Team

Dr. Daisy Le, with her Ph.D. and MPH/MA credentials, is an esteemed assistant professor at the Policy, Populations, and Systems department. As a social scientist, her expertise lies in community-driven cancer prevention and highlighting health disparities. A University of Maryland alumnus, she further honed her skills at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Le’s research magnifies the sociocultural aspects of health, emphasizing community-based interventions using mobile technology for marginalized populations. Supported by organizations like the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, she currently works and oversees projects at the I-Charm lab, one of them being the mySHARE study, exploring the potential of HPV self-sampling for HIV-positive women in the Washington-Baltimore region.

Timag Sherif is an MPH student concentrating in Epidemiology at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Her research interests include but are not limited to cancer and infectious disease epidemiology, with a focus on applying quantitative methods to better understand disparities and improve health outcomes. In her free time she enjoys baking, traveling, and puzzles. 

Esther (Hayeon) Kim is an MPH student concentrating in Biostatistics at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She completed a B.S. in Biological Sciences from SUNY Binghamton. Her work spans community-based research on cancer prevention and digital health, with an emphasis on rigorous quantitative methods to address disparities and improve outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exploring new foods, and taking road trips.

Taosif Irfan is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park (May 2024), where he earned his B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology with a minor in Humanities, Health, and medicine. He will be attending physician assistant (PA) school in May 2026. His research focus encompasses social determinants of health, intersectional health disparities, and socially accountable health care. Outside of professional pursuits, Taosif is a member of two local South Asian dance teams and enjoys spending time in the city with friends!

Meti Abdella is an MPH student in Epidemiology at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Her passion for community health began while working at a psychosocial support center for children with cancer. Meti has contributed to a range of public health research projects, including a study on male partner involvement in family planning in Ethiopia, qualitative research exploring adolescent girls’ sexual risk-taking behaviors in Uganda and analysis of maternal nutrition programs with Vitamin Angels in DRC. At I-CHARM, Meti is excited to apply her skills in qualitative analysis, and community engagement to advance the lab’s mission of improving health behaviors and outcomes for underserved communities in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

Maithiri Dhinakaran is a BS/MPH candidate with a concentration in maternal and child health.

She is on a pre-med track. Her research interests include women’s health, sexual/ reproductive health, and the intersection of social justice and public health. Outside of academic pursuits, Maithiri enjoys reading.

Kirti Dhinakaran is a third-year undergraduate student on the pre-med track and a BS/MPH candidate with a concentration in maternal and child health. Her research interests focus on women’s health and infectious disease. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball.

Stephanie Tran is a second-year undergraduate student at Barnard College studying Biology with a minor in Human Rights. Originally from Washington DC, her research interests include women’s health, population health, and infectious disease. In her free time, she enjoys crosswords, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Melissa Lopez Vasquez is a senior majoring in Public Health with a biology and psychology minor on the premed and prelaw track and earning a certificate in ethical leadership and development (CAS-LEAD). She is passionate about improving health outcomes for all individuals through both direct patient connections in the medical field and through the policy-making process. Her experience includes serving as a programs intern at the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) and as a public health policy intern at the American Public Health Association (APHA). Ultimately, she aspires to become a physician and a future elected official, working to create and implement policies that ensure equitable access to public health programs for all. During her free time, she enjoys volunteering as an EMT, reading, baking, and spending time with her three cats.