Public Health Research Staff
Yeny Arones
Yeny Arones, PharmD, possesses over a decade of experience in community engagement, health education, and advocacy. Originally from Peru, she holds a PharmD from San Marcos University and is earning a Master of Community Leadership at Westminster University. Yeny's passion is improving access to quality care for rural communities and those who face systemic barriers. As Academic Program Manager in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, she applies a community-based approach to studies like CHARMS, Nuestro Sueño, and Sweet Dreams. Her responsibilities include recruiting participants, facilitating focus groups, and delivering interventions.
Sazid Rehman Aubhik
Sazid Rehman Aubhik, MPP, is a Research Analyst at the University of Utah, where he works on research ethics, policy analysis, and qualitative research related to public health and social equity. His work focuses on supporting studies involving refugee and other marginalized communities, with particular attention to participant protections, ethical research design, and institutional practice. Sazid has a background in public policy and development research, with experience working in both Bangladesh and the United States. Outside of work, he enjoys writing, reading, listening to alternative rock, and honing his skills in a newfound interest: pickleball.
Bobbie Bermudez
Bobbie Bermudez, PhD, is the Lab Manager for the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Lab. She earned her Doctorate in Critical and Sociocultural Studies in Education from the University of Oregon in 2023. Before that, she completed her Master of Science at Pace University in New York, NY, and her Bachelor of Arts at Richmond: The American International University in London.
Born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Dr. Bermudez is passionate about Latine recruitment and inclusion in public health studies.
Brooke Bushman
Brooke works for the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, a nationwide research initiative supported by the National Institutes of Health. She oversees all laboratory operations, ensuring high-quality technical support for studies that examine how environmental factors impact child health. Brooke plays a key role in coordinating between lab staff, researchers, and collaborators, helping to advance ECHO’s mission of improving health outcomes for children across diverse communities.
Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Jen Dailey-Provost, PhD, MBA, completed her BS in Business at the University of Utah, her MBA at Westminster University, and her PhD in Public Health at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Her academic and research priorities include the epidemiological science of health disparities for marginalized communities, particularly with regard to the effects of policy on health outcomes. She currently works as teaching faculty in the Division of Public Health. Jen’s academic and policy priorities and passions include universal access to healthcare, breaking down inequities that lead to disparities in outcomes for marginalized communities, criminal justice reform, women’s health, better treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorder, including addressing the opioid crisis, alleviating homelessness, and addressing our current gun violence epidemic.
Jen is also a current member of the Utah House of Representatives, elected in 2018 to serve the constituents of House District 22 in downtown Salt Lake City.
Emma Erwin, MSc, MPH
Emma is the Training Manager for the Rocky Mountains and High Plains Center for Emergency Public Health at the University of Utah, creating online and in-person training initiatives while leading The Center’s communications and marketing efforts. She holds an MPH from the University of Utah and an MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Royal Veterinary College, bringing a One Health perspective (and the Queen’s English) to U.S. emergency preparedness. Outside the Center, she works on research and community initiatives using innovative, AI-first tools to help communities better anticipate, understand, and respond to complex threats. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her on a trail—slowly but surely collecting every national park stamp in her passport.
Christian Escorcia
Christian Escorcia, BS, is a Study Coordinator in the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Lab under Dr. Kelly Baron. He has been with the lab for two years, where he manages the day-to-day operations of the CHARMS study, collaborates across research teams, and contributes to manuscript preparation and data management. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University in 2023 and plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. His research interests focus on resilience and overcoming barriers to care in underserved communities, particularly among Latinx/e populations in the U.S. Originally from Queens, New York, and raised in South Florida, he enjoys gaming, music, traditional Mexican dance, and spending time near the beach.
Sheralyn Funk
Sheralyn Funk, MSTAT is a research coordinator for the Advancing Research on Cardiovascular Health and Endometriosis Study (ARCHES) team led by Dr. Karen Schliep. She completed her Master's degree in Biostatistics and her Bachelor's degree in Health, Society, and Policy at the University of Utah. Her role includes scheduling and conducting research participant visits as well as statistical analysis. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with family. She is excited to be part of a team dedicated to advancing women's health.
Marci Harris
Marci Harris, PhD, MPH, MPP, is an Advanced Research Coordinator for the Division of Public Health. She leads evaluation efforts for the Center for Emergency Public Health, assessing the impact and effectiveness of the Center’s interventions and programs. Marci holds a BS in Economics, Consumer and Community Policy, and Gender Studies, as well as dual MS in Public Health (MPH) and Public Policy (MPP). She has also earned her PhD in Public Health. Prior to her current role, Marci spent a decade working with nonprofit organizations in Utah, where her experiences deepened her commitment to public policy and public health. Outside of work, she lives in Millcreek with her husband and their cats. Marci enjoys traveling, attending live music events, reading voraciously, and picking up new skills whenever she can.
Rachael Hemmert
Rachael Hemmert, MSPH, is an epidemiologist for the Advancing Research on Cardiovascular Health and Endometriosis Study (ARCHES) team. She has an undergraduate degree in geography and an M.S. in Public Health from the University of Utah. She performs spatial and statistical analysis for the study as well as manuscript and grant preparation. Rachael is a Salt Lake City native and enjoys spending her free time skiing, and mountain biking in Utah’s beautiful mountains.
Carson Hernandez
Carson Hernandez is an aspiring clinical psychologist interested in working with children and teenagers in underserved and low-income communities to create interventions aimed at increasing equity for the rising generation. He grew up locally in Orem and graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. In his free time, he loves spending time with his family, tending to their garden, and fishing.
Bryce Johnson
Bryce Johnson's, MSTAT, GSTAT, expertise in biostatistics and healthcare analytics makes him a strong contributor to the University of Utah’s research community. He holds a Master’s in Biostatistics from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in Genetics & Biotechnology from Brigham Young University. His professional experience spans clinical research, infection surveillance, predictive modeling, and survey design, with Data Science roles at University of Utah Health, and Biostatistician roles with various multidisciplinary research teams. Originally from California, Bryce enjoys teaching and playing piano, skiing and snowboarding, and reading both high fantasy novels and contemporary works on social studies and government. Above all, he loves raising his three young children and sharing with them a joy for learning and adventure.
Emily Knighton
Emily Knighton graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Science in 2024. She then joined the UCP/ECHO project that same year, working as a study coordinator. She enjoys working with families and kids of all ages in her role as a study coordinator. Emily loves to crochet, read, and sing when she isn't working or spending time with her friends.
Halle Lee
Halle Lee, MSPH, is a study coordinator with the Utah Children's Project for the Preconception to Perinatal Outcomes (PPO) study and the ECHO program. In 2022, she earned her MS in Public Health with a certificate in Statistics. She is excited to combine her passion for research and reproductive health in this role.
Austin Layton
Austin Layton is a student in the Master of Healthcare Administration program in the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. He has two years of administrative experience within the University of Utah's School of Medicine and over six years of direct patient care experience across the Wasatch Front. Austin provides logistical support and administrative management for the Rocky Mountain & High Plains Center for Emergency Public Health, housed in the Division of Public Health. He also provides support and administrative management for the Division of Occupational and Environmental Health's viral aerosol project. Austin plans to graduate with his Master of Healthcare Administration degree in 2027.
Megan Petersen
Megan Petersen, PhD (c), MPH, W-EMT, is a Project Coordinator for the Division of Public Health. She has more than 20 years of experience in global health and emergency public health. Megan's work has been primarily with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), focused on HIV/AIDS (PEPFAR), water, sanitation, hygiene, and Global Health Security. Megan believes in the vital work of global health and development in the effort to protect national security, improve diplomatic relationships, combat diseases to prevent future pandemics, and respond to humanitarian needs. Her academic work and research are focused on emergency public health, disaster planning, response, and recovery, and vaccine hesitancy. Megan received her Master of Public Health degree in Community Health Science from the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, and her Bachelor of Social Science from Brigham Young University. Megan is also a volunteer Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (W-EMT).
Robin Repta
Robin Repta, MA, is a clinical research coordinator in the Behavioral Sleep Medicine lab. She manages the Sweet Dreams study, which is a mixed-methods study aiming to improve sleep health among Utah women of color. Originally from Guelph, Canada, Robin loves to hike and ski in Utah.
Rebecca Richards-Steed
Rebecca Richards-Steed, PhD (c), MS, is a geospatial data scientist with expertise in multigenerational data modeling and analysis. Specifically, she specializes in the creation and curation of multigenerational environmental datasets and the linkage of multigenerational family pedigree data and descendant health outcomes.
Michelle Seage
Michelle Seage, PhD, W-EMT, is passionate about building individual and organizational public health emergency preparedness and response capabilities and resilience within the PHEP workforce. She also has direct disaster response experience utilizing ICS. Before working with the Center, she worked for the federal government in resource-limited settings and has expertise in diplomatic and defense-related U.S. foreign policy.
Jordana Tuz
Jordana Tuz graduated from Brigham Young University in 2018 with a BS in Family Science: Human Development. She has since worked with children in varying degrees, ranging from mental health hospitals to teen treatment facilities and teaching in schools. She has always had an interest in learning what influences child development and is excited to be part of ECHO, especially to better serve the Spanish-speaking populations.
Nancy West
Nancy West, PhD, is a biostatistician with the Advancing Research on Cardiovascular Health and Endometriosis Study (ARCHES) team. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan and an MS in Statistics from Utah State University. Previously, Dr. West was an Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She has over 30 years of experience supporting large observational studies and focuses on reproductive, perinatal, and cardiovascular epidemiology.
