Dr. Goldman-Mellor currently supervises three public health doctoral students. She also occasionally mentors undergraduate research assistants. If you are interested in applying to work with me at the graduate level, please review the U.C. Merced graduate program in public health and then contact her via email. If you are an undergraduate and interested in being a research assistant, please note that Dr. Goldman-Mellor requires students to have taken PH100 before applying.
Current students:
LaMecia Ward, M.P.H., is a first-year Ph.D. student and a UC Merced Chancellor’s Excellence Fellow with research interests in Minority Mental Health, Social Determinants of Health, and Social Epidemiology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences and her Master's of Public Health from California State University, Fresno. LaMecia spent five years at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, collaborating with local organizations to drive impactful changes in minority health across the region. These experiences deepened her understanding of how social determinants of health shape individual well-being and strengthened her commitment to uplifting underserved voices through her research, with a focus on creating healthier living conditions in the Central Valley. As a PhD student, LaMecia seeks to build on her experience in community health and research to explore how race, social support, and environmental factors intersect to influence health outcomes, particularly within the African American population. Through her work, she aims to bridge the gap between research and community needs, advocating for data-driven policies that promote health equity in the Central Valley. Ultimately, LaMecia aspires to use her research to foster meaningful change and contribute to healthier, more supportive communities for marginalized groups. A Central Valley native, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying physically active, and discovering new adventures.
Tosin Oyetunji, M.P.H., is a first-year PhD student in Public Health. He has a foundational background in biochemistry (B.Sc.) and extensive non-profit sector experience implementing HIV prevention, mental health, and gender-based violence initiatives in Nigeria. His research interests focus on social and psychiatric epidemiology, particularly the use of large-scale population data to develop evidence-based inferences for mental health issues.
Shaina Sta. Cruz, MSPH, is a seventh-year Ph.D. student in Public Health. Shaina completed her B.A. at California State University, Fullerton, and she has developed her knowledge of community health issues and social justice through advocacy work and hands-on service-learning experiences throughout the Central Valley. With a focus on health disparities, Shaina is interested in studying violence victimization, social adversity, and mental health. Her dissertation is examining the epidemiology of violence victimization among women, especially pregnant and postpartum women. Additionally, Shaina has cultivated her skills as a statistician and educator by helping to develop and deliver new statistics courses and training for the Public Health department. Ultimately, she aims to earn a faculty position at a state university and mentor student researchers. Shaina is the 2023-2024 recipient of U.C. Merced's UC President's Pre-Professorship Fellowship, which aims to enhance faculty diversity and pathways to the professoriate for underrepresented students from California Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Former students:
Carlisha Hall, Ph.D. is now a postdoctoral fellow at the NIH-funded Mental Health Research Network T32 program in Oakland, CA. Carlisha received her Ph.D. in 2024. While at UC Merced, Carlisha conducted research on determinants and outcomes of suicidal behavior among African American populations. She previously completed her B.A. at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a post-baccalaureate certificate from the National Institutes of Health, where she worked on research examining the influence of the social environment on attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) outcomes.
Jordan Jensen, M.S.P.H. Jordan is now an epidemiologist and fellow with the California Epidemiologic Investigation Service (Cal-EIS). Jordan completed his undergraduate education at California State University, Fresno, earning a B.S. in Public Health. At UC Merced, his primary research interest was in the geographic patterning of psychiatric epidemiology outcomes, and employing geospatial analysis to describe and analyze suicidal behavior.
Kevin Kwan, Ph.D. (pictured with Dr. Goldman-Mellor at his PhD graduation ceremony!), is now an Epidemiologist at the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health. He received his PhD in 2019. While at UC Merced, Kevin conducted research on how new technologies and home modifications can help elderly individuals continue to live independently. In 2015, Kevin graduated from UC Merced with a B.A. in Human Biology.
Kristina Keheley, Ph.D., is now the Division Director of Health Services with the Mariposa County Health and Human Services Department. A Mariposa County native, Dr. Keheley's research interests at UC Merced included mental health epidemiology, adolescent substance use, and geographic disparities in care. In 2012, Kristina graduated from UC Merced with a B.A. in psychology.
Photos below: At U.C. Merced’s past graduation ceremonies with some of the research group's amazing undergraduate research assistants!
