Student Advisory Council

The IIGH Student Advisory Council (SAC) comprises a multidisciplinary group of undergraduate and graduate students from across the university who serve as valued advisers to the Institute. Serving on the IIGH Student Advisory Council offers a unique community- and skills-building experience for students across all disciplines at USC engaged in and pursuing careers at the intersections of health and inequality.

Over the course of the academic year, SAC members actively participate in student programming at IIGH, gaining valuable experience and access to a distinguished, worldwide network of researchers, policymakers, and advocates addressing inequalities in global health.

Current Council Members:

Aani Nagaiah
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology;
USC Annenberg School of Communication

Aani Nagaiah is a sophomore at the University of Southern California, where she is a pre-med student majoring in Health and Aging with a minor in News Media and Society. She is the co-founder of Our Ode to You, a teen-led nonprofit that organizes music and art workshops for memory-care facilities nationwide. At USC, she pursues her interest in journalism as a writer for the Daily Trojan and through projects that examine the intersections of media, health, and society. She is passionate about using storytelling and scholarship to drive change in medicine, community, and culture.

Amireh Leila Mirdamadi
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Amireh Leila Mirdamadi is pursuing her Master of Science in Global Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where she integrates healthcare, business strategy, and innovation on a global scale. She serves as Vice President of the Medical Humanities Interest Group (MHIG) at Keck and holds ambassadorship with the Global Wellness Institute. A Cornell alumna, she brings a strong background in biological sciences, research, and wellness strategy. She aims to merge healthcare, hospitality, and design to create evidence-based wellness experiences that elevate patient care and longevity.

Izabel Sharp
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

Izabel Sharp is a current undergraduate student studying biology, global health and data analytics. She conducts research with the SHINE Lab at USC Keck School of Medicine on digital interventions aimed at preventing and reducing substance use. Izabel is passionate about promoting access to health sciences education and serves the local Los Angeles community with USC Health Sciences Program.

Jonah Phipps
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Jonah Phipps is a second-year MD candidate at the Keck School of Medicine. He comes to Los Angeles by way of San Francisco, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. His interests include infectious diseases, health policy, literature, and Appalachian cooking. Jonah plans to pursue a residency in pediatrics and an ID fellowship in the hopes of working for the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service.

Kyra Aligaen
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Kyra Aligaen graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy with a minor in International Health, Development, and Social Justice from USC in May 2025. Currently, she is a second-year student in the entry-level Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. Her academic pursuits and involvements are influenced by her passion for advocating for individuals’ holistic needs and their right to comprehensive and equitable healthcare. In her undergraduate studies, Kyra Aligaen worked as a USC Student Health Wellness Health Outreach Ambassador for three years, supporting USC students in familiarizing themselves with the resources they need to live healthily and well. Currently, she serves as the International Relations Chair for the Chan Division’s Occupational Therapy and Science Council (OTSC), where she facilitates global learning opportunities centered on occupational justice, how occupational therapy is understood and practiced across diverse cultural contexts, and how the profession can enhance quality of life and participation in everyday living worldwide.

Leanne Loo
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

Leanne Loo is a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Southern California. Broadly, her research concerns the social determination of health and the production, circulation, and uses of scientific knowledge. Prior to her doctoral studies, Leanne worked in clinical and public health research. She received her BA in Anthropology and MPH with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Tufts University.

Liam Rafaty (Chair)
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Liam Rafaty is the current Co-President of IIGH’s Student Advisory Council. He is pursuing a Master of Public Health in the Global Health concentration through the progressive degree program at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. On campus, he is a student worker for the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute and a research assistant for the USC-Huntington EMSI LA2026 project focusing on bringing the public and humanities and history scholars for conversations about the 250th anniversary of 1776 and its relationship to California and the West.

Maha Almaliky
Keck School of Medicine of USC;
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

Maha Almaliky is a second-year undergraduate student studying under Keck and Dornsife. As a pre-med student, she views medicine not only as STEM-based but also as a field deeply connected to areas such as legislation and public policy. She hopes to emphasize the ethical perspectives of medicine and pursue her passion for addressing healthcare disparities affecting women and people of color. She also hopes to integrate her personal and ethnic identity, providing additional perspectives and deeper insight into the inequalities of global health.

Rafael Cortes
USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Rafael Cortes is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California. Originally from Michigan, Rafael is passionate about the intersections of healthcare, public health, and cutting-edge technology, with interests that include medical devices, tissue engineering, and mental health in underserved communities. On campus, he serves as a research assistant in the Wang Molecular Engineering Laboratory and actively volunteers with Mobile Clinic to support community health outreach. Additionally, Rafael is involved in multiple student organizations, including Engineers Without Borders and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Rahinatou Sawadogo
Mann School of Pharmacy

Rahinatou Sawadogo is a global health advocate committed to advancing equitable access to innovative vaccines. In her role at Pfizer, she is gaining valuable insight into the systems, partnerships, and policies that shape global vaccine distribution. Rahinatou’s passion lies in ensuring that lifesaving innovations are accessible to every community, especially those in underserved regions. She aspires to bridge the 1gap between scientific progress and public access through advocacy, education, and global health leadership.

Ruby Perlman
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences;
USC Annenberg School of Communication

Ruby Perlman is a graduate student in the Master’s of Public Diplomacy program at the Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism. She recently completed her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Global Business with a minor in Spanish at USC Dornsife. Professionally, she has worked across marketing, artificial intelligence, and global communications in New York and Bangkok, focusing on how storytelling and technology shape public perception. Through her work with the Sexual Rights for Social Change Academy, she developed youth-centered social media content and designed strategic marketing campaigns.

Saisha Mattoo
USC Price School of Public Policy

Saisha Mattoo is a fifth-year Ph.D. student at Price School of Public Policy. A passionate advocate of health behavior, urban design, and community engagement, her research focuses on socio-economic disparities in health environments. With a Master of Urban Design and a Bachelor of Architecture, Saisha has been involved in multiple community engagement projects in India and was most recently involved in the University Park Slow Jams project with Public Matters in Los Angeles.

Sofia Ufret
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Sofia Ufret-Rivera is a junior at the University of Southern California, hailing from Dallas, who is working towards a degree in Global Health. Her studies revolve around sexual and reproductive health, decolonization, epidemiology, and the effects of politics and governance on healthcare both locally and globally. She is driven by her interest in examining how culture, religion, and health intersect, and hopes to apply these insights to her current and future work in advocacy and healthcare.

Vanessa Andrick (Chair)
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Vanessa Andrick has been part of SAC since her first year at USC. She is now a senior studying Global Health and Theatre and is also pursuing her graduate degree in Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Keck School of Medicine. Her interests include epidemiology, health equity and social determinants of health, health communication, and connecting the arts and public health. Vanessa is always searching for opportunities to combine her dual passions for health promotion and storytelling in her academic and creative endeavors.

Welela Solomon
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Welela Solomon is an undergraduate and masters student at the University of Southern California pursuing a B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and an M.S. in Global Medicine, graduating in 2026. She conducts research in Dr. Oliver Bell’s epigenetics lab, studying mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders such as Weiss-Kruska syndrome and anxiety. As President of the Partners in Health Engage Chapter and a student planning leader for USC’s annual Sex Week, Welela advocates for global health equity and sexual and reproductive health awareness. Her work with Peace Over Violence and the Institute of Inequalities in Global Health reflects her commitment to destigmatizing conversations around health and uplifting communities.

Former Council Members:

Benefits

Throughout the academic year, SAC members receive:

• Engaging opportunities to shape and participate in IIGH student programming;
• Tailored professional development to foster competence and leadership skills relevant to global health careers;
• Exclusive invitations to meet with IIGH faculty, global health researchers, practitioners, and others; and
• Membership in a cohort of students who share similar interests and enjoy learning from and with each other.

Commitment

SAC appointments are for one academic year beginning in the fall and are renewable for continuing students. SAC members are expected to:

• Attend a mandatory virtual orientation on Thursday, September 25, 2025, 4:00–5:30 p.m. PT (Please hold this date on your calendar; details will be emailed to the cohort the week before orientation);
• Engage fully in monthly cohort meetings and IIGH events (approximately 5–6 hours per month). SAC meetings will take place monthly by Zoom and in-person at least twice per semester. Active engagement means participating in group discussions, asking questions in sessions, proposing new ideas for collaboration between SAC and IIGH, and making a strong effort to build community with fellow SAC members; and
• Serve as ambassadors of USC IIGH within and outside the USC community. This means identifying publicly as an IIGH SAC member, prioritizing attendance at IIGH events, promoting IIGH events and opportunities with your respective networks, and helping to build a multidisciplinary network of student global health leaders at USC.

Eligibility

Students enrolled in any degree program at USC (including online programs) are encouraged to apply. Students applying for the AY26 SAC cohort must be enrolled at USC for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.

We seek students who:

• Are committed to addressing the broad determinants of global health that impact our world – especially in the current moment;
• Engage with their communities, both within and outside of USC, in meaningful ways;
• Actively pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth; and
• Enjoy learning from others, especially those who have different backgrounds and experiences.

Application Process

Applications are currently closed for the AY26 SAC cohort.