Bhaavna Yalavarthi (she/her)
Co-President
Bhaavna is a senior majoring in Public Health and minoring in Public Policy. She is passionate about health equity and criminal justice reform, which is what led her to Prison Birth Project. Outside of PBP, Bhaavna works in the University of Michigan Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center Health Equity Core and previously interned with the Conviction Integrity and Expungement Unit of the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. In her free time, Bhaavna enjoys running, reading, and hanging out with friends.
Akshaya Kannikeswaran (she/her)
CO-president
Akshaya is a junior majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and minoring in Race, Gender, and Nation. She joined PBP her freshman year because of her love of women’s health and her interest in fostering equity and accessibility in social institutions. Outside of PBP, she conducts research on maternal mental health with the Zero to Thrive program at Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry, volunteers at a free clinic, and is a caregiver on campus. In her free time, she loves to cook new foods and take film photos.
Payal Sutaria (she/her)
Director of Internal communications
Payal is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Gender and Health. She joined PBP her freshman year to learn more about her passion for women’s health while advocating for restorative justice. Outside of PBP, she works as a medical assistant in urgent care, volunteers as a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line, and organizes events for a South Asian focused mental health organization on campus. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, going on walks, and cooking.
Gabby Pough (she/her)
CO-Director of RESEARCH
Gabby is a senior majoring in Neuroscience. She is passionate about healthcare equity and the criminal justice system, which led her to PBP. Outside of PBP, Gabby does Neuroscience research, teaches Bio 172, and works as a caregiver. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, and going on walks with friends.
Ashlyn Johnson (she/her)
CO-director of research
Ashlyn is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Spanish. She joined PBP after working at an Obstetrics and Gynecology office, where she fell in love with women's health and became interested in addressing health inequities and improving access to medical care. Outside of PBP, Ashlyn provides free health screenings at the Ann Arbor Delonis center, volunteers at Mott’s children's hospital, and facilitates a study group for Organic Chemistry. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends, and going on walks.
Amulya Setlur (she/her)
Director of Member education
Amulya is a senior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Gender and Health. She joined PBP after taking WGS 220 and attending an event hosted by PBP, both of which drew her interest in learning about the different ways that people are denied access to healthcare. Outside of PBP, Amulya is also part of another project team focused on women’s health, and works as a tutor and study group leader for Organic Chemistry 2. She is on the pre-medical track, and enjoys volunteering, dancing, and baking.
Hyejin Lee (she/her)
co-Director of PR & Marketing
Hyejin is a junior majoring in Biology and minoring in Sociology of Health and Medicine. After being introduced to America’s leading incarceration rate and the lack of healthcare access during imprisonment, she joined PBP as a freshman. Looking to broaden the public and the school’s understanding of healthcare in incarceration, she joined the Marketing committee in her sophomore year. Currently, she works as an undergraduate researcher in the Wobus Lab, private tutor, medical assistant. In her free time, Hyejin loves cafe hopping, long walks, and binging Netflix.
Jordan Reiss (she/her)
co-Director of pR & Marketing
Jordan is a junior majoring in Psychology. She was drawn to PBP after completing WGS 220, which encouraged her to gain insight into the intersections of race and gender with the carceral system. Outside of PBP, Jordan works closely with the Sexual Assault Preventation and Awareness Center as a peer-led support group facilitator, which involves providing care and resources to survivors of sexual violence on campus. In her free time, she loves dancing, listening to music, and hanging out with her friends.
Charlotte Vincent (she/her)
co-Director of Community outreach & Activism
Charlotte is a senior majoring in Public Policy with a focus on the intersection of healthcare and the law. She joined PBP as a general member as a freshman, after taking WGS 220 and being motivated to learn more about reproductive justice in the context of racial inequality. Outside of PBP, Charlotte is also the Undergraduate Liason for Women and Gender in Public Policy, an organization at the Ford School dedicated to bringing gender issues to the forefront of policy discussions. In her free time, Charlotte enjoys doing yoga, trying new restaurants, and taking long walks.
Meghana Chaparala (she/her)
Director of policy initiatives
Meghana is a sophomore planning to major in Public Health. She joined PBP her freshman year after taking WGS: 220, a course centered around women’s health and inequities. This course inspired her to get involved in clubs and organizations around campus that work toward addressing these issues. Outside of PBP, Meghana works as a patient care technician, conducts research through the MCDB department, and volunteers at a local assisted living facility. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, listening to new music, and baking.