Akshaya Kannikeswaran (she/her)

CO-president

Akshaya is a senior 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.

Jordan Reiss (she/her)

Co-President

Jordan is a senior 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 as a research assistant and serves as the mental health chair for Mu Epsilon Delta. In her free time, she loves dancing, listening to music, and hanging out with her friends.

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.

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.

Sree Saripalli (she/her)

Co-Director of Member education

Sree is a senior majoring in the Sociology of Health and Medicine. She is passionate about prison reform and equity in healthcare access. After hearing the experiences of incarcerated pregnant people, Sree was motivated to join Prison Birth Project to spark change. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking dogs, and baking. 

Ella-Sophia Hawley (she/her)

co-Director of Member Educations

Ella is a sophomore majoring in Biology, Health, and Society. She joined PBP her freshman year because of her passion for equality and women’s health, hoping to share those values with others. In her free time, she loves going for walks in the Arb and trying out new recipes.

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. 

Teryn Ferry (she/her)

co-Director of pR & Marketing

Teryn is a sophomore double majoring in International Studies and Public Health. She joined PBP her freshman year because of her interest in criminal justice reform. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with friends. 

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.

Priya Andra (she/her)

co-Director of Community outreach & Activism

Priya is a sophomore majoring in BCN. She joined PBP her freshman year, which has increased her passion for health equity and curiosity about the carceral system. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, trying new foods, and watching horror movies.