Sayeem Hossain is a sophomore at Binghamton University, pursuing a double major in Global Public Health and Economics. He is deeply committed to addressing cognitive and mental health disparities, particularly among low-income and minority communities. Sayeem’s career aspirations include contributing to public health initiatives that enhance healthcare accessibility and equity. He hopes to pursue a MD/PhD in Health Care Management and Economics and contribute to innovation in healthcare systems as a physician leader. Prior to joining the Get Experience in Aging Research Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) at Penn, Sayeem has been involved in Community and Global Public Health research investigating worldwide dementia prevalence, preventable risk factors, cognitive health, executive function, and lifestyle behaviors. He has also been involved in systems science and industrial engineering research, examining effective technologies and strategies for expanding telehealth and mobile healthcare services, particularly for underserved communities facing challenges related to social determinants of health. As a part of the Summer Undergraduate Mentored Research (SUMR) program, he has the opportunity to work with Dr. Adriana Perez on a community-based clinical trial aimed at improving cardiovascular and cognitive health among older Latinos with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This trial explores the impact of a multi-level intervention on physical activity, cardiovascular health, sleep, and cognitive function. The study also evaluates health care utilization costs in a cost-benefit analysis of implementing the physical activity intervention to promote future sustainability.

Patrick Arp is a sophomore at The Ohio State University majoring in Biomedical Science with minors in Aging and Sociology. His research interests lie in evaluating healthcare systems and policies relevant to aging and long-term care. After graduation, Arp hopes to pursue a combined MD-PhD program in Health Policy or a similar field.
Arp is working with Dr. Norma Coe on two projects. The first is evaluating the Green House model of nursing home care, and the second is determining the availability of beds in nursing homes for Medicaid patients. At Ohio State, Arp is a Stamps Eminence Scholar, working to develop a student-led respite program with the Golden Buckeye Center for Dementia Caregiving. In addition, he is assisting in patient outreach for free pop-up clinics in Columbus and helping to design a volunteer grant-writing program to support local nonprofits. He is also a research assistant for Dr. Nagaraj Kerur, investigating the inflammatory causes of age-related macular degeneration. In his free time, Arp wheel-throws pottery, bikes, spends time with friends, and reads.

Tyasia Cannon 

is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Sociology and Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. She is interested in health education and policy, and specifically how early and continuous education on health risk factors improves the health of marginalized communities. She is also interested in the role of service in treating uninsured, at-risk populations. After graduation, she hopes to enter medical school and possibly graduate school and continue to advocate for and increase accessibility for all.

Tyasia works with two mentors during the SUMR program. Tyasia is working under Yehoda Martei, MD, MSCE to evaluate the role of community health workers in active cancer treatment and survivorship. She will assess the need for intervention to understand and eliminate disparities in healthcare. Tyasia is also part of the GEAR UP Program, working with Anna Jo Smith MD, MPH for the first summer. Under Dr. Smith, Tyasia will examine barriers and interventions addressing peritoneal cancer. Specifically, she will examine CA-125 as a biomarker for primary peritoneal cancer.

Tyasia is involved in service, leadership, and mentorship around campus. She enjoys volunteering for marginalized and youth communities in her free time, as well as mentoring high-school students and underclassmen. During the school year, she works with Shana D. Stites, PsyD, MA, MS, on research regarding social determinants of health as it applies to Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Tyasia currently serves as President of the Minorities Association for Pre-Medical Students, Marketing Chair for the United Minorities Coalition, and Marketing Chair for Penn Black Scientist Collective. Tyasia is also a part of Alpha Iota Gamma Healthcare Fraternity, where she serves as DEI chair. She also finds support in her community as a Johnson Scholar. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing flute for Penn Flutes, spending time with friends, thrifting around Philadelphia, and cooking new foods.