Leadership
Marc McFarlane (he/him)
President
marcmcfarlane@wayne.edu
Marc McFarlane is currently pursuing his MPH in Epidemiology. What he loves about SciPol is to be able to rally people together for a common cause, and be able get people more involved in our government. His future career goals is to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology so he can help fill in the gaps in knowledge/data in eating disorders in the United States.
Caitlin Johnson (she/her)
Communications
caitjohnson@wayne.edu
Caitlin is a recent masters graduate from Wayne State's Counseling Psychology program. She loves having the opportunity to advocate for policies that are backed by science. SciPol has helped her refine her skills on science communication as well as improving her understanding about what goes into policy making. She hopes to use her knowledge in advocacy to provide competent care in therapeutic spaces.
Mohamed Chakkour (he/him)
Events Coordinator
hm8021@wayne.edu
MacKenna graduated from Hope College in 2023 with her bachelor's degree in psychology. She currently serves as the lab manager and study coordinator in the THINK Lab at Wayne State University's School of Medicine. She is applying to clinical psychology PhD programs with the goal of studying interactions between physical and psychological health. She hopes to develop holistic treatment interventions and to advocate for policies supporting the equitable and efficient integration of research findings into clinical practice. MacKenna joined SciPol last year and enjoys learning from the diverse passions and perspectives of other SciPol members, getting involved in science policy at local, state, and national levels, and discovering new career avenues for scientists in policy.
Sumer Chaudhry (she/her)
Membership Coordinator
hh2548@wayne.edu
Sumer graduated from Wayne State University this year with a B.S. in Public Health and a minor in Chemistry and Social Medicine. Joining SciPol has allowed her to further her efforts in science advocacy on behalf of underserved populations. She is currently working on a couple of research projects with the intention of furthering her education in medicine and social justice through research and educational programs.
T'Emi Oshin (she/her)
Vice President
hs4015@wayne.edu
T'Emi is currently pursuing her dual B.S. in Public Health and Neuroscience at Wayne State University. She is passionate about advancing equity within the healthcare system and values SciPol as a platform to engage in meaningful advocacy. T'Emi plans to become an academic physician, integrating research, patient care, and policy advocacy to promote health equity.
MacKenna Shampine (she/her)
Communications
mackenna.shampine@wayne.edu
MacKenna graduated from Hope College in 2023 with her bachelor's degree in psychology. She currently serves as the lab manager and study coordinator in the THINK Lab at Wayne State University's School of Medicine. She is applying to clinical psychology PhD programs with the goal of studying interactions between physical and psychological health. She hopes to develop holistic treatment interventions and to advocate for policies supporting the equitable and efficient integration of research findings into clinical practice. MacKenna joined SciPol last year and enjoys learning from the diverse passions and perspectives of other SciPol members, getting involved in science policy at local, state, and national levels, and discovering new career avenues for scientists in policy.
Natalie Thurston (she/her)
Events Coordinator
natalie.thurston@wayne.edu
Natalie recently graduated from SUNY Geneseo in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is currently working as a Study Coordinator for the THINK Lab at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. With plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, she aims to focus her research on trauma-informed interventions for at-risk youth populations. Natalie’s passion for policy has led her to become involved with SciPol, where she hopes to foster conversations between scientists, policymakers, and the public to ensure that science policy serves and reflects the needs of all communities.
Emma Fidler (she/they)
NSPN Liaison
emmafidler@wayne.edu
Emma is a third year PhD candidate in biological sciences at Wayne State (where she graduated with my BS in biology in 2023). When she is not in the lab she's probably hanging out with her cat Norman, reading a mystery novel, or knitting. She is passionate about getting STEM students involved in the policymaking process and sharing the joy of science with her community.
Lynessa Asplund (she/her)
Secretary
lasplund@wayne.edu
Lynessa is a freshman in the Med-Direct program at Wayne State University, majoring in Nutrition and Food Science with a minor in Biology. She is excited to join SciPol Detroit to advocate for and support her new community, as well as the communities she hopes to serve as a future physician. Lynessa is passionate about using science and research to improve health outcomes and promote wellness for all.
Lily Herron (she/her)
Communications
ho2617@wayne.edu
Lily is an undergraduate student at Wayne State University studying public health with a concentration in advocacy and practice and minors in neuroscience and global health and social medicine. She joined SciPol for the opportunity to advocate for evidence-based, science-backed policies. In the future, she hopes to continue her career in public health implementing health interventions and policies to promote health equity for all communities.
Nadia Khan (she/her)
Events Coordinator
HL4922@wayne.edu
Nadia is currently a junior studying engineering at Wayne State. She plans to go into material science and work in artifact preservation. She likes how SciPol deepens one’s understanding of policy, something in science that is usually in the shadows but fundamental to the opportunities available in the field.
Clara Zundel (she/her)
Post Doctoral Student Liaison
clara.zundel@wayne.edu
Clara is a senior postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on how environmental exposures - such as outdoor air pollution - impact brain and mental health across the lifespan. Clara is passionate about translating scientific evidence into equitable environmental health policy and community action. Through SciPol Detroit, she enjoys connecting with like-minded scientists to advocate for policies that promote healthier, more sustainable communities. Her long-term goal is to lead an independent research program that bridges neuroscience, environmental health, and psychiatry to advance mental health equity.
Current Treasurer: Bak Ko
Former President (2024-2025): Emma Fidler
Former Vice President (2024-2025): Marc McFarlane
Former Secretary (2024-2025): Simi Olabode
Advisors
Hilary Marusak, PhD
Advisor
hmarusak@med.wayne.edu
Dr. Marusak is a developmental neuroscientist and associate professor of psychiatry at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She cofounded SciPol-Detroit in 2020 with a few fantastic students to empower students and scientists to better communicate their science and advocate for science funding and science-based policies. She is so proud and impressed of how the group has evolved over time, which speaks to the passion and dedication of our young science advocates and leaders - they are the next generation!
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Stacie Clayton, MBA
Advisor
stacie.clayton@wayne.edu
Stacie is the Director of Community Affairs for Wayne State University. In this role she serves as the primary contact for individuals, business, community organizations, and local municipalities that seek involvement with the University. Stacie promotes the urban mission of the University by strengthening, developing and sustaining mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. This includes strategically extending Wayne State’s resources to the community so that Wayne State continues to have a significant impact on the cultural, economic and social life of southeastern Michigan. Stacie also works directly with the University’s leadership, schools and colleges to advance their work internally and externally.
Carrie Leach, PhD
Advisor
carrieleach@wayne.edu
Dr. Leach is an Assistant Professor (Research) at the Institute of Gerontology and Community Engagement Program Manager at the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) at Wayne State University. Dr. Leach has considerable experience in inter-disciplinary research in a variety of settings with expertise in health communication, environmental health literacy, and community-based and aging services delivery and communication.
Dr. Theresa Hastert
Advisor
Dr. Hastert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology within the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and a Scientific Member in the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at the Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI). Her research focuses on social, economic, and behavioral factors as predictors of cancer outcomes. Her recent work focuses on cancer survivorship, and on financial and employment outcomes and social needs experienced by cancer survivors, particularly those with the fewest resources. Dr. Hastert is the PI of a Mentored Research Scholar Grant through the American Cancer Society (ACS) examining the economic consequences of cancer and leads a project funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to develop educational resources to connect people with cancer and their caregivers to help them navigate financial issues related to cancer. She completed her PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Washington and Master of Public Policy degree at UCLA, where she worked in the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Dr. Lori Pile
Advisor
Dr. Pile is a professor in the department of Biological Sciences and associate dean of undergraduate affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University. She is currently a co-PI and the co-Program Director of the National Institutes of Health funded Maximizing Access to Research (MARC) at Wayne State University undergraduate student training program. The goal of this scholar program is to build a strong cohort of research-oriented underrepresented minority students who identify as biomedical scientists and will enter Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences. Dr. Pile is the co-developer and instructor in the undergraduate course Science Advocacy and Public Engagement, which is designed to promote student interaction and engagement with diverse audiences around a variety of science topics.
Rochelle Chapman
Advisor
Rochelle is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES). Her role is to create bi-directional relationships with community members. To educate and disseminate research in a relatable way to the community.She was added to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team weekly engagement meetings. For the past 19 years she has been involved in grassroots organizing and community outreach which includes free resources (food, clothing, school supplies, etc.) for residents.
Dr. Tricia Miranda-Hartsuff
Advisor
Dr. Patricia Yvonne Miranda-Hartsuff is a health equity policy scholar with over 18 years of experience with community-based participatory methods and expertise in the measurement of population-based health disparities. She has underscored the importance of the intersectionality of gender, race, class and immigration in evaluating health disparities, and has added the critical assessment of the implementation of health in all policies and sociopolitical context to the discourse on health inequity and as a lens to examine important conditions that affect vulnerable populations.
Dr. Miranda joined Wayne State University in August 2020 as tenured Associate Professor of Public Health.
Dr. Hastert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology within the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and a Scientific Member in the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at the Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI). Her research focuses on social, economic, and behavioral factors as predictors of cancer outcomes. Her recent work focuses on cancer survivorship, and on financial and employment outcomes and social needs experienced by cancer survivors, particularly those with the fewest resources. Dr. Hastert is the PI of a Mentored Research Scholar Grant through the American Cancer Society (ACS) examining the economic consequences of cancer and leads a project funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to develop educational resources to connect people with cancer and their caregivers to help them navigate financial issues related to cancer. She completed her PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Washington and Master of Public Policy degree at UCLA, where she worked in the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Nicholas Schroeck
Advisor
Nick Schroeck is an environmental law expert whose work focuses on air pollution, water pollution, environmental justice, transportation, and citizen suit enforcement. Professor Schroeck joined the Detroit Mercy Law Faculty in 2018 as the Director of Clinical Programs and Associate Professor of Law. He was appointed Associate Dean of Experiential Education in 2019. He previously directed the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic and taught Environmental Law at Wayne State University Law School.
Dr. Thomas Fischer
Advisor
Dr. Fischer is an Associate Professor of Psychology and the founding Director of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program at Wayne State. He coordinates community education outreach activities throughout the metro Detroit area and serves as a co-advisor for the WSU Chapter of Nu Rho Psi, the National Honor Society in Neuroscience. Dr Fischer is the current national President of Nu Rho Psi.
CURRENT MEMBERS
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Breanna Borg
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Katie Dwyer
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Ava Palopoli
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Lana Ruvolo Grasser
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Lyndsey Braman
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Alisa Kishta
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Clara Zundel
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Edlira Sako
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Edlira Sako
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Hilary Marusak
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Daed Daher
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Ayia almufti
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Savanah Rayyan
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Colleen Linn
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Julia Evanski
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Shreya Desai
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Jennifer Oprisiu
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Alicia Arkwright
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shelley Paulisin
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Jack Schroeder
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Prince Iroanya
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Emma Fidler
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Amanpreet Bhogal
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Mackenzie Connell
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Theresa Hastert
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Simi Olabode
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Marc McFarlane
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Nicole Gadon
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Alixandria Trombley
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Dalia Daher
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Quinten Beggs
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Lisa Todd
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Victoria Kelley
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Jaelen Mayberry
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Justin Hayes
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Christine Rainak
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Brenna Friday
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Maggie Sneideman
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Michael Muczynski
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Azeez Ayantayo
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Simi Olabode
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Lisa Maria Aldape
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Tavie Valdez
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Alexandra Yorks
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Anna Avant
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Zoe McLeroy
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Saniya Khan
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Natalie Snider
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Lisa Todd
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Victoria Fasakin
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Siddhi Nair
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Sean Minton
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Olivia Kodra
THANK YOU
We are very grateful for the generous support of:
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Wayne State University Office of Government and Community Affairs
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Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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Wayne State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
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Research!America Microgrant
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Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Science for Public Good Fund
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