion for collecting sneakers and sports jerseys. John is excited to join the ARCHES team this semester and looks forward to learning as much as possible from everyone.}