Fellows

Seemya Mohamed is pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science at Virginia State University. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in International Management. She previously worked at Apple, which helped introduce her to technology and subsequently sparked her interest in returning to school for her master’s degree.

Oziomachukwu Chinaka is a Ph.D. candidate in the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Program at Virginia Tech. She holds her B.S. in Human Development and a Master’s in Public Health from Virginia Tech. As an interdisciplinary researcher, Oziomachukwu’s research interests span a variety of topics, including health disparities, health equity, substance use disorders, women’s health, and maternal and child health. She currently works in Dr. Brittany Howell’s lab, which explores the Maternal Influence on Neurodevelopment (MIND). Within the MIND Lab, her research investigates factors influencing pregnant individuals’ participation in the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. Outside of research, Oziomachukwu enjoys exploring new foods, traveling, and running. She is excited to apply her personal, professional, and research experiences to this fellowship, while also deepening her understanding of the intersection between science and policy.

Chariz Seijo is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University. She previously received an MPH in Health Policy from Columbia University, focusing on mental health policy. Chariz is passionate about improving access to mental healthcare for minoritized communities.

Asha Rudrabhatla is a Clinical Psychology PhD student at George Mason University. Asha applies systems-level and community-driven research and advocacy approaches to advancing equity in the delivery of mental health services for racial and ethnic minoritized youth impacted by contextual stressors (e.g., racism), across community- and school-based settings. Through the COVES Fellowship, Asha hopes to advance policy across community and educational systems to support the equitable delivery of mental health services for minoritized youth.

Miranda Wood is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry at the University of Virginia, working under the mentorship of Prof. Cliff Stains. A long-time Virginia resident, she grew up in Fredericksburg and earned her B.S. in Biochemistry from UVA in 2021. Her current research investigates how chemical modifications to fluorescent dyes can be used to control targeted drug delivery in cancer. Outside of the lab, Miranda serves as the President of UVA Chemistry’s Graduate Student Council and enjoys reading and practicing yoga in her free time. She hopes to apply the skills gained at UVA and through the COVES fellowship to a career in public service.

Aerin Cuff obtained her B.S. in Psychology from Virginia State University in May of 2023, where she was a Thurgood Marshall Scholar. During her time undergraduate years, she was actively involved in research through the RISE Research Laboratory, focusing on STEM interests and resilience among African American middle school students. Aerin is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Health Psychology at Virginia State University, with a career goal of becoming a pediatric psychologist. Her research interests focus on child development and mental health interventions for children. She hopes to continue developing her research skills to contribute to evidence-based practices that improve children’s well-being.

Ravneet Kaur is a PhD candidate in plant physiology at Virginia Tech, focusing on the effects of abiotic stresses on crop nutrition. Her research investigates physiological and molecular mechanisms driving seed nutrient reduction under elevated CO2, particularly changes in processes like transpiration, photosynthesis and mineral transporter genes. Coming from an agricultural background in India, she has extensive experience in molecular biology, crop production, pest management, and molecular biology. Her broader interests include linking plant science with sustainable agriculture and advocating for policy reforms to support farmers and climate resilience.

Linda holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science with a concentration in Biology and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Biology at Hampton University. Under the mentorship of Dr. Carolina Bonin and Dr. Eric Lewallen, her research explores the role of transcription factors in early-onset prostate cancer, utilizing data from the NIH’s All of Us Research Program. Passionate about genomics and marine science, Linda is committed to bridging the gap between research and science policy, aiming to translate scientific research into impactful policies.