Joshua Liashenko is a medical anthropologist and Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health within the UC Riverside School of Medicine. His research interests in include trans, non-binary, and gender expansive health and community activism in Southern California, specifically studying how trans clinicians shape the provision of gender-affirming care. This work examines experience-informed care and how institutions respond to the presence of trans providers working in trans medicine. Joshua's current research is focused on trans-centered telemedicine resources and how trans and queer led economic support initiatives impact trans health and wellbeing in the Coachella Valley. Follow him on Twitter @joshienko

Michelle brings a public health career of over 25 years, is a master connector, collaborating with diverse organizations to solve complex problems facing counties, cities, and school districts within the private, public, and non-profit sectors.  She is currently the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach for the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine’s Center for Healthy Communities (CHC). She leads the CHC in promoting community-engaged research. The mission of CHC is focused on remedying social injustices and health disparities that contribute to the poor health of individuals in southern California’s Inland Empire and beyond. Michelle has a depth of experience as a public health practitioner in, direct patient care, community engagement strategies, state, and county public health program administration, implementation, and evaluation. 

Sahar Foruzan is a PhD student in Anthropology at UC Riverside. She is a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) with the Community Engagement and Dissemination Core at the Center for Health Disparities Research at the University of California, Riverside where her work has explored the connections between community health, environmental and social policy, and toxic environments. Her work is driven by the belief that we all have a right to healthy environments that support us and help us to thrive as individuals and as communities. 

Selina Hernandez, MPH is a southern California Inland Empire native and serves as a Community Relations Specialist at UC Riverside School of Medicine for Center for Healthy Community (CHC) and Health Disparities Research (HDR). She works behind the scenes on multi-media health promotion and education material aimed towards improving the health outcomes of underserved communities.