Principal Investigator/Associate Professor

Sophia is a public health researcher and infectious diseases physician focused on HIV among adolescents and young adults, with a focus on young Black gay and bisexual men. In her work, she aims to always incorporate community and youth perspectives at every stage, in order to develop research that is strengths-focused and relevant. Her favorite part of her job is working with the EmPOWER team and watching everybody grow in their lives and careers.

Manager of Research Projects

Tony Jr. started his journey with the EmPower team as a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) member. Tony Jr. has coordinated several studies to include VOT+, OpenMind, and MobiliTy, but he is most proud of being one of the original creators of the B6 (Brothers Building Brothers By Breaking Barriers) intervention. His favorite thing about being a part of the team is the balance between work and fun. “We laugh and uplift one another, but we also know how to get the job done. And there is still a lot of work to be done within the community!”

Assistant Professor

Maddie is a pediatric infectious disease physician and public health researcher under the mentorship of Dr. Hussen. Her research aims to mitigate the effects of intersecting stigmas and improve HIV-related outcomes through innovative intervention design and implementation among children and adolescents living with HIV. Atlanta has quickly become a second home and when she is not working, you can find her cooking a new recipe, exploring the botanical gardens, or traveling somewhere new!

Doctoral Candidate

Kamini is a Doctoral Candidate in Global Health and Development at Emory University, where her research examines how structural and behavioral factors shape HIV outcomes, with a particular focus on substance use and aging. She is trained in quantitative, qualitative, and geospatial methods and has contributed to several NIH-funded projects focused on mental health–HIV integration, HIV care engagement, and structural determinants of health. Her work aims to generate insights that support more equitable and person-centered HIV care for populations facing multiple barriers. Kamini’s favorite part of the EmPOWER team is its strong sense of community and mutual support. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, snuggling her dog, Sconnie, and cheering on her beloved Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers.

Senior Research Associate Coordinator

McKinsey earned his B.S. in Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University and studied Biomedical Sciences at Morehouse School of Medicine. When not at work, McKinsey enjoys playing video games, going to the gym, and watching movies (particularly superhero movies). He is also a business owner, managing The Chemistry of Zen Candle Co. McKinsey is currently an MPH candidate in the BSHES department at Rollins.

Public Health Program Associate

Srija is passionate about working with – and learning from – communities to advance positive public health outcomes. After completing her MPH in Global Health at Emory University, she joined the emPOWER team, where she has been an integral member ever since. Across the team, Srija contributes to a range of projects, with primary interests in data analysis, data collection, and project management. She loves collaborating with others to produce meaningful, community-informed insights that can drive equitable health solutions. Outside of work, you can usually find Srija taking long walks with her dog, Ziggy, exploring new restaurants, or enjoying time outdoors with friends. Her favorite part of her job is, without question, her team!

Public Health Program Associate

Marcus primarily works on the B6 study. His interests include LGBTQIA+ sexual health (mainly concerning Black/African-American same-gender-loving men living with and w/o HIV) and health communication. He aspires to be a health communication specialist, which will allow him to fulfill two of his greatest passions: (1) providing critical health-related information to marginalized communities of color and (2) equipping these same communities with the necessary resources and supports to realize optimal health. 

Assistant Professor

Sam is an infectious disease physician involved in public health research under the mentorship of Dr. Sophia Hussen.  His clinical and research interests are mostly geared towards patients living with HIV, with a focus on Black gay and bisexual men. On joining the EmPOWER Research Team, he has been fortunate to interact with a highly skilled and motivated crew from whom he learns a tremendous amount on a daily basis. When he is not working, you can find him at the gym, at a movie theater, or just relaxing in his apartment.

Doctoral Candidate

Tigest is a Ph.D. candidate in Global Health and Development at Emory University. She is passionate about strengthening health systems and promoting health equity through data-driven, evidence-based programs and research. Her main public health interests include sexual and reproductive health, HIV, gender, and health systems strengthening. With over six years of experience in global health programming and intervention research, she has worked on family planning, maternal and child health, HIV, and mental health projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Namibia, the U.S., and Malawi. Outside of work, Tigest enjoys reading, hiking, sipping tea, red wine while watching the sunset, practicing yoga, and traveling to experience new cultures.

Senior Public Health Program Associate

Tsedenia Tewodros is a Senior Public Health Associate in the Global Health Department at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. With a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Rice University and a Master of Public Health from Emory University, Tsedenia has over eight years of experience in global health research, primarily focused on mental health, social behavior change, and nutrition. She is passionate about research that builds community-based health solutions and focuses on qualitative research and analysis within the emPOWER team. In her free time, Tsedenia likes to visit wineries, tend to her dying plants, and re-watch movies from the 2000s.

Resident Physician

Growing up with family on the Southside of Chicago and rural Mississippi, Rosalind became acutely aware of the disparities in quality and access to care.  Her interest in public health was incited by an internship in college during which she worked with a community based organization working to reduce incidence of HIV within the Black community. Working with the EmPOWER team has broadened her understanding of how academic research can help community members build capacity and self-efficacy. In her free time, Rosalind enjoys gathering with friends, listening to podcasts, and challenging herself physically on aerial hoop and aerial sling.

Public Health Program Associate

Madeline Lynam, MPH, joined the EmPOWER team while completing her MPH program at the Rollins School of Public Health in 2023. After graduating, she transitioned to the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences and currently works as a Public Health Program Associate in the Emory Prevention Research Center. Madeline now primarily works on community-engaged cancer prevention and control research studies, though she still works with the EmPOWER team on a voluntary basis. Her research interests include social determinants of health, sexual and gender minority health, community-engaged research, mixed-methods research, and implementation science. 

MPH Student

Feaven is a current MPH student in Global Epidemiology at Emory, and works as a graduate research assistant. She primarily works with the HIStory study, and is grateful to have gained valuable skills and insights from both the project and the amazing EmPOWER team. She hopes to later obtain her PhD and continue engaging in community based research and program development. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the violin and baking!

Infectious Disease Fellow

Becky is an infectious disease physician and public health researcher under the mentorship of Dr Hussen. She is passionate about providing primary care for patients living with HIV and working with communities to improve health equity by addressing social determinants of HIV. She loves partnering with and learning from her knowledgeable and dedicated EmPOWER team colleagues. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and two sons.

MD/MPH Student

Tammy is a medical student from the George Washington University currently completing an MPH in Global Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health. She primarily works on the HIStory and UPlift studies, and is passionate about promoting health equity through community-engaged research and culturally responsive clinical and public health interventions. When Tammy is not studying or working with the amazing EmPOWER family, you can find her binging new shows, cooking (especially her famous empanadas), or exploring the restaurant scene in Atlanta.