Staff

Owusu Bekoe joined Northwestern University's faculty in 2021 after graduating from Howard University with BA in Political Science and Sociology. Owusu now provides vital administrative support for the center, while also spearheading its communication strategy. In his free time, he works towards becoming a data analyst and enjoys exploring Chicago's diverse arts and music scene.

Lynn Huang joined Northwestern in February 2022. She has an MS in statistics and worked on multiple big data research projects during her time in school, including an NSF-REU in machine learning. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new neighborhoods, cooking and live music. 

Su Lee is a postdoctoral scholar at Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC). Before joining the team, she received a PhD in prevention science at Washington State University. Her research interests include understanding risk and protective factors for optimal health and well-being among mothers of color and their children. She enjoys biking, walking, hiking and camping.

Juliana Pinheiro joined Northwestern in 2022. She studied biochemistry and neuroscience at Augustana College and then worked as a research associate at MD Anderson Cancer Center, spearheading a project studying a novel therapeutic treatment in glioblastomas. She enjoys running, soccer and geeking out over Philosophy of Mind theories. 

Carolyn Schafer joined CHSOR in December 2021. Carolyn grew up in Cleveland, OH and worked in Malawi and Sierra Leone before moving to Chicago. She is interested in health systems strengthening and mental health. Outside of work she enjoys working out and reading. 

Aleena Surenian is a Project Coordinator at the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She has a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University and an MPH from Boston University. She enjoys cooking Armenian food and hopes to revisit Armenia soon.