Meet the Team

Welcome to our team page! We’re a dedicated group of researchers working to promote equity and health justice by dismantling oppressive systems and creating liberatory change across the U.S. and globally. Each of us brings unique expertise and passion to our mission, driving meaningful change through collaboration and quality in everything we do.

Learn more about our team members, what drives us, and how we’re contributing to a more just and equitable world.

  • Kennedy Curtis (she/her) is a graduate of DePaul University, class of 2023. She majored in psychology,  with a concentration in human services, and minored in creative writing. She has not learned what her specific research interests are, but she’s excited to discover them along the way. For her personal  hobbies, she loves jigsaw puzzles, watching movies, and listening to music. 

  • Ren Mondesir (she/her) is a third-year medical student at Feinberg School of Medicine. She is a graduate of Northwestern University where she studied Psychology and Art Theory and Practice. She is pursuing a career as a pediatric physician. Her research interests include pediatric and adolescent mental health. In her free time, she loves to create clothing, stuffed animals, and decor through crochet.

  • Sheridan Grettenberger (she/her) is thrilled to join the I+HEAL team as a Behavioral Research Coordinator! Sheridan has a background as a music therapist working on the inpatient units at Lurie Children’s Hospital to support patients and families throughout their hospitalizations. Through her clinical work and graduate studies, Sheridan developed a strong interest in research and a passion for promoting accessibility within medical systems. She is excited to support the I+HEAL team’s mission of striving for health equity and health justice across healthcare and community settings. In her spare time, Sheridan sings in an LGBTQ+ choir in Chicago and enjoys spending time with her wife, family, and friends – ideally accompanied by good food and good board games.

  • Yiyang (she/her) is a graduate from Northwestern University, where she studied Human Development in Context and Psychology. Her research interests center on the intersection of research and practice, especially as it relates to using community-engaged approaches that address social determinants of mental health and well-being, with the goal of fostering equitable institutions and healthy communities. In her free time, Yiyang enjoys testing out new recipes, reading, and crafts of all kinds!

  • Isabella (Izzy) Zylka (she/her) is a DePaul University graduate who double majored in Criminology and  Psychology with concentrations in Criminal Justice Admin and Human Services respectively. These  majors have significantly inspired an affinity for research and discovery, with an overwhelming passion  in improving health equity, ensuring social justice, and spreading mental health awareness. She has always been passionate about research and preventative strategies involving the mentally ill prison  population, specifically drug and alcohol misuse, and the transition between incarceration and  treatment, forensic psychology, and women and children with histories of mental and physical trauma.  She plans to attend graduate school to obtain either her PsyD or PhD after discovering more about the  work field and the niche she belongs in. In her free time, you can find her scrolling for a good movie,  enjoying Thai food, or writing a short story. Her favorite things to do are spend time with her partner,  Max, her cat, Fiona, and bake. 

  • Ella Kuffour (she/her)isa senior at Northwestern University studying psychology and journalism. She is interested in developmental psychopathology, social determinants of health and the role of digital media in disseminating information about mental health and interventions. Outside of the lab, she reports for Northwestern’s alumni magazine and performs with three student dance companies.

  • Sareena Shah (she/her) is a sophomore at Stanford University majoring in Human Biology. She is  interested in researching the factors that influence the adoption of mental health prevention programs  in schools and community settings, including interventions for eating disorders and substance use. In  her free time, Sareena enjoys spending time with friends and family, going outdoors, and exploring  Chicago.


  • Emily Lynott (she/her),is a rising fourth-year at Northwestern University majoring in Neuroscience and Global Health with a minor in Data Science. Within research she is particularly interested in clinical psychology and health equity both domestically and internationally, and has gained these interests through experience in the workplace and abroad. She spent the spring quarter of her sophomore year in South Africa on a Public Health and Development study abroad program, and the following summer she worked in a psychiatric partial care facility where she learned a lot more about the clinical environment. Outside of the lab, she likes to spend her time training for triathlons or hanging out with her foster cats!

  • Shanya Yang isa current senior at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. She is interested in researching underrepresented populations in substance use education and implementing public health initiatives in the community. In the meantime, she enjoys doing wildlife photography and hiking.

  • Noel Skariah (he/him) attends the Illinois Math and Science Academy as a high school senior. He enjoys listening to music and watching TV in his free time and is interested in teenage substance abuse during his time at the I+HEAL lab.

  • Sarah Sauerteig (she/her)is in her first year at Northwestern's SPS Pre-medicine Certificate Program. With a background in interior design and sales, Sarah has made a switch into preparing for medical school with a special interest in pediatrics. Because she hopes to one day be an internal medicine-pediatric doctor, she is focusing her time outside of the classroom on learning about how to close the gaps in healthcare provided to children who require lifelong care. She enjoys all things fitness, wellness, and being outdoors.

  • Sofia Marin (she/her) is a rising sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a major in Community Health and Finance. She is eager about research that looks at the intersection of health economics, equity implementation and substance use. In the future, she hopes to create health policy to drive large-scale change, launch a health companythat addresses medical errorsand inspire a new healthcare setting where justice is at the forefront. A fun fact about her is thatshe's also interested in the world of investment banking.

  • Janelle is the multifaceted C.E.O. of All Things Janelle Marie LLC, which provides administrative support  services to businesses and institutions across several states. She utilizes her 12+ years of administrative experience to support the advancement and growth of businesses and institutions that focus on the direct upliftment and support of disenfranchised communities. She has also been a professional  wedding planner for the past 7 years. In her free time has a passion for learning and explores  opportunities to advance her knowledge on various subjects at all times. She enjoys domestic traveling,  history & culture, and spending time with her 6-year-old son.