Mevlana Iljazi
Raised in an Albanian immigrant household in Waterbury, CT, Mevlana brings a lived understanding of health inequities to her public health work. Witnessing neighbors and her own father struggle with addiction, stigmatizing care, and limited access to services ignited her commitment to equity-focused practice. A first-generation college graduate (B.S. in Allied Health Sciences, minor in Psychological Sciences, UConn ’25), she is now pursuing an MPH at the UConn School of Medicine (expected May 2027).
Her experience spans frontline care and research. In emergency departments at Connecticut Children’s and Bristol Hospital and in laboratory client services at Hartford Hospital, she supported diverse, often underserved patients while honing culturally responsive communication and coordination skills. Academically, she contributed to an international study on youth obesity and the Mediterranean diet, a meta-analytic project on cancer survivors and caregiver wellbeing, and a Health Disparities Institute evaluation using CBPR principles. The Segal Scholars Fund will enable her to deepen this community-engaged research and training, with a career goal of leading programs that expand equitable care, reduce addiction stigma, and improve mental health access for immigrant and low-income communities.
Laura Contreras
Raised in a predominantly Spanish-speaking community in Connecticut, Laura learned early how language barriers, misinformation, and limited cultural humility can derail care. Translating medical terminology for family as a child sparked her commitment to bridge gaps in communication and trust. A recent UConn graduate (B.S. in Allied Health Sciences; concentration in Public Health & Health Promotion; minor in Culture, Health & Human Development), she is entering the UConn MPH program with a focus on epidemiology and community health.
Lauren’s experience blends research, outreach, and frontline service. She supported Spanish-speaking residents as a translator with Waterbury’s mobile vaccination clinic and advanced oral-health education during a nonprofit internship, designing bilingual outreach materials and engagement plans. As a Research Assistant in the Racial Trauma & Health Lab, she conducted literature reviews and contributed to project planning; as a Resident Assistant and staff member at the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center, she fostered inclusive, health-promoting environments. Study-abroad service in Cusco, Peru, further deepened her cultural competence. With fluency in Spanish and a passion for clear, culturally responsive health education, Laura aims to pair epidemiologic training with community-facing work—promoting healthy behaviors, building trust, and serving as a role model for other first-generation students pursuing advanced education.