Research Assistants 2026 - 2027
Avneet Brar | avneetbrar@ucmerced.edu
B.S. Human Biology
B.A. Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Arturo Durazo, Public Health Dept, UC Merced
Avneet is a first-generational college student from the Bay Area. She is a third year student at UC Merced, majoring in both Human Biology and Public Health. Avneet is a pre-medical student wanting to provide healthcare in underserved communities, promote health equity, and address improved medical education. As an NCPC Research Assistant, she wants to support individuals with addiction by guiding them towards preventative measures through broad-scale research. Along with being a research assistant, Avneet is a College Corps fellow working at Calteach and is a UROC UC Leads Scholar.
Natali Fuentes | natalifuentes@ucmerced.edu
B.A Public Health
Minor Business Management
Public Health Dept. Mentor: Anysleydi Sandoval, Merced County PHD
Natali Fuentes is a proud Mexican-American. She is currently a fourth-year student majoring in Public Health and minoring in Business Management Economics. She plans to graduate in spring 2027, and pursue further education by obtaining a master's degree in public health with a concentration in Community Health and Health Equity. Growing up in a metropolitan area, Natali developed a passion for helping rural communities that face barriers to accessing healthcare and reliable health information. With her acquired skills and previous research and community involvement, she plans to extend information and knowledge into developing healthcare systems and policies.
Sumona Nair | sumonanair@ucmerced.edu
B.S. Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Irene H. Yen, Public Health Dept, UC Merced
Sumona is a third-year public health major with a minor in psychology at UC Merced. Her studies have sparked an interest in how health is shaped by the world around us, and she is eager to explore that through research. Starting as an intern and now serving as a research assistant at NCPC, she has begun laying out the groundwork for a career in research. After graduating, she aims to pursue graduate school for public health, where she hopes to build the knowledge and skills to improve health outcomes.
Camila Sainez | csainez@ucmerced.edu
B.S. Biological Sciences
Minor in Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Arturo Durazo, Public Health Dept, UC Merced
Camila M Sainez is a proud first-generation Mexican American. She is currently a fourth-year majoring in Biological Science with an emphasis in human and a minor in Public Health. She plans to graduate spring of 2027 and devote time into preparing for med-school. Camila is driven to take part in the healthcare system due to her passion in advocating for communities, especially those of lower class standing, and making a difference within them. Coming from an underprivileged background herself, her biggest goal is to minimize the gap created within the system by advocating for better access and equity for those that have been/are historically overlooked. Camila aspires to be a presence of leadership and trust for underserved communities and the new generation as a first-generational Latina women in the healthcare system.
Casey Swanson | hswanson2@ucmerced.edu
B.S. Public Health
SJV PRIME+ Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Arturo Durazo, Public Health Dept, UC Merced
My name is Casey Swanson, I am a current fourth year Public Health major and a part of the SJV PRIME+ pathway. My goal is to gain knowledge of public health to become an equitable, informed, and empathetic physician.
